Discovering a drain that is slow or clogged is frustrating and can put a damper on your day. Taking a shower in standing water from your clogged pipes is not a fun way to start the day. The typical reaction is to reach for liquid drain cleaners to help clear the blockage in your plumbing. You may think you will be able to solve the issue on your own without the help of a plumber, but in reality, liquid drain cleaners can do more harm than good and the better solution is to try and snake your drain before reaching for the liquid drain cleaners.
Pipes
Liquid drain cleaners create a chemical reaction in your pipes by generating heat to try to dissolve the clog. This heat can cause irreversible damage to your pipes because the liquid could end up sitting on top of the clog, wreaking havoc on your pipes. When there is a concentrated amount of liquid drain cleaner in one area the heat can weaken your metal pipes causing more susceptibility to damage such as cracks and leaks later on.
Health
Drain cleaners are not always effective and they could compromise your health at the same time. The chemicals that generate heat to remove a clog contain powerful ingredients. These chemicals are extremely toxic if ingested. Imagine using the drain cleaner in your shower and it doesn’t drive out the clog and you’re still showering with standing water. The chemicals can then come back up into your shower and burn the skin on your feet. This is dangerous.
These chemicals can burn the eyes, skin and mucous membranes which is why it’s always a good idea to wear safety goggles and gloves when using hazardous chemicals to protect you.
Plumbing snake
Search your house for a plunger and a plumbing snake to try to force out the clog. Using an old-fashioned plumbing snake is the most effective and healthy way to try to dislodge the clog. Do it yourself and put a little elbow grease into it. Most of the time it’s just hair stuck down the drain and it’s an easy fix.
If you can’t seem to find a solution to the problem on your own then give your local plumber a call in Brevard County. If you have a clog that needs to be fixed and you’ve tried to snake your drain without success then it’s time to give a professional a call to help you extract the obstruction. Please resist the urge to use liquid drain cleaners as a means to your solution as it can do more harm than good.
