What Really Happens When You Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner?
There are a myriad of chemical drain cleaners on the market boasting the product’s conveniency, but what actually happens when you use a chemical drain cleaner? Though chemical drain cleaners can offer some clog relief, they are often minimally effective and can actually do more harm than good. There are many alternatives that offer better – and safer – results. In this brief article brought to you by Sunshine Plumbers, we take a dive into the products taking market shelves by storm. If you need a reliable plumber to get at the root of a clog without damaging your plumbing, then call Sunshine Plumbers to schedule a professional drain cleaning today.
Effect on Your Plumbing System
Chemical drain cleaners, as the name suggests, usually include harsh chemicals intended to break down blockages and clear up the drains. Sadly, these harsh chemicals do not differentiate between the objects in their path. These chemicals are highly corrosive and can cause damage to pipes over time, leading to cracks, leaks, and other problems that can be costly to repair.
Chemical drain cleaners are especially risky if you have a septic system installed on your property. As you know, septic tanks house beneficial bacteria that breaks down solid waste into sludge to save valuable, limited space. The harsh chemicals can kill these good bacteria and result in your septic tank filling prematurely. This can lead to clogs, sewage backups, and even a system failure.
Bad for Health
Chemical drain cleaners emit fumes that can be harmful to your health and the health of others. The chemicals in these cleaners are known to cause skin and eye irritation and other health problems. There have been countless stories of children getting ahold of these chemicals and ingesting them, leading to serious injuries like burns to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Severe complications can even result in death.
Further, chemical drain cleaners contain toxic chemicals that can harm the environment and pose a risk to wildlife and ecosystems. If injected into the soil through leaks in the plumbing, the chemicals can pollute underground water reserves and the environment. You could be held liable for these damages.
Is it Worth the Cost?
All these risks come with very little value added as chemical drain cleaners rarely result in sufficient results. Chemical drain cleaners are not always effective at removing clogs and can even make the problem worse by pushing the clog further down the drain. Fortunately, there are better options.
The Better Alternatives
Instead of using chemical drain cleaners, it's recommended that you try using natural and safe methods to clear clogs, such as a plunger or a drain snake. You can even consider drizzling baking soda followed by vinegar to break down minor blockages. If these methods don't work, an experience plumber can help you diagnose and resolve the problem in a safe and effective manner. At Sunshine Plumbers, we prefer to employ professional drain cleaning. Deep blockages can be tackled with hydro jetting, an approach the offers long-lasting and thorough results. Call Sunshine Plumbers to speak with a live representative today.
