Having a clog is a big inconvenience, and you probably want to do the fastest and easiest thing possible to get rid of the clog. Oftentimes, store-bought drain cleaners seem to be the easiest way to deal with a clog. These drain cleaners not only work pretty quickly, but they also help you avoid a lot of the mess associated with removing clogs as well. However, store-bought drain cleaners have a number of downsides as well, which we are going to discuss along with some good alternatives to using these drain cleaners.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners typically contain sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid as their primary ingredient. Both of these ingredients are toxic and highly corrosive when used on metals or organic materials. This is what makes them work as drain cleaners. The ingredients in these cleaners produce heat which works to dissolve the clogs in the drain, thus allowing the water to drain. Some drain cleaners use other chemicals such as nitrates, bleach, or peroxide to clear clogs. These materials clear clogs through oxidation.
How Will Drain Cleaners Affect My Plumbing?
Although drain cleaners can be quite effective in some cases, unfortunately, they can also damage your plumbing. This is because the same caustic materials that dissolve the clog can work on metal, thus damaging your plumbing while they’re working. Additionally, it’s not just metal pipes that are damaged by these chemicals PVC pipes can become damaged in time with exposure to these drain cleaners. These chemicals are also dangerous for your family should they get into your water supply. The chemicals are also very dangerous should a child or a pet ingest them.
Also, even if the drain cleaner effectively clears the clog, it could be covering a more serious issue with your plumbing. If you frequently clear up clogs with a drain cleaner, you may not learn what is actually causing your clogs, which could potentially keep you from dealing with an issue such as a broken pipe or even a blocked sewer line. So, if you find yourself using drain cleaner frequently, you might want to have your plumbing checked to see if there is a more serious problem.
Alternative Solutions
To avoid damaging your plumbing, it’s best to use drain cleaners as a last resort. There are several other solutions for clogs that are likely to be safer for your plumbing. There are some tools you could use to clear clogs or even some safe, homemade drain cleaners.
Tools
Before using a drain cleaner, there are some tools you could use to try to clear a clog. Many people keep a plunger around, which is a good way to clear most clogs and safer to use than store-bought drain cleaners. Also, if you don’t have a plunger around, they are quite cheap to purchase. Another tool you could use to try to clear a clog is a drain snake. This tool costs more than a plunger, but you might be able to rent one from a hardware store. Additionally, they are more effective than a plunger.
Homemade Drain Cleaners
You could also make a drain cleaner to clear your clog. Vinegar and baking soda is a very common natural drain cleaner. Just pour half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Let this sit for around a half hour to an hour. Then, pour some boiling water down the drain. This should dissolve the clog. If the clog is not cleared, you can repeat the process.
Another method you could try involves using dish soap. You need to clear the drain of any standing water. Then, you pour about a cup of dish soap down the drain and let this sit for approximately 10 minutes. Follow this with some boiling water down the drain. This should dissolve the clog.
Final thoughts
Chemical drain cleaners can be an effective way to help with clogs in some situations; however, store-bought solutions should generally be avoided. In many cases, these cleaners can be damaging to your plumbing and ineffective at solving deeper issues.
Contact Us
If your plumbing is suffering from severe or recurring clogs, contact J Griffin Heating & Plumbing. Our experienced plumbers can solve the underlying cause of clogs and help prevent reoccurrence without harm to your plumbing system. Call us at 781-520-1212 and connect with us on Facebook.