When you are dealing with a bothersome clogged drain, you understandably want a fast and convenient fix. For some people, that solution is a bottle of store-bought chemical drain cleaner. You simply pour the solution into the sink or tub, let it work its magic, and rinse away the clog. However, in reality, you aren’t removing the full clog and could face several serious downsides.
What’s in Chemical Drain Cleaners?
Chemical drain cleaners are made with an exothermic formula. This means that the chemical composition generates heat. Sodium hydroxide is one common chemical used, and it is caustic. Another chemical is sulfuric acid, which is a strong acid.
How Drain Cleaning Products Remove Clogs
To accomplish the process of breaking down clog-forming debris, both the caustic and acidic formulas use intense heat to do the job. This heat is effective at weakening bonds in soap scum, grease, hair, and other organic matter that is often found in clogs. It’s important to note, however, that these products don’t thoroughly clean the pipes. They only break down the clog enough to partially clear it away. Some debris usually remains, which means the clog can return quickly.
The Impact on Your Health
The strong chemicals used to break down clogs also break down other organic matter. As a result, they can cause harm to people and pets. For example, they can create painful burns on your skin. You should always wear long clothes and gloves when using chemical drain cleaners. These products can also harm your eyes, so protective eyewear is recommended.
The Danger to Your Pipes
These harsh chemicals need at least 15 minutes or longer to break down clogs. During this period of time, the chemicals can cause significant damage to your pipes. If you continue to use chemical drain cleaning products for future clogs, the cumulative damage can result in serious plumbing problems.
Safe and More Effective Drain Cleaning Solutions
There are safer and more effective ways to clean your pipes. A snake is used to snatch the clog and pull it out of the drain. Plumbers use longer snaking devices than what you can find at local stores and can reach deeper clogs. Hydro-jetting is another professional solution. It uses a high-pressure stream of water to flush all of the built-up debris through the pipe.
You don’t need to rely on damaging and toxic drain cleaning chemicals to remove a clog. Call Benicia Plumbing in Benicia, CA for drain cleaning service today.