Drain clogs are common in Dallas plumbing systems. Since a blockage is inconvenient enough to affect your household’s daily activities, you may purchase a drain cleaner from a local store. Is drain cleaner bad for pipes, or are there times when it works?
Although it might be tempting to use a chemical drain cleaner instead of calling professional plumbing services in Dallas, TX, these products aren’t ever a good idea. Consult our helpful guide below to understand the risks of chemical cleaners and learn why professional drain cleaning is always your best option.
How Liquid Drain Cleaners Work When You Pour Them Into Your Dallas Plumbing System
Store-bought drain cleaners contain caustic chemicals like aluminum, lye, sodium nitrate, and bleach. These ingredients are toxic to humans. They also cause severe reactions if anybody drinks, touches, or inhales them.
When used with salt or sodium chloride, these chemicals generate heat and hydrogen bubbles. Sometimes, that reaction helps to break down organic matter. The idea is that the cleaner penetrates the clog and allows water to push the debris down the pipeline.
The Problem With Chemical Drain Cleaners
Is drain cleaner bad for pipes? The process explained above shows how store-bought cleaners remove an obstruction, but the clog isn’t all the chemicals penetrate!
The disadvantages are serious enough for most local plumbers in Dallas to recommend alternative drain-clearing methods that don’t involve toxic, volatile ingredients! Why skip the over-the-counter chemical drain cleaners? Let’s take a look.
Corrosive Chemicals Hurt Plumbing Components and the Environment
Chemical corrosion is a major concern for Dallas plumbing systems following a chemical drain cleaning treatment. The heat the ingredients generate is usually more than common drain pipe materials can handle.
The corrosive action is great for burning through organic matter like hair, soap scum, food particles, and human waste. However, it can also eat away at steel or copper pipes. The damage affects plumbing system longevity, especially if you use the cleaners frequently.
Liquid Cleaners Aren’t Always Effective, So Their Benefits Don’t Outweigh Their Risks
The unfortunate reality about store-bought drain cleaners is that they’re not always effective. If the blockage is substantial enough, you could pour an entire bottle of drain cleaner down a pipe and still have a clog.
Adding another bottle or a stronger chemical will only cause more problems. Plus, the cleaner will sit in the drain, generating heat and eating away at the pipes and seals!
Enzyme-Based Cleaners Aren’t Without Drawbacks
Chemical drain cleaners are prohibited under PVC pipe safety standards as the heat could melt or warp the material. Enzyme-based cleaners don’t have that reaction, which is okay for plastic pipelines.
While this small selection of cleaners on the market uses natural enzymes and certain kinds of bacteria to break down organic material inside drains, the unclogging process takes longer, and that’s not the only drawback. Natural cleaners often contain sodium hydroxide or lye, the most harmful ingredients in regular chemical drain cleaners!
Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners To Remove Clogs and Debris From Pipes
Is drain cleaner bad for pipes in your Dallas home? Yes, and there are much safer ways to clear blockages from your plumbing, such as:
Plungers
If you’re dealing with a minor clog, a plunger is a great tool. Flat plungers work well in sinks, tubs, and showers, while those with tapered cups are more suitable for toilets. You need a lot of pressure to dislodge a clog, so prepare to suction your fixture a few times.
Natural Drain Cleaners
Tried pouring half a cup of baking soda and a full cup of vinegar down a clogged drain? After the mixture sits and bubbles inside the drain for a few moments, flush it with hot tap water.
Professional Plumbing Services in Dallas
Contacting professional drain cleaning service providers is the safest way to clear a clog. In Dallas, a team like Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating can clear obstructions anywhere within your plumbing system. They can also free pipe interiors of stubborn debris that other clog-clearing methods leave behind.
Avoid Pipe Material Damage and Other Chemical Cleaning Complications With Expert Plumbing Help
Is drain cleaner bad for pipes? Yes, but the advantages of regular drain cleaning are plentiful, so don’t hesitate to get regular services from professional plumbers serving Dallas, TX, like Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating.
Why risk harsh, corrosive chemicals severely damaging pipes and not actually clearing the obstruction? Our safe and effective drain cleaning keeps pipes free of blockages, foul smells, and stubborn debris. Contact our top-rated team today!