When your drain is clogged, what do you usually do? Probably reach for the nearest commercial drain cleaner. It’s a quick fix that clears blockages, so why not? Well, the chemical reactions from these cleaners can eat at any PVC pipes and joints in addition to what’s causing the blockage.
Risks of Commercial Chemical Drain Cleaners
Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes?
The chemical reactions in these cleaners can be bad for both metal and PVC pipes. Frequent use of high-strength drain cleaners with sulfuric acid can dissolve metals. The chemical reaction in cleaners produces heat, which can warp or melt the plastic, in addition to eating it. These reactions are what can make your situation worse, turning your minor blockage into a plumbing disaster.
Can Chemical Drain Cleaners Harm Your Health?
Did you know that 11% of all phone calls to poison control centers for kids 6 and under are from incidents with household chemicals? Hundreds of people suffer chemical burns from these products every year in the United States.
The burns aren’t the only thing you need to watch out for, the fumes in many products can be toxic and just as harmful in other ways. Remember, these chemicals are designed to eat through the organic materials blocking your drain, they can do serious damage to your skin or eyes.
How Commercial Drain Cleaners Hurt the Environment
Now that you have an idea for how much these chemicals can hurt your pipes and your health, you might be wondering about the impact on the environment. Perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising that these chemicals also wreak havoc on the environment. When they get flushed through the pipes, they often head right for rivers, streams and groundwater systems. These chemicals can cause tissue and nerve damage. It can also cause developmental, endocrine and reproductive system disorders.
Non-corrosive, Safer Drain Cleaning
Those clogs and backups don’t need to be as difficult as you think. There are common household chemicals that you can use to DIY clean your drain that won’t eat your drains and wreak environmental havok.
Borax – When mixed with baking soda, it can be an effective mildew cleaner. You can also mix with a mild liquid soap, lemon juice and warm water to use as a carpet and upholstery cleaner.
Acidic Soda Products – The high carbonation level with the acidity present in soda products can act like a cleaning chemical and break down the debris clogging your drains, with less of the risks from commercial products.
Baking Soda and Vinegar – Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated bathroom! This mixture removes frustrating clogs without eating your pipes. (Avoid overusing this method, as excessive use can harm your pipes over time. Disclaimer: This produces a carbon dioxide gas, so exercise caution and only use this method in well-ventilated bathrooms.)
- Pour ½ cup baking soda down drain
- Pour ½ cup vinegar down drain, slowly
- Immediately cover drain with a cloth or drain plug
- Let the solution sit for 30-60 minutes, then remove the cap
- Boil a pot of water and slowly pour it down the drain, letting it work its way through the pipes.
When in Doubt, Call the Professionals
If you think your drain problem is beyond your skills at DIY, there’s no shame in giving the professionals here at Advanced Sewer a call, our services are top-notch! Commercial chemical cleaners can invite a whole bunch of extra problems despite their reputation as a quick fix.
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