Chemical Drain Cleaners – Friend or Foe?

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Chemical Drain Cleaners: Are They A Friend Or An Enemy?

Water that refuses to drain in your Lakeland Highlands, FL, home is an aggravating problem. One solution is to try a bottle of liquid clog remover. Unfortunately, while this chemical may be good at clearing your clogged drain, it may not be the best choice – at least not the best first choice. This guide will help you decide if this cleaner is a good option.

What Are Chemical Clog Removers, Anyway?

Chemical options for clearing a clog come in liquid, gel or powder and, combined with the clogging materials, help disintegrate the blockage. They come in three varieties:

• Oxidizing – Include substances such as bleach or peroxide
  
• Caustic – Contain alkali ingredients such as lye or potash
  
• Acid – Solutions comprised of acids such as muriatic or sulfuric; are not commonly available to consumers.

If used according to the directions, these items may be suitable for partial clogs but are not recommended for a fully clogged drain as damage to the plumbing may occur.

How Does This Damage Happen?

When combined with organic materials, which comprise the clog, these products create a chemical reaction that produces heat. This heat aids in the breakdown of the gunk, allowing it to finish its journey down the pipe. The high temperature can damage plastic or older pipes by warping them, possibly causing a leak.

Another way a chemical drain cleaner may harm your pipes is if the clog doesn’t clear quickly enough or at all. The components can corrode the inside of the lines, causing them to become weaker, which may require sewage cleaning.

What Can You Do to Clear a Clogged Drain?

Before turning to the chemical route, you can opt for mechanical or biological options. Mechanical methods include plungers, drain snakes and augers and usually work faster than other methods. Biological treatments use enzymes to help dissolve the obstruction but can take up to 24 hours to be effective.

Chemical drain de-cloggers can undoubtedly be your friend. If you don't take care of a clog immediately, it could cause extensive damage that may require assistance from water damage restoration specialists.