Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe and Effective?

Nearly every homeowner and or business owner has faced the ultimate dilemma…I am unable to clear this clog in my toilet or sink, now what? If you have plunged until you are blue in the face, most of us make the decision to try some sort of a chemical drain cleaner. But are they safe and effective? Are they safe for the environment and for my plumbing? Great questions. We will do our best to help answer them here.

Your Pipes May Pay a Price!

The chemical agents in these off the shelf cleaners are so effective at clearing out clogs that they may also eat away at the pipe itself. PVC pipes are not impervious to these chemicals and can suffer over time. The heat generated by the chemical reactions in the drain cleaner causes the pipes to soften and often become part of the problem.

Mixing Chemicals Can Be Dangerous

Most of us know not to mix chemicals if for no other reason we do not know how they will react. The strength and makeup of chemicals can cause reactions that we did not anticipate. This can be especially dangerous if you have a little bit of “drain cleaner A” left over and decide to add it to “drain cleaner B”. The reaction can cause noxious fumes that can be hazardous to humans and pets.

So, What Do You Do?

Once you have tried plunging and determined it is not working, call your local plumber. They have equipment to quickly clear even the toughest clogs. If the clog is further down the line or is caused by tree roots damaging your lines, then you will need to call a pro. Most Boise plumbers will have drain cleaning equipment like a hydrojet. This system uses high pressure water to clear very tough clogs.

Who Do You Call?

If you have a serious clog and need help, you should call a Boise drain cleaning expert. While all drain cleaners are plumbers, not all plumbers are expert drain cleaners. Not all plumbers spend the extra money investing in the high-tech equipment for quickly clearing tough clogs. Drain cleaners will typically have inspection cameras capable to looking deep into your pipes prior to making any decisions on how to clean tough clogs.