If you have slow drains or standing water in your sink, you could be tempted to use chemical drain cleaners to tackle the issue. But is using chemical drain cleaners a good idea? Before heading to the store to purchase the chemical, you might want to learn more about these products, their level of effectiveness, and why you are always advised to hire plumbers for the job. The following are reasons to seek professional services instead of chemical drain cleaners.
1. Avoid Long Term Costs
The goal of every chemical drain cleaner is to dissolve clogs. While you could succeed in dissolving the clogs, the chemical might eat into the piping materials slowly, causing leaks. The chemical might also react with the pipe, damaging and weakening the pipe's walls. You might need to schedule pipe relining or repairs after using chemical cleaners. However, plumbers provide conservative methods, such as hydro jetting, with no long-term consequences or costs. They ensure the methods won't deform or damage your pipe.
2. Safety Concerns
Chemical drain cleaners can be harmful and toxic when accidentally ingested. They can leave you with severe skin burns if they come into contact with your skin. Some homeowners mix the cleaners with other chemicals that may produce harmful fumes and foul odors. For these reasons, it is best to avoid using chemical cleaners. It's best to leave the exercise to professionals who understand the consequences of mishandling the drain chemicals. They often recommend safer drain cleaning solutions to keep everyone safe.
3. Lasting Results
There's no guarantee you'll eliminate clogs in your pipe using drain cleaners. This is especially true if you apply the chemicals blindly in trial and error. Without proper inspection and diagnosis, you'll not know the location and nature of the clog. There are high chances you'll repeatedly fail to remove the clog and end up damaging the pipes. Therefore, contact competent plumbers to diagnose the cause of the clog, locate it, and remove it without trouble.
4. Protect the Environment
Chemicals tamper with bacterial activity in septic tanks. Using chemical cleaners could be the reason you empty your tank too frequently. The chemicals could also cause environmental pollution if they leak into the ground and contaminate water sources. That's why professionals often use eco-friendly products and equipment when unclogging the drains.
Chemical drain cleaning products might work in some situations, but it is advisable to hire plumbers for drain cleaning tasks. As shown, they could cause severe problems, especially when not applied correctly. Therefore, leave the cleaning to plumbers to protect your pipes and find the best solution.
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