Why You Should Say No to Drain Cleaning Chemicals


It’s a nasty problem to have. Your sink clogs up, and none of the dishwater or toothpaste water will go anywhere. Or, maybe even more annoying, you shower and it has turned into a bath before you know it.

Most people, when faced with this problem, reach the right for drain cleaning chemicals. It makes sense. You pour the chemicals down the drain, and suddenly, your drain works again. Sounds like a great solution.

Well, we’re here to tell you that it might not be the best solution. The thing about chemical drain chemicals is that they can be dangerous for your drains and you. This article will explain why you shouldn’t use drain cleaning chemicals and maybe a few solutions to help you avoid them.

Environmental Hazard

This seems like a good place to start. You may not see any direct effects of this, but in the long run, it affects us all. Chemical drain cleaners are flat-out bad for the environment.

Think about it. Your drains go to some water source, whether private or public. If the water is not properly treated before it is disposed of, it can have harsh environmental consequences. Think about it this way also; once the contaminated water is introduced to an ecosystem, it will stay with that ecosystem for quite a while. It’s no secret that chemical drain cleaners have altered or damaged plants and other life forms.

It’s not only that. When you use a drain cleaner bottle, you eventually throw it away. This caustic chemical will remain in the landfill or recycling facility bottle. Imagine if everyone on your block used drain cleaner and all those bottles went to the same landfill. Now imagine that extrapolated out to a much larger scale. Yikes.

Pipe Hazard

As mentioned above, we must worry about caustic chemicals. Caustic chemicals used in soap-making stick with chemical drain cleaners, which could harm your pipes. Hydrochloric acid is the main ingredient in drain cleaners, and it is a rough one. This is especially true if the piping in your house is PVC. So, yes, a chemical drain cleaner can help clear your drains, but it could also damage them in the long run.

Danger!

So, there is the very real and scary danger of winding up with a chemical burn on hand. That’s only a small part of the danger. If you are someone with kids or with pets, chemical drain cleaners can be downright deadly. Yes, we all go out of our way to put things in place to keep them out of the way of little ones or pets who might be a little too curious. You never know when or if your kids or pet will get into them and be all too curious.

Follow The Directions

If you are a person who reaches for drain cleaner and just pours it down the drain, you are not alone. The thing is, you need to read the directions. That chemical fume emanates from your sink or shower after you use it. You don’t want that stuff sticking around. So, if you are going to use chemical drain cleaners, you want to make sure to never mix them with other drain cleaners, and after you’ve used them, you want to open as many windows in your house as you can. This is for the safety of you and your loved ones.

It’s Only A Quick Fix

If you have a bigger problem than a small clog, chemical drain cleaners are only a quick fix. If clogs keep occurring in your plumbing, not only are you throwing away money, but you may be making the problem worse by damaging your pipes even further.

What To Do

If you have issues with clogged drains, the best thing to do is call your local plumber. They have seen and treated it all and can get your drains in working order without the danger of using chemical drain cleaners.

If you want to learn more about safely unclogging your drains, please contact Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions today!