Uh-oh! The drain in the kitchen sink is clogged. Do you:
a) Grab a plunger and go to town
b) Call your friendly, neighbourhood Kelowna plumbing expert
c) Reach for the bottle of chemical drain cleaner under the sink
If your answer was C, we have some bad news for you! Chemical drain cleaners are terrible for your plumbing system and even worse for the environment. If that’s not enough for you, here are a few more reasons why you should stop using them.
Chemical Skin Burns
If you have used a chemical drain cleaner, and the clog is not completely removed, the toxic material will stick to the source of the clog. When that clog is finally removed, it will be coated with a fine layer of material that is corrosive. That means it can cause chemical burns to the skin, and if you think that’s bad for your hand, imagine what it could do to your eyes!
They Cause Lasting Damage to Pipes
Were you under the impression that the source of the clog was the only thing chemical drain cleaners would eat away at and dissolve? Nope! Chemical drain cleaners can also eat away at PVC piping creating a far more serious problem than a little clog. What’s worse, if the source of your drainage issue is a damaged pipe, the toxic substance you just poured down the drain could now be leaking into other parts of your home.
They Don’t Really Work Most of the Time
When it comes to clearing drain clogs, there is no substitute for good, old-fashioned elbow grease. Chemical drain cleaners are most effective for clogs that originate from organic matter (hair, grease, soft food, etc.) For other solid materials, which more often the cause of clogged pipes, chemical drain cleaners are ineffective, and they’ll leave you with a sink full of toxic sludge to clean up on top of a clogged drain.
Rite Tech Plumbing is interested in more than just providing emergency plumbing in Kelowna. We want to help you understand how the plumbing systems in your home work so that you can avoid that emergency call in the first place. Browse our blog posts for plumbing information and advice, and feel free to contact us at any time at (250) 681-0089 for the expert service and advice to keep your plumbing problem free.
