Sure, you want that drain clog gone. But bypassing the plumber for a bottle of drain cleaner can do more harm than good.
Sitting on the shelves of grocery stores and big box stores, liquid drain cleaner may seem like a bargain and a quick solution when a drain in your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room plumbing backs up with water. Most homeowners have tried at least one or two types of liquid drain cleaner before calling us, so we understand the attraction of a quick, easy fix.
Based on years of experience with cleaning drains, here are four reasons you shouldn’t rely on liquid drain cleaners:
1. Drain cleaners and toxicity
The chemicals in commercial drain cleaners, particularly the off-brand and inexpensive varieties, have high toxicity levels. The fumes aren’t healthy to inhale, and will sting and irritate your nose and eyes. These fumes hang around wherever the chemical was used, long after it goes down the drain. These are enormously toxic and irritating chemicals that have no place in your home!
2. Damage to your plumbing pipes
The chemicals in drain cleaners can damage pipes while supposedly “cleaning” them. The principle chemical in commercial cleaning solutions is hydrochloric acid. This will not only gnaw at pipes as it sits in them, it will chew off the enamel and other expensive finishes in your kitchen or bathroom. It can literally melt away your pipes, especially in older houses, leading to MUCH more expensive problems!
3. Drain cleaners are bad for plumbing and the earth
The chemicals in drain cleaners are not good for the environment. The residue left in bottles ends up in landfills, and can enter the water, poisoning fish and other wildlife.
4. Liquid drain cleaner may not even work.
What is causing your drain to clog up? Drains sometimes back up because of trouble in the sewer line, or because of broken pipes. Dumping chemicals down a drain won’t fix these problems, and could leave you with a toxic chemical spill on top of your other troubles.
What should you do the next time the sink backs up? You’re better off skipping the drain cleaners, and using a plunger to clear a clogged drain.
If that doesn’t work, summon your #1 rated local drain cleaning professionals, Drain Tech Ohio. If you want more information about how to fix clogs and other plumbing woes, without resorting to harmful, dangerous chemicals, call (937) 222-8888 to schedule an appointment with one of our drain experts today.
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