Nobody enjoys the frustration of stepping into a shower and realizing you’re standing in stagnant water. With our busy lives, it’s tempting to dash to the store and grab a bottle of drain cleaner when faced with a clogged drain. However, this quick fix can lead to bigger problems.
Store-Bought Drain Cleaners Can Damage Your Pipes and Plumbing
Many drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful if they come into contact with your skin. Ingredients like sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate, aluminum, and bleach are common. When these substances combine in your pipes, they create reactions that generate extreme heat—close to boiling. This heat is intended to dissolve the clog, but it can also stress your plumbing.
If the clog is significant, these chemicals might remain in your pipes, potentially causing even more damage, particularly to older or PVC pipes. Moreover, if you decide to use a different cleaning product afterward, you could create dangerous chemical reactions.
Drain Cleaners Harm the Environment
Consider where those chemicals end up—down your drain and into our water supply, affecting rivers, lakes, and oceans, and harming local wildlife. The warning labels on these products don’t lie; they’re toxic. Even disposing of the empty bottles can leak harmful residues into the ground.
Drain Cleaner Chemicals Can Endanger You, Your Children, and Your Pets
The ingredients in drain cleaners can pose serious risks if they touch skin or are ingested. This is especially concerning for small children and pets. In fact, many plumbers will decline to work on a clogged drain if they suspect drain cleaners have been used recently, as they want to avoid exposure to these hazardous substances. Keeping these products in your home isn’t safe for your loved ones.
What to Do If You Experience a Clogged Drain
If you’re dealing with a clogged drain, try using a gentler alternative like baking soda to tackle the blockage. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to online plumber. Our experienced plumbers can evaluate the situation and determine whether the clog is a simple blockage or part of a larger plumbing problem.
