Liquid plumbing solutions and drain cleaners can cause harm. They are helpful to clear the small plumbing blockage, but sometimes they cause the following damage. Commercial drain cleaners consist of harsh chemicals that can corrode the pipe and lead to damage over time. The active ingredients in these products are bleach and caustic soda, which can harm the pipes when not used properly. These liquids may create heat and may react with other substances like soaps or grease, leading to further problems. Sometimes cleaners can make the situation worse, with clogged pipes or lead to water leakage and damage in worst cases. Drain cleaners are dangerous and not recommended by plumbers because they create a pool that must be slogged through to fix the issue. 

How Do Drain Cleaners Affect Plumbing?

Not all drain cleaners will damage the pipes if they are used according to instructions. Some cleaners consist of anti-corrosive substances, which reduce the risk of damage. Not all homeowners will use the cleansers with proper instructions. Pouring the wrong cleaners on a regular basis in the pipes leads to corrosion damage and pinhole leaks in metal pipes or softening and sagging of the PVC pipes. The corrosive nature of the cleaners may damage the other installations in your home, such as basins or showers. 

How Can Cleaners Harm The Environment?

Drain cleaners can also damage the environment, affecting soil pH levels and aquatic life, unless handled with proper care. Municipal plants are designed to treat chemicals from households, but the concentration of these substances causes the following damage:-

• Harm to aquatic life due to bleach entering through waterways, which reacts with other organic material that is harmful to aquatic microorganisms. 
• Surfactants that help the water penetrate grease, but do not break down easily, which leads to blockage of the gills of fish, causing breathing difficulties.
• The cleaners that are alkaline may kill the beneficial bacteria and harm the wildlife.
• In rural areas, the liquid may permeate the septic system, harming the lives of bacteria responsible for breaking down the waste.

Alternatives To These Cleaners

The alternatives to drain cleaners are less harmful to both the plumbing services and the environment. 

Next time, if you have a clogged drain, use the alternative DIY solution rather than harmful cleaners. 

• Plunger: This cheap and easy-to-use device can clear the small blockages in sinks and toilets in an effective way without any damage to the environment and plumbing. 
• Plumbing snake: The hand-held tool inserted into two pipes can remove the large clogs in a more effective manner than the plunger, a simple and manual solution with zero chemicals.
• Natural liquids: Readily available substances such as boiled water and dish soap are helpful to easily dissolve the minor grease clogs without damaging the environment and pipes. 
• Enzymatic cleaners: These use natural enzymes and bacteria to eat the organic clogs. They are slower but safe for the plumbing system and environment. 

Conclusion 

Cleaning the clogged drains with the help of DIY solutions rather than the harmful cleaners gives you the peace of mind that the clogged drains are cleaned safely without any harm to the plumbing system and the environment. But these cleaning methods are not an alternative to professional cleaning by professional plumbers. For the professional cleaning of clogged drains, you can call the professional plumbers from One Dial Plumbing and Heating Ltd, who are proficient in providing effective plumbing solutions.. Our experienced plumbers are steadfast in exceeding your expectations for the proper maintenance of drainage and plumbing systems in both residential and commercial areas. 

FAQ’S 

Will chemical cleaners damage the pipes of the plumbing system?

Yes, chemical cleaners damage the pipes, especially those that contain bleach and sulfuric acid. 

Why do clogs come back after the use of cleaners?

Because the cleaners are quick fixes, they do not clean the pipes deeply.