why can't u use drano on toilets/septic tank?

Question

It's written on the label of Drano Max 'Do not use on toilets'.
Why so ?

Answer 1

Drano works by finding its way to the bottom of a "plumbing trap". These are found under sinks. Toilets work differently.

Toilets are also sealed to the floor with a wax ring. Not sure if Drano would attack the wax if the clog happened to be just downstream of it, but I wouldn't want to risk it. Also NEVER pour hot water into a toilet. You could melt the wax ring.

Unclog toilets with a plunger. Sinks with hot water, then drano, then a plumbing snake.

Septic tanks require a delicate balancing of bacteria and natural enzymes to break down normal household waste. By tossing in some harsh chemicals you may end up needing your yard dug up with some smelly septic pump trucks nearby, etc. etc.

By the way, PCV piping is typically under sinks and handles drano just fine. And "urban plastic toilets that melt" -- that's a good one !!! LOL.

Answer 2

Drano For Toilets

Answer 3

You are not supposed to use Drano in a septic system or Ramout (sulfuric acid) simply because any strong base (like lye-Drano) or acid (like Ramout) will kill some of the bacteria in the system. But; if one only uses it very rarely (not every time the toilets appear to run slowly) it's probably all right. One can can kill only so much bacteria. People may differ and if you are paranoid then don't use it. I would in an emergency.....(and who really wants to snake out a toilet phew!). To help matters a few days after one uses Drano get some of the replacement bacteria for treating your septic system. Or just flush some sugar, or yeast or cheap fertilizer any and all of these will stimulate the good bacteria to grow.

If one were to use an alkaloid base drain cleaner (like drano) them flush out system (flush toilet many times to remove most lye) and then use and acid base (like ramout) the acids and the alkaloid would more or less cancel out and you could restore that delicate balance....

If the drano says do not use on toilets period; my guess is that it might attact the wax seal. In fact to make soap one mixes lye with fat (the wax may have similar chemial properties with fat). I've used lye in toilets for years and never had a problem.

The best thing you can get is what plumers use..a pump up drain blaster. Pump it it, put in drain, and blast (be carefull not to blow up your pipes).

Happy uncloging!
PS Drano has absolutely no effect on PVC pipe!

Answer 4

In my opinion as a licensed plumber drano is highly overrated. If the blockage is beyond the trap the drano will be so diluted by water it will do nothing. A new toilet uses 1.6 gallons to flush which will instantly dilute the drano rendering it pretty much useless. Personally I would not suggest drano at all. It is a health hazard for the plumber that has to clear the line after it does not work. I've never seen it harm p.v.c,but over years of use it does a number on cast iron drains. But the actual answer to your question is that it kills the bacteria as was explained in an above answer from another gentleman. I just wanted to share my opinion on drano.

Answer 5

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It depends on how much was poured in and how many gallons of water you have in the tank. If it was like a 1/4-teaspoon of drano into a 300 gallon tank, it would be so dilute, that it would have little effect. But put that same 1/4t into a 10 gallon tank, and your fish have an emergency on their hands, errr fins. It is an extremely corrosive alkaline and will kill your fish. Your best bet is to remove the fish into a clean container, with dechlorinated water, drain your tank and rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse it out and rinse out all of your tank decorations. thermometer and filter parts. Toss out your filter media. And then figure out why you have drano in a place where a 3 year old can get to it.

Answer 6

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RE:
why can't u use drano on toilets/septic tank?
It's written on the label of Drano Max 'Do not use on toilets'.
Why so ?

Answer 7

drano toiletsseptic tank

Answer 8

If you have a septic tank, Draino will kill the bacteria that break down the waste and your septic tank will back up.

Answer 9

toilets - urban are all going plastic will melt.
septic NEVER USE only use (cheap method) package of yeast from baking area, once a month!

Answer 10

Toilets have PVC piping ,and the drain cleaner can corrode PVC