Reasons to Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

Few things are more irritating from a plumbing standpoint than clogged or slow drains, but some people instantly jump to the wrong solution here: Harsh chemical drain liquids. And while these may do the job for a singular clog without much issue, they simply should not be used on a regular basis -- and we'll tell you why. 

At Neighborly Plumbing & Services, we're happy to offer the best drain cleaning services in Utah, ensuring that all your drains are working well and not having issues. Here are some of the key reasons we do not recommend relying on chemical drain cleaners for your drain cleaning needs.

Safety Concerns

First and foremost, especially if you have children in your home (but even if you don't), it's important to be aware that many chemical drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can be dangerous if ingested. If you have pets, they may also be tempted to drink from the drain after you've used a chemical cleaner, so it's best to avoid this altogether.

In cases where they must be used, such cleaners require some major precautions: Proper ventilation, wearing rubber gloves, and more. But really, this just indicates that you should avoid them if at all possible.

Damage to Your Pipes

While a chemical drain cleaner will often do a decent job eating away at any blockages or clogs in your drain, it will also do the same to your pipes. Over time, this can lead to serious damage that will require professional intervention to repair -- and in some cases, you may even need to have your pipes replaced entirely.

In addition, it's possible for certain drain cleaners to interact with various elements inside your pipes to create a poisonous gas. This is yet another reason to avoid these cleaners whenever possible.

Bad for the Environment

Eco-friendliness is important to many people with good reason, and if you're concerned about your impact on the environment, you should know that chemical drain cleaners are not friendly. They often contain harsh chemicals that can be bad for the environment, so if you want to avoid using them, it's best to find an eco-friendly solution.

Specifically, you want to avoid these cleaners because of how easily they get combined into water supplies. Anytime you pour one of these cleaners down the drain, there's a chance that some of it will end up in the water supply. This can lead to major environmental problems and is something you definitely want to avoid.

Often Less Effective

As we noted above, chemical drain cleaners will sometimes carry out the job you require -- with the key word there being "sometimes." It's true that they often work for simple blockages, but if you're dealing with anything major, they likely won't be able to do the trick.

Even in cases where they appear to work at first, it's often only a temporary fix. The clog will eventually come back, and you'll find yourself in the same position you were before -- except now, you may have pipes that have sustained more damage and are in worse overall shape, as we went over above.

Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Still Used

The information we've gone over to this point isn't hard to find, nor is it rare -- in fact, most experts will tell you the same thing. So why do people continue to use these cleaners? In some cases, it may be because they're unaware of the potential problems associated with them.

But in other cases, it's simply because these cleaners are cheap and easy to find. People can buy them at most stores without any issue, so if they're dealing with a slow drain, they may just grab one of these off the shelf without giving it much thought.

The truth is that there are much better options out there for cleaning your drains -- and at Neighborly Plumbing & Services, we can help you find the best solution for your needs. We'll assess the situation, identify any potential problems, and recommend the best course of action to take. Contact us today to get started!

Better Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners

The next time you're dealing with a drain clog or blockage of any kind, don't simply reach for the chemical drain cleaner lying around. Instead, consider one of these alternatives, whether on your own or with the help of our plumbers:

• The plunger: In many cases, your trusty old plunger will be easily enough to get the job done. By creating pressure and suction, a plunger can often dislodge whatever is causing the blockage and get your drain flowing again.
• Boiling water: Believe it or not, boiling water can also be effective in some cases. Just pour it down the drain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then flush with cold water to see if that does the trick.
• Snake or auger: If you have a little more of a clog on your hands, you may need to use a snake or auger. These devices essentially reach down into the drain and grab whatever is causing the blockage so that you can remove it manually.
• Baking soda and vinegar: You likely have these two household items sitting around, and they can actually be quite effective at unclogging drains. Just pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes and then flush with hot water.
• Professional services: If you're dealing with a major clog or blockage, your best bet is to call in professional help. Our team at Neighborly Plumbing & Services has the experience and expertise necessary to take care of any issue you may be facing, so don't hesitate to give us a call.

For more on this or any of our services, our team is standing by to take your call today.