One of the most burdensome household problems is a clogged drain. As soon as water begins to gather at the bottom of our sink or shower, most of us grab the nearest bottle of chemical drain cleaner. However, is that a safe or better solution?
Some are unaware that such solutions can end up harming your plumbing for the long haul, the environment, and your pocket in the process. And there are many safer and more efficient solutions available out on the market!
At the end of this guide, you will know the dangers of using chemical drain cleaners, natural and green remedies and how to keep your pipes fresh and clear.
It is what they do not tell you about drain cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are preferred because of their ease of use. Please turn on the tap and pour, give it some time to drain, and the clog is history! But are they as efficient and safe as it looks like?
These cleaners involve the application of chemical solutions which are well known to chemically decompose the given blockages. These can sometimes help remove minor clogs, but many of the time, they do so only offer temporary assistance. Worse it can lead to other dangers for your plumbing and even your health when it is used repeatedly.
Did you know? A home maintenance survey conducted in 2020 revealed that about 63% of homeowners use Chemical drain cleaners with no information on the demerits of similar activity.
Keyword Insight: Chemical vs. Natural Cleaners
If you have been spraying or wiping with chemical cleaners without bearing in mind the outcome, it is high time you took time to peep through what is happening at the back.
Types of Drain Cleaners and Their Chemical Compositions
It is worth noting here that not all drain cleaners are developed equally. Here’s what you need to know about the three broad types of dementia and what each is characterized by.
1. Caustic Cleaners
How They Work: These include lye used to dissolve grease as well as food build-up and produce heat in the process.
Risks: More to that, he noted that high temperatures could, in the long run, cause corrosion of plastic pipes as well as degradation of strength of old metal pipes.
2. Oxidizing Cleaners
How They Work: With such products as bleach or peroxides, oxidizing cleaners cause chemical disintegration of the organic matter that forms clogs.
Risks: These are just a tad less acidic, so they will erode your pipes if consumed in the long term.
3. Acidic Cleaners
How They Work: Seen in heavy-duty commercial use products such as oven growths, acidic cleaners utilize sulphuric or hydrochloric acid to disintegrate large blockades.
Risks: Possessing high erodibility and not safe for residential applications. According to the material, prolonged exposure can cause a severe blow to metal pipes and produce toxic fumes.
Depending on the type, it might displace the problem temporarily, but often, it compromises the health of your pipes and your overall health.
The Risks to Your Pipes
Chemical drain cleaners could be extremely lethal to the health of your plumbing system if you tend to use them to unblock your drainages. These are some of the largest worries that loom large as follows.
1. Corrosion and Pipe Damage
- One of the ways that chemical reactions are detrimental to pipe material is that they cause pipe materials such as PVC and metal to become brittle.
- Especially older plumbing systems are at a higher risk as it never was a secret that years of usage wear on them.
2. Escalating Costs
This is because the constant use of harsh chemicals will cause pipe replacements or leakage, which can be very expensive compared to contract maintenance.
3. Environmental Impact
Drain cleaners cause chemicals to be released into water systems devastating aquatic life as well as polluting water bodies.
Real-world example: A homeowner in Texas found out that the common use of drain cleaner, which causes the PVC to melt, contributed to water leakage in the home after several years. How about $3,007 spent on the repairs?
Keyword Insight: Drain Cleaner Safety
Therefore, it should not only be rational but financially and environmentally sensible to resort to safer options.
Here, You Find Safer Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners
If chemical cleaners are harmful, then what should be utilized? Fortunately, the range of natural, inexpensive, and efficient treatments is very wide.
- Baking Soda + Vinegar Solution
This typical pair produces a fizzing effect to disintegrate occasional blockages.
- How-To: Baking soda = 1 cup followed by vinegar = 1 cup poured into the drain. Place with a plug for about 15 minutes. Rinse with hot Water.
- Boiling Water
Original but suitable for clearing fats on the interior of the pipe. It can be applied sparingly on PVC pipes in order to prevent damage on the surface of the pipes.
- Drain Snakes and Plungers
For actual physical clearing of clogs, these a-economical instruments work miracles, and no chemicals are needed.
- Enzyme-Based Cleaners
These cleaners are environmentally friendly, mild and dissolve organic material through natural processes. They are perfect to use when performing normal cleaning or in case of difficult intrusions.
Quick DIY Green Drain Cleaner
Ingredients: Baking soda to soften and vinegar and/or optional lemon juice to add a fresh scent.
Directions: The process is similar to that used when using baking soda and vinegar solution, but should be followed by a squirt of lemon juice before rinsing.
Some of these non-invasive techniques not only disapprove blockages but also offer long-term prevention against clogs whenever used continually.
Keyword Insight: Homely Drain Caring, Household Solutions
Best Practices for Maintaining Clog-Free Drains
In addition to clearing obstructions from the plumbing system, proper maintenance will go a long way in ensuring your plumbing system’s health.
- Do Not Pour out Grease or Coffee Grains
These materials are well known to build up and cause blockages and deposits in pipes. Instead, it is better to throw them in the trash bin.
- Install Drain Strainers
We recommend the use of a screen or trap to trap the food scraps, hair and any other debris before reaching your pipes.
- Clean drains at least once a week at week using hot water.
This simple step avoids the accumulation of grease and other materials as well.
- Create a Maintenance Schedule
Natural cleanings with baking soda and vinegar on a monthly basis can help avoid blockage.
- Call in the Experts
You should, however, ensure that your plumbing system undergoes checkup by a professional plumber at least once per annum with a view of correcting any slight problems that may be developing into bigger ones.
Keyword Insight: Getting danger while using the drain cleaner, how to unclog the drains on your own.
How to keep your pipes and wallet happy
Using chemical drain cleaners seems to be the way to go when one deformation has been caused, but in the long run, it has more cons than pros. They can cause several strange issues to your pipes and even harm the environment after some time.
The good news? You don’t need chemicals to have clean and healthy drains- natural remedies as well as prevention are sufficient. The next time a clog occurs, forget the chemicals and go for baking soda instead.
Action Tip: Suffer from over-frequent clogs than you prefer? It makes it important that you start employing natural solutions and routine checks on your plumbing system from today. Oh, and before we go, why discover even more home maintenance tips that you can DIY over here on our blog or sign up for our newsletters to know more?
Conclusion
Being proactive with drains can not only save time and possibly money but also provide for a healthier home and environment. Instead of using harsh chemicals in cleaning, you go for natural organic products beneficial in the reduction of your impacts on the environment as well as protecting the pipes’ health. Always consult your plumber for a regular check-up to avoid getting to this stage, ensure you dispose of large pieces of matter properly, and try to avoid using large objects at all.
The next time you find yourself with a clogged drain, think about the fact that a soft, eco-friendly approach could be as effective as the often toxic one. Occasionally, it’s nice to put in a little work now to save both your pocketbook and the environment from having to fork out big bucks for a repair later on. Clearly, it is time for society to improve smarter, greener ways regarding our pipes and more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Are chemical drain cleaners always harmful to pipes?
A: As much as they may not pose an immediate danger to the health of the people living in the house, they are very destructive to the plumbing structure of a house if used frequently. They are capable of eroding other materials, including PVC and metal, thus causing leakage, cracks, etc, hence contributing to costly repairs. Looking for natural remedies is a wiser and healthier approach to lightweight long-term treatment.
- Do natural remedies work for hard-to-remove clogs?
A: Indeed, natural potions such as baking soda and vinegar or using a drain snake or enzyme-based cleaner can deal with minor clogs. But for very stiff or inveterate sediments, it may require the services of a professional plumber in order not to worsen the situation.
- How often should I do a natural clean of my drains?
A: The best regimen is to do natural drain cleaning once a month to get the best results. It is an initiative step that keeps the washing machines from succumbing to clog formation in the first place.
- Can all types of pipes be rendered safe with enzyme-based cleaners without any danger of additional problems?
A: Indeed, enzyme-based cleaners are safe to use in all plumbing systems including a septic system. What is more, they do not harm delicate tissues, do not contain hazardous chemicals, and are perfect for regular care.
- How does one avoid drain blockages?
A: Food particles and grease, coffee grounds and other products that are likely to solidify should not be allowed into the drains. Drain strainers, hot water rinse once a week, and natural monthly cleanings will also help block the majority of clogs. Also, plumbers recommend that homeowners schedule annual plumbing inspections so that the whole system stays in perfect shape.
- When is it required to seek a professional plumber?
A: If natural cleaning methods fail to clear your clog, or if you experience such consistent signs as slow draining, frequent blocking, or bad smell, it is best that you seek help from a professional. It also makes sense to call a plumber when something is not working well because he can fix deep-seated is scary of your home before they get out of hand.
Be part of the cleaning revolution for healthier plumbing
By learning how to improve natural drain care and developing good habits, the ways in which you maintain your plumbing can change drastically. Apart from protecting your pipes, you will have conserved our environment and in the process, you will amass money in the long run. Use these tips now and let others know about better, more environmentally friendly ways to take care of a home.
If you’re interested in other tips, green habits, and maintenance self-help, please browse through our blog or give us a call to chat with our specialists. It is when we join hands that we can work towards a cleaner future – starting with clean drains.