The title of this article asks whether using chemical drain cleaners is helpful or harmful. Let's go ahead and answer that now. Ahem…
Chemical drain cleaners can cause irreparable damage to your plumbing system. There's never a good reason to use them. Ever.
Really. They're that bad.
Chemical drain cleaners usually fail at what they claim to be good at (removing clogs) and can have serious unintended consequences.
And by "serious unintended consequences," we mean expensive and inconvenient consequences.
These cleaners might destroy some perfectly good pipes, cause leaks that damage your walls and floors, and be out thousands of bucks. Not fun!
Let's do a deep dive on chemical drain cleaners, why they're close to worthless, and what you should do when you've got a serious clog.
What are chemical drain cleaners?
Chemical drain cleaners are products that claim to disintegrate clogs in your drains. They're sold at big box retailers, including hardware stores and supermarkets. They come in liquid form and are sold in bottles.
Many people reach for them when their drain is clogged, hoping for a quick fix. They typically contain lye and/or bleach combined with other chemicals. They are hazardous to humans, and you should always use gloves when handling them.
Of course, we actually recommend never handling them at all. But still.
Do chemical drain cleaners work?
Not when it really matters.
Chemical drain cleaners can sometimes dissolve gunk that collects inside pipes and might even be effective for small bits of organic material, such as hair.
But anything other than that-anything big-and you can forget about it. They can't disintegrate large accumulations of baby wipes or bust through clumps of food remnants. While they might help with grease buildup, they won't be effective when large amounts of hardened grease are blocking the sewer line.
Basically, they're marginally effective for small clogs that are relatively simple to address and not effective for the really big ones.
What problems do chemical drain cleaners cause?
Chemical drain cleaners can damage your sewer pipes, leading to corrosion and leaks.
In our experience, they eat through galvanized steel. If the galvanized pipes are threaded, chemicals in the drain cleaner can destroy the threads.
They also corrode the coating on cast iron pipes that prevents the pipes from rusting. If the pipes rust, you get wastewater leaks that can damage your home.
If your house has PVC sewer pipes, drain cleaners are less likely to cause damage. But here's the thing…
There are better options
Regardless of what material your sewer pipes are made of, there are more effective drain cleaning options than using chemical cleaners. They include:
- Using a modified coat hanger to remove hair that's close to the drain
- Plunging your toilet or sink to move a clog
- Running a plumber's snake down the drain to destroy a clog
- Hydro jetting the sewer line to remove grease accumulation or other blockages
In all of the above examples, the clog is physically removed or destroyed. These methods will unclog your drain without risking damage to your drain and sewer pipes.
On occasion, we will use a product called Endure to clean drains and sewer pipes. Unlike chemical drain cleaners, Endure contains bacteria that feed on the gunk that accumulates inside of pipes. It doesn't contain corrosive chemicals and doesn't damage your plumbing system.
What should you do if you have a drain clog?
Some clogs are easily removed, especially if they're near the drain.
Other clogs will require a plumber. You'll know it's time to call a plumber when:
- You've tried plunging and using a snake, but the clog won't budge
- You're not comfortable using a snake or don't know how
- You're seeing signs of a sewer line clog, such as multiple drain clogs
- Unclogging the drain would require you to remove piping
The good news is that all clogs can be addressed without using chemicals that harm your pipes. Every. Single. One.
Finding a plumber that understands drain and sewer problems
Not all plumbers specialize in drain and sewer issues! If you've got a serious clog, be sure to look for one who does.
PV Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has a team of drain and sewer experts who are ready to remove or destroy any clog, no matter how serious. We serve all of Metro Atlanta, and even provide free sewer camera inspections when there are signs that the clog is deep within your sewer line!
Ready to get in touch? Call us today at (404) 798-9672 or schedule service online!
