If you have experienced the mess that comes with a clogged drain, you will understand the frustration and inconvenience caused by this predicament. It is understandable that you would want to jump straight to the quickest promise of a clean drain. That is why, when many homeowners are faced with the issue of clogged drains, they go for the chemical drain cleaner, which is advertised as a quick fix-all for clogged drains. However, pausing and reflecting on the ‘too good to be true’ advertisement is important. This is because the chemical drain cleaner does not deliver the promise. Moreover, it does more harm than good.
Next time you experience a clogged drain and consider pouring that chemical down the drain to unclog, think about these 7 reasons why you should avoid pouring chemicals down your drains.
1. Damage to Pipes
The chemicals are meant to cut through the materials clogging the pipes and even dissolve greasy elements so that the drains can work seamlessly again. However, these chemicals are harsh to the extent of corroding the drain pipes. Extensive use of these chemicals every time your drain clogs can result in the development of holes in your pipes. This will destroy the pipes and may eventually need to be replaced even before the expiration of their life span.
You may want to consider calling a licensed plumber at John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical to clean the drain in case of a clog. This will save you huge costs instead of having to call for professional help when replacing the pipes. They say that prevention is better than cure and cheaper, too.
2. Dangerous to Children
Children are sensitive to the safety level in their immediate environment. Chemical drain cleaners are made from strong and corrosive chemicals that are not only dangerous to the drain pipes but also to the environment your children live in. These chemicals in your home can harm your children and your pets. Even if you resolve to be careful when storing and using these chemicals, your children and pets will always be at great risk of exposure to their toxicity.
Children are curious by nature, and there is a possibility they will be intrigued enough to check out the contents of an unusual bottle. These chemicals can cause severe harm to them. The most secure and sure way to prevent such an occurrence is to keep the chemicals far from your home.
3. Environmental Impact
The contents of a chemical drain cleaner are very toxic. They are made harsh to ensure that they dissolve the material clogging your drains. However, after unclogging the pipes, the toxic chemicals can end up flowing into the nearby water supply.
Moreover, when using the cleaner, you will leave some residue in the bottle, ending in a landfill. The bottle and the contents of the bottle are both harmful to the environment and the wildlife. It is much safer to have a drain clog and call a plumber to clear the mess instead of causing environmental damage.
4. Safety Issues
It would be a wonderful world if you would just get an over-the-counter chemical drain cleaner, pour it down a clogged drain, and all your troubles would disappear. We have dealt with many cases of homeowners dealing with multiple problems, other than the clogged drain due to failure to adhere to the safety issues required when using chemical drain cleaners.
The reality is that most of the homeowners using chemical drain cleaners in Lincoln do not read the instructions in the manuals. These products require you to use them in adequately ventilated areas, keep them away from pets and children, avoid using them with a plunger, always wear rubber gloves, and avoid mixing them with other drain cleaners.
Failure to adhere to these safety instructions can result in grave problems, including hospitalization. For instance, if you inhale or ingest them, you can develop a myriad of health problems, such as damage to your lungs or digestive system. For the sake of your safety, allow a professional with the required expertise, tools, and experience to unclog your drain.
5. Damage to the Septic System
Your septic tank is effectiveness depends on the natural bacteria that help break down waste. When you continuously use chemical drain cleaners to clean your clogged drains, you risk killing the natural bacteria in the septic tank.
Over time, your septic system will stop working due to intense damage from the chemicals. You will have to incur expensive repair or replacement costs for the septic system. While the chemical drain clear will give you a quick fix for the drain, think about the long-term damage to your entire system, such as corroded pipes and a damaged septic system.
6. Ineffective Solution
Chemical drain cleaners promise to solve all the problems with a clogged drain. They vow to clear all types of clogs. These companies don’t have your interest at heart and will publish misleading information, including the fact that the chemicals are safe for all types of pipes. However, that is not true.
Some clogs cannot be cleared by chemicals, such as a drain clogged by a damaged pipe, the root of a tree, or a collapsed line. The use of chemical drain cleaners will make the problem bigger. For instance, if your clog is caused by a hole in the pipe and you pour the chemical down the drain, where will the chemical go?
Getting a plumber’s insight is the only sure way to know the cause of the clog and the solution to it. That way, we protect the system and ensure that we don’t make it worse in the process of fixing it.
7. Repeat Application
Chemical drain cleaners work as quick fixes as opposed to preventive measures to avoid drain clogs. Moreover, they do not fix the underlying problem behind the drain clog, which means there is a high tendency for the clog to recur occasionally. As such, you will be forced to repeat the application as and when the drains clog. This process further deteriorates your drains and the environment.
Additionally, you’ll likely spend money buying multiple drain cleaners for a “quick fix” time and time again without really addressing the issue. A good professional plumber will troubleshoot the problem and fix it once and for all. This will be cost-effective as opposed to the $10 multiple times that could total over $500 annually.
Let a Professional Handle That Clogged Drain for You
So, you have a slow drain. There is no way of knowing what is causing the clog or what to do about it. Your sure way out of these is to call a professional rather than try to fix the problem by yourself. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, as they pose a major risk to you, your children, your pets, the pipes, and your septic tank.
At John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical, our professional plumbers will handle all your drain cleaning problems within no time. We strive to ensure top-notch service. Call us 24/7 for that emergency drain fix before you can experiment with your plumbing! We also offer other heating, cooling, plumbing, drains, and electrical services in Lincoln, Omaha, and the surrounding area. Contact John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical today for more information.
