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NoSoulsINC t1_j2f04eq wrote

It’s doesn’t solve the problem, at least not long term. The solution is to remove the clog, usually via snake or or auger. Some drain cleaning chemicals can make the clog worse over time or damage pipes. Plumbers would rather be able to fix the problem right away and do it correctly

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amazonfamily t1_j2f0s99 wrote

Drano is a very strong caustic substance that can give chemical burns. It makes the job dangerous for the plumber.

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Tallguy67ca t1_j2f0suh wrote

Of the 20 times I have tried Drano, it has only worked once. The other times the plumber now needs to work on a pipe full of caustic chemicals that want to burn the plumber.

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veemondumps t1_j2f2pmc wrote

Draino used to be made out of lye, which would damage metal pipes and the rubber seals in pvc pipes with normal use. But that's kind of ancient history.

For the past few decades Draino has been made out of bleach. It will dissolve low density clogs, like hair, but isn't particularly effective against solid clogs caused by things like fat.

Its not particularly caustic, so there isn't much of a risk to the plumber's health if they're wearing gloves. But it will dissolve some of whatever was clogging the drain, which usually turns it into a sort of chlorinated poop water. The fact that there will still be some bleach in it also means that if it spills it can ruin/discolor the stuff that it spills onto. Both of which makes it more difficult to work with than just dirty water.

Basically, Draino works on the things that plumbers don't normally get called out for and doesn't work on the things that they do get called out for. If you use Draino on a tough clog, you haven't accomplished much other than to make the repair miserable for the plumber, who has to clean it up afterwards.

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fubo t1_j2f3l80 wrote

They only encounter it when it doesn't work; and it's a hazardous chemical that makes their job harder.

If your sink drain is blocked up, here are some things that could happen:

  1. You just call the plumber.
  2. You try plunging it with a sink plunger; that works. You don't call the plumber.
  3. You try plunging it, but that doesn't work. You call the plumber.
  4. You put drain cleaner down it, and it works. You don't call the plumber.
  5. You put drain cleaner down it, and it doesn't work. You call the plumber.

The plumber only sees cases #1, #3, and #5. They don't see the cases #2 and #4 where you were able to unblock your sink yourself.

The plumber's opinions come from the cases they see:

  • Case #1 is usually a really easy fix.
  • Case #3 is less easy (because the clog is bad enough the plunger didn't work) but still okay.
  • Case #5 is now a sink drain full of nasty chemicals that want to eat organic matter (including plumbers' skin).

So from the plumber's perspective, they'd rather you didn't use drain cleaner. They never see the upside of it (case #4), so for them it's always the absolute worst.

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5050Clown t1_j2ffrdf wrote

Replying to Igottamake (#1,243,820)

It's a small rodent-like mammal that you push into a drain. They will naturally seek out the clog and eat it. Sometimes people cover them in cocaine and shove them in their butt.

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PckMan t1_j2fgu4x wrote

It makes their job harder since they not only have to clean a clog but also do it at risk of coming into contact with dangerous chemicals. Also a lot of people are a bit too liberal with their use of chemical clog removers and that can damage piping and cause leaks, especially in the case where you use them but the clog does not clear. Now on one hand for a plumber that's a good thing, because it's expensive to repair, but it's a lot of work, and it's difficult, and people often give plumbers the stink eye for asking for a lot of money without recognizing the fact that they caused the damage.

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Same-Reason-8397 t1_j2fm9fn wrote

My easy fix solution is to regularly! pour vinegar and bicarbonate soda down all my drains, including the shower. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then follow with hot water- not boiling as it can crack porcelain. I think I’ve only used my plunger once. My dad was a plumber. Got plenty of tricks of the trade from him.

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H4zardousMoose t1_j2fmsd9 wrote

Replying to mkomaha (#1,250,932)

I'd put it more akin to a survivor bias. The issue stems not from them only looking for evidence supporting their opinion, but them not encountering a fair sample. They only see the drain cleaner "survivors", never those that got unclogged.

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CMG30 t1_j2fnn10 wrote

Replying to veemondumps (#1,243,097)

If you got a fat/grease buildup in a kitchen sink boiling water works. A plunger won't move a fatburg, but given enough time the continued addition of piping hot water will heat the PVC enough to both expand the diameter and melt the fat glued the walls of the pipe.

Of course... Don't dump grease down your sink.

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jedidoesit t1_j2foytu wrote

I was only an apprentice plumber so any pros can check my answer.

That being said, the company I worked for did only service work, that being only repairs or R&R's when something couldn't be fixed or cleaned out, such as drains.

1/2 of my work in the first 6 months was clearing drains, either by plunger, auger, or taking apart pipes.

I never particularly noticed if a drain had been treated with chemicals, but my company taught me not to use them and to recommend them because they damaged the interior of the pipes leading to further problems such as waste sticking to the scarred inside of the pipe, or even damage that required replacement if the drains at some point.

Nothing was specified to apply only to copper or brass or ABS or PVC, so I can't be more specific about that.

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Some_Unusual_Name t1_j2fpica wrote

Replying to fubo (#1,243,462)

I'm a plumber, you're fairly spot on but 5 things to consider.

  1. If a plunger didn't work then draino is unlikely to work as the clog is likely past the trap and vent meaning that the draino will be very diluted if it ever makes its way to the clog. If it's just a slow drain the draino will drain past it and not help.

  2. Draino can weaken pipes. They swear up and down on the bottle that it doesn't, but it does.

  3. People often have leaks under their sink that they didn't know about. Now there is draino covering your cabinet and floor, possibly leaking into the ceiling space of the floor below.

  4. Draino has lye in it, your pipes have fat and grease in them. What do you get when you mix them together? Hard soap. Do it enough and you've made you problem a lot worse, it can also strip the oils from hair and leave behind the protein eventually causing a bigger problem.

  5. It weakens auger cables. Weak auger cables can break off in pipes. Your problem just got a lot worse.

I started with 2 things to consider but more just kept coming to me. Seriously, try plunging, try using a hand held auger, don't pour boiling water into any of your fixtures, baking soda and vinegar won't do anything (but if you insist on trying DO NOT MIX WITH DRAINO)

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DrachenDad t1_j2ftdzr wrote

Answer: If Drano is the American analogue of (WCF) Dranex we use over here (a product that can't be sold to the public,) then it's either putting plumbers out of a job or people are using it improperly and destroying their pipework.

1

biggsteve81 t1_j2fuysc wrote

Replying to veemondumps (#1,243,097)

Some Drano products still contain sodium hydroxide (Hair buster gel, for one). The sodium hydroxide/lye products do a fantastic job of clearing hair clogs, since they dissolve protein and oils.

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legendofthegreendude t1_j2fwhmt wrote

Replying to Peace_Hopeful (#1,254,504)

Not a plumber but have done some basic construction work on sites and in houses. A lot of modern plumbing uses PVC pipe or some plastic equivalent. Pouring boiling water into a drain that's clogged shut can trap that water and transfer the heat to the pipe leading it to deform or the joints to come loose.

What I would personally be more worried about is if it's a slower leak. Your drainage pipes have lots of fat and such in them. The hot water will melt or dislodge chunks of it that will reform into a larger problem farther down the pipe.

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