The Problem with Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical Drain Cleaner (Photo credit: filmvanalledag)

When you’re looking to fix a drain problem quickly, you may find yourself reaching for the liquid drain cleaner. But before you do so, you should be aware of an important caveat: chemical drain cleaners can be toxic to you and your family, and cause major damage to your plumbing. If you want to avoid causing bigger and more expensive plumbing problems, skip the harmful chemicals. To keep you safe and informed, we explain some of the most significant problems with using chemical drain cleaners.

Dangerous to Human Beings

You’d never come home after a long day and pour yourself a glass of drain cleaner, so why would you want it in the same pipes that provide your drinking water? The truth is the chemicals in these products don’t dissipate quickly; although you may think they’ve been washed away, they could be lurking around a bend in your drainpipe. If they are, they could cause toxic fumes to be released into your home or possibly even lead to a chemical explosion. For the safety of the plumber who comes to fix the inevitably stubborn clog, it is important be upfront about the use of such chemicals. Splashing these chemicals on you or any of your possessions is a major safety hazard, too. After all, these products are designed to be a powerful solvent! In fact, some fall under a category called “caustic bases” which include lye and bleach. Even in low concentrations, such chemicals are very dangerous when they are inhaled or come in contact with the eyes and skin.

Corrosion/Damage

Chemical cleaners are designed to be corrosive in order to unclog pipes, but they may be more harmful to your pipes than helpful. Not all plumbing units are built the same and certain materials are more apt to damage. Plastic piping, like PVC, can be softened and damaged by chemical cleaners. Over time, even metal pipes can degenerate with the use of such chemicals. While the age of your plumbing system and the quality of the metals it is made from will impact how well it holds up under chemical treatment, rust and corrosion will likely develop with continued use and land you an expensive plumbing bill.

Environmental Impact

If you don’t want to cause harm to you or your family by putting chemicals into your water supply, you should probably also be concerned about putting those chemical into the environment. Using chemical in your drain means they will eventually enter the water supply and cause more harm to the world around us. While many of the toxins will break down, a large amount will linger and contaminate rivers and streams, damaging the homes and lives of innocent wildlife.