Frequently Asked Questions about Chemical Drain Cleaners
Q: Should I use chemical drain cleaning substances to fight drain clogs?
A: This is a question we get all the time and although there are isolated incidents in which folks find (usually temporary) success with chemical drain cleaners like Drano or Liquid Plumber, in most cases, using this type of stuff on your pipes is a pretty bad idea. In addition to their spotty success rate, chemical drain cleaning substances can seriously harm your pipes and septic system. Pouring a little Drano on a firmly entrenched grease clog is the equivalent of slapping a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Not only will your clog soon be back with a vengeance, but there’s a very good chance you are making things even worse down there.
Q: What about minor clogs? Would chemical drain cleaners do the trick then?
A: If the clog is even close to a serious one, most chemicals will not work. Soap scum, maybe a little grease clog? Yeah, a little Drano might burn a little pinhole through it, but my guess is that if you’re surfing these pages, your problem is more along the lines of a collapsed pipe or overgrown tree roots, in which case chemical substances won’t help you at all.
Q: Are there any safety concerns to using harsh drain cleaning chemicals to clear my clogs?
A: Yes, if you decide to use a harsh drain cleaner with caustic chemicals and enzymes, be sure to use them only in well-ventilated environments as they typically give off some seriously noxious fumes. Here’s a safety tip: if you must use one of these substances, DO NOT use them in toilets without first reading the directions explicitly. They chemicals are so heavy they have been known to sometimes make toilets literally explode. So yes, as with any chemical substance, heed the warning label and you should be alright.
Q: Ok, this stuff is more powerful than I thought. What else do I need to keep myself safe and my pipes intact?
A: Before you use a chemical drain cleaner, check the label to see if it contains acid or lye. Both of these ingredients are extraordinarily potent corrosives that can contaminate waste water and septic systems, damage or destroy PVC piping, and cause serious damage to skin and eyes!
Using liquid chemical drain cleaners on your pipes can be a tricky business. Why not just call the drain cleaning experts at XXX to learn what other (safer!) options we can provide for you. Call today—our operators are standing by 24/7!
