Best Drain Cleaner for Old Pipes [With Pros & Cons]

Top 4 Picks Drain Cleaners for Old Pipes

Why Drain Cleaners are Important for Old Pipes

If you have old pipes in your home, you likely experience clogged drains from time to time. Over years of use, residue, grime, hair, and other debris builds up on the inside walls of pipes, eventually blocking water flow and causing frustrating and messy clogs.

Old pipes are especially vulnerable to clogs for a few key reasons:

• Narrower width – Old drain pipes were often made of clay, iron or lead and tend to be narrower than modern PVC plastic pipes, leaving less space for water and debris to pass through.
• More corrosion – Old pipes also have longer exposure to minerals in water and gases that cause corrosion and scaling on the inside walls, providing surfaces for grime and blocks to adhere.
• Poor pitch – Some older pipes were installed with insufficient pitch or slope to keep water flowing at a fast enough pace to prevent backing up.

Using the right drain cleaner is crucial for clearing clogs in old pipes and preventing serious plumbing disasters like burst pipes or sewer overflows into your home. Tackling drain clogs ASAP also helps reduce corrosion damage to aging pipes.

Signs You Need a Drain Cleaner for Your Old Pipes

Here are some common signs it’s time to use a drain cleaner in your old pipe system:

• Water draining from sinks, tubs or showers more slowly than usual
• Gurgling sounds from draining water
• Sinks, showers not fully draining and holding standing water
• Sewer gas odors coming from drains
• Toilets flushing sluggishly or requiring multiple flushes
• Puddles of water around floor drains
• Basement sewer backups during heavy rain

If you experience one or more of these issues, using a quality drain cleaner can help bust through clogs and restore proper water flow.

How Drain Cleaners Work on Old Pipes

There are three main types of drain cleaners available:

Chemical drain cleaners use caustic or corrosive ingredients like lye, sulfuric acid and oxidizing agents to eat through organic material clogs.

Enzymatic drain cleaners use bacteria, enzymes and fungi to dissolve clogs through biological processes.

Mechanical drain cleaners use physical force to dislodge, grab onto and extract clog debris.

Each works a bit differently, but all can effectively remove grease, hair, food waste, fats, oils and soap scum stuck on the inside of old drain pipes when used properly.

The key is choosing the safest drain cleaner type suitable for your specific clogged pipe issue. Let’s go over the options…

Types of Drain Cleaners for Old Pipes

There are pros and cons to each variety of drain cleaner for use in old pipes. Consider these factors when deciding which is right for your situation.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain openers have been around the longest and tend to work quickly and powerfully to dissolve gunk and clear blockages. Just be very careful using them in older pipes, as the caustic ingredients can further corrode pipe interiors!

Pros of Chemical Drain Cleaners

• Inexpensive
• Available at any hardware store
• Very effective at dissolving organic waste clogs
• Fast-acting

Cons of Chemical Drain Cleaners

• Corrosive to most pipe materials especially older variety pipes
• Can damage pipes and plumbing
• Poses safety issues if contacts skin or is inhaled
• Environmentally damaging

If you opt to use a chemical drain cleaner in attempt to clear a persistent clog in old drain lines, I recommend wearing protective gloves and goggles. Never use one that contains lye or acid in ceramic, iron or concrete drainage pipes because corrosion damage will occur!

Enzymatic Drain Cleaners

For a safer, eco-friendly method, try an enzymatic drain cleaning product instead. Enzyme cleaners contain billions of bacteria and enzymes that eat away debris in clogs without damaging pipes in the process.

Pros of Enzymatic Drain Cleaners

• Non-corrosive
• Won’t damage old pipes
• Safer for the environment
• Prevents future clogs
• Often specifically designed for older plumbing

Cons of Enzymatic Drain Cleaners

• More expensive
• Slower to work
• May require multiple treatments for severe clogs

Enzyme cleaners require a bit more patience as they can take several hours to a few days to fully dissolve blockages rather than working instantly like some chemical drain openers. But they offer a safe method to clear and prevent clogs long-term without risk of further corroding your aging pipes.

Top drain cleaners for old pipes

1. Thrift Store Drain Cleaner [Activate By Hot Water Only]

The Thrift Store Drain Cleaner is an inexpensive sulfuric acid-based chemical drain opener.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Powerfully dissolves organic clogs
• Works quickly compared to enzymatic cleaners

Cons:

• Highly corrosive to old metal and earthenware pipes
• Can damage pipe interiors and shorten lifespan

2. Green Gobbler Enzymatic Drain Cleaner– OVERALL BEST

Green Gobbler Enzymatic Drain Cleaner uses bacteria and enzymes to digest pipe clogs.

Pros:

• Won’t harm old pipes
• Safe for people and pets
• Works on hair, grease, soap scum
• Prevents future clogs

Cons:

• Slow-acting can take hours to days
• More expensive upfront cost
• May need multiple treatments for tough clogs

3. Mechanical – FlexiSnake Drain Weasel

The FlexiSnake Drain Weasel is a flexible plumbing snake that manually grabs and removes clog debris.

Pros:

• Won’t deteriorate pipe interiors
• Allows inspection with camera models
• Immediate clog removal

Cons:

• Difficult for inexperienced DIYers
• Can scratch pipes if improperly used
• Doesn’t prevent future clogs
• Needs to fit proper diameter snake for pipe size

Always consider pipe type and damage level before choosing drain cleaners for elderly plumbing. Preventative measures like screens and enzyme treatments also help reduce need for harsh chemical cleaners over time.

4. Chemical – Liquid-Plumr Foaming Pipe Snake

Liquid-Plumr Foaming Pipe Snake is a thick gel chemical drain cleaner.

Pros:

• Clings to pipe walls better than thin liquids
• Has added bleaching agents to remove mold & mildew
• Low fumes and splatter

Cons:

• Still corrosive to aged pipe materials
• Could take repeat applications for tough clogs
• More expensive than standard liquid drain cleaners

5. Enzymatic – Roto-Rooter Bio Clean

Roto-Rooter Bio Clean utilizes a blend of natural bacteria and plant enzymes.

Pros:

• Specifically formulated for aging drain lines
• Restores long-term pipe flow capacity
• Prevents buildup of fats/oils/grease
• Environmentally friendly ingredients

Cons:

• Requires many hours to start working
• Not as effective on inorganic matter clogs
• Only available through Roto-Rooter plumbers

6. Mechanical – Ridgid Kinetic Water Ram

The Ridgid Kinetic Water Ram uses pressure waves to dislodge clog debris.

Pros:

• Good for shifting stubborn drain obstructions
• Features depth meter for precise targeting
• Simple for homeowners to operate

Cons:

• Can damage uninspected fragile pipes
• Only clears partial clogs, doesn’t collect debris
• Repeat uses can weaken old pipe joints/walls

For severe recurring clogs, professional drain cleaning and pipe inspections are recommended to determine any repairs needed to restore proper water flow.

FAQs

Are chemical drain cleaners safe for really old pipes?

No, chemical drain cleaners containing corrosive ingredients like sulfuric acid or lye should generally be avoided in very elderly pipes over 50 years old, especially if the piping contains cast iron, clay or concrete. The caustic chemicals can further corrode and damage the aged pipe interiors.

How can I determine what’s causing my clogged old pipes?

Start by trying to diagnose where in the pipe system the clog occurs – kitchen sink vs. main sewer line vs. toilet, etc. Check for standing water and slow drainage issues after use. You may need to hire a plumber to snake a camera down for exact clog identification.

Will enzyme cleaners work for clogs partly made of non-organic matter?

Enzyme-based drain cleaners solely break down and digest organic material like grease, fats, oils, hair and food scraps. For obstructions containing sediment or mineral buildup, a mechanical drain snake would be more effective at dislodging all debris.

Can I use boiling water instead of chemical cleaners in old drains?

Pouring boiling hot water down a clogged drain can help melt and dislodge grease, but generally doesn’t provide enough heat or force alone to remove tough clogs in aging pipe systems. Avoid this method in ceramic pipes more vulnerable to cracks or fractures.

When should I call for professional drain cleaning help?

If DIY drain cleaners aren’t working and backup issues persist or worsen after a couple applications, contact a professional plumber. Professionals have high-pressure water jetting equipment and long augers to clear difficult clogs in aging pipes a homeowner can’t successfully tackle.

Conclusion

Summary of Best Drain Cleaners for Old Pipes

When facing clog issues in worn pipes, start by trying an enzymatic cleaner like Green Gobbler to clear obstructions without further damaging plumbing interiors over time.

For quicker clog busting, Liquid-Plumr Foaming Pipe Snake provides added effectiveness while minimizing pipe corrosion compared to standard liquid chemical varieties.

In scenarios where standing water indicates a fully blocked system, calling a pro to snake a rotating auger through is your surest bet to restore flow and prevent flooding disasters!

And remember preventative measures like hair traps, filter screens and avoiding grease/oil buildup keeps elderly pipes in the best shape while avoiding semi-annual clogs!

Importance of Regular Drain Maintenance

The adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely applies to keeping old, vulnerable pipes running optimally! Make pipe care a regular routine:

• Use sink strainers and tub drain screens
• Collect oils/grease before washing dishes
• Treat drains weekly with enzyme cleaners
• Flush with hot water regularly
• Check for exterior root damage or cracks