Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Are a Bad Idea

If you talk to a plumber, you’ll hear most of them give pretty consistent advice: flush your water heater, only flush waste and toilet paper (no wet wipes!), and never use store-bought chemical drain cleaners. Our team of technicians is no exception to this. We give a lot of the same advice because it’s true. Something that’s come to our attention recently, though, is that many homeowners don’t understand the “why” behind the advice to steer clear of chemical drain cleaners. We want to answer some common questions surrounding this today.

In the meantime, we want to reiterate that our professionals are always available to answer questions and provide you with great service. We’re the experts when it comes to plumbing in Glendale, AZ. 

What’s the Big Deal?

So what’s the big deal when it comes to using chemical darin cleaners to address the clogs in your home? It actually can cause quite the fuss. Here are a few of the key problems that chemical drain cleaners cause:

• They’re Caustic: Chemical drain cleaners use a cocktail of chemicals to alleviate a clog in your home. Most chemical drain cleaners that you can run out to your local store and get are highly acidic. This is what eats away at a clog. This isn’t where the trouble is either, it’s when it starts to eat away at the pipe itself after it’s done with the clog. This is why it’s never a worthwhile gamble. 
• They’re Toxic: If you head over to your local store and pick up a drain cleaner, you should take a look at the long list of warnings on the bottle. Chemical drain cleaners aren’t safe if they come in contact with your skin or eyes. They also create fumes that can linger in your home and cause harm.
• They Don’t Get the Job Done: The funny thing about chemical drain cleaners is that although they’re caustic and corrosive, they typically can’t even get the job done. This is common if your clog is located near a bend in your pipe or if it’s had time to harden. The chemical drain cleaner typically only clears the clog enough to let a little water through. This means that there’s still the perfect breeding ground for the next clog. It’s not really a full solution, typically it’s only a temporary fix to a growing issue. 

Professional Service Is the Answer

So we’ve spent a lot of time telling you what you shouldn’t do above, but what should you do when it comes to your home? If you’re trying to figure out how to clean your drains, we’re here to let you know that the answer lies in professional service. Professional work is the only way to ensure that you solve an issue like a clog once and for all without hassle. When you go with work from our professionals, you’re going to get a repair that’s simple, effective, and to the point. Let our team members handle this. 

Contact The Trusted Plumber to schedule an appointment with our professionals. 

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com