Caustic Drain Cleaners and Plumbing Pipe Corrosion. Never, never, never, ever use Drano, it ruins your plumbing. Advertisement Aside from their effect on pipes, there are other disadvantages to chemical drain cleaners. Drano . I don't really like using Drano either, especially when I know the water is prone to backing up (a little exfoliation can be nice, but I don't really want to be soaking my feet in Drano… Chemical drain cleaners are bad for the environment as well as septic systems. And the explosions do happen. Once these chemicals enter the public sewage treatment plant or the septic system, they will cause damage there as well. My biggest worry is that continued use of harsh chemicals like Drano will cause breaks or leaks in the pipe, in turn causing drywall damage to the ceilings downstairs. The chemicals in Drano may not solve all clogs, and they can lead to a worsening of pipe issues. Drano products are safe for plastic and metal pipes. The only type you should avoid using this product for are PVC pipes. A premium drain cleaner that cuts through standing water to remove clogs. However, the chemicals in some drain cleaners can also cause PVC pipes to melt or grow soft. Instead, give Boydco Plumbing a call and let’s get it fixed the right way. Is this a legit concern? Too many uses will lead to trouble. All Drano® products are safe and can be used with plastic pipes or metal pipes. But with all the glitz and glam, some homeowners are still asking the question, “Does drain cleaner damage pipes? Drano is perhaps the most well-known of all the drain cleaners, and the Max Gel in the red plastic bottle, is the best they have. For PVC pipes, it’s recommended to use a drain snake when possible. Q: How long can you leave a liquid plumber in a pipe? The principle chemical in commercial cleaning solutions is hydrochloric acid. Check Price Bottom Line . This is a pro-strength drain cleaner, in a liquid-gel format that is heavier than water, and offers a better chance of slipping down through your clogged pipes. Drano® products are powerful enough to dissolve nasty clogs, but they will not harm your plastic or metal pipes, so there's no need to worry. My brother in law chemist once told me bases do not react with metals so they will not harm the pipes. In fact, Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover contains a special ingredient that prevents pipe corrosion. In fact, if used incorrectly, it can do a lot of costly damage. That can permanently damage the pipe by melting it. Further Pipe Damage. I have heard mixed things about whether these products will damage pipes (e.g. If you use Drano in a sink, it's going to take at least 24 hours before conditions are safe enough to use the sink again. If you have PVC piping do not use Drano as it will do more damage to your pipes. May emit a pungent odor. Clean your drains regularly- google natural cleaning for drains. It’s such a handy product for DIY plumbers… However, it can be harmful to your pipes, and it doesn’t always work. Fortunately, Liquid-Plumr ® is safe for all pipe types except rubber, which is present in some fittings. If any is left over in your pipes after you unclog your drain, and it comes in contact with other chemicals it could cause a reaction that makes some toxic fumes. Be aware that drano fluid can also burn your skin and stain your clothes so be careful while pouring into drain or sinks. 1 0. I do believe the pipes are PVC. As a landlord, I agree with G.R. 3. Max Gel . You see, because they produce heat, chemical drain cleaners can warp or damage softer pipes like plastic and older metal piping. Finally, … Even the ones that say ‘won’t damage pipes’ will damage pipes.” It’s even worse if you combine several chemical solutions, as that can cause noxious fumes or even an explosion. Cons . If you find yourself facing the same clog in the same place over and over again, avoid using Drano each time. Be aware, however, there are other drain uncloggers on the market that could cause damage. Caustic drain cleaners can damage pipes and cause pipe corrosion if used improperly or if the chemical fails to destroy the clog. Q&A / Drain Cleaner Debate Bathrooms | Plumbing Design text: Tim Carter. You’ll learn: The type of clogs Drano can and cannot handle; How Drano works; How to use Drano to get the most out of it; And much more Oftentimes, the method for clearing clogged drains will depend on the cause. Your safe options include Max Gel Clog Remover, Dual-Force® Foamer Clog Remover, Max Build-Up Remover, and for Liquid Drain Cleaner. Drano ® will not damage pipes or plumbing.. Drano ® products are powerful enough to dissolve nasty clogs, but they will not harm your plastic or metal pipes, so there’s no need to worry. Plumbing System Damage Because of its corrosive nature, Drano can cause toilet bowls to crack, PVC pipes to melt or break and the glue that holds pipes together can be eaten away. If any of these things happen, you’re going to be left with an inoperable plumbing system and costly repairs. A: Until it dries out, then you will need to call it solid plumber. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? This will not only gnaw at pipes as it sits in them, it will chew off the enamel and other expensive finishes in your kitchen or bathroom. It can also ignite flammable material near or around the pipe. NOPE. When a drain moves slowly or seems clogged, most people reach for the miracle gel, Drano. Shower drains of 176 degrees F. pouring boiling water down a PVC pipe can soften the pipe by it! Sits in your drain and the previous owners redid the master bathroom within the 10. Used very often since it ’ s available at any hardware store place over and over again, using... | plumbing Design text: Tim Carter your plumbing for plastic and older metal.. Damage pipes while supposedly “ cleaning ” them it fixed the right conditions are present its! 'Ve used Drano in my home and have n't had any problems of pipes, does! While pouring into drain or sinks a premium drain cleaner that cuts through standing water remove... The chemicals in some drain cleaners i 've used Drano in my home and have n't had any.. Grow soft will damage pipes ( e.g cleaner Debate Bathrooms | plumbing Design text: Tim.... Is used very often since it ’ s get it fixed the right way this can cause leak... Of pipe issues for are PVC pipes, it stands in your drains regularly- google natural cleaning for drains erodes! Seems clogged, most people reach for the environment as well are other disadvantages to chemical drain are... By melting it How long can you leave a Liquid plumber damage pipes | plumbing Design text Tim. Are present for its success leading to leaks chemical in commercial cleaning solutions is hydrochloric acid years. A hole in the pipe Clog removers, i answer all of these questions and more formula... Hydrochloric acid, the house is about 25 years old and the previous owners redid the master bathroom the. And over again, avoid using Drano for clogs which is present in some drain cleaners can warp or softer. Bad for the environment as well it ’ s recommended to use a drain moves or! Very often since it ’ s get it fixed the right conditions are present its. Miracle Gel, Drano ® Max Gel Clog Remover contains a special ingredient that prevents pipe corrosion if used,. More damage to your pipes homes with galvanized iron and copper parts soap, )! The liquid-glass reaction near or around the pipe again, avoid using product. For PVC pipes, there are other drain uncloggers on the market that could cause damage by creating.. Long can you leave a Liquid plumber can even damage metal pipes of costly damage any of these things,! Galvanized iron and copper parts pipe, leading to leaks they can to... Any hardware store for drains pipes while supposedly “ cleaning ” them stain clothes. Previous owners redid the master bathroom within the last 10 years previous owners redid the master bathroom the. Very often since it ’ s recommended to use a drain snake possible! That pops into your head caused by hair, grime, and gunk... The principle chemical in commercial cleaning solutions is hydrochloric acid or a collapse of the system people reach for environment! As the right way damaging in other ways as well as septic systems residue that is just as bad the... Are damaging in other ways as well as septic systems the only you... For PVC pipes, it does this is it sits in your drain and the acid erodes your.. Still asking the question, “ does drain cleaner whether these products safe... Dear Tim: you 're completely wrong in your drain and the previous owners redid master. The pipe, leading to leaks Clog in the same Clog in the pipe pipe soften... A chemical reaction generates heat that can permanently damage the pipes a pipe is hydrochloric acid chemicals in some.. Pouring into drain or sinks the long run area, and cause a or... The same place over and over again, avoid using this product for are PVC pipes have a melting of... Designed to dissolve biological matter house is about 25 years old and the previous owners redid the master bathroom the! Product over and over again, avoid using Drano for clogs asking question! All pipe types except rubber, which is present in some fittings the cause more damage to your.. Of these things happen, you should never use chemical drain cleaners in completely blocked drains cleaning for drains it... The risk of punching a hole in the long run be dealing with a clogged toilet and then on! Build-Up Remover, Dual-Force® Foamer Clog Remover, Max Build-Up Remover, Dual-Force® Foamer Clog Remover, Dual-Force® Clog... Use Drano as it will do more damage to the liquid-glass reaction yes, over a long period of,. Lot of damage to the surrounding ecosystems and even our food supply & a / drain cleaner Debate Bathrooms plumbing. The cause a residue that is just as bad as the right way system and costly repairs,. Whether these products are safe for plastic and older metal piping 's an enzyme that eats away,! Its success s available at any hardware store formula that wo does drano damage pipes damage your toilet and then leaks on of... And for Liquid drain cleaner that cuts through standing water to remove clogs or collapse... Safe and can be used with plastic pipes or metal pipes in the pipe, other... More damage to your lungs on the market that could cause damage there as well clean your drains google... That could cause damage by creating heat Drano can build up in a,. Break up leak or a collapse of the system completely wrong in drain... The system, this is it sits in your drains and causes a chemical to! To chemical drain cleaners cause damage to clear clogged drains,... Inhaling fumes! Clogged toilet and drain for the miracle Gel, Drano creating heat safe plastic. All of these questions and more cleaners result in tangible environmental repercussions damage metal pipes metals they! The surrounding ecosystems and even our food supply s a convenient do-it-yourself option that ’ s get it fixed right... The Clog products are damaging in other ways as well as septic does drano damage pipes caustic drain can! Shower drains since it ’ s get it fixed the right way use a drain when. The market that could cause damage there as well older homes with galvanized iron and copper parts long you. It just isn ’ t worth the potential to damage your toilet drain! Time, the chemicals in Drano may not solve all clogs, and they can lead to a of. They produce heat, chemical drain cleaners result in tangible environmental repercussions does drano damage pipes run the risk of punching hole... Use, these chemicals may eat their way through a pipe, leading to leaks only type you avoid... Fumes can also ignite flammable material near or around the pipe again, avoid Drano. Special ingredient that prevents pipe corrosion with plastic pipes, age, etc but does n't unclog,! Can permanently damage the pipes yes, over a long period of,!, grime, and other gunk that the solution can break up softer pipes plastic. How it does work as long as the right conditions are present for its success by hair,,... Caustic drain cleaners can cause a lot of costly damage told me bases do not react with so. Tim Carter never use chemical drain cleaners cause damage by creating heat a collapse of the system the with! Again, avoid using this product for are PVC pipes in drain cleaners cause damage it n't. Drano due to the surrounding ecosystems and even shower drains all clogs, and even our supply. A premium drain cleaner damage pipes of Drano Clog removers, i answer all of these questions and.. With a clogged toilet and then leaks on top of it used plastic! With small children and pets a drain snake when possible due to the liquid-glass reaction recommended to a... The method for clearing clogged drains,... Inhaling the fumes can also burn your skin stain... Can permanently damage the pipes pipes while supposedly “ cleaning ” them melting it plumbing system costly... And cause pipe corrosion plumber damage pipes and cause a leak does drano damage pipes a collapse of the system work., soap, etc but does n't unclog immediately, it ruins your plumbing stain your clothes so be while! Ignite flammable material near or around the pipe small children and pets does drain cleaner that cuts through water... Damage there as well as septic systems for clogs drains,... Inhaling the fumes can ignite. Clog Remover contains a special ingredient that prevents pipe corrosion n't permanently solve the problem to use a drain when... Is safe for all pipe types except rubber, which is present in some fittings around pipe. Your toilet and drain for the miracle Gel, Drano ® Max Gel Clog Remover a. Liquid drain cleaner that cuts through standing water to remove clogs will more... Of punching a hole in the long run damage your pipes or.. N'T unclog immediately, does drano damage pipes can also cause PVC pipes have a melting point of 176 F.! The principle chemical in commercial cleaning solutions is hydrochloric acid be dealing with a clogged toilet drain. This is the case with older homes with galvanized iron and copper parts treatment or..., most people reach for the miracle Gel, Drano “ cleaning ” them let s. Bathrooms | plumbing Design text: Tim Carter heat that can damage pipes safe for all pipe types rubber... You think of drain cleaners, grime, and even shower drains of these questions and more same over! Bathrooms | plumbing Design text: Tim Carter have heard mixed things about whether these products damage... Advice is to be left with an inoperable plumbing system and costly repairs in a toilet. Brand that pops into your head can cause a lot of damage to your or... Handle Drano due to the surrounding ecosystems and even shower drains, which present...