Friday, December 16, 2016

Maybe a Liquid Drain Cleaner is Not the Answer

 Maybe a Liquid Drain Cleaner is Not the Answer
If you find yourself dealing with a backed up sink, knowing the best method for clearing your pipes is important. At Honest Plumbing in Denver, we get numerous calls from people who have unsuccessfully tried some of that over the counter drain cleaner you get at the store. However, we can unequivocally say that maybe a liquid drain cleaner is not the answer.

The Problem with Liquid Drain Cleaner
Strong the chemicals in liquid drain cleaners release fumes that can cause irritation to the nose, throat, eyes and lungs. If the liquid from drain cleaners gets on your skin it may cause burns. And because this product can splash when you’re pouring it, drops can get in your eyes and cause real trouble. If you use liquid drain cleaners, please wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.

Most of these drain cleaners also use hydrochloric acid to help create a chemical reaction inside your drain pipe. The problem is that this reaction generates heat, which often causes irreversible damage to the pipe. And if the liquid drain cleaner doesn’t completely dissolve the blockage, it remains stuck at the clog, concentrating that chemical reaction directly on that one section of pipe.

Now, what happens if the pipe is plastic? The high chemical heat can melt and deform the plastic pipe. Metal pipes are better but liquid drain cleaners can still weaken even the metal pipe and cause cracks that can lead to leaks, especially for older pipes.

In addition to all this trouble, these types of drain cleaners are not really effective. If you are trying to get rid of a bit of hair or a little grease buildup, it might work, but they can’t do much more than that. For more stubborn back-ups, maybe a liquid drain cleaner is not the answer.

The Best Solution for Clogged Pipes
Now, if you call our plumbers at Honest Plumbing we can first diagnose the problem that’s blocking your drain and then figure out the best way to fix it.

There are lots of reasons why your pipes may be clogged. It could go far beyond putting potato peels in the garbage disposal. There could be a break in the pipe that causing other material to push inside of it or the problem may be much more serious and deeper in your drainage system.

Obviously, a liquid drain cleaner will not help with these problems and could cause even more trouble. Even if you have a plunger or snake, you could be in for a mess and wasted efforts that sometimes do more harm than good.


Maybe a liquid drain cleaner is not the answer. Your best bet is to throw the liquid drain cleaners away and call us our experts at Honest Plumbing in Arvada. Serving the Denver metro area, we can repair any plumbing problem quickly and safely. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services and do honest work at an honest price. Even if your drains are clear, we can provide repairs and even installations for your water heater, toilet, shower, sinks, and faucets. Get in touch and let us know how we can help you!