What goes down the drain doesn’t always go with the flow, so to speak.
And when it doesn’t and there’s a clog, you probably have to stop using that drain until you remove the grime, whether it’s grease and food in the kitchen sink or hair and soap scum in the bathroom tub.
To help you get the dirty work done, this guide will walk you through the different types of plungers, including plungers and drain openers, and the liquids and granules you pour down the drain. We’ll point out the pros and cons of each type, the safety precautions to follow when using them, and any other tips that might help you decide what to use to fix that clogged drain.
Try with a plunger
To protect your pipes, you may want to try a mechanical plunger first (especially in the toilet, as the heat from a chemical reaction can crack porcelain). A plunger may work if the clog is at or near the trap, the U-shaped section of pipe below the drain, according to Charles White, vice president of regulatory affairs for the National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Refrigeration Contractors ( PHCC), who has more than 30 years of experience in plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).
Cup plungers work best for sink and tub/shower drains, but for a toilet, you’ll need a flange plunger, which has a soft rubber flap on the bottom to create a better seal on the toilet drain.
But a plunger can work without cleaning the pipe, which can cause another blockage. snakes drain cleaners are better for cleaning residual sludge from pipes, says White. They feature a metal cable that is inserted into the pipe, with a corkscrew-shaped spring at the end designed to hook onto the obstruction and pull it out. You will need to wear safety glasses and gloves when using a snake, as standing water and debris can splash up from the drain during removal.
Fast-acting chemical cleaners
If you’re looking for speed and simplicity, chemical cleaners poured down the drain can clear a clog in half an hour or less. As the name implies, these products rely on chemical reactions to dissolve a clog. Although there are three types of chemical cleaners: caustic, oxidizing, and acidic, acidic products, like Zep Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener, are based on extremely dangerous chemicals and are typically only used by professionals.
Caustic Drain Cleaners
As Drano (liquid, at Amazon and Walmart) and Thrift (granules, at Amazon and Walmart)
Cost: about $5 to $30
Caustic drain cleaners may include ingredients such as lye (sodium hydroxide), caustic potash, or bleach. Bleach’s corrosiveness allows it to break down grease and organic matter, such as hair and food particles, while potash (a type of potassium salt) helps speed up the breakdown of that organic matter. Caustic drain cleaners are especially effective on grease clogs.
Oxidizing drain cleaners
Such as Liquid-Plumr Industrial Strength Gel (at Home Depot and Lowe’s) and Zep Minute Hair Clog Remover (at Home Depot and Lowe’s)
Cost: about $10
Oxidizing cleaners may contain ingredients such as bleach, nitrates and peroxides to quickly remove a clog. At the molecular level, the active chemicals work to remove electrons from things stuck in the drain, a reaction that produces gas and heat as the clog loosens. In general, oxidizing products are more effective on organic materials such as hair and food and less so on grease.
The downside of using chemicals
Although often quick and effective, chemical cleaners can be dangerous. Caustic cleaners, in particular, can cause chemical burns if they come into contact with your skin, and be sure to check labels and take precautions, as some products can give off noxious fumes. If you use one, follow the instructions carefully, including keeping children and animals away from the place where you are working.
“Wear protective equipment: rubber gloves, safety glasses, face shields, aprons, that sort of thing,” says Dave Frame of Bob Frame Plumbing Services Inc. and president-elect of the PHCC. “Chemicals can attack carpets, floors, or other finished surfaces, so be careful not to spill them.”
Proper ventilation is also key. White recommends opening a window; if there isn’t one, turn on a fan. You should also not mix multiple drain cleaners, homemade or otherwise, or use them with other chemicals, such as bleach. Look up the safety and health warnings for a chemical drain cleaner on the safety data sheet. (Check the manufacturer’s website or search the SDS database.)
Chemical drain cleaners are not usually a problem for your pipes, whether they are plastic or metal, if they are installed according to the regulations and the instructions on the product packaging are followed, says Paul Abrams, spokesperson for Roto-Rooter.
“However, sometimes homeowners replace under-sink drain pipes with flexible or expandable drain pipes that are made of light-gauge plastic and they don’t meet the standards,” says Abrams. “Since chemical cleaners generate heat, they have been known to melt through cheap replacement drain pipes if the chemical stays inside for too long.” This could also be a problem in older homes with old, rusty pipes.
Sodium silicate, a corrosion-inhibiting ingredient in Drano and Liquid-Plumr, can help protect metal pipes, but you should still follow the directions exactly.
The Safest Option: Enzymatic Cleaners
Enzymatic Drain Cleaners offer a gentler alternative to the harsh chemicals found in many drainage products. drain cleaning. Basically, the bioenzymatic products break down the stuck material into smaller particles, which are digested by beneficial bacteria. For best results, look for a product that targets the type of clog you have: hair, soap scum, food, or grease.
Cleaners enzymatic
Like Green Gobbler (at Amazon and Home Depot) or Bio- Clean (Amazon, Bio-Clean, and Walmart)
Cost: from about $10 to $30
These cleaners aren’t as fast or as effective at dissolving clogs as the others, says Abrams. They should be left in the drain for several hours or even overnight, and may need to be applied more than once to fully remove a blockage. But they are safer for pipes than chemical drain cleaners. “And if you have a septic system, these products are not only safe, but can be beneficial as they help replace essential bacteria lost that help break down waste, sometimes from the use of other types of drain cleaners.” Frame says. In fact, they can be used preventatively to keep a septic system healthy.
Thanks to their safer ingredients, these cleaners are also more environmentally friendly. Although water treatment facilities act as a barrier to remove household chemicals before they reach the environment, the process is not completely effective and some do pass through, potentially posing a risk to fish and wildlife.
If you have tried mechanical methods and a drain cleaner without success, your next step should be to call a plumber.
“It is not uncommon for what appears to be a clog local is actually a blockage in a larger part or in the drainage of a building,” says White. “If that’s the case, it can become a very complicated job in a short time.”
A plumber will probably perform a pipe inspection before using heavy-duty tools, such as a snake unclogs motorized pipes or a water jet, to eliminate the obstruction.
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Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
2022