There’s a lot that goes into that stubborn clog that preventing your drains from doing their job: hair, soap, food, you name it. What should not go down your drains, however, is that jug of harsh corrosive chemicals you were hoping would fix your problem. It’s not uncommon for home and business owners to reach for chemical products to solve their slow-drain issues, but what many don’t realize is that they can do much more harm than good. To get a better understanding of that, let’s take a look at what is in those products.
What You Should Know About Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners typically contain sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. These substances are extremely corrosive to metal and organic materials. They produce a heat reaction, which dissolves soap and grease, making them slide through your pipes a little easier (eating away at your plumbing in the process). Other common drain chemicals and cleaners include such substances as bleach, peroxides, and nitrates – none of which are good for your home’s most important system. All of these chemicals can soften PVC and corrode older metal pipes.
Suitable Alternatives to Common Drain Chemicals
In many cases, properties owners find success simply by boiling a pot of water and pouring it down the drain. It doesn’t sound like it would work, but you’d be surprised by what a little heat can do. If that doesn’t work, you can try a combination of baking soda and vinegar, but that’s about as far as you should go with household chemicals.
Instead, call us for your most stubborn clogs. At Tritan Plumbing, we truly care about giving you fast, cost-effective results that not only solve the issue at hand but also preserve the integrity of your pipes. Contact us today to get more information or to request an appointment with one of our drain and sewer specialists.
