Table Of Contents
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
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Preventative Drain Maintenance
When it comes to the household, there are only a few things that can be as annoying as a clogged or a slow drain. Nobody likes to see soapy water standing in the bathtub or shower and greasy water in the kitchen. Apart from the accumulation of water, it can also lead to the growth of microorganisms, primarily if not attended to.
The brighter side of things is that you can quickly clear a clogged or slow drain by yourself. You are probably already wondering how you can do this. The general go-to solution is to use a plunger to clear the clog; when doing this, it's essential to ensure you choose the correct plunger.
After using a plunger, there's a possibility that the drain will still be clogged, and you may need to try something else. You can try an enzymatic or chemical drain cleaner to clear the clog.
Drain cleaners help to unclog household pipes and drains as fast as possible. Fortunately, there are so many options that you can find on the market. However, you need to be able to know how to choose an effective one and one that is compatible with your system. You'll find some of the best drain cleaners in this article. Let's dive right in.
Best Drain Cleaners
Here are some of the best drain cleaning products that you'll find on the market today:
Drano Max Gel Clog Remover
When it comes to options that can easily remove drain clogs, Drano is one of the best-known options that you should consider for a reliable drain cleaner. You can use this option effectively on different drains and even disposals. It's a handy option for the garage, bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, and outside drains, and you can rest assured that it'll help to clear your drain.
The main reason why it works effectively is that it's a very concentrated formula, and it works within a few minutes. This allows it to remove hard stains and particles that build up in the drain. Using this drain cleaner is easy; you only need to pour a small quantity into your drain and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes.
For best results, you might want to consider leaving it overnight. After that, you can flush the drain and repeat the process until the drain clears completely. An impressive thing about this option is that the formula prevents pipes from corroding, thereby increasing their lifespan.
Pequa Drain Opener
If you tend to delay cleaning a semi-clogged drain, especially hair clogs in your bathtub or shower, it will eventually get to the point where it blocks completely. When this happens, you'll need an effective clog remover that can easily remove tangled hair from your drain so that water flows correctly.
One of the high-rated options that you should consider without hesitation is the Pequa Drain Opener. This is an excellent option for residential and commercial use, which is impressive. The product is designed to dissolve any type of organic matter, including grease and hair.
Pequa Drain Opener is a fast-acting and environmentally friendly option. In addition, you can be sure that it won't cause any damage to your pipes.
Rockwell Invade Bio Drain Gel
The next option is one that works perfectly when used in sink drains, but you can also use it in other drains. You shouldn't hesitate to get this option if you notice that your kitchen sink is not draining as it should.
The fantastic thing about this option is that in addition to clearing clogs, it also helps to eliminate drain flies. Bio Drain Gel also has an impressive aroma and is designed to cut through accumulated substances and organic matter with great ease.
Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria
This is a handy option for people who have a septic system. If you have a septic system, you'll need to avoid using harsh or strong chemical drain openers, especially those that can easily harm your plumbing system. Rather than buying just any drain cleaner on the market, it's best to go for one that's compatible with your septic system.
An option that you should consider trying is to use the Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria. This powder formula comprises a mixture of enzymes and natural bacteria, and it's designed to quickly go through organic wastes that accumulate in pipes. It works well on soap scum, hair, food particles, grease, and more. The impressive thing is that this option only works on organic substances, meaning it won't affect your plumbing system.
Green Gobbler Refresh Drain and Disposal Deodoriser
Like septic tanks, you'll also need a special drain cleaner for your garbage disposer, and for this, one of the best-recommended products is Green Gobbler. This will help you quickly unclog your drain and keep it fresh, thanks to its deodoriser.
This is an excellent option for removing oils, fats, grease, food particles, and other organic substances. It works by sticking to the blades of the garbage disposer to enhance effective cleaning and also deodorise the appliance. It's worth noting that this option is also a friend with septic systems and gives off an orange scent.
Instant Power Hair and Grease Drain Cleaner
As the name suggests, this drain cleaner is designed to handle hair and other tough clogs that are causing your drain to flow slowly. Tough clogs generally require a strong drain cleaner; with this drain cleaner, you can easily remove any tough clog.
The formula is designed to melt grease and dissolve accumulated hair chunks. It's also a safe option, and you can use it with different types of pipes and septic systems. What's more is that the drain cleaner is fumeless and odourless, meaning that you won't have to worry about how toxic it is.
Pure Lye Bead Drain Opener
A common thing with most of the drain cleaners above is that they are either made of a gel or liquid formula. However, this drain opener comes in a completely different form, as it is made of industrial-strength lye beads. This is why the drain opener can quickly clear tough clogs in pipes.
The lye beads can break tough clogs because when placed in drains, it sinks to the bottom, allowing them to reach the cause of the blockage. The impressive thing about this drain clog cleaner is that it's non-acidic and odourless, and as such, you can use it with septic systems, grease traps, and plastic pipes.
Instant Power Main Line Cleaner
A common element that causes stubborn clogs is grease, and to remove grease from your drain, you'll need a drain cleaner like the instant power main line cleaner. If your drain becomes clogged by grease, you'll need to attend to it urgently to avoid smelly drains.
This highly rated drain cleaner can dissolve grease, hair, and other particles that can accumulate in the drain. It's a safe option for use on all types of pipes, including septic systems. You can also use this drain cleaner on sidewalks and sewer lines.
These are some of the top drain cleaners that you'll find on the market today, and if you're looking for something effective, you should consider getting one of these products. However, you should ensure that whichever you get is ideal for the system you plan to use it on.
Features To Look For When Buying Drain Cleaner
Time of exposure
The first thing that you'll want to consider checking is the exposure time of the drain cleaner. Basically, drain cleaners are designed with different exposure times, and while some can work within 20 minutes, others will require you to leave them overnight before they can unclog your drain.
When buying a drain cleaner, it's essential to pay attention to how long it will take for the drain cleaner to work. The amount of cleaner you'll need and how long it will take are vital things to consider.
Type of clog
The next thing you'll want to look out for is the clog in the drain. This is important because drain cleaners don't work on clogs in the same manner. Therefore, you'll need to check to ensure that the type of drain cleaner you get is ideal for the kind of clog you want to handle.
Bathroom clogs will mainly be due to the accumulation of hair and scum, while kitchen clogs are due to accumulated food particles and other greasy substances. Drain cleaners are designed differently, and while some are designed to be universal, others are more specific.
System compatibility
Another factor that you might want to look out for is system compatibility. You'll need to be careful when selecting a drain cleaner if you have a garbage disposer, septic tank, or plastic pipes. Remember that not all drain cleaners are safe for every septic tank or pipe type.
Type of cleaner
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of drain cleaners, and they work on drains differently. Some are perfect for slow-flowing sink drains, while others are perfect for drains that are completely blocked.
In general, there are two types of drain cleaners:
Enzymatic cleaners
These drain cleaners are generally slower, but they don't cause any harm to the plumbing system. The enzymes used in these drain cleaners help to clear out organic substances like food and hair, but this is done very slowly. Also, enzymatic drain cleaners generally help slow-flowing drains but won't be effective for wholly blocked drains.
Chemical cleaners
These drain cleaners are a lot faster than the enzymatic drain cleaners. However, they also have a higher potential to cause damage, especially to the pipes, but this also depends on the type of pipe. In general, damages can occur when using chemicals.
These chemicals can create general heat that can cause the pipe to become softer, while for metallic pipes, the chemicals can cause them to corrode easily. This can also cause big holes to develop in the pipe. Hence the type of pipe is an important thing to consider when buying a drain cleaner.
How To Use Drain Cleaners Safely
It goes beyond just buying a drain cleaner; you also need to know how to use a drain cleaner safely. Here are a few tips and precautions when using a drain cleaner:
- Always ensure that you flush the drain well, primarily after you use a chemical cleaner in it. You can check the package instructions for helpful information, like the ideal temperature of water to use and the time to take before rinsing.
- When using a drain cleaner, be sure to wear eye protection and gloves to protect yourself from splashes. Also, avoid standing close to the shower stall or tub while pouring the drain cleaner.
- Ensure that you follow every direction on the label of the drain cleaner. Also, perform this in a properly ventilated room so that you don't suffocate.
- Avoid using a chemical cleaner to clear toilet clogs. It's best to use a plunger or a natural enzyme cleaner for that purpose. Alternatively, you might want to consider calling a plumber to handle the situation professionally.
- Pour the drain cleaner carefully so that it does not spill. Drain cleaners are made of caustic substances that can cause damage to stainless steel, marble, stone, and other similar materials. With that in mind, avoiding mixing drain cleaners with other cleaning products is essential. The chemical reaction that will occur from this mix can lead to toxic gas production.
DIY Drain Cleaner
In addition to all the drain cleaners that we have mentioned above, you might also want to consider making your own drain cleaner. There are so many drain cleaning DIY recipes that you might want to consider trying, and these options are all effective.
Although the strength of a DIY drain cleaner may not be up to that of an already made cleaner, it can help clear out the clog and also keep your drain flowing and fresh.
Here's how you can make a DIY drain cleaner:
- Mix half a cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of salt, and pour it down the drain.
- Slowly add in distilled white vinegar.
- Allow it to bubble and leave for 20 minutes.
- Flush the toilet with hot water for at least 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some valuable answers to some frequently asked questions about drain cleaners:
How do drain cleaners work?
Drain cleaners work by creating a chemical reaction in the drain, and this is achieved by the strong chemicals that they are made of. They work by either giving or taking electrons from the substance that's causing the clog in your drain. This then leads to the generation of heat energy capable of dissolving and breaking the blockage.
What is the active ingredient in drain cleaners?
Drain cleaners are designed differently, and they contain different ingredients. However, in most drain cleaners, you'll find that the main ingredient they have is sodium hydroxide, which is also known as lye. Lye is included in drain cleaners because of its ability to readily dissolve organic matter, including grease and hair.
Are drain cleaners safe for septic systems?
Drain cleaners work with a different mechanism, and in most cases, they create an interface with bacteria or even one that kills bacteria in a septic system. This can alter the normal ecosystem in the tank, thereby giving undesirable effects. It's advisable to always check the product you get to ensure that it's safe for use on septic systems.
Get Your Drain Cleaned!
If you're looking for a drain cleaner that you can use for different purposes, you should consider getting Drano Max Gel Clog Remover because it's a universal drain cleaner. Alternatively, you can try any other drain cleaners above or buy one based on the buying guide above.
Drain cleaners are effective depending on the type of clog. If your drain is severely clogged or blocked, it might be a sign of a more complex problem. For this, drain cleaners alone may not do the trick. If your drain needs extra work, do not try fixing it yourself, as this may worsen the problem.
Contact a reputable professional plumber equipped with years of experience who will check out the drain issue and help fix it as soon as possible. What's more, an expert can also assist you in choosing the best drain cleaner for your homes drain type.
Need an Experienced Plumber?
Tropical Coast Plumbing's team of experienced plumbers are here to offer you the best in residential and commercial plumbing solutions. Whether it be gas plumbing, emergency plumbing, blocked toilets, hot water installation or general plumbing, our plumbers know how to get the job done right.
