What to Do When Drano Doesn’t Work

Many homeowners consider Drano as their first step when a drain gets clogged. But what happens when that doesn’t work? What other resources do you have that might help your drains?

Here is a brief summary of some things that you can try when Drano doesn’t work:

• Use a plunger
• Use a plumbing snake
• Use a home remedy, like baking soda and vinegar

Read on for a more in-depth explanation of what you should know about clearing clogs and four things that you can try that don’t involve a chemical drain cleaner. That way, you have resources when Drano doesn’t work and you won’t just be left with a clog that you have to live with.

Of course, you can also call the expert Tempe plumber at Peterson Air Care and Home Service and let our team deal with it for you!

1) Plunge It

You can use a plunger on any drain, not just a toilet. Start by ensuring that the plunger is forming a tight seal over the drain. Then start plunging.

You may have to plunge for 10 minutes or more to truly get rid of your clog. You can check and see if you’re making progress after a few minutes, but don’t give up unless you plunge for 5-10 minutes and nothing moves. Even a tiny bit of progress indicates you’re on the right track.

2) Snake It

Rent a plumbing snake at your local hardware store. Follow the directions to send it down into your pipes until it finds your clog. When it does, you can use the tips on the end of the snake to break the clog up or pull it out.

Make sure you get the right size snake for your drains. You can talk to the people at the store if you’re not sure. Also, never put a snake more than 3-4 feet into your drains unless specifically instructed to do so by a professional. It can get stuck and cause even more problems.

3) Use a Home Remedy

Head to the pantry for this one. You’ll want to get rid of any standing water in the drain. Then put 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. Let it fizz and bubble, and leave it there for 30 minutes. Then, run hot water down the drain to see if your clog is gone.

4) Call Your Favorite Tempe Plumber

If none of these options work for you, it’s time to call a plumber in Tempe. Some clogs are just stubborn and others indicate a bigger problem with your system. Reach out to us at Peterson Air Care and Home Service now so we can get to you soon and get rid of your clog fast!

Looking for more Tempe drain cleaning tips? Check out our post about how to keep your drains clog-free!