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In most households, even the slightest of clogs can lead to stress. Homeowners, as a result, tend to turn to the quick option of chemical drain cleaners. In the modern world of convenience, chemical cleaners are marketed as the go-to solution to stubborn clogs. In reality, the products result in the dissolution of a severe health hazard. In addition to the harmful imapct to a person’s health, drain cleaners also tend to have a negative longterm impact to the environment. As trained professionals in plumbing, Westin Plumbing urges the owners of the household to consider safe plumbing solutions. In this article, we’ll discuss chemical drain cleaners and their impact, as well as the solution advocated by professionals.

The Sad Truth of Chemical Drain Cleaners

The majority of the products in the market, while looking appealing as a solution to drain issues, are composed of harmful drain cleaners. These are the alleged products “cleaners” composed of sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. At their roots, all of these alleged cleaners are composed of reactive components marketed on the appeal of cleanliness, as a result leading to severe long-term health risk.

They Damage Your Pipes

Harm your plumbing system is one of the biggest concerns with chemical drain cleaners. The heat produced during a chemical reaction can weaken and corode your pipes over time.  

PVC pipes can also soften and warp, which can lead to costly replacements.  

Older metal pipes are more susceptible to corrosion which can lead to them aging faster than usual.  

Septic systems also suffer from chemical drain cleaners. They disrupt the natural bacteria that break down the waste.  

While the first few attempts to use chemical cleaners will seem successful, the plumbing system will, in the long run, suffer expensive repair. 

They Are Hazardous to Your Health

Apart from damaging pipes, chemical drain uncloggers also pose a threat to a person’s health. They release toxic fumes which can cause temporary shortness of breath, and in more extreme cases, cause long lasting respiratory issues and dizziness.  

The toxic nature of chemical uncloggers can cause severe burns, and if the person is unfortunate enough to spill the chemical, the result can lead to skin burns.  

The danger increases manifold when children and pets are in the household. A small amount of exposure is dangerous, so, it is wise to not keep these drain cleaners in the reach of children.

They Harm the Environment

Flushing chemical cleaners down the toilet does not make them disappear. They make their way through the system and into local water bodies, which endangers wildlife and disrupts ecosystems. Chemical cleaners are harmful to the environment because they poison water and streams and contribute to water pollution.  

Safer Alternatives for Clearing Clogs

Unlike harmful chemical cleaners, the methods mentioned below are highly effective in dealing with tough clogs in a safe manner:  

Plunger: This handy tool is incredibly effective in dealing with minor clogs with minimal effort.  

Drain Snake or Auger: These tools are extremely effective in removing hair, grease and other debris without damaging the pipes.  

Baking Soda and Vinegar: This natural, non-toxic method is great in dealing with minor blockages.  

Hot water: This works especially well in the kitchen for removing grease.  

Each of these methods not only allow for more safe plumbing and plumbing repair works, they are also economical and environmentally safe.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

It’s good to know how to fix a minor clog yourself, but if a blockage is persistent or recurring, it’s better to call a professional. Noticing signs like slow drainage, bad odors, or frequent backups mean it’s time to call a professional. Here at Westin Plumbing, our plumbers come equipped with the latest tools and techniques needed to diagnose and tackle the blockage with minimal damage to the plumbing system, including hydro jetting and camera inspections.  

 

Letting harmful drain cleaning chemicals sit in your pipes is a risk to your home, and if you are dealing with a drain clog, contact Westin Plumbing immediately for safe professional drain cleaning. Your plumbing and your health will thank you!

 

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