You see them on the shelves whenever you go grocery shopping and head down the “cleaning supplies” aisle: Bottles of liquid drain cleaners that advertise themselves as a fast, inexpensive, and easy way to clear out slow drains and aggravating drain clogs. These products are so ubiquitous that many homeowners will turn to them as a first resort when they need to have their drains cleaned.
However, you must avoid the pull of this “easy” solution. These bottles of acidic chemicals can cause numerous problems that make them a terrible choice for drain cleaning. No experienced plumber uses them or recommends their use. Here are 4 reasons why:
#1 – They can damage pipes
Most drain cleaners are composed of highly caustic chemicals such as hydrochloric acid and lye. These chemicals can manage to chew through obstructions in a clogged drain, but they will also eat through the pipes as well, especially since they will sit for around a half-hour or more inside the pipe as they are given time to “work.” Using store-bought cleaners often leads to long-term damage that necessitates eventual pipe replacement.
#2 – They are dangerous for you, your family, and your pets
Few household chemicals are more toxic than drain cleaners. Spilling these acidic chemicals can harm the skin, eyes, and nose. The lingering chemical fumes are dangerous as well for everyone in your home.
#3 – They are bad for the environment
Aside from another plastic bottle tossed into over-stuffed landfills, the bottles of chemical drain cleaners deposit dangerous residue into the ground that can poison the soil, the water, and wildlife.
#4 – They do not do a thorough job
Chemical drain cleaners may get through a thick clog, but they tend to miss much of the debris that caused the buildup in the first place, such as hair clumping. And if the drain stoppage was caused by something else wrong in the plumbing, liquid drain cleaners won’t help at all.
You need professionals to unclog drains and clean out drainpipes. Expert plumbers use equipment like motorized drain snakes and hydro-jetters that effectively and safely clean out drains. Don’t reach for drain cleaning chemicals; reach for the phone and call professional plumbers.
Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) offers high quality drain cleaning services in Orlando, FL and the surrounding areas.