If your sink in Centerton, AR experiences a particularly stubborn clogged drain, you may need a chemical solution to handle the matter. Be forewarned, however, that these caustic products can cause serious damage to your plumbing. Never use them until all other reasonable options have been exhausted.
Chemical Cleaner Types
Drain cleaner solutions use three different types of bases:
- Acidic, such as muriatic or sulfuric acids
- Caustic, such as lye or potash
- Oxidizing, such as nitrates, bleaches, or peroxides
By producing heat via exchanging electrons with whatever accumulation of organic material is causing the stoppage, the offending mass is broken down, creating the appropriate condition for your clogged drain to smoothly flush away. Although these drain cleaner options remain effective, they come attached to serious disadvantages.
Chemical Cleaner Negatives
Among the biggest drawbacks, these sewage cleaning choices pose is the potential for environmental harm. Besides their awful smell, they sadly have a tendency to end up in lakes, rivers, and landfills. Always dispose of the unused portions of these toxic products as recommended by official guidelines.
Also concerning is their propensity for damaging older pipes, as well as those made of plastic. Because they produce warmth to complete their assigned task, warping and other structural breakdowns can result, compounding an already distressing situation.
Harsh cleaners pose an equally perilous threat applied to seriously block drains. When such solutions fail, the potion merely sits. The longer this persists, the greater the chance corrosion will occur.
Should a complete plumbing breakdown be the end result, you might need to contact a water damage expert to conduct a thorough sewage cleaning.
Keep in mind that a cornucopia of easily obtainable non-toxic cleaners exists. Although they require muscle power, a plumber’s snake may also do the trick without presenting the same risks posed by chemicals. Try one of these before introducing a harsh elixir into your kitchen.
All chemical drain cleaners come with potential downsides. When a clogged drain happens to you, only attempt one of these solvents after all other methods have failed.
