How Do Main Line Drain Cleaners Work?

If you are a homeowner who has serious problems with your pipes and plumbing, you have probably used main line drain cleaners. But what are they? How do they work? Most importantly, are they safe for your pipes and your family?

What is Your Main Line?

To put it simply, your main line is your home’s sewage line. It’s the pipe that connects your home to the city’s sewer system or your septic tank. All of your drains empty into your main line before they leave your house.

How Do Main Line Drain Cleaners Work?

A main line drain cleaner is a solution that contains various acids and bases that may be used to unclog various plumbing fittings such as drains and sewage lines. A mechanical instrument known as a plumbing snake, drain auger, or even plunger may be used to clear main line drains. The most prevalent sort of drain cleaning remedy is store-bought drain cleaning chemicals.

These chemicals work to break down any obstructions in the pipes and sewage systems and will safely allow them to start working again at their peak performance levels.

How Do You Use Main Line Drain Cleaners?

When using main line drain cleaners, use safety goggles and long rubber gloves to protect yourself from hazardous Lye explosions. Allow backed-up water to drain before using. When facilities aren’t going to be utilized for 7-8 hours, such as overnight, it’s better to use them.

Keep in mind that main line drain cleaners are designed to be used in a single application.

Pour the full gallon of water down the drain to begin. After 8 hours, flush for 5 minutes with hot water. If the issue continues, you may need a second gallon of the product.

There are two critical points to keep in mind. To begin with, this substance has the potential to stain counter surfaces. Second, make sure it doesn’t come into touch with anything else but drain pipes.

Can You Pour Main Line Cleaner in the Toilet?

If your toilet is clogged or slow when you flush it, you may be tempted to use a drain cleaner in the hopes that it would fix the issue.

Is it safe to use drain cleaners in toilets? The response is a categorical no. Chemical main line drain cleaners are harsh and abrasive on your drain pipes, so avoid using them.

If you have a septic tank, be aware that drain cleaners might kill any beneficial bacteria in your tank, so avoid them at all costs.

Can You Pour Main Line Cleaner in the Sink?

There are many main line cleaner products on the market that advertise they are safe to be used in your sinks: kitchen and bathroom. There are indeed certain main line drain cleaners that can be safely poured into your sink but there are many others that are unsafe for that environment.

It’s always smart and safe to make sure you are selecting a main line drain cleaner that is suitable for your sink before you pour it down to the drain so you avoid any sort of damage that could be done to your sink and piping system.

Can You Pour Main Line Cleaner in the Bathtub or Shower?

Again, many main line cleaners say they are safe to be used in your bathtub and shower and you can use those. However, there are other products that are not suitable for your shower or bathtub. Great caution and care must be taken to ensure that you are only using the main line cleaners that are ready to be poured into your shower or tub. It is best to pour them directly down the drain.

What Are the Best Main Line Drain Cleaners?

Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener is a high-density drain cleaner that is perfect for opening main lines and clogged toilets too.

Green Gobbler has gone to great lengths to makes sure their industrial-strength cleaner is tough but doesn’t damage the pipes while cleaning. It receives high marks from customers and is consistently one of the top-selling main line drain cleaners around.

Drano Max Gel Clog Remover comes in 80-ounce bottles and may be used on PVC, metal pipes, trash disposals, and septic systems without harming them. Its thick composition cuts through standing water, instantly dissolving any obstructions, even hair and soap scum-caused jams. Drano Max is effective and fast-acting according to reviewers, clearing jams created by years of hair build-up and other difficult plumbing issues.

Invade Bio Drain Gel not only prevents blockages but also helps to eliminate drain flies.

This product is available in one-quart bottles and has a pleasant citrus scent that you won’t mind having in your kitchen. To remove stubborn blockages, the drain opener efficiently slices through scum and other organic waste, clinging to the drain walls. Plus, this solution helps get rid of drain flies, which might be difficult to get rid of in the kitchen or bathroom. This product works effectively, according to reviews, cleansing pipes and removing drain flies while leaving a lovely orange aroma behind.

Are Main Line Cleaners Dangerous?

Drain cleaning chemicals, such as those found in main line cleaners, are typically very dangerous to the human body and great care should be taken to keep children and pets away. If ingested, an emergency call to poison control should be placed. However, if some gets on your skin – and isn’t ingested – it shouldn’t be cause for too much alarm, although it should be washed off with hot water and soap as soon as possible.

Can Main Line Cleaner Damage Pipes?

If you are using main line cleaners repeatedly for the same pipes, you should call a plumber to address the persisting problem because it isn’t recommended that you use main line cleaners again and again.

Drain cleaning is corrosive, which means it will chew through even the toughest pipes. If you have plastic pipes in your house, apply the solution sparingly, if at all. It’s even capable of corroding metal pipelines. You may be safe if you just use the solution once to clear a blockage. However, if you use it often, you’re asking for problems. The majority of pipe materials are unable to survive repeated chemical exposure.