If you're dealing with a clogged drain, you might be tempted to use chemical solutions to quickly and easily clear it. These products are advertised as a complete drain cleaning solution and promise an affordable alternative to professional drain cleaning services. But intelligent plumbers know that the dangers of chemical drain cleaners outweigh the benefits. 

In fact, far from being the best way to clear a clogged drain, the use of these powerful chemical drain cleaning solutions can pose serious risks to your home and family. In this blog post, our expert plumbers in Kennesaw, GA, share some of the most significant dangers associated with chemical drain cleaners. 

Why shouldn’t you use chemical drain cleaning solutions?



1. Damage to Pipes

Chemical drain cleaners contain strong chemicals that can quickly burn through obstructions – but they can also damage your pipes. If you have PVC soft pipes or old, leak-prone pipes, chemicals like these can cause serious harm to your plumbing system. If the cleaner takes too long to clean out your drain – meaning it sits in one part of your pipework for an extended period – it can corrode old seals, chalking, and metal fittings. In these cases, using drain cleaners can lead to additional expenses and require professional plumbing services.

   2.  Effect on the Environment

Liquid drain cleaners don't just disappear after you pour them down your drain. They end up in septic tanks or public sewers, causing corrosion and damage to any old seals, chalking, metal fittings, old pipework or PVC soft pipes they come into contact with. These chemicals can also seep into the soil and groundwater, harming your local ecosystem. 

Additionally, most liquid drain cleaners come in single-use plastic containers, contributing to global plastic pollution.

   3.  Health Risks

Chemical drain cleaners contain toxic ingredients that are extremely hazardous to human health. Ingredients such as lye, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid can cause severe burns if they come into contact with skin and could kill if ingested by humans or animals. Inhaling the toxic fumes emitted by these cleaners can also lead to respiratory issues, such as inflammation of the airways, making breathing more difficult.

   4.  Failure of Your Septic Tank

The beneficial bacteria in your septic tank are essential for breaking down and treating the waste that flows from your home, but can be killed by the hazardous chemicals in drain cleaners. Without these bacteria, waste can build up in the tank and cause a variety of problems, such as clogs, backups, and odors. In severe cases, a septic tank can fail completely, requiring expensive repairs or replacement.

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