September 26, 2024

The Hidden Dangers of Chemical Drain Cleaners [Video]

Dealing with a clogged drain can be a messy and frustrating experience. While reaching for a chemical drain cleaner may seem like the easy solution, think twice. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners can cause more harm than good by affecting not only your pipes and fixtures negatively, but also your health and the environment. 

As your locally-owned home services experts who want the best for our customers’ pipes, we want to outline the dangers of using chemical drain cleaners and why alternative approaches to drain clogs are better in the long run. Watch the video below, and then read our full article to understand why liquid drain cleaners are dangerous and the alternative steps you can take to unclog your drain.  

How Chemical Cleaners Work

To understand why chemical drain cleaners are so harmful, it’s important to first understand how they work. These products generally fall into three categories: caustic, oxidizing, and acidic, all of which rely on a chemical reaction that creates heat to break down and dissolve clogs.

• Acidic cleaners: Contain sulfuric or hydrochloric acid and are usually the most powerful but toxic and corrosive cleaners. They work by rapidly dissolving organic materials like hair, paper and grease. These cleaners are also harmful to your skin, eyes and lungs.
• Caustic or Alkaline cleaners: Use caustic substances like lye (sodium hydroxide) to break down grease and hair. The high temperatures they generate can warp and damage pipes.
• Oxidizing cleaners: Products in this category use chemicals like bleach, peroxides or nitrates. They release oxygen, which triggers a chemical reaction that breaks down the clog’s organic matter. Oxidation is harmful to metal pipes and can cause skin and eye irritation.

These products are designed to sink through standing water and react with clogs inside your drain. The strong chemical reactions they induce are not selective—they attack everything in their path, including your pipes, fixtures, and even the wastewater systems that process the runoff from your home.

The 5 Dangers of Drain Cleaners in Your Home

1. Damage to Your Pipes

Most of these cleaners rely on highly corrosive chemicals like sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, which generate heat as they react with the blockage. This extreme heat can cause your pipes to warp, weaken, or even crack over time.

• PVC Pipes: The heat from chemical drain cleaners can soften or melt the plastic in PVC pipes. This will eventually lead to leaks or total pipe failure.
• Older Metal Pipes: If you live in an older home with metal pipes, the risk is even greater. The chemical reaction can corrode the inside of the pipes, making them brittle and prone to bursting. Corrosion that builds up in pipes can cause blockages and increased drain clogs. 
• Septic Systems: If you rely on a septic system, chemical drain cleaners can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria that helps break down waste. This can lead to costly repairs or even system failure.

Rather than risking expensive pipe damage, call a plumber to assess the issue and use safe, effective tools to preserve your expensive plumbing system. 

2. Health Hazards

Chemical drain cleaners pose significant health risks to humans. These products contain toxic ingredients that can cause serious harm if inhaled, ingested or if they come into contact with your skin.

• Inhalation Risks: The fumes from chemical drain cleaners can irritate your nose, throat and lungs, potentially triggering asthma or respiratory issues. Repeated use and prolonged exposure can lead to severe health complications.
• Skin and Eye Irritation: If you accidentally splash drain cleaner on your skin or in your eyes, it may cause chemical burns, severe irritation or even blindness.
• Accidental Poisoning: Homes with small children or pets are especially at risk. The brightly colored bottles and harsh chemicals can be mistaken for something harmless.

Don’t put your family at risk, use a professional plumber who is trained to safely handle blockages using non-toxic methods.

3. Environmental Impact 

Beyond the damage they cause to pipes and people, chemical drain cleaners are extremely harmful to the environment. When you pour these harsh chemicals down your drain, they don’t just disappear—they eventually make their way into local waterways and where they can exist for an extended time. 

• Water Contamination: Once these chemicals reach water bodies, they don’t immediately break down. For example, some of the compounds in caustic and oxidizing cleaners can take months or even years to fully degrade. During this time, they can continue to harm aquatic ecosystems and affect fish, plants and other wildlife.
• Bioaccumulation: Toxin accumulation in the tissues of aquatic organisms leads to higher concentrations in animals higher up the food chain and disrupts entire ecosystems. Even small amounts of drain cleaner chemicals can cause widespread environmental damage over time.
• Waste Treatment Challenges: Many treatment facilities are not equipped to filter out or neutralize all of the toxic ingredients found in drain cleaners. For instance, sodium hydroxide can raise the pH of water, making it more alkaline and harmful to fish and aquatic plants.
• Microorganism Disruption: Enzymes and bacteria in soil and water play a critical role in breaking down organic material. Chemical drain cleaners, however, can kill these beneficial microorganisms, causing the natural breakdown processes to slow. This disruption can last for weeks or months, making the environment more vulnerable to pollution buildup.

By choosing green alternatives or hiring a plumber to address clogs mechanically, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint and contribute to healthier waterways.

4. Temporary Solution

Chemical drain cleaners may provide quick relief from clogs, but rarely address the underlying issue. 

• Deeper Problems: Many clogs are caused by issues further down the line, such as tree root intrusion, misaligned pipes or even broken pipes. A chemical drain cleaner won’t resolve these problems.
• Recurrence of Clogs: Because chemical cleaners don’t fully remove the clog, you may find yourself dealing with recurring blockages in the same location. Over time, repeated use of these cleaners can weaken your pipes and make it more likely that you’ll need to call a plumber.

A professional plumber will not only clear your drain but will also investigate the root cause of the issue to ensure a long-term solution that saves you money and preserves the integrity of your plumbing. 

5. Basin and Fixture Damage

In addition to damaging your pipes, chemical drain cleaners can harm your sinks and fixtures. The harsh chemicals in these cleaners can react with the materials used in your bathroom or kitchen, leading to damaged sinks, faucets, toilets and bathtubs. 

• Etching and Discoloration: Chemical reactions can cause visible damage to your sinks and fixtures, such as etching on porcelain or dulling the shine of metal finishes like stainless steel or chrome.
• Corrosion of Metal Parts: The acidic or caustic nature of these cleaners can corrode metal parts in your drain, faucet or other fixtures. This corrosion weakens the structural integrity of your fixtures, making them more likely to leak or break over time.
• Cracking and Warping: If your sink or countertop is made of delicate materials, such as natural stone or cultured marble, chemical cleaners can cause cracks or warping due to the intense heat generated by the chemical reactions.
• Staining: Some cleaners can leave behind unsightly stains on certain surfaces, particularly if they are allowed to sit too long before being washed away.

Preserve your expensive and valuable plumbing components by sparring them from exposure to toxic chemicals. 

Safe and Effective Alternatives to Drain Cleaners 

Fortunately, there are safer, more effective ways to deal with clogged drains that don’t involve toxic chemicals.

• Drain Snake or Auger: A drain snake or auger is a simple yet highly effective tool that can break up and remove clogs without the need for chemicals. This tool is great for removing hair, soap scum, and other debris that commonly cause blockages.
• Plungers: The right type of plunger creates a vacuum in your pipe and causes pressure changes that dislodge the clog. Note: Plungers are safe and easy to use but don’t always work on tough clogs.
• Enzymatic Drain Cleaners: Unlike harsh chemical cleaners, enzymatic cleaners use natural bacteria and enzymes to break down organic material in your pipes. These cleaners are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for both your plumbing and the environment. While they may take longer to work, they offer a much safer alternative to chemical-based solutions.
• Hydro Jetting: This professional method uses high-pressure water to clear out even the most stubborn clogs, like tree roots or solidified grease. Hydro jetting is highly effective and won’t damage your pipes or fixtures.
• Preventative Maintenance: Regular drain cleaning services by a licensed plumber can help prevent clogs before they become a problem. A professional plumber can also give you advice on how to keep your drains clear and functioning properly through routine maintenance and safe practices.

Get Help with the Toughest Clogs

While chemical drain cleaners may promise an easy solution to clogged drains, the risks to your pipes, your health, and the environment far outweigh any temporary benefits. Whether you’re dealing with a simple clog or a more complex plumbing issue, it’s always best to call a licensed plumber who can address the problem safely and effectively. Call Applewood today to get fast relief from your clogged drains.