6 Reasons you shouldn’t use Drain Cleaners

The local home improvement store has shelves stocked with a number of different drain cleaners indicated for use by both personal and commercial accounts. These drain cleaners are relatively inexpensive to purchase, especially when compared to the cost of calling a licensed plumbing professional. While grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner and handling a bit of DIY action might seem like a good idea, it is, in actuality, one of the worst things that you can do for your plumbing system.

Take a look at the top 6 reasons you should not use a drain cleaner in your household plumbing system.

1. Hazardous to your Health

Almost all of the drain cleaners being sold today contain chemicals that contain known carcinogens. Simply inhaling or coming into contact with them puts you at risk.

2. They don’t Work

Sometimes people get lucky and the drain cleaner works and really gets rid of a clog. But, this isn’t the norm. most people are saddened that they wasted their cash on the purchase. Even those that manage to rid the clog have found only a short solution to a bigger problem.

3. Damage Pipes

Drain cleaners contain chemicals, as mentioned, that can cause devastation to your health. But these chemicals don’t stop there with their disadvantages. The chemicals in these cleaners can also cause corrosion and other damage to your pipes. Unless you want to fork over hundreds to thousands in pipe replacement, steer clear of the cleaners. 

4. Harmful to the Skin

If drain cleaners come into contact with the skin, it is possible for irritation to occur. This includes redness, blistering of the skin, rashes, and burns. Remember to wash the cleaner immediately if it happens to come into contact with your skin to minimize irritation.

5. Damage Septic Systems

If your plumbing system is connected to a septic system, using a drain cleaner also causes potential damage to this unit as well. The last thing that you want to experience is problems with the septic system! Is it really worth the risk?

6. They’re Expensive

Sure, the costs of a drain cleaner are far less than the cost of hiring a plumber, but that doesn’t mean that they’re cheap to purchase, either. While a variety of factors influence the amount of money you will spend for a drain cleaner, some of them can be as expensive as $50 or more per bottle! That is a lot of money to risk for a hope of short-term repair!

Final Thoughts

Drain cleaners may seem like to go-to cure for plumbing issues, but the harsh reality is that the cleaners do far more harm than good. The six reasons above are just a handful of the many reasons that you should avoid the use of a drain cleaner in your home. Are you willing to take a risk of causing substantial damage and massive headache when you can call the plumbing pros at DJ Plumbing & Heating and get a quick resolution to any kind of clog you’re experiencing?