Blocked drains are a regular household problem that we all have to deal with at some point. Solving this problem is sometimes as simple as reaching for the plunger but when that doesn’t work, we often reach for chemical drain cleaners. Chemical cleaners promise to remove the blockage quickly and easily but they can often end up causing more harm to your pipes and wastewater systems.
How Chemical Drain Cleaners Work
Drain cleaners are made of corrosive chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sulphuric acid. They work by creating a chemical reaction in your pipes that reacts with the obstruction to hopefully clear it away. Unfortunately, this chemical reaction is unpredictable and it actually results in damaging your expensive wastewater system.
Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Damaging Your Pipes
The heat generated by the chemical reaction is so intense that it can actually melt away PVC pipes. The pressure build-up from the gas can also cause older pipes to violently burst and rupture. Repairing these pipes can be a lengthy and expensive process and one that could have been avoided by contacting a professional drain cleaner. Plumbing systems are expensive to purchase and install so why would you risk damaging that system by using these ineffective chemical cleaners?
Bad for Your Family
In addition to damaging your waste water system, the chemicals contained within drain cleaners are some of the most hazardous substances available to the public. Serious danger arises from a drain cleaner’s potential to injure your eyes, skin and lungs. In fact, if splashed into an unprotected eye, drain cleaners can cause blindness. If ingested, it can permanently damage your throat and internal organs. It is also not unheard of for certain drain cleaners to explode when mixed together, showering everything and everyone in highly corrosive chemicals.
Reactions between chemical drain cleaners and other household cleaning products are also known to create dangerous chlorine gas which is highly poisonous and damaging to humans. These cleaners can also damage furniture and ceramic tiles, which can result in costly repairs.
Bad for the Environment
If these highly toxic chemicals do make it down the drain, they can reach our waterways, poisoning wildlife and causing irreversible damage to water quality.
The Answer? Throw Away Those Chemical Cleaners
Because chemical drain cleaners can only help with light blockages of hair or oil, they are ineffective and can’t be relied upon to remove an obstruction. This, combined with the overwhelming dangers to users and the environment, makes chemical drain cleaners one of those products that we need to stop using. So next time you notice a drainage problem at home, reach for the phone and call a professional drainage contractor rather than relying on those harmful chemicals.
Based in Auckland, DrainBlasters are your drain unblocking professionals. Using nothing more than the pressure of water and our years of experience, we can unblock your drains safely for you. To fix your blocked drains the smart way, make a booking now!
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