Think Twice Before Using Liquid Drain Cleaners
When the sink starts to clog or the showers drain painfully slowly, the first reaction is to go to the store and grab the nearest liquid drain cleaner.
When the sink starts to clog or the showers drain painfully slowly, the first reaction is to go to the store and grab the nearest liquid drain cleaner. While modern drain cleaners can help remove some clogs and act relatively quickly, there might be unintended long-term consequences of using them repeatedly.
This article will explain the possible hazards of using common chemical drain cleaners and delve into alternative methods of cleaning the pipes.
Drain cleaners are toxic
Most common drain cleaners contain highly toxic chemicals. The fumes these chemicals give off can be hazardous, irritating to the eyes and skin, and can be especially dangerous if inhaled. The fumes stay in the air for a relatively long time, especially if the product has been used on standing water or clogged sinks. Mixing these chemicals with other products can result in potentially deadly gasses escaping through the pipes and back into the room.
Drain cleaners can damage the pipes
While most commercial drain cleaners work fast and are generally safe for modern plastic and bronze pipes, older metal pipes are not as sturdy. The hydrochloric acid used in drain cleaners can corrode old pipes and stain the bathtub and sink. Frequent use of corrosive drain cleaners can erode through the pipe, causing a leak or a burst and structural damage to the house itself.
Drain cleaners are an environmental hazard
Bottles of chemical drain cleaners usually contain leftovers of the chemicals, which often end up in landfills. These chemicals and their packaging are harmful to the environment. Once the chemicals are flushed down the toilet, they can poison the water, killing local fish and wildlife.
Drain cleaners might not even work
The chemicals in drain cleaners cause a reaction that produces heat in the hope that it will melt through the clog or wash the piled grease away. However, other clogs, such as root growth, won’t be affected by the chemicals nearly enough to be an effective solution. Professional equipment might often be necessary to resolve the clog, and drain cleaners are nothing but a harmful waste of money.
Alternatives to drain cleaners
Smaller clogs can often be resolved without resorting to hazardous drain cleaning chemicals. Plungers are a relatively safe and quick, albeit messy, method of fixing a clogged sink. Another way to solve clogs is to pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain. The reaction between these two chemicals is much safer than commercial drain cleaners and will usually resolve minor issues. Flush with hot water to get rid of the vinegar-soda mix and clean the pipes.
Liquid drain cleaners and homemade solutions can’t replace the expertise and equipment of professional plumbers. They offer a more permanent solution to pipework problems and use non-damaging chemicals to solve even the worst clogs.
Evenflow Home Services has earned a strong reputation for providing comprehensive residential and commercial plumbing services. Emergency services available. Call today at (210) 941-3503.
