Notes

Chemical drain cleaners actually cause more problems than they solve
You may reach for that bottle of chemical drain cleaner under your sink when you have a stubborn plumbing clog to deal with. I mean, it's just another cleaning product, right?

Not exactly. We'll examine in detail how chemical drain cleaners work along with the potential risks they pose to your plumbing.

HOW WORK THE CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANERS?
In regards to chemical drain cleaners, the average shopper is unaware of two types:
Oxidizing
Caustic

To clear clogs, oxidizing drain cleaners do a combination of things. Using nitrates, you can dissolve organic matter stuck in a clog while releasing gas and heat that helps loosen grease and dislodge the blockage.

Drain cleaners that use hydroxide ions and alkaline chemicals use a slightly different process. In combination, the ions and chemicals create heat and transform the blockage into a soapy, sudsy substance.

ARE CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANERS DANGEROUS?
It is important to emphasize that unlike the spray that degreases your stove or the liquid cleaner that cleans your toilet bowls, chemical drain cleaners can produce potentially hazardous chemical reactions. In my opinion, any substance capable of melting organic matter or creating a lot of heat extremely fast is something you certainly won't want to splash on your face or body. Unfortunately, drain cleaners cause a number of accidents each year.


According to a retrospective review:

According to CDC estimates, chemical drain cleaners cause 3000 injuries annually in the United States.
The burns were caused by heat in one-third of the injuries.
In chemical drain cleaners, there are dangerous ingredients
Chemical drain cleaners are particularly dangerous to use because of two ingredients specifically: concentrated sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide.

The fluid sulfuric acid is corrosive, and it will char any organic matter it comes in contact with, according to PubChem. A hot substance like this could severely burn your skin or eyes if it comes into contact with water.

Hydroxide of sodium is another highly corrosive substance. As a solid at room temperature, it releases a great deal of heat when dissolved in water. In some cases, exposure to sodium hydroxide can result in skin and mucous membrane irritation and hair loss.

CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANERS: CAN THEY DAMAGE PLUMBING PIPES?
In addition to being unsafe, chemical drain cleaners can also cause damage to your house's plumbing. The caustic ingredients in drain cleaners slow down the breakdown of pipe materials. It is possible for this damage to happen quicker if the drain cleaner does not remove a clog.

If the drain cleaner doesn't clear the blockage, you then have two problems. The clog is still there, and now you have extremely hot, corrosive liquid sitting on top of it in your pipe. As a result of the intense heat and caustic chemicals, the pipe material can become more vulnerable to leaks.

CHEMICAL-FREE DRAIN CLEANING SOLUTIONS
Drain cleaning methods performed by a professional are not only safer and more effective than chemical drain cleaners, but they are also more efficient at removing clogs, especially deep down in the drains.

Plumbers can use a drain snake to clear the drain when it clogs occasionally. Alternatively, this technique is known as cabling or snaking.

When there is a lot of buildup in the drains and sewer line, hydrojetting is generally a better long-term solution. Using canduplumbing.com -strength machine, your plumber will guide a hose with high-powered water jets through your drains to clear out any blockages or debris.

Here's my website: https://canduplumbing.com/plumbing-services/drain-cleaning/