Drain Cleaning: Why You Should Avoid Harmful Chemicals
If you have a slow-flowing or clogged drain, you may want to attempt to fix it yourself by pouring an over-the-countering drain cleaning chemical down the pipes in an attempt to dissolve whatever obstruction lies within the pipes. Though this appears to be the most convenient approach, there are actually several drawbacks. Rather than using chemical drain cleaners, you should actually contact a professional plumber to come in and perform services for a handful of reasons.
Pipe Damage
The thing with chemical drain cleaners is that they are extremely corrosive, and because of this, they have the capability of eating through the debris that is causing the clog in your pipes. Unfortunately, as the cleaner sits there trying to eat away at that debris, it can also begin to eat away at the pipe. Damage like this cannot be reversed, making your pipe vulnerable to future clogs as well as leaks.
Health Hazards
Due to the fact that these drain chemicals are so incredibly harsh, they are also dangerous to handle. If these chemicals are spilled, they may result in skin irritation and even skin burns. In addition, their fumes can be toxic. If you have children in the home, you should avoid the risk of having cleaners on hand and choose to use safer methods for drain cleaning.
Septic System Damage
The septic system relies heavily on good bacteria to break down the waste inside it for processing. As harsh chemicals are poured down the drain, this beneficial bacteria can be killed off. When this happens, the septic tank is filled up at a more rapid pace and requires pumping more frequently.
Pollution
Corrosive chemicals like those that are used to clean out drains are just as harmful to animals and plants as they are to humans. When these chemicals escape into the atmosphere and environment as a result of spills and leaks, they can result in significant issues for the local wildlife. In addition, they also pose a problem for wastewater processing as excess energy needs to be used during the filtration process.
Effectiveness
Though these cleaners are effective at dissolving many clogs, they are unable to properly address the underlying problem. Clogs tend to form as a result of rough interiors, built-up debris, snags in pipes, and any other plumbing-related problems. If these issues are not taken care of, you will continue to experience clogs in the future.
For more information, contact a drain cleaning service in your local area.