Grease, soap scum, hair, food remnants and too much toilet paper are among the many reasons why drains in Montgomery, AL get clogged. There are also many ways to handle drain cleaning, and chemical drain cleaners are just one of them. Many people turn to liquid drain cleaners because they’re cheap and easy to find. However, they’re not the safest option for you, your family, your pets or your plumbing.
What’s in a Chemical Drain Cleaner?
The chemicals in liquid drain cleaners are strong, which is why they’re used to dissolve proteins and fats that create clogs. One of the chemicals that may be in drain cleaners is sodium hydroxide, which is also known as lye. Sulfuric acid is another common ingredient in chemical drain cleaners. Sodium hydroxide is a strong caustic base, and sulfuric acid is a strong acid. Their ions break up the proteins and fats in drain clogs.
Which Types of Clogs Are Safe to Treat With Drain Cleaners?
Chemical drain cleaners are recommended for use on food, grease and human waste clogs. However, if your drains frequently clog, turning to liquid drain cleaners every time might mean that you’re ignoring a bigger issue with your plumbing. Tree roots could be clogging your main sewer line, or your kitchen’s garbage disposal may be malfunctioning. Attempting to treat these and other more serious plumbing problems with chemical drain cleaners could result in more extensive damage to your plumbing system.
What Do Liquid Drain Cleaners Do to My Plumbing?
Although the strong acid or base in the drain cleaner breaks apart the clog, its ions don’t stop there. They can also eat away at your plumbing. It doesn’t matter what material your plumbing is made from. Sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide can cause corrosion in copper and cast-iron pipes, and they can even eat away at PVC pipes. If you regularly use these chemical drain cleaners, you’re increasing the likelihood of damage to your plumbing system.
Are Drain Cleaners Safe for My Family and Pets?
The ingredients in liquid drain cleaners are toxic to people and pets. If the liquid splashes into your eyes, nose or mouth, you could be injured. A large splash of drain cleaner in your eye could lead to permanent loss of vision. If the drain cleaner splashes onto your skin, it could cause a chemical burn. This type of burn is serious and requires special treatment in the emergency room. If a child or pet ingests the drain cleaning chemicals, they need immediate emergency medical care for poisoning.
Serious drain clogs are best left to a plumber. Our plumbers know the best method to break up all types of clogs, and we have all the necessary equipment and supplies to clear out your clogged drain in one visit to your home. For more information or to schedule professional drain cleaning services in Montgomery, contact us at Alabama Home Pros today.