Plumber

Professional Plumbing Services

Call Today to Get

$ 30 OFF
Why Chemical Drain Cleaning is Bad for Your Plumbing
time

March 15, 2023

Why Chemical Drain Cleaning is Bad for Your Plumbing

The most common plumbing problem is a clogged drain, usually solved using a plunger and brute force. However, some persistent clogs force homeowners to find DIY alternatives to rectify the issue quickly. Chemical drain cleaners are the go-to solution for clogged drains, but that doesn’t mean they are safe.

Most of these products contain corrosive chemicals, which cause irreversible damage and costly repairs. While these products effectively block drain lines, Beall Contracting recommends hiring a professional drain cleaning service. Here are reasons to hire a plumber rather than pouring chemical cleaners down the drain.

Safety Issues

Although drain cleaners are used to clear clogged drains, it doesn’t mean they are the best option. Many homeowners must read the label’s directions, precautions, and ingredients, resulting in pipe corrosion and subsequent damage to plumbing. Chemical drain cleaners damage your plumbing and compromise the safety of your loved ones and pets. The last thing you want is for your child or dog to be exposed to the toxic ingredients, resulting in severe injuries or, worse, fatalities. The safest solution is to hire a professional plumber for hydro-jetting or other non-chemical drain cleaning solutions.

Environmental Impact

Chemical drain cleaning products clear blockages effectively, but prolonged use can affect the environment. Most of these products contain bleach and other corrosive chemicals that affect anyone nearby, compromising the water supply and their overall well-being. Dumping chemical cleaners down the drain might be a quick way to clear clogs, but the chemicals are in your septic system and released into the groundwater. This compromises the safety of drinking water and the well-being of your loved ones.

Chemical Reactions

Most people grab the first drain cleaner on the shelf when they experience a slow drain or backups. However, using different chemicals can brew in your plumbing system, creating a mixture of bleach, ammonia, and other dangerous substances. The outcome is a toxic fume that emanates from your drains into your home, affecting the quality and safety of your indoor spaces. It is difficult for homeowners to predict the outcome of mixing chemical cleaners, but it is safe to say the result is undesirable.

Effectiveness

It is irrefutable that drain cleaning solutions are effective in clearing clogged drains. However, these products only solve some of the different causes of blockages. If you are experiencing a clogged drain because of a damaged pipe, using chemical cleaners will only worsen the problem by eroding your pipe lining. The best solution is to hire a professional plumber to assess the situation, determine the severity, and recommend a long-term solution. We use non-chemical solutions like hydro-jetting to prevent corrosion and the subsequent plumbing damage caused by the prolonged use of chemical drain cleaners.

Drain cleaners cause severe damage to PVC pipes, so we advocate for more lenient and less corrosive alternatives. If you detect a slow drain, foul smells, or backups, contact us at Beall Contracting. We offer various plumbing services, such as drain cleaning, repairs, and maintenance, without exceeding the budget or compromising quality.