Using Liquid Bleach to Unclog a Drain

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Liquid bleach kills most of the germs that are found in the home that cause the disease or odors. This makes bleaching an excellent candidate to kill the germs and bacteria that live in domestic drains. There is a problem, however – bleach cannot be mixed with most other chemicals that are found around the house without the possibility of a potentially toxic reaction. For this reason care should be taken when using chlorine to clean household drains – especially if other chemicals have been used previously in an attempt to clean the drain.

Instructions

Run a lot of hot tap water through the drain mouth. If the drain is running freely and then allow the hot tap water to run through the drain for 20 seconds or less and then turn off the tap.

Open a window and turn on the exhaust fans in the room where chlorine will be used in the drain. You want a lot of ventilation in the room while the bleach is doing its job.

Pour half a gallon of full liquid bleach strength down the drain and wait five minutes. Wait to hear the sounds that come out of the leak, but do not get so close that you risk breathing any of the fumes that come out of the leak. When all the sounds coming from the leak cease then run the hot tap water through the drain for one minute.

If you’re using bleach in a drain that has not had any other chemicals used in it, heat a pot of hot water on the stove. Pour half a gallon of chlorine into the drain and let stand for 5 minutes. When all the sounds have stopped coming out of the hot tap water drain run through the drain to deactivate it. If necessary, put on gloves and eye protection and use a plunger to clean the drain.

Tips and warnings

  • Wear gloves and eye protection when using bleach. Wear old clothes in case of an accidental spill or splashing of bleach. Do not breathe the fumes coming out of a drainpipe into which you have poured bleach.
  • Do not – under any circumstances – pour bleach into a clogged drain that has had bleach or any other drain cleaner added to it. Call a plumber if the obstruction persists.