If you’re like many homeowners, when you discover that you have a clog, your first instinct is probably to reach for that bottle of chemical, store-bought drain cleaning “solution” that you got at the grocery store.
The problem with this is… you’re probably doing more harm than good.
That’s right, these chemical solutions can actually hurt your drains and the rest of your plumbing system. While they may temporarily clear out the affected pipe, they do so at a considerable cost—one that most homeowners don’t realize they’re paying.
Read on to learn more about what you’re doing to your plumbing system when you use store-bought remedies and what you can do instead.
The Damaging Effects of Store-Bought Drain Cleaners
The reason store-bought drain cleaning solutions clear out your pipes so easily is because they utilize very corrosive chemicals. These chemicals do cut through and dissolve many forms of clogs such as hair in bathroom drains, and FOG (fats, oils, and grease) in kitchen sink drains.
But what’s the problem with corrosive chemicals? Weeeellll… They corrode your pipes, too!
There’s also the little detail that accidental exposure to these corrosive substances are bad for people and pets, too.
Back to your plumbing system—the fact is that after years of using these types of chemicals in your pipes, those pipes will become weaker and more prone to damage that leads to leaks. You may even find yourself replacing large sections of your plumbing years earlier than you’d have expected to. This is a pretty heavy cost to pay, for not a lot of benefit, right?
So rather than relying on chemical-based, store-bought drain cleaning solutions, what can you do to resolve clog?
Call Us for Professional Drain Cleaning Services
Our professional plumbers are very well-aware of the damage that can occur by using corrosive store-bought drain cleaners. This is part of the reason we don’t use these types of products. When you contact a professional plumber to manage your drain cleaning, we will typically utilize either a basic drain snake or a hydro-jet tool.
A drain snake is a cord with a drill bit at the end that’s used to pull whatever is clogging up your drainpipe out. Hydro-jetting is for more serious clogs and involves firing a high-pressured stream of water into the drain pipe to clean it out. Think of it as a tiny fire hose—the hydro-jet stream cuts through the clog and cleans out any other waste that might be clinging to the lining of your pipes.
Professional drain cleaning methods like the two we just described are far better than chemical drain cleaners when it comes to the health of your pipes. If you think you have a clog developing within your plumbing system, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced professionals. We’ll leave your plumbing system in great shape and leave your budget a little safer too!
For professional help with your plumbing in St. Louis, MO, look no further than Performance Plumbing. Contact our team today!