Yes. In the case of a difficult clog, it is safe to let the Drano max gel sit overnight. Drano max gel clog remover is used on garbage disposals and other drains to remove any clogs. The gel takes about 15 to 60 minutes to unblock the pipes depending on the clog’s kind and size.
In other cases, however, the gel can cause PVC pipes to break by loosening the glue that binds them. This is because of its corrosive nature. Generally, synthetic cleaners contain chemical components such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4). These chemicals are corrosive therefore eat away both metallic and plastic pipes. Nonetheless, they work faster on clogs and are cheaper but cause problems.
How Do Drano Works?
Drano max gel contains sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate, aluminum, and sodium chloride. When the chemical cleaners come in contact with water, it generates heat. As a result, the heat melts or dissolves the clogs. Hot water rinses off the dissolved clogs, therefore, unblocking the drainage.
How To Use The Drano Max Gel
First, open the cap by pushing it down and turn it anticlockwise. In case of spillage, clean up immediately. Pour the gel over the drain slowly; for slower drains or difficult clogs, pour more. Then give it 15 minutes or 30 for tougher days. Finally, flush or rinse it with water. Repeat the above steps if it is not completely unclogged.
Precautions For Drano max Gel Use
1. Open carefully to avoid splashing
2. Keep children, skin, and eyes away while using the drain cleaner
3. Don’t use a plunger since the remover may splashback
4. When using on disposals, do not turn on disposal to avoid splashing back
5. Do not reuse a Drano max gel container
6. Rinse and close the container before trashing
7. Recycle empty Drano containers
Using A Drain Cleaner Safely
For safe use of the drain cleaners, follow the guidelines below:
1. Use in a well-ventilated room
2. Do not leave the drain cleaner inside the drain for too long
3. Use gloves and eye protection just in case of any spillage
4. Pour carefully into the drain. Their caustic or corrosive nature can destroy sink material
5. When used in the sink, let 24 hours pass before you can use the sink
6. It is not advisable to mix drain cleaners with other cleaning products; their reactions can cause a toxic gas
7. Rinse off the drain as per instructions provided on the product label or directions
8. Never use cleaners for toilets. Instead, use a plunger, an auger, or call in a professional plumber
What Are The Safest Drain Cleaners?
Natural drain cleaners are the safest to use in unclogging the pipes. They include:
Dish Soap Plus Boiling Water
This is best for unblocking grease clog. It melts down the grease into a liquid that flows. In 2 liters of boiling water, add 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap and pour it down the drain.
Wire Coat Hanger
Straighten the hanger and then use the hook to fish out the clog. After removing as much as you can, run boiling water through the drain.
Baking Soda Plus Vinegar
First, clean the area around the drain, pour ½ a cup of baking soda, followed by ½ a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for an hour or so, then rinse through with hot water.
Salt, Borax, And Vinegar
Add ¼ cup of salt, ¼cup of borax, then ½ cup vinegar. Let it stay for an hour, then flush with hot tap water.
Baking Soda And Salt
Mix a ½ a cup each and pour it in the drain. Leave it for 15 minutes or overnight, then rinse with hot water.
Plunger
The plunger is mostly used on the kitchen sink. Fill the sink with warm water, then use a rubber plunger. Plunge for a few minutes, and the clogs will be pushed down the drain.
Advantages Of Using The Natural Solution To Unclog The Drains
1. Natural solutions are safer to breathe compared to toxic chemicals that synthetic cleaners contain.
2. Natural cleaners preserve pipes
3. They are the environment safe. Most are biodegradable; this presents no danger to the surrounding
4. Natural products do not pose the risk of toxicity when ingested. This is specifically advantageous to households with kids.
How To Avoid Clogged Drains
It is always best to do everything possible to prevent clogs that can force you to use unsafe drain cleaners like Drano max gel. The following can help:
1. Use ice cubes in garbage disposals to sharpen blades
2. Run cold water when the disposal is on
3. Use citrus or lemon peels to create a fresh and pleasant scent
4. Place a hair trap on sinks and washrooms to trap hair, so they do not clog drains
5. Do not put grease or fruit peels in sinks
Is Drano Safe For Shower Drains?
Using Drano max gel remover in the shower is safe. To unclog shower drains, check the drainage and get rid of removable hair or dirt. Use a rubber hand to avoid any contamination on your hands. Secondly, pour hot water into the drain. If the drain is still not completely unblocked, empty the drain cleaner into the gutter. The gel will work on the blockage in minutes.
What To Do If Drano Max Gel Doesn’t Work?
Sometimes, the chemical drainer can worsen the clog, especially if the drain is slow. When that happens, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. The combination may fizz; let it sit for approximately 30 minutes, then flush with hot water.
Will Drano Gel Damage Your Septic Tank?
Drano max gel does not affect the bacterial processes in the septic tanks. It is recommended to use Drano max build-up remover monthly to replenish the bacteria.
Advantages Of Using Drano Max Gel Remover
1. Easy to use. No skill or expertise is required to use the drain cleaner.
2. Acts quickly and efficiently. Drano max gel works in 15 to 30 minutes
3. Relatively cheap compared to hiring a professional plumber or buying plumping tools.
4. Efficient on grease, food, and hair blockages.
Disadvantages Of Using Drano Max Gel Remover
1. Drano doesn’t work on some types of blockages, such as solid or mineral deposits.
2. Does not work on toilets. The gel is heavier than water; therefore, it settles at the bottom. The design of toilet drainage doesn’t allow Drano to reach the clog.
3.Toxic and harmful. Drano max gel breaks or dissolves clogs by creating a chemical reaction. The same happens when the gel comes into contact with skin and eyes. Moreover, the fumes it produces are toxic.
4. Environmental pollutant. The chemical components of the drain cleaner are harmful pollutants. A leak in the sewerage system can create a pathway for the contaminants to get to the soil and water.
5. Drano max gel remover can damage septic tanks, especially when used frequently.
6.They damage garbage disposals and splashback when the disposal is turned on. This can affect eyes and skin if drank gets inconstant with them.
7. If used with bleach, the ammonia present in Drano max gel reacts with chlorine in bleach to produce a very toxic gas that irritates the eyes and causes chest pain when inhaled.
8. It can cause more clogs. Drano max gel doesn’t completely wash off the pipes when used. They instead accumulate and cause clogs and a toxic environment because of their acidic nature
9. Damage/ break PVC pipes. The reactions that take place during unclogging emit heat, which melts the glue and weakens pipes. Continuous use of this product ultimately causes the pipes to burst.
10. In case of a complete blockage, the use of Drano contaminates the undrained water making it difficult and harmful for a plumber to work on it.
What To Use To Unblock/Unclog Your Toilet Instead
Toilet Snake: For a few dollars, you can get a toilet snake. Insert it in the bowl to pull out some unclog. Once you’ve removed the much you can, flush with hot water.
Dish Soap Plus Boiling Water: Pour dish soap into the toilet bowl while the water boils. Pour hot water into the toilet.
Regular Bleach: Pour about 3 cups of bleach into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes, then flush your toilet.
Call In A Plumber: The best and most efficient solution.
Why Plumbers Advice Against The Use Of Drano Max Gel Remover
Plumbers do not like the idea of using Drano max gel as, in the long run, its use is more disadvantageous than is beneficial. They can worsen the clog or, even worse, break PVC drainage pipes. When a plumber is called in after difficulty in unclogging the drainage, it is not safe for him to handle the problem because of the risks posed by chemical drain cleaners.
In Conclusion;
While Drano max gel is efficient, easy to use, and cost-saving, it may pose hazards, and it is advisable to call in a plumber to handle any drainage problems. It is also important to wear protective clothing such as gloves when handling chemical cleaners.
