Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe? | Professional Drain Cleaning

Published Date: February 16th, 2024 | Category: Drain Cleaning

When it comes to clogged drains, no one wants to wait to have them fixed. They can be major inconveniences, smell bad, and can eventually lead to pipe damage that can be costly to fix. Sometimes a quick fix can be tempting, and one of the most common quick fixes are chemical drain cleaners – but are they safe to use in your home?

When it comes to drain cleaning in Vadnais Heights – your best option is to contact All Ways Drains to have a professional come clean your drain for you, but don’t just believe us! Let’s take a look at why one of the most common methods of drain cleaning isn’t necessarily a good option at all.

How do chemical drain cleaners work?

There are two main kinds of chemical drain cleaners on the market: oxidizing and caustic.
Oxidizing drain cleaners work to dissolve the organic material within a clog while realizing intense gas and heat to remove grease and dislodge the blockage. Ideally it will break down the clog and allow it to push through the pipe easier.

Caustic drain cleaners cause a chemical reaction using hydroxides that clear the clog. The alkaline chemicals release large amounts of heat and turn grease into a soap-like substance that can be more easily dissolved.

Both these types of chemical drain cleaners are ineffective against most non-grease clogs.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe?

Chemical drain cleaners can cause damage to your pipes due to the amount of heat they give off, especially when they are used incorrectly. As they are designed to dissolve organic material or create a lot of heat to dislodge clogs, there are some inherent risks in using chemical drain cleaners in your house.

Beyond the potential to cause pipe damage, there’s also the risk of accident when using them. Even when being careful, accidents may occur, and they do every year. On average, chemical drain cleaners are estimated to cause 3,000 injuries in the United States annually. If swallowed chemical drain cleaners are extremely toxic. They can also burn eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, as well as eat through clothing.

When used correctly, and not mixed with other types of chemical drain cleaners – there is low risk for injury, but there are better, safer alternatives that should be higher on your list of options to solve a clogged drain.

What are some alternatives to chemical drain cleaners?

Rather than using chemical drain cleaners, there are safer alternatives.

First – be proactive. If you avoid some of these common acts, you can prevent the need for chemical drain cleaners in the first place. To keep your drains from becoming clogged:

– Avoid pouring grease, cooking oils, or fats down your sink.
– Do not flush anything but human waste and toilet paper.
– Refrain from pouring paint, solvents, or other chemicals down your drain.
– Use strainers when possible to catch food and other items that may cause clogs.

If it’s too late to be proactive and you have a clog right now, don’t worry! There are still other options that don’t involve using chemical drain cleaners.

In some cases, dish soap and hot water can be extremely effective. While simple, they can typically be used to dislodge grease clogs and help clean your disposal.

Another common household item that can help is baking soda. If you mix about a cup of baking soda with hot water, then slowly pour the mixture down your affected drain, it will slowly dissolve most clogs! Sometimes you may need to repeat the process a few times for particularly stubborn clogs, however.

Last, but not least – if you have a stubborn clog or you are concerned that it’s not a common grease clog or is a stubborn grease clog that you cannot clear – contact a local plumber. Here at All Ways Drains, we perform emergency service as well as routine drain cleaning, so you can contact us 24/7.

When you need your drains cleaned and unclogged in Vadnais Heights and the surrounding areas, call All Ways Drains at 612-922-9422 or Contact Us!