Is Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes: What You Should Know

No homeowner likes dealing with clogged drains or pipes, but it's important to ask, "Is drain cleaner bad for pipes?" 

Liquid drain cleaner can be an affordable solution to break up and eliminate any clogs inside your drains. The process works by using certain elements that create chemical reactions, causing heat and movement to dislodge or eliminate a clog entirely. 

However, using these solutions can also present several problems, with the main problem being homeowners still not knowing what triggered the clog in the first place. 

This guide explores what you should know about drain cleaners and when to call our team for professional drain cleaning in Winnipeg, MB. 

What Are Some Different Drain Cleaning Solution Types? 

When asking, "Is drain cleaner bad for pipes?" it's good to know the different types of formulations that exist. While you can find many drain cleaning brands on the market, they often have formulations such as: 

• Bleach
• Lye
• Aluminum
• Salt 
• Sodium nitrate

While salt is perfectly safe for humans to consume in the right dosages, all the other formulations can be extremely toxic when ingested. 

This fact can be enough to deter some homeowners, but many pay no mind to this fact since they're pouring the solutions down their drain. 

How Can These Solutions Damage Your Toilet? 

When you pour a drain cleaning solution into your toilet, it'll sit there. Toilets feature slow drains and bowls filled with water. As a drain cleaning solution sits, it can start damaging your toilet bowl. 

The main chemical reaction behind drain cleaners is that they generate heat. Over time, this generated heat can cause your toilet bowl to crack and occasionally trigger an explosion. 

How Can Drain Cleaner Damage Your Pipes? 

Due to their caustic nature, drain-cleaning solutions can corrode your pipes, including those made of tougher materials like copper or steel. Homeowners with plastic pipes should particularly avoid using these solutions.

Using drain cleaner for your pipes or toilet bowl probably won't cause substantial harm the first time. However, many homeowners use drain cleaners as a replacement for calling a plumber. 

Are There Any Situations Where Using Drain Cleaners Make Sense? 

Ideally, homeowners should use drain cleaning solutions sparingly, if ever. Using a drain cleaning solution can be a good idea if you need to break up a massive hairball or you have a soap buildup causing a clog. 

However, unless you know what the clog's source is, it's better to call a professional plumbing team that can inspect your drains or septic systems and fix the issue. 

Safe DIY Solutions to Fix a Clogged Drain

Calling a plumber every time you have a clogged drain can be frustrating, but some safe DIY solutions do exist. You shouldn't use these solutions as an alternative to regular plumbing maintenance services, but they can be handy at times: 

Using a Safe DIY Drain-Cleaning Solution 

Instead of buying Drano, homeowners can create their own drain-cleaning solution. A good method is pouring hot boiling water inside a drain and following up with half a cup of baking soda. After doing so, allow the solution to sit for five minutes or so. 

After five minutes, follow up with a single cup of boiling hot water and vinegar. You should cover your drain and allow the solution to work its magic for around ten minutes. Finish off with more boiling hot water to see if this method worked. 

Alternatively, consider using a natural drain-cleaning solution like BioOne to keep your drain clear. This organic drain cleaner eliminates fats, oils, and grease in your drain by releasing natural bacteria that feed on these contaminants. We highly recommend this EPA-approved product for every homeowner with a septic tank. 

Using a Pipe Auger or Snake Pipe 

A snake or pipe auger is a good solution if the clog isn't deep inside your pipes. You can use this device to separate the clog and easily remove it from your pipes. 

Using a Plunger

Many homeowners use a plunger for clogged toilets, but you can also use a flat-bottomed plunger for any sinks or bathtubs. By creating a rigid seal and forcing all the water down the drain, you can often eliminate the clog. 

The Best Way to Fix Clogs Is By Avoiding It

Sometimes, homeowners can't avoid clogs and may need to use DIY solutions or call an expert plumbing team. However, you can avoid many clogs by using the right practices.

Avoid Pouring Grease or Oils Down Your Drain 

When cooking, you can potentially create or use grease. Grease is dangerous for your drain pipes because it can rapidly harden after it drops deep inside your plumbing system. For a better alternative, throw grease away into your garbage can. 

Limit Other Wastes From Falling Into Your Drain Pipes 

It's normal for some food particles to fall into your kitchen sink when cooking or washing the dishes. However, it's best to avoid any waste falling into your drain pipes. Installing drain guards can help prevent these issues. 

Be Careful What You Flush Down Your Toilet 

Other than toilet paper and waste, you shouldn't flush anything else down your toilet. While some products may say "flushable" on their packaging, you should still avoid flushing them. 

Have Rules in Place for Family Members or Visitors

Actions like not pouring grease down the drain or only flushing toilet paper may sound like a basic courtesy for most people, but you can have visitors, like children, who may not fully understand such concepts. 

Furthermore, people can have a quick lapse of judgment, or their plumbing systems might handle more. Set some ground rules for your family and anyone visiting your home. 

Routinely Have Our Team Check Your Plumbing System 

Instead of waiting for a specific issue, like a clog, to occur, have our plumbing team regularly inspect your home for problems like clogged drains. Our team can inspect your plumbing system and recommend the correct repairs. 

For More Help, Call King's Services Today 

At King's Services, we proudly provide the best plumbing assistance to families that need them the most. When asking, "Is drain cleaner bad for pipes?" The answer can depend. However, the right plumbing service can prevent problems like clogged drains in the first place. 

To discover natural drain cleaners that actually work in Winnipeg, MB, call us at 204-633-9010!