What Should You Do With a Clogged Drain?

When your sink starts filling up with water that doesn’t drain, what is the first solution you typically reach for? Is it a drain cleaning chemical, a plunger, or a drain snake? While there are some situations in which a drain cleaning chemical is a good solution, most of the time, putting a little physical effort into the problem using a plunger or drain snake is a much better option. Why?

For one thing, clog cleaners can be very bad for your plumbing system and even the fixtures themselves. While many products will have labels that say “safe for pipes!” or “won’t damage your plumbing!”, these statements are contingent on your having the right type of pipes. Certain pipe materials can be corroded and some enamel-based finishes can be dissolved by drain cleaners. Even if your pipes are not affected, if you own a septic tank, the chemical can kill beneficial bacteria that help break down the contents of the tank. All that having been said, why not reach for a plunger or a drain snake first?