Danger Of Using Drano To Unclog Kitchen Sinks

Q: My wife just told me our kitchen sink is clogged. Should I use Drano to unclog it? Sam, Bayonne, NJ

A: Drano may or may not be safe to use to unclog a sink depending on what kind of pipes you have in your home. The problem with Drano is that Drano is acid and acid can damage older pipes. New houses and many renovated homes have PVC pipes which don’t rust or corrode. If you have PVC pipes it’s generally ok to use Drano to unclog a kitchen sink particularly if the clog was caused by grease or soap scum. For older homes, you should never use Drano because it can damage old pipes. If you’re not sure, I suggest you avoid using Drano and use an alternative like a plunger, a pipe snake, or baking soda and vinegar to unclog a sink. If you have a septic system, you should avoid using Drano, because it can harm the bacteria in the tank. Thanks for your question, Sam.

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