When you have a tough clog, it can be tempting to use a chemical drain cleaner that guarantees to act as a quick fix that will clear out your pipes with in minutes. However, not only do these products not always work as advertised, but they can create more serious plumbing problems or even harm your health.
If clogs are far from the drain opening or if they are caused by a solid obstruction such as roots, using a chemical drain cleaner will not help, and you will, quite literally, be pouring money down the drain.
These products are typically made from corrosive or acidic elements and are very toxic, not only to you but the enviornment also. If they come in contact with the skin or the eyes, they can cause severe burns and vision loss; they can also cause inflammation of the respiratory system if inhaled. If other chemicals have recently been used in the drain, explosive chemical reactions can occur, causing serious injury to anyone nearby. Not only that, what they do to the enviornment. Chemical acids corode and rot your pipes and can do great damage to your septic system and ground water.
If you use a chemical drain cleaner on a completely backed-up drain where the water is not draining at all, the chemicals can also corrode the outer plumbing fixture, such as the sink or tub, so use sparingly
Rather than using chemical products. First try plunging the clog with a plunger. Second try a natural, non-toxic solution of baking soda, vinegar with boiling water (I have used this and it does work). Or enzymatic drain cleaner, these sometimes take a very long time to work and are expensive and need to be used repeatedly. If all of the above don’t work, call your local drain cleaner and they can auger your drain with-in minutes.
Also, let your drain cleaner know if you’ve used a chemical drain cleaner so they can take the proper precuations.
Drain cleaning is a higher expense but there are no chemicals used and the drain is clear for good…..