Clogged drains are not at all uncommon. In fact, they are one of the most common plumbing issues reported by both commercial buildings and households. How easy does it sound to pour a do-it-yourself drain opener down your clogged drain and sleep in peace? However, DIY drain cleaning will give you anything but peace of mind!
Using store-bought DIY drain cleaners can make your drain problems worse in the future, which is why you should always consult a professional plumber to unclog your drain. Read the blog post ahead to see why we’re saying that DIY drain cleaning is a bad idea!
1. Health Concerns
Drain cleaners are entirely chemical-based formulations. They contain toxic chemicals that are meant to dissolve organic material like hair and hence, unclog the drain. They produce toxic fumes that are extremely harmful to humans. They may also cause skin burns if they come in direct contact with the skin.
Moreover, research indicates that prolonged and repeated exposure to these strong and powerful chemicals can cause congenital disabilities and hormone disruption. In addition, some components of drain cleaners react with nitrates to form neurotoxins and carcinogens, which pose a serious threat to human health.
If you’re trying to save money by using DIY drain cleaners, always remember that no money is more precious than your health and wellbeing.
Using the right safety equipment and taking the right safety precautions is vital to ensure that you aren’t affected during the job. A professional is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment and tools for unclogging the drain efficiently. This is one of the most important reasons why you should hire a professional plumber instead of getting down to work yourself!
2. Plumbing Concerns
Drain cleaners may unclog your drain for the time being, but you can expect major plumbing issues down the line. Bleach and lye that these drain cleaners contain do not affect the pipes, but they do affect the parts made of rubber such as garbage disposal gaskets. Some products may even leave behind residue. As the residue builds up, it can result in additional drain clogs.
Using caustic bases for cleaning your clogged drains also weaken the plumbing gradually. Although it is a slow process, the damage, in the long run, is inevitable.
A professional would know where exactly they need to be extra careful with the plumbing, the pros and cons of each product that they use, and the possible consequences if something goes wrong. In case anything goes wrong, they’ll know how to tackle the situation while on the other hand, you wouldn’t know what to do next!
Summary
DIY drain cleaners may unclog the drains temporarily but can worsen the case in the long run. If you have a clogged drain, you should hire a professional plumber to do the job for you instead of experimenting with DIY drain cleaning methods!