You can find liquid and powdered drain cleaners and clog removers nearly anywhere these days’ hardware stores, home improvement centers and even in the cleaning supply aisle at your local grocery store. But do any of these products actually work? The simple answer to this question is yes, most drain cleaner will break up clogs.
However, there is something that many homeowners don’t know. While these products promise a quick, simple and cheap fix, they also have the potential to wreck your sewer system, damage your fixtures and pose serious threats to your health and the environment.
Types of Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners come in three different varieties:
- Acidic drain cleaners
- Caustic drain cleaners
- Oxidizing drain cleaners
Acid drain cleaners usually have large quantities of either hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, both of which are extremely dangerous substances. Caustic drain cleaners aren’t quite as dangerous, but with caustic potash or lye, they’re not exactly safe, either. Last on the list are the oxidizing drain cleaners. With bleach, nitrates and peroxide, these cleaners are the least dangerous of the three, but they are still potentially harmful to you, your sewer system and the environment.
How Do Store-Bought Drain Cleaners Work?
Whether they’re of the acidic, caustic or oxidizing variety, chemical drain cleaners have one thing in common: They use heat and solvents to break up clogs. The heat alone is enough to weaken PVC or ABS piping, which are some of the most common drain materials in today’s homes. Since acid, caustic and oxidizing drain cleaners are all highly corrosive, they will do even more damage to metal piping including iron, steel and copper than they will to plastics.
Dangers to Your Health
Drain cleaners and clog removers also pose a number of health and safety threats. Should a pet or child swallow drain cleaner, you will have a medical emergency on your hands. You’ll also need to take extreme caution while using these products. If you splash drain cleaner on yourself, it will burn clothing and skin. Chemical drain cleaners (especially acidic and oxidizing cleaners) also release harmful fumes as they break down clogs. Since these drain cleaners are designed to foam when you use them, there is a very high chance that toxic fumes will escape from your drains. Be sure you have proper ventilation if you do opt to use one of these types of cleaners.
Drain Cleaners can Damage Your Fixtures
Most drain cleaners will tell you right on the bottle that they are not to be used in porcelain sinks and toilets or in kitchen sinks with garbage disposals because they will damage the finish, or in the case of garbage disposals, corrode the moving parts. The instructions usually neglect to mention that drain cleaners will also damage acrylic and fiberglass tubs and showers. Even if you take extra care to pour carefully, drain cleaners often foam up and out of drains, which can ruin your tub or shower permanently.
Chemical Drain Cleaners and Your Septic
As if everything above wasn’t bad enough, chemical drain cleaners are also harsh on septic systems. Because these substances are all toxic, they will kill the beneficial bacteria that break down the solids in your septic tank. In fact, according to Cornell University, approximately 1.3 ounces of drain cleaner is enough to devastate the bacterial colony in your septic tank. That’s roughly two tablespoons, which is far less than the amount you will need to clear your drains.
Should you decide to use a chemical drain cleaner, do so at your own risk. Read the instructions carefully, and be aware that you may be doing more damage than you’re repairing. For a safer and less damaging alternative, call A-1 American to come out and remove your clog. With 24-hour service, we’re just as fast acting as a chemical drain cleaner, but without all the risks!
