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Why You Should Never Use Chemical Drain Cleaners: A Plumber’s Advice

Yes, we all know the feeling we face when we suddenly come across a blocked drain in the home and need an emergency plumber in Campbelltown or anywhere in Sydney for that fact.

As Campbelltown plumbers, we have seen it all when it comes to chemical drain cleaners that we thought we would write about it.

The sense of OHHHHH NOOO, WHAT IS THIS GOING TO COST ME NOW?

Well, believe it or not, it doesn’t cost that much to unblock a drain these days as it is relatively easy for most blocked drains.

Blocked drain prices vary of course but most are not severe costs unless it is a collapsed pipe. When this happens, the tempting sensation of using chemical cleaners comes to mind, doesn’t it? When faced with a slow or completely clogged drain, it’s tempting to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Well, the immediate thought is that you are hoping that it will work and unblock your drain quickly minus the plumbing cost. After all, 25 dollars for a bottle of Chemical cleaners VS $350 for a plumber’s fee seems more attractive, but is it ?

After all, they’re cheap, readily available, and with all the marketing hype on the bottle, claim to solve your blocked drain problem in minutes.

But what many homeowners don’t realise is that these products can do more damage than fix your blocked drain problems.

In this post, we’ll help you uncover the hidden dangers of chemical drain cleaners and explain why professional drain cleaning is the safer, long-term solution.

What Are Chemical Drain Cleaners?

The primary purpose of chemical drain cleaners is to dissolve whatever it is that is blocking your drain at the time. These chemicals typically contain some pretty harsh chemicals that many do not know about. But then again who cares, right? Wrong ? They chemicals typically contain harsh products like:

  • Sodium hydroxide (lye): A powerful caustic acid that breaks down organic matter.
  • Sulfuric acid: Highly corrosive and effective at cutting through grease and hair.
  • Bleach-based formulas: Often found in “household-safe” cleaners, but still dangerous.

Now you would be thinking that this is a quick fix and it may very well be, but the long term effects just are not worth it.

When you look at the effects on your plumbing in your home and business not to mention your health, having the problem fixed correctly far outweighs the risks.

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The Hidden Dangers You Didn't Know About Chemical Drain Cleaners

  • Damage to Your Pipes Did you know that chemical drain cleaners generate heat as they work, which can cause significant damage to your pipes over time, I bet you didn’t know that. It has to work somehow otherwise how is it going to unblock your drain? For older or PVC pipes, this heat can weaken the material, leading to cracks, leaks, or even a complete pipe failure. This is the problem with chemical drain cleaners and why you should never use them. The long-term costs would have cost you more than an initial blocked drain fee from a plumber.

  • Temporary Unblocking Solutions These cleaners are often only effective on minor clogs near the surface.Not serious more solid matter blockages.

  • They don’t address deeper blockages caused by tree roots, grease buildup, or pipe damage.

  • In many cases, the problem returns shortly after using the cleaner. So don’t go thinking that these products will fix anything long-term. They cause long-term damage more than they fix anything.

  • Health Risks Tou Your Family Or Staff The fumes from these chemical drain cleaners are dangerous. They are toxic in nature, they burn in order to work, and direct exposure to the skin or eyes can result in severe burns. Nobody needs that on them. Accidental ingestion or prolonged inhalation can cause serious health issues, especially for children or pets. It is just not worth the risks.

  • Environmental Impact. Now, I have to say here, this would probably hit a nerve for many people and that is water pollution. Once these chemicals leave your home, they enter the water system, where they can harm aquatic life and ecosystems. Over time, they contribute to water pollution, making them an unsustainable option. Can you imagine pouring sulphuric acid into a water system and the damage it would do? It is astounding how it is even legal to actually use these products, to begin with.

  • Highly Dangerous Reactions Mixing chemical cleaners with other household products, like bleach or vinegar, can produce dangerous gases. Even using these cleaners in a drain with standing water can lead to splashes and exposure. Over time, especially if the drain unblocking did not work, you could just imagine what all these chemicals mixed together could cause in terms of emitted gases. The worst one of course being a blocked toilet that didn’t go to plan after ppouring ten different chemicals down the drain. When it comes to blocke dtoilets, fix the problem properly and just call for a blocked toilet plumber who can attend immediately. If yiou reside in Macarthur, Campbelltown plumbers like Plumber To you would be there in minutes

When Should You Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners?

From a professional perspective as your local plumbers, our best recommendation is to avoid them altogether, chemical drain cleaners are especially harmful in the following situations:

  • For recurring clogs: Persistent blockages indicate a deeper issue that cleaners can’t fix, so why take the risk of dealing with hazardous chemicals to begin with?
  • In older homes with much older pipes: Pipes in older plumbing systems are more prone to damage from harsh chemicals. They are old as it is, and have seen years of use, so they will be weaker to begin with. Pouring chemicals down them that generate heat is going to make matters much worse.
  • For complete blockages: The worst thing that can go wrong if your drain doesn’t clear after using chemical drain cleaners is for the blockage to remain.
  • If water isn’t draining at all, a cleaner may just sit in the pipe, causing damage without clearing the blockage at all. This could end up building hazardous gases until it is cleared..
  • For septic systems: Chemical cleaners can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in septic systems, leading to expensive repairs.
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Why Professional Drain Cleaning Is Better

With all the available tools and technology in our hands these days, plumbers in Campbelltown and all over Sydney can clear your drains quicker than you thought. .

This in turn saves time, which saves on charges and is nowhere near as expensive as you would have thought. 

Professional  plumbers use safe, effective techniques to clear blockages without the risks associated with chemical cleaners. Here’s how:

  1. Advanced Tools Plumbers use equipment like drain snakes, augers, and high-pressure jetting to remove clogs without damaging your pipes. The jetting on its own can cut through practically anything it comes across.

  2. Thorough Solutions As professional plumbers, our job is not just to unblock the drain but to prevent it from recurring as well. We don’t just remove the blockage—we diagnose the root cause to prevent future problems.

  3. Eco-Friendly Options Compared to using chemicals, many plumbers offer environmentally safe solutions that are way more effective than using harsh chemicals, that do not achieve anything, and without the negative impact on your home and the environment.

  4. Plumbers Provide  Long-Term Results That Last: Because we do the job right from the beginning and without using chemical cleaners, professional plumbing services ensure your drains stay clear for longer, saving you time, money, and frustration.

Preventing Drain Blockages So They Do Not Happen Again

If you want to avoid using chemical drain cleaners, the best thing you can do is to avoid blocking your drains to begin with so that you never need an immediate emergency plumber nearby. Why be the one typing into Google…” plumber near me “…when you can avoid the issues to begin with? So, here are some tips:

  • Use drain covers: These work well incatching large waste matter or food particles, they catch hair, food, and debris before they enter your pipes.
  • Don’t just blatantly pour grease down your kitchen drains: Never pour grease or oil down the drain; instead, collect it in a container and dispose of it in the trash.
  • When Running The Kitchen Sink Tap, Flush with hot water: Run hot water down your kitchen drains regularly to dissolve minor grease and oil buildups.
  • Schedule maintenance: Regular professional drain cleaning can prevent blockages before they occur.

Call a Professional for Safe and Effective Drain Cleaning

If you’re dealing with a clogged drain, save yourself the further damage to begin with and call professional plumbers. Your local Campbelltown plumbers offer fast, reliable, and eco-friendly drain cleaning services to keep your plumbing system in top shape.

We use advanced tools and proven techniques to clear your drains safely and effectively.

Contact Us Today

Don’t let a clogged drain damage your pipes or disrupt your day. Call us at 0475 400 500 or visit our Blocked Drains service page to schedule an appointment. Let us handle the hard work while you enjoy peace of mind.

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