If you’re like most homeowners, then your first instinct when you encounter a clog or backup in a sink within your home is likely to reach for that bottle of store-bought drain cleaner you keep on hand. This seems like a good idea in theory, and will probably solve your problem, for a while, anyway. However, it won’t get to the root of the problem causing the clog, and may actually do more harm than good!
Look, we get it. The way that these drain cleaning “solutions” are marketed to homeowners makes it sound like they’re the best and most obvious resolution there is for drain clogs. But no professional plumber would ever recommend this. Read on to learn why.
They Aren’t Thorough
Store-bought liquid drain cleaners are essentially made up of acids that eat through organic and inorganic clogs. This can include anything from hair in a bathroom sink to FOG (fats, oils, and grease) in a kitchen sink drain. But the thing is, they eat through the clog, leaving parts of the clog behind. They don’t actually remove the clog. So you’ll find yourself facing this problem again in a few short months.
They Cause Plumbing Damage
Think about it–we just said that these “solutions” are made up of acids. You’re pouring acid down your pipes in hopes it will eat through something–and what ends up happening is that acid lines your drain pipes and starts eating through them. Years of using these will cause corrosion to the pipelining and eventually lead to premature pipe replacement.
They Are Not Eco-Friendly
The residue left behind in these bottles is extremely toxic. Since these bottles typically end up in landfills, that means the chemicals will seep into the ground, where it can poison groundwater and even impact water lines. Plus the bottle itself is not bio-degradable.
They Are Harmful to You
Perhaps the worst part of the toxicity of these store-bought solutions is how caustic they are. It’s bad for not only your plumbing system but also for you and your family. Even just breathing in the fumes can irritate a healthy person, let alone someone who already suffers from allergies or asthma.
And then if you accidentally get some of it on your skin or near your eyes, this can be even more hazardous.
The Real Solution
So let’s say you have a drain clog, but you’re reading this blog post and wondering what the heck to do next. Well, give us a call! We have a couple of different methods we can use to effectively remove your clog.
One of these methods is called drain snaking. This is when we use a cord with an auger on the end to push a clog through or pull it out. Hydro-jetting is the second method, which takes drain snaking a step further. Hydro-jets involve an auger, but one that sprays a high-pressured stream of water out the end to scour away anything that’s clogging up the pipe, and prevent clogs from forming in the future.
Get in touch with a professional Lacey, WA plumber today to learn more about our drain cleaning methods by contacting Brooks Plumbing Co.
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