Skip to Content

Can I put Drano in a tub full of water?

No, you should never put Drano in a tub full of water. Drano is a mix of sodium hydroxide and aluminum, and can burn skin on contact. Additionally, the chemical fumes produced can be hazardous if inhaled or ingested.

For example, Drano is considered significantly corrosive and causes hydrochloric acid and other hazardous elements, which can be harmful for both people and pets. If accidentally or intentionally ingested, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and can even be fatal.

Lastly, putting Drano down a drain can lead to costly plumbing repairs and blockages. For these reasons, it is highly recommended that Drano not be used in a tub full of water.

Will Drano work if there is standing water?

Drano will work if there is standing water, but it generally works best when less than 6 inches of water is present. If there is standing water of more than 6 inches, a plunger or snake would be more effective.

Drano can be used in standing water but it may take longer for it to dissolve the clog. It is important to take care when using Drano in standing water, as it can cause dangerous fumes and splattering, so it is important to wear protective gear such as gloves, safety glasses, and a face mask when using Drano.

How do you unclog a bathtub full of water?

There are several ways to unclog a bathtub full of water.

The first method is to use a plunger. Begin by removing any large debris from the drain and giving the plunger a few pumps to see if the water starts going down. If not, you may need to put a bit of petroleum jelly or glycerine on the edge of the plunger suction cup and make sure that it is sealed tightly over the drain before plunging.

You should continue to plunge until all of the water has been removed.

The second method is to use a drain snake. Start by inserting the snake into the drain and turn the handle in a clockwise direction to work it deeper into the pipe. Once the snake finds the blockage, break it up and remove it.

You can then either continue to run the snake around the pipe or remove it to flush the drain with a chemical cleaner and hot water.

The third method is to use a homemade solution. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the drain followed by a pot of boiling water. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes and then flush the drain with hot water.

If the clog hasn’t cleared, repeat the process.

The fourth method is to use a plumber’s snake. This tool works in the same way as a drain snake, but it is longer and more powerful so it can reach further into the pipes and clear tougher blockages.

If none of the above methods work, you should contact a professional plumber who can use more advanced techniques to unclog the drain.

How do you unclog a standing water drain?

If there is standing water in the drain that won’t go down or is draining slowly, you can try unclogging it yourself. The first step is to use a plunger to try to loosen and dislodge the clog. If the water doesn’t start to drain after a few minutes of plunging, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain.

Pour 1–2 cups of white vinegar over the baking soda and then cover the drain with a cloth or old rag. Let this sit for roughly 15 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water. If the clog still isn’t resolved, a Zip-it drain cleaning tool can be used to try and pull the clog out of the drain.

This tool works by fishing out fur, soap residue, and other debris that can build up and cause clogs. If none of these methods resolve the clog, it is best to call a professional to assess the situation and recommend a plan of action.

Does liquid plumber work in standing water?

Yes, Liquid Plumber is designed to work in standing water. It contains an invasive ingredient called sodium hydroxide which is powerful enough to dissolve hair, grease, oil, and other obstructions that can cause clogs in pipes.

Additionally, its thick consistancy allows for it to cling to the walls long enough to penetrate and break through blocks. So, it can be used to clear a blocked drain or toilet with water still present, as long as the water does not exceed the drain pipes maximum capacity or the plumber’s maximum utilization rate.

When using Liquid Plumber, the recommended practice is to not use boiling water and avoid children and pets when pouring the product in the standing water. It can also be helpful to remove standing water with a bucket and then pour the Liquid Plumber as recommended in order to properly apply the product.

Can plunging make a clog worse?

Yes, plunging can make a clog worse in some cases. If the clog is caused by a physical obstruction, like a toy or a hard object, the pressure created by plunging can push the obstruction further down the drain.

Additionally, if the clog is caused by a buildup of grease or soap, the plunging force can make the buildup more difficult to remove, as it can cause it to accumulate further down the pipe. If the clog is caused by a large build-up of hair or large pieces of toilet paper, plunging can also break them apart, which can make the blockage even more difficult to clear.

Generally, if a clog is caused by a physical obstruction, it’s best to try removing the object manually instead of trying to plunge it. In other cases, plunging may be beneficial, as it can help to break apart a clog and allow water to flow through the pipe again.

Can a drain blockage clear itself?

Generally, it is not possible for a drain blockage to clear itself. Depending on the type of blockage, you may be able to clear it temporarily by attempting some fixes such as using a plunger or pouring a solution of baking soda and vinegar down the drain.

However, even if these are effective in the short-term, it is unlikely to solve the underlying issue causing the blockage and eventually the same blockage could reappear. Such blockages may be a result of a build-up of debris, grease, sludge, soap scum, hair, food particles, tree roots, or simply age-related corrosion and hardening of pipe walls.

Depending on the size and location of the blockage, professional help may be necessary to resolve it and restore your drainage system to its full functioning.

Is Drano supposed to work immediately?

No, Drano is not meant to work immediately. It usually takes several minutes or even a couple of hours for the Drano to take full effect. It is recommended to let Drano sit for 15-30 minutes before flushing the drain so that it has time to work.

The reason for this is that the Drano will need time for the chemicals to break down the clog. Allowing the Drano to sit in the drain gives it a better chance to dissolve the clog. Once the clog is dissolved, you can flush the drain and you should be good to go.

When should you not use Drano?

It is never recommended to use the commercial drain cleaner, Drano, or any other chemical drain cleaner. Not only can the harsh chemicals damage your plumbing system, but they can also be dangerous if not handled correctly.

Some severe cases may require professional help. If a person experiences an overflowing drain or the drain runs slowly and repeatedly stops up, the area should not be treated with Drano. Instead, the individual should contact a local plumbing expert to assess the situation and provide diagnosis and recommendations for necessary repairs.

Furthermore, Drano should not be poured down a sink or toilet if the pipes are made with plastic or if there is standing water in the area, as it can damage PVC pipes and may cause splattering or overflow.

It is important to always follow the directions on the safety warnings on the packaging, dispose of the product and its container properly, and to avoid breathing the fumes.

Why cant you use a plunger after Drano?

Using a plunger after Drano is not recommended because Drano is a chemical drain cleaner and a plunger works by creating a seal over the drain and then forcefully pushing down, loosening the clog. This can be dangerous if Drano has been used as it could cause hazardous fumes or the mixture of the plunger’s mixture with the Drano could cause the substances to become volatile.

The combination could result in an explosion, a harmful force of hot liquid and fumes, and severe burns. Therefore, it’s best to use a plunger before using Drano.

How many times does it take for Drano to work?

It depends on the severity and type of clog, as well as the type of Drano you are using. Generally speaking, Drano will start working on a clog within two hours but it may take longer for heavier or tougher clogs.

Generally, the tougher the clog, the longer it can take for Drano to work. For minor clogs Drano can work within minutes, while for tougher clogs it may take 8 to 10 hours for Drano to be effective. If the clog is particularly stubborn, using Drano multiple times may be necessary to clear the blockage.

If you are uncertain or frustrated with the progress of Drano on a clog, it is best to call a plumbing professional to determine the cause of the clog and take care of it professionally.

Does Drano work on deep clogs?

Yes, Drano can work on deep clogs. The liquid formula penetrates clogs and breaks them apart so they can be flushed away. To use it on a deep clog, simply pour the recommended amount down the drain and wait at least fifteen minutes.

If you don’t notice any difference, pour a second dose of Drano and wait another fifteen minutes. You can even leave Drano in the drain overnight for more stubborn clogs. If the clog still persists, you may need to snake the drain to completely clear the blockage.

Additionally, make sure you always use Drano products according to the instruction on the label for best results.

What happens if Drano doesn’t go down the drain?

If Drano doesn’t go down the drain it can be a sign that the drain is blocked by a buildup of debris. Hair, food particles, minerals, grease and oil, and toiletries. When this happens, the Drano won’t be able to penetrate the clog and it won’t go down the drain.

The best solution is to try to manually remove the blockage. This can be done by using a plunger, snake, or other tools. Plungers work by creating a suction to push the blockage further down the drain or pull whatever is blocking it up and out.

Snakes are a coil of wire with a sharp end that can be inserted into the drain and used to manually break up and remove the blockage.

If the manual methods don’t work, you should call a plumber for help. Plumbers have the tools and skills to identify the cause of the blockage, break it apart, and remove it from the drain. They may also recommend services such as hydro jetting to remove the blockage and clear the pipe.

This is typically a safer, more effective, and more permanent solution than manually removing the clog.

What happens if I leave Drano overnight?

Leaving Drano in a sink or drain overnight can be dangerous and is not recommended. Drano contains dangerous chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride and aluminum that can cause burns if it comes in contact with skin or eyes.

If left overnight, Drano can corrode metal pipes, leading to potential damage to your plumbing, and potentially release harmful chemicals if it does not properly dissolve. The vapors from Drano can be hazardous if breathed in, and it should never be used in a clogged toilet.

The fumes can be concentrated and can cause nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing. Additionally, Drano can damage your septic system and it should never be used if your system is a septic tank. Drano can also negatively affect your skin, so it should be used with care and wearing gloves is recommended.

Given the potential health, safety and plumbing risks, it is advised that you do not leave Drano overnight, or any length of time, in a sink or any other drain.

What’s better than Drano for a clogged drain?

A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is an effective and cost-efficient alternative to Drano for a clogged drain. Baking soda and vinegar work together to create a foaming reaction that helps to break down and dissolve blockages, similar to what Drano does.

To begin, pour 1/3 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/3 cup of vinegar. Leave the mixture in the drain for 20-30 minutes and then pour boiling water down the drain slowly afterward. This should provide enough force to push out the clog and unclog the drain.

Additionally, this mixture is much safer than Drano since it won’t burn or corrode the pipes, making it a great choice when dealing with a clogged drain.