Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—enzymes just don’t cut it for kitchen grease. They’re more of a maintenance thing, not a fix for a serious clog. I’ve had better luck with a drain snake when things get really bad. One thing I’d add: if you use boiling water, make sure your pipes aren’t PVC, or you could end up with a bigger problem. Learned that the hard way once...
Yeah, boiling water and PVC is a recipe for disaster—seen more than a few warped pipes from that combo. Honestly, I’m with you on the drain snake. Enzymes are fine for keeping things clear, but once it’s gummed up with grease, you need something mechanical. Funny how many folks think Drano is a cure-all... until they’re calling me to replace half their kitchen plumbing.
You nailed it—boiling water and PVC just don’t mix. I’ve had to cut out whole sections where folks tried that trick. And Drano... yeah, it’ll eat through the clog, but it’ll eat your pipes too if you’re not careful. Had a job last winter where someone poured a whole bottle down every drain in the house—ended up with leaks everywhere. Mechanical’s always safer when you’re dealing with a stubborn kitchen clog.
Mechanical’s always safer when you’re dealing with a stubborn kitchen clog.
Couldn’t agree more. I had a tenant pour boiling water down a PVC trap once—warped it so bad I had to replace the whole section. Here’s my go-to: first, plunger (surprisingly effective if you block the overflow). If that fails, I’ll snake it, but I always lay towels because it gets messy. Chemicals are my last resort, and even then, only enzyme-based stuff. Drano’s just asking for trouble in older buildings.
I hear you on Drano—seen it eat through old pipes more than once. I usually go for a wet/dry vac before chemicals, especially if the clog’s stubborn but not totally solid. Ever tried that route, or do you stick to the snake?