Nothing throws your daily schedule into disarray like a blocked, slow-draining shower, tub, kitchen sink, or toilet. And in a desperate attempt to get rid of the stubborn clog, we take a bottle of chemical-based drain cleaner, pour an unmeasured amount down the drain, and hurry on to the next thing. While these products offer a quick and inexpensive fix, there is a dark secret about them: they are disastrous to your pipes.
In this post, we will look at why drain cleaners aren’t safe for your plumbing and explore other methods you can use as alternatives.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners
Damage to Pipes – Liquid drain cleaners are made of harsh chemicals such as lye, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid, which harm your pipes on the inside. When used frequently, they cause corrosion, severely degrade your pipes and cause leaks. If your pipes are plastic, the chemicals can even create heat and melt them.
A Danger to your Family – If you have young children or pets around your home, it’s not worth buying a chemical drain cleaner. Whether it’s a liquid, gel, or powder, it most likely has a high concentration of poisonous substances. And if proper precautions aren’t taken when storing or using these products, you could get skin burns, eye irritation, and breathing problems.
Harmful to the Environment – If the drain cleaner ends up outside your home, it poses an enormous risk to the environment. And there are many ways it can contaminate the environment: improper disposal of the container or eating through sewer pipes. These aggressive chemical end up contaminating the soil and washing up in surrounding bodies of water. Even a small residue is enough to harm marine life and pollute water supply systems.
They Mask Symptoms of a Bigger Problem – Although these chemicals are advertised heavily, they are not the best remedy for clogged drains. Most times, they fail to resolve the underlying problem and offer only a temporary fix. That’s why working with a professional plumber is recommended. They will investigate whether your stubborn clog is caused by a broken pipe, a tree root breaking through the pipe, stuck debris, or loose plumbing fittings.
What should I do instead?
Although the following solutions and techniques are safe for your family, plumbing system, and environment, some don’t always address the underlying issue. But they’ll offer you some temporary respite before you call a plumber.
Homemade Drain Cleaner – There are various techniques you can use to clear a clog. You can flush the drain with boiling water or mix vinegar and baking soda, let it sit for a few hours, then wash it down.
Use a Drain Plunger – These plungers differ from those found in the toilet. They have a flat bottom and cup-like appearance. To loosen a clog, partially fill the sink with water, seal the plunger around the drain hole, plunger up and down several, and then pull it off.
Use Biological Drain Cleaners – These products are entirely different from regular drain cleaners. Instead of aggressive acid, they contain harmless and beneficial bacteria that feed on clogs without corroding your pipes. These organisms will consume fat, oils, grease, foods, paper, and other bio-waste in your plumbing system.
Your Best Bet is to Partner with a Licensed Plumber
Now you know chemical drain cleaners aren’t safe for your Florida home. Partnering with a local plumber in Sarasota/Bradenton is your best option when you want to permanently eliminate slow drains and tough clogs.
At Veteran Air & Plumbing, our fully licensed and insured plumbers deploy modern tools and smart techniques to unblock drains without exposing your family or plumbing system to any dangers. For a properly working system, call us today to schedule a professional drain cleaning in Bradenton or Sarasota, FL.
