OATEY 20410 Hercules® 20 oz. Glug® - Crystals

Glug drain crystals are a non-acid formula, and Oatey states they're harmless to most metal and plastic pipe, valves and fittings. That's the reason maintenance crews reach for a crystal product instead of an acid drain opener on mixed cast iron, galvanized, copper and PVC waste lines. It also contains no phosphates or aluminum.

No. Oatey specifically says Glug is not for use with a garbage disposal. For a disposal-equipped kitchen sink you need a different product. Glug is meant for drain pipe, where the clog is hair, soap, grease and food waste sitting in the line rather than in the grinding chamber.

Yes, Glug is safe for septic systems when used as directed, which is what makes it usable in rural rentals and small multi-family properties that aren't on municipal sewer. It's phosphate free and contains no aluminum.

Both. The crystals dissolve grease, hair, soap, food and other organic material, and Oatey lists hair and soaps/detergents as the material it's formulated to work on. It's aimed at sluggish drains and clog prevention, so it's the shower and lavatory line in an apartment turn as much as the kitchen branch. What it won't handle is a hard blockage of non-organic debris, which is a snake or jetter job.

No. Glug uses a hot water formula that will not solidify in drains, so flushing it with hot water per the directions won't leave a plug of set material in the trap or the horizontal run. That's the failure mode maintenance staff worry about when a tenant overdoses a drain product.

Oatey 20410 is the 20 oz crystal container, listed at 1.499 lb and 0.047 cubic feet each. Multiply that out when you're figuring a pallet or a van load for a scheduled drain-maintenance route across a portfolio.

Oatey states Glug leaves no offensive after odor, which matters when you're treating a drain in an occupied apartment or a hotel room that has to turn the same day. The crystals are white.