I’ve tried enzyme drain cleaners a few times, mostly out of desperation when I didn’t want to take apart the trap or spend money on a plumber. They do work, but like you said, it’s a slow process—definitely not a quick fix if you’ve got standing water or a stubborn clog. I had a bathroom sink that kept slowing down, and after a couple rounds of enzymes over a few weeks, it finally cleared up. But I’ll admit, I was tempted to just grab the snake and be done with it.
Honestly, I lean toward mechanical methods first because they’re faster and you know right away if it worked. The wet/dry vac trick has bailed me out more than once, especially on kitchen sinks where food gunk gets stuck. I do think enzyme cleaners are good for maintenance, though—maybe once a month to keep things from building up. Just not my go-to when things are really backed up.
I get where you’re coming from with the enzyme cleaners, but I’ve honestly had mixed results. Maybe it’s just the old pipes in some of my rentals, but I’ve seen those “slow and steady” enzyme solutions actually make things worse if there’s already a big clog. Sometimes they just soften up the gunk enough that it shifts and blocks things up even more. Ever had that happen? It’s a pain.
I’m with you on mechanical methods being faster, but I’d actually argue that taking apart the trap isn’t as bad as people think. Half the time, it’s just hair or a wad of soap scum right there in the bend. Five minutes, a bucket, and maybe a pair of gloves—done. No waiting around for chemicals to maybe work. Plus, you know exactly what you’re dealing with instead of guessing.
The wet/dry vac trick is underrated though. I’ve used it on tub drains too, especially when tenants dump who-knows-what down there. Only thing is, sometimes you end up with a mess if you’re not careful about sealing off the overflow.
Enzyme stuff for maintenance? Sure, I’ll buy that. But if water’s not moving at all, I’d rather just get my hands dirty and fix it right away. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those compressed air blasters—they look gimmicky but maybe they’re worth a shot for certain clogs?
Compressed air blasters are a mixed bag in my experience. I tried one on a stubborn bathroom sink and it just sprayed dirty water everywhere—total mess. Maybe they work better on toilets or bigger drains? Anyone actually cleared a tough clog with one, or is it just hype?
Compressed air blasters can be more trouble than they're worth, especially on sinks. They tend to just blast the mess back at you unless the drain's totally sealed. For tough clogs, I usually stick with a hand auger or even take the trap off if needed. Toilets are a bit different—they sometimes work better there since you get a tighter seal, but even then, it’s hit or miss. The hype doesn’t always match real-world results.