Are Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes?
Is the water in your shower draining slowly? Are you considering using a liquid drain cleaner you picked up at the store? Before you do, call us for professional drain cleaning services in Naperville. Advantage Plumbing can help unclog your drains without using toxic chemicals.
Are drain cleaners safe for pipes? Many people use them without really knowing the answer to this question. Residents often wish there was an easy, over-the-counter solution for clearing clogged drains. That’s why they buy liquid drain cleaners over and over again, unaware of the dangers lurking in their pipes.
Convenience aside, there are many downsides to using liquid drain cleaners. If you’re planning on clearing a clog in your drain with one of these cleaners, you’ll want to keep reading. In this article, Advantage Plumbing answers the question, “Are drain cleaners safe for pipes?”
Are Drain Cleaners Safe?
If you have PVC pipes, liquid drain cleaners may be a poor choice. Even after flushing with hot water, drain cleaner can remain in the pipes of your shower, sink, or toilet. This can lead to chemical reactions with other soaps and cleaners that can damage pipes.
The main reason that chemical cleaners are so hard on pipes is because of what they’re made of. Many liquid drain cleaners include toxic ingredients such as:
- Lye
- Bleach
- Sodium nitrate
- Aluminum
- Salt
While salt is not harmful to humans, these other ingredients are. These chemicals can cause burns and other adverse conditions if exposed to skin. In the chance you were to get it in your eye, blindness is possible. Studies have also found that some of these chemicals are carcinogenic or affect the immune system. When combined with other household cleaners, the chemicals in drain cleaner cause hazardous fumes. Overall, the ingredients used in these cleaners are not safe for you and your family.
Once the liquid cleaners make it into the sewer system, they continue to cause issues. Adverse chemical reactions can continue as the cleaners make their way into the sewer system.
These chemicals can then find their way into the water table by soaking into the soil. Once in the ground, they can kill trees and other plant roots. From the moment you pour these cleaners down your drain, they can cause all sorts of problems.
What Happens With Repeated Use?
Liquid drain cleaners should not be your go-to drain-clearing solution. In fact, you should rarely use them in the first place. While they may work a small percentage of the time, you should not use liquid drain cleaners repeatedly.
When used frequently, the chemicals in liquid drain cleaners eat away at the glue in PVC piping. This can cause leaks or pipe bursting, leading to larger issues. These chemicals are also strong enough to crack a toilet from the heat they create.
PVC piping is not the only type of piping that liquid cleaners can damage, though. Even if your home has metal pipes, the chemical reactions these cleaners use can damage them. If you have a clog in your drain or plumbing system, it’s always best to call an experienced plumber instead of wondering, “Are drain cleaners safe for pipes?”
How Do Drain Cleaners Work?
Liquid drain cleaners rely on a chemical reaction to clear clogs in your drain. One of the main ingredients, lye, reacts with aluminum in the drain to create heat. This reaction can heat to almost a boiling temperature.
Because of the intense heat it produces, this reaction dissolves the clog and frees the drain. Unfortunately, this process does not always work to completely clear the pipe.
Is There a Better Way to Remove Clogs?
If you’re wondering, “Are drain cleaners safe for pipes?” the short answer is, not really. However, there are safer and equally as effective alternatives.
One of these alternatives involves flushing vinegar, hot water, and baking soda down the drain. These non-toxic alternatives perform a similar function to harsh liquid drain cleaners.
You can also rely on a regular household plunger to clear most clogs. Using a flat-bottomed plunger, create a seal over the drain and plunge. The pressure formed by the seal will move water through the clog and free it.
If plunging does not completely solve the issue, you can also try a drain snake or pipe auger. These tools are thin and can reach into the pipe to break up the clog.
The best way to guarantee your drains are not damaged is to call a professional plumber. An experienced drain cleaner can check your pipes for damage and build-up, as well.
How Do You Avoid Needing Drain Cleaners?
Of course, the best way to deal with clogs is to avoid them altogether. Make sure you and your family members are doing the following to avoid clogging your drains:
- Throw out grease and food scraps. Porous foods can absorb water and swell, while grease can harden and form clogs. Grease is a major contributor to clogs in kitchen pipes because it hardens as it cools. These clogs are difficult to remove and build up over time.
- Protect your drains. Cover all the drains in your home with drain guards to prevent items from falling in.
- Watch what you flush. You should only flush organic waste and toilet paper. If you flush anything else, it can clog the toilet.
If you’re mindful of what goes into your drains and still experience routine clogs, you need to get to the root of the problem. You may have a more significant issue within your pipes. A professional drain cleaner can locate the source of the clogs and clear them out safely.
Professional Drain Cleaners in Naperville
The next time your drain clogs, don’t reach for drain cleaning chemicals. Reach for your phone and call Advantage Plumbing. We can help you with inspections, cleaning services, water heater maintenance, and sewer repair. Call (847) 268-3553 now to schedule an appointment.
Do you need help now? We have specialists on hand at all times and offer on-call emergency services, and can answer your questions, including, “Are drain cleaners safe for pipes?”
