Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Bad for Your Plumbing

Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Your Plumbing

When your sink backs up, it’s tempting to use chemical drain cleaner for a quick fix. Unfortunately, acidic, oxidizing, and caustic cleaners often cause more harm than good. Sure, they may dissolve the clog enough to get the water flowing, but expect bigger problems later. Discover why chemical drain cleaners are best avoided and explore safer, more effective alternatives to try.

Types of Chemical Drain Cleaners

Three main types of cleaners typically fill store shelves:

• Acidic cleaners use strong acids, such as sulfuric or muriatic acid, to dissolve clogs, especially those caused by hair. They’re effective but can damage your pipes over time.
• Oxidizing cleaners rely on bleach, peroxide, or nitrates. They’re gentler on pipes but work slowly and typically only work for light food debris.
• Caustic cleaners contain lye or potash with extremely high pH. They’re great at attacking grease but also erode your plumbing over time.

5 Reasons to Ditch Chemical Drain Cleaners

Still tempted to pour chemicals down your drain? Here are five convincing reasons to skip this method in favor of safer alternatives:

1. Pipe damage: Heat and gas from chemical cleaners weaken pipe walls until leaks or ruptures appear. You may fix one clog only to cause another problem.
2. Unresolved issues: Clearing a clog with chemicals doesn’t address underlying problems like tree-root intrusion or misaligned pipes. A one-time fix only masks the need for a more extensive repair.
3. Health hazards: Acidic, oxidizing, and caustic cleaners can burn skin, damage eyes, and release toxic fumes into your home.
4. Incompatibility with septic systems: Never use chemicals to clean your drains if you have a septic tank! Harsh chemicals kill the beneficial bacteria in the tank, leading to backups and expensive repairs.
5. Environmental impact: Runoff into soil and natural bodies of water can harm plants, animals, and sealife. Discarding empty bottles also contributes to hazardous waste in landfills.

Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners

Try these safer strategies that work without harming your plumbing or the planet:

• Non-chemical drain cleaner: Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. After giving it time to work, rinse your pipes with near-boiling water.
• Plunger or hand auger: These tools clear blockages mechanically rather than using chemicals. Keep them on hand as reliable DIY drain cleaning methods.
• Wet/dry vacuum: This tool is surprisingly versatile and often overlooked. The suction removes soft clogs effectively while minimizing the mess.
• Hydro jetting: You’ll need a professional plumber to perform hydro jet drain cleaning, which uses high-pressure water to blast through tough buildup without harming pipes.
• Enzyme-based cleaner: Natural enzymes dissolve organic matter gently and gradually. They’re even safe for septic systems. Use them preemptively to avoid clogs altogether.

Call Us for Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Over the past 30 years, Expert Plumbing Service has completed more than 100,000 jobs across DuPage, Will, Kendall, and Kane Counties. Our highly skilled plumbers arrive in fully stocked trucks, ready to provide same-day or 24/7 emergency service. We offer financing, online coupons, and discounts for seniors and veterans to keep every visit affordable. If you’re dealing with a clogged drain and want to avoid the risks of chemical cleaners, contact us today to schedule professional drain cleaning.