Can I Use Drano w/Septic Tank?

[Peacock]

This is NOT something I would anticipate doing regularly. But -- our bathtub is draining slowly, and we are all so terribly busy these days I hate to ask hubby to add yet one more chore to his list. If I could solve the problem chemically, at least for the time being, life would be simpler.

What do you think?

[Common Tator]

Read the bottle. They will usually have a claim of being safe for septic if it is safe.

[tamsam]

try checking the drain for hair. try some nair before thr draino. Just a thought. Sam

[glenn amolenaar]

I agree with tamsam, also if you remove the screen on drain take a piece of wire and you most likely can remove the hair/stoppage a bit at a time a lot cheaper and better than drain cleaner.
Glenn

[foxtrapper]

Start with a plunger.

A plunger usually takes care of the problem. Just make sure you use it right (most folk don't).

[Txsteader]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say 'no' to drano in the septic tank. That's some pretty caustic stuff and the bacterial balance of a septic is easily disturbed. But I haven't used drano in years, so I agree with CT; check the label.

You might try pouring boiling water down the tub drain. Our's get clogged occasionally and boiling water and a plunger usually do the trick. I've read your supposed to pour boiling water down the drain every so often to keep it clear, but I always forget to....until it gets clogged.

[Cabin Fever]

Draino is safe for septic systems if used according to the directions on the package.

With that said, my recommendation is to buy yourself a Zip_It Strip for around $2. These 3-foot plastic "snakes" are great for unclogging drains....and "yes" even you can do it Edayna, no need to put the job on your dh's honeydew list.

[Cliff]

WIHH your house is great. I for one like all the crapola on your walls

[Madame]

Put in borax and vinegar and leave overnight. Works well.

[soulsurvivor]

Yes to everything said, and get a Zip-It Strip. Even with a screen over the drain, hair manages to get down there and stop up the works.

We never use Draino, but do sometimes pour a leftover soda, like Mt Dew, in the bath drain. I think that stuff eats hair.

[ronbre]

for a buck or two you can buy a nifty shower drain clog remover..it is like a long stiffish plastic thing..kinda looks like a zip tie along the edges where it has these little teeth..and you run it down into your drain and pull out the clumps of gunk..smelly gunk.

[Peacock]

Doesn't sound like a fun job. I think I would rather pour a bottle of Drano down there. But it is much cheaper and better all around, so I will try this zip thingy! Thanks y'all!

[Cabin Fever]

Originally Posted by edayna

Doesn't sound like a fun job. I think I would rather pour a bottle of Drano down there. But it is much cheaper and better all around, so I will try this zip thingy! Thanks y'all!

Once you're done using the Zip-It Strip you can go post about your experience in the Coutryside Family thread named "Things you have found disgusting."

[rider]

one thing that works great on slow drains especially ones that get a lot of soap run down them is to boil at least a gallon of water and add a generous amount of dish wash soap dawn is best but others work also get it boiling good and pour slowly down the drain i do this to kitchen sink and shower and tubs when ever they run slow and it seems to clean them right up

[mthome]

I've used Drano several times with our septic tank, no problem. The gel kind works like a charm.

[free-2-b-me]

This is why I plunge all our drains regularly. run hot water in the sink -shower - tub -whatever until there are at least a few inches . Pull the plug and plunge . if there is an overflow I hold a wash cloth over it so there is more suction . i do this regularly (every couple of months) to keep things flowing . Sometimes I put a scoop of oxiclean or baking soda down them too - makes em smell better.

[WildernesFamily]

Originally Posted by Wind in Her Hair

and for the record, thats not our shower nor my plugged drain . As everyone knows, if this were truly a picture of my house, there'd be more "crapola" on the walls.

Oh... we all already have a very good picture of what your shower looks like :baby04:

[WildernesFamily]

You may need this:

But sshhh, you didn't hear it from me, K?

[WildernesFamily]

edayna, according to their website (http://www.drano.com/unclog-drain/) it is safe to use in septic tanks.

If you find it's not getting unblocked you may want to have a little fishing expedition and see what comes up out of there.

[soulsurvivor]

Originally Posted by WildernesFamily

If you find it's not getting unblocked you may want to have a little fishing expedition and see what comes up out of there.

ESPECIALLY if you have infants/toddlers crawling around. They love to drop stuff in the water, down the drains.... don't ask me how I know...