Yes, the unfortunate truth is that chemical drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. The majority of these contain caustic agents or harsh acids that generate heat and cause corrosion that weakens PVC, metal and other types of plumbing.
Over time, using these drain cleaners can lead to cracks, leaks and pricy repairs. Safer options for removing clogs include plungers, enzymatic cleaners, drain snakes and general maintenance.
Diving into why drain cleaners are harmful and the safer alternatives helps you eliminate disgusting clogs and restore the use of your home’s plumbing fixtures.
What is Drain Cleaner and How Does It Work?
A quick trip to your local store will reveal several brands of drain cleaners that all claim to remove even the worst clogs. Taking a look at the different types of drain cleaners and how they work helps you know exactly what you are looking at.
Know the Main Types of Chemical Drain Cleaners
The main types of cleaners are categorized based on their ingredients, such as the following:
•Caustic cleaners – contain sodium hydroxide or lye
•Oxidizing cleaners – contain bleach, nitrates or peroxides
•Acidic cleaners – contain sulfuric or hydrochloric acid
Understand the Mechanism Behind Clog Clearing
Drain cleaners work in two main ways to eliminate clogs:
•Break down organic matter, such as hair, grease and soap scum
•Generate chemical reactions and heat that dissolve clogs
Consider Why Drain Cleaners Are Bad for Pipes
Seeing drain cleaners sitting next to laundry soap and other household goods at your local store can be deceiving. Our plumbers urge you to consider these potential complications before pouring drain cleaners down the pipes.
Causing Corrosion and Pipe Damage
The caustic chemicals in drain cleaners can weaken galvanized, copper and steel pipes. PVC and plastic pipes aren’t in the clear either, since some drain cleaners can cause them to warp or crack.
Increasing the Risk of Leaks and Expensive Repairs
Since many drain cleaners won’t fully clear the clog or prevent it from forming, you might use them repeatedly. This compounds structural damage that can lead to hidden water leaks that contribute to mold growth and property damage.
Creating Health and Safety Hazards
Pouring these chemicals into the drain can allow fumes to escape that irritate your eyes, skin and lungs. You’ll also want to note that they are dangerous if they splash near your body or get mixed with other chemicals.
Having a Negative Environmental Impact
The damage drain cleaners cause can extend beyond your house by allowing harmful residues to enter the wastewater. In a worst-case scenario, this can lead to toxic effects on nearby soil and aquatic life.
Figuring Out When Drain Cleaners Do and Don’t Work
Drain cleaners aren’t all bad. But, knowing when they might work in small amounts helps you avoid making major drain-cleaning mistakes.
What Can They Handle?
Drain cleaners might be able to clear small hair or grease clogs that occur near the surface of the pipe. The temporary relief they bring might help get the water to start going down, or it might fix a slow-draining sink.
Where Do They Fail?
By the time drain cleaners reach deep clogs, they may already be too diluted to do much good. The chemicals they contain aren’t harsh enough to dissolve non-organic substances, such as your kid’s action figure toy or baby wipes. They also won’t eliminate recurring problems or severe blockages from tree roots and other complicated clogs.
Finding Safer Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners
If you prefer to avoid the dangers that drain cleaners pose, then you have a few alternatives. Here are our plumbers’ best recommendations for removing clogs at home.
Use Mechanical Solutions
No home is complete without a plunger to quickly remove small clogs, such as those from toilet paper. Drain snakes and augers also work to pull out clogs.
Try DIY Natural Options
The answer to clear out a clog might be in your home’s pantry. We often recommend baking soda and vinegar flushes for keeping drains running freely.
Hot water and dish soap can often break up grease clogs. You could also try enzyme-based cleaners to break down organic matter.
Practice Preventative Maintenance
Adding these maintenance methods to your to-do list reduces the frequency of our drain-clearing visits.
•Install drain strainers that catch hair and debris
•Avoid pouring grease, coffee grounds and other drain-clogging items into the sink
•Perform monthly hot water flushes
Know When to Call Our Professional Tampa Plumber
Our plumbers are always here to provide honest advice and quickly fix plumbing problems. You can call us anytime, especially if you have a clog that won’t clear with simple DIY strategies.
Recognize the Signs You Need Help
These signs signal that the clog might be harder to remove than you might expect.
•Clogs returning quickly after an initial clearing
•Having multiple drains back up at once
•Unusual gurgling or bubbling sounds or foul odors
•Obvious leaks or water stains
Consider the Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning
On top of being punctual, our professional plumbers can provide you with these benefits for managing clogs.
•Using non-damaging methods such as hydro-jetting and snaking
•Locating hidden blockages with camera inspections
•Offering long-term solutions instead of temporary fixes
FAQs About Drain Cleaners and Pipes
When you have questions, we have the right answers. A quick read through our FAQs can help you make a safe and effective plan for removing clogs.
Will drain cleaner ruin PVC pipes?
Yes, drain cleaners can cause PVC materials to warp and develop cracks that leak water.
Are enzyme or “green” drain cleaners safe?
Some enzymatic cleaners are safer than others. But, gentler drain cleaners might not be strong enough to remove deep or difficult clogs.
How often can I use drain cleaner without damage?
Some commercial cleaners you’ll find in the home improvement stores can cause damage from the very first use. We can recommend safer drain cleaners and give you recommendations on how to use them.
Can chemical cleaners void pipe warranties or insurance?
If a manufacturer or insurance company believes your use of drain cleaner caused the damage, then you could face a pricy problem.
What’s the best way to prevent clogs in the first place?
Only putting water and other substances down drains that belong there is the best way to avoid clogs. We can also create a maintenance plan that involves professional and DIY methods for preventing clogs.
Choose the Smart Way to Handle Clogs
Drain cleaners may offer you a quick fix, but they pose a long-term risk for your home’s plumbing system. Giving safer alternatives a try can protect the plumbing and your overall health.
Once we clear the clog, we recommend doing some basic prevention on your part. Then, combine your efforts with our professional drain cleaning services to experience fewer clogs and lower costs for repairs in the future.
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we encourage you to think twice before reaching for chemical drain cleaners. Your wallet and pipes will thank you. We offer drain unclogging services throughout Tampa and the surrounding communities. Reach out to our punctual plumbers today to find quick and pipe-friendly clog-clearing solutions.