What these products do
Most store-bought drain openers rely on strong alkaline chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, which react with grease and hair and release heat. Some professional-strength products use concentrated acids. They work best on a small, soft clog close to the drain opening, which is exactly the kind of clog a plunger or strainer cleaning already handles.
On a main line blockage, a root mat or a solid object, the chemical simply sits in the pipe above the clog. The heat and corrosive liquid stay in contact with traps, joints and old metal pipe, and the sink or tub is left full of something you now cannot safely touch.
Clog types and whether chemicals help
| Clog | Do chemicals help? | Better option |
|---|---|---|
| Hair at a shower strainer | Sometimes, slowly | Remove the strainer and pull the hair |
| Soap and toothpaste in a sink stopper | Sometimes | Clean the stopper and trap |
| Grease buildup deep in a kitchen line | Rarely | Cable or jetting |
| Wipes or objects in a toilet | No | Flange plunger or closet auger |
| Tree roots in the lateral | No | Cable cutter from a cleanout |
| Main line backup | No | Stop using water and have the main cleared |
The risks
What to try instead
- Check the strainer or stopper.Most bathroom clogs are hair and soap within reach.
- Use the right plunger.A cup plunger for sinks and tubs, a flange plunger for toilets.
- Clean the trap.With a bucket underneath, remove and rinse the P-trap under a sink.
- Try a hand cable on a single fixture.A small drum auger reaches past the trap.
- Call when it is the main line.Several slow drains or a tub filling during flushes means stop and call.
In short
- Works on
- Small, soft clogs near the opening
- Fails on
- Roots, objects, main lines, deep grease
- Main risk
- Chemical burns and pipe damage
- Tell the plumber
- What was used and when
Common questions
Are enzyme drain products the same thing?
No. Enzyme and bacterial products are slower and much less aggressive. They are sometimes used for routine maintenance, but they will not clear an active clog.
Can chemical cleaners damage a septic system?
Strong chemicals can harm the bacteria septic systems rely on. On city sewer the bigger concern is your own pipes and fixtures, but the caution applies either way.
Will a plumber charge more if I used chemicals first?
Pricing varies by company. Working on a drain full of caustic liquid takes extra precautions, so always tell them in advance.
General information for Anaheim, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.