Does Drano Damage Pipes?

Ever since you’ve been planning to buy or use Drano for solving your clogged drain problems, there must have been this one question that made you pause for a while.

That is if Drano is going to damage your pipes or not. And of course, after all, you heard all those rumours from Drano users that it damages pipes.

Now, the question is, are these rumours actually true? It is important to clear this out before going for Drano.

Because you definitely don’t want to risk or compromise your pipe health for it. Do you?

That’s why to ease your dilemma, in this article, I will reveal to you whether Drano actually damages pipes or not. Take a look!

Drano eats up the clogs inside a pipe by dissolving them producing a lot of heat. This heat gradually degrades plastic or metal pipes if left for too long.

Though the company of Drano products completely denies it and strongly claims that Drano has the ability to remove strong clogs inside the drain but it won’t damage the pipe.

The reason behind this claim is because of the presence of sodium metasilicate in the ingredients of the Drano solution.

This very ingredient is highly specialized just to inhibit corrosion. And it’s not like it is a useless addition.

Rather, this ingredient is the reason why our pipes don’t melt by the heat produced by Drano right after it is poured inside the pipe.

But since Drano is a very strong solution prepared to fight the toughest of clogs, sodium metasilicate isn’t enough to save the pipes from corrosion if it’s kept for too long within the pipe.

On the other hand, it is absolutely discouraged to use Drano in toilet drains as the porcelain of the toilets will melt due to its reaction.

Moreover, if your pipes are made of PVC plastic, the joints of the pipe bound with glue might get eaten up as well.

But these risks aren’t really applicable to the Drano Build-Up Remover. Because the Drano Build-Up Remover is composed of bacteria and natural enzymes.

These Bacteria and natural enzymes eat up all the organic components of the clog. And it doesn’t consume inorganic substances such as plastic or metals.

That is why it is absolutely safe for all kinds of pipes including toilets with no fear of damage.

Can Drano Damage Pipes If Left Too Long?

Drano has the potential to damage pipes if left for too long. Because the sodium metasilicate ingredient might prevent the immediate reaction of Drano to the pipes, but it won’t be able to resist it for too long.

And the Drano solution will then gradually corrode the sides of the pipes when it’s done dissolving and breaking down the clog.

So, once you keep Drano left for a long time, it might result in your pipe walls getting thinner or forming leaks.

That is why if you’re planning to use Drano on the draining system, don’t keep it for too long. Or else, it might turn your pipes inoperable and costly to repair.

15 minutes after pouring Drano is enough to loosen any clog of medium strength. Try not to exceed this time limit in order to avoid further damage to the pipe.

Pour a batch of boiling water right after that. And if the result doesn’t satisfy you, then you can repeat it up to two more times but not more than that. Also, remember, not to use Drano too frequently.

And try to keep it as the last option. Like when you have tried all other feasible options for unclogging your drain but none seems to work, then go for Drano.

When Should You Not Use Drano?

You should never use Drano as a regular cleaner for your drain. Because if you do so it will not only damage your pipes and draining system but will also turn it toxic.

Drano should only be used in case of tough drain clogs, not as a regular drain cleaner. Because it is designed with many highly caustic ingredients that help in breaking the clogs.

For regular or weekly cleaning of the drain, a very mild cleaning solution is required which Drano is definitely not.

Moreover, it is appreciated to avoid using Drano unless the clog is too difficult to break. If it is weak enough to be broken by natural DIY solutions, then go for that instead of Drano.

What are the Other Risk Factors of Drano?

You might have noticed that most of the plumbers really oppose and dislike Drano. Definitely, that isn’t without any reason.

If you are thinking that this is only due to one risk of the pipes getting damaged, then you are wrong. There are many other severe risk factors of using Drano that really need to be considered.

To make you aware of such hazards of using Drano, I am listing them below. Take a deep look at them. And always remember them while using Drano.

Health Hazards

Drano consists of extremely caustic ingredients as well as bleach. It is capable of dissolving any kind of organic component and that includes human skin as well.

So, you can’t even imagine how dangerous Drano can be if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes. It will result in absolutely distressing damages.

Therefore, while using Drano, utmost precautions must be taken so that it doesn’t spill on the skin or eyes accidentally.

And if it happens, immediately pour cold water on the place where it is spilt. Moreover, if it spills on your clothes, it will burn and damage them as well.

Again, the fume produced by Drano is injurious to health as well. If inhaled directly, it has the potential to even damage the lungs or the nasal pathway.

Harmful to Environment

Don’t be too selfish to consider only the damage it will cause to you and your materials. You should consider the hazards it will create for the environment you live in.

If you use Drano too often, then it will turn the environment of the draining system, your bathroom or your kitchen very toxic.

Moreover, if you use it in your kitchen sink, you will not be able to use it for at least 24 hours.

Because if you do so, not only will its fumes harm you, but also foods, dishes, or fruits and vegetables that will be washed in the sink will also get contaminated by its toxicity.

On the other hand, if it doesn’t create any problems for you and your pipes or draining system, it will still end up in the sewage system.

And the water of the sewage system will get extremely poisonous for animals to intake. Again, if the water reaches the root of any plant, it will harm the plant as well.

Risky to be Used Along with Other Cleaners or Tools

Now imagine that after pouring Drano inside the drain, the clog doesn’t seem to break, so you decide to use a plunger or drain snake along with it.

Do you know what’ll happen next? The toxic wastes mixed up with Drano will get spilt everywhere ruining your floor or sink surfaces along with the risk of damaging your skin too.

Again, if you plan to use any other chemical substance or cleaner along with Drano, something as reactive as Drano might cause something disastrous like an explosion by reacting with it.

Final Words

Therefore, I hope I was able to explain why Drano is not something completely safe to use. But still, you can’t ignore its efficiency in cleaning drain clogs as well.

So, if you still want to go for it, take all the necessary precautions required to avoid damage.

Thanks for reading till the end!

James Miller

James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.