The Trouble with Liquid Drain Cleaners and Why You Should Avoid Them

If you’ve experienced a clogged tub, a toilet that won’t flush, or a sink that won’t drain, there’s a good chance that you’ve purchased a liquid drain cleaner product from your local hardware store in order to resolve the issue. Though they are certainly convenient – and while they might just open your drain – they are actually one of the worst things you can do for your home’s plumbing system. Here’s why.

They Do More Harm than Good

If you look at the liquid drain cleaner product you purchased, there’s a good chance that it comes with numerous warnings about chemical burns, fumes, and more. These products are incredibly corrosive, and just as they can harm your body, they can also harm your pipes, your fixtures, and even your sink, tub, and toilet surfaces. If your pipes are metal, they will react with the chemicals in the cleaner and deteriorate more rapidly. If they are PVC pipes, they can become brittle or even start to melt.

They are Terrible for the Environment

These days, there’s a great deal of focus on protecting the environment, especially when it comes to our planet’s limited sources of fresh water. Companies have removed potentially harmful chemicals like sulfides and phosphates from their cleaning products as a result, and while these initiatives are going a long way to protect our water reserves, chemical drain cleaners do the exact opposite. Water treatment facilities can only do so much, which means that the chemicals you pour down the drain to open them might wind up in streams and rivers where they have detrimental effects on wildlife.

They Can Harm You, Your Children, and Your Pets

Liquid drain cleaners are bad for your pipes, bad for the environment, and bad for your family. Simply coming into contact with these products can cause serious health issues for your children and pets, and even when you do your best to keep them protected, the fumes created when you pour the cleaners into the drain can make them sick. These noxious gases are highly toxic, and they’re best avoided – especially for your kids’ and your pets’ sakes.

They Don’t Always Work

Finally, as if all of the potential harm these liquid drain cleaners can cause wasn’t bad enough, there’s also the chance that they won’t do anything at all – other than sit inside your clogged sink or tub and create a whole host of new problems. If your clog is caused by hair or grease, then a liquid cleaner might be all it takes to get things moving again, but in almost any other situation, these cleaners are ineffective at best. In fact, it’s often more cost-effective to call a plumber in the first place.

If you are experiencing a clog and you’re thinking about running out to purchase liquid drain cleaner, think again. Rather than taking the chance with your health, your family’s health, and the health of the planet – and the overall health of your pipes, too – call an experienced plumber, instead. It’s the only way to ensure that the job is done right (and safely)!

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