Strongest drain opener

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Drain cleaners can save the day when your shower or kitchen drain has slime and clogs. They can be separated into chemical-based and enzyme-based products and are sold by a variety of companies, including Green Gobbler, Bio-Clean, and Drano, who is known for their Max Gel Drain Clog Remover. They also come in gels, powders, tablets, and other forms, so it can be confusing to find the right product. We've compared 12 bestselling drain cleaners available online and tested them to recommend the best drain cleaners for you. Which product ended up being the best of the best? In our buying guide, we'll also tell you how to pick the best drain cleaners on your own, so read on for more shopping tips.

Strongest drain opener

Chemical drain cleaners can be an effective way to clear blockages. We've tested the top brands in our lab -- here are the winners. Ahh, home maintenance. Where clogged drains are an all-too-familiar nuisance. The accumulation of debris within our plumbing systems can disrupt the flow of water and consequently, our lives. While the use of chemical drain cleaners has long been a go-to solution for tackling these stubborn blockages, their low efficiency and hazardous nature have raised concern among homeowners, plumbers and experts alike. To shed light on the effectiveness of these controversial products, I leaned on my background as a chemical engineer and embarked on a simple yet revealing experiment. I took eight of the most commonly available chemical drain cleaners -- six alkaline and two acidic -- and subjected them to dissolution tests designed to evaluate how well they're each able to dissolve the aforementioned offending blockages. The objective was simple: to determine which products, if any, succeeded in disintegrating some of the most common clogging materials. A couple of disclaimers to start things off. First, it's essential to acknowledge the prevailing stance among most reputable plumbers, who strongly advise against the use of chemical drain cleaners. Their concerns revolve around potential damage to our plumbing systems and the buildup of harmful fumes. These professionals emphasize the importance of preventive measures, regular maintenance and nonchemical alternatives as the best choice for most homes. If you have been dealing with regular drain blockages, I encourage you to contact a plumber and ask for advice.

Popular articles. We filled a graduated cylinder with water, added things that often cause clogging in the shower, and put in the drain cleaner.

Based on your findings, you can make an educated decision about what drain cleaner to choose. Knowing the severity of the clog will tell you whether you need a fast-acting solution or one designed for maintenance. Hercules offers drain-cleaning products designed to eliminate a variety of different drain clogs. Safe for garbage disposals, it also uses a deodorizer designed to eliminate the smell of leftover food in a DWV drain, waste, and vent system. Hercules Glug is composed of thousands of little sodium hydroxide crystals, or flakes, that, because of their size, reach a higher maximum temperature faster, dissolving difficult clogs more quickly than other types of openers.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Clear gross clogged sinks and drains without the frustration when you the right products the first time. Jump to a Section. But pouring pipe-damaging chemicals down your drain is not the best drain cleaner option. If there is standing water in the shower or bathtub, Thomas Dougherty , vice president of operations of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, suggests using a plunger or a drain snake to clear the pipe. If the pipe is plastic, the high heat from boiling water could partially melt and deform the material.

Strongest drain opener

Chemical drain cleaners can be an effective way to clear blockages. We've tested the top brands in our lab -- here are the winners. Ahh, home maintenance. Where clogged drains are an all-too-familiar nuisance.

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If the clog isn't bad, we recommend putting in the elbow grease and using a drain snake to start. Pros Clears slow-draining sinks and tubs Helps maintain septic tank system. They come in a pack of 12 and should be used once a month, meaning you use one pack per year. The plastic snake reaches about 20 inches into drain pipes and flexes at the P-trap, where most obstructions occur. Xanthan gum, alcohol ethoxylate, modified magnesium silicate. If you're dealing with a clogged toilet, always use a plunger before never after! We looked at the following things to test how easy each cleaner is to use. Commercial kitchens usually have grease traps with an inlet and outlet, plus one or two baffles within. Interior Beds, Beds and bedding, Chairs. Acids are very aggressive cleaners and are best used for the most severe emergency, waste-line stoppages. Regularly cooking in the kitchen means that you most likely use your garbage disposal often to get rid of unused veggie scraps or maybe the occasional burnt recipe. Following the instructions provided with each product, I allowed the solutions to sit for the recommended time, typically between 15 and 30 minutes.

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Different products can be used in different places. Pipe cleaners come in four types: sticks, tablets, powders, and gels. Bleach, lye. Top Choice Drain Cleaners. How exactly does it work? This is a tablet-type drain cleaner that gives off a gentle lemon scent when used. Yes, there are alternative methods to unclog drains that do not involve the use of chemical cleaners. Cons Not meant for bigger drain clogs. Cons Some tougher clogs may need more than just one application. Decyl glucoside, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, viable culture blend, benzisothiazolinone, sodium hydroxide, propylene glycol, glycerin.