When most people experience a clogged drain, they will first attempt to
clear it using liquid drain cleaners such as Drano or Liquid Plumr. While
these chemicals can be an effective way to clear some small clogs, they
often cause bigger problems than they solve.
They Can Damage Your Pipes
Liquid drain cleaners use highly caustic, corrosive chemicals to dissolve
clogs and blockages. For small clogs, they often work fairly quickly and
pass through your sewer lines without causing issues. For larger clogs,
however, the liquid can sit in the pipe for some time, and can eat away
at PEX or copper pipes. Even if the product doesn’t sit in the pipes
for too long, frequent use of drain cleaners will often take a toll on
your pipes.
They Can Crack Your Toilet
Most liquid drain cleaners on the market are made from chemicals which
heat up when the product is put in use. If a toilet is clogged, it cannot
be flushed, meaning these chemicals will sit at the bottom of the bowl.
The resulting heat can crack the porcelain of your toilet bowl, which
turns a clogged toilet into an expensive replacement job.
They Are Dangerous Chemicals
These days, more and more people are embracing homemade household cleaners,
organic produce, and other products which are free from man-made chemicals.
If you are trying to reduce your family’s exposure to chemicals,
avoid liquid drain cleaners at all costs. If you have children in the
house, drain cleaners can also pose a serious poison threat.
Do I Have to Call a Plumber if My Drains Are Clogged?
Despite what some plumbers may tell you, it’s OK to clear some slow
drains (not fully clogged) with liquid drain cleaner once in a while.
However, these products don’t always get the job done, so you may
need to call a Waterbury plumber to properly clear the pipes. If you are
regularly experiencing slow drains, you should use an
organic drain cleaner such as Bio-Clean to prevent future issues. This product is a blend of natural bacteria
and enzymes; the bacteria quickly spread through your pipes and eat away
at organic waste.
Are you dealing with slow or clogged drains? Call our Waterbury plumbers
today at (203) 577-5628!