What Are Those Drain Cleaners Really Doing In Your Pipes? Call A Drain Cleaning Service Instead | Bedford, TX

Visit any supermarket, hardware store, or home improvement center near Bedford, TX, and you’re apt to pass a range of drain cleaners and clog removal agents in the aisles. Frequently, when people have a slow drain problem or a sink-stopping clog, they turn to these chemicals instead of calling a drain cleaning service. Sometimes these inexpensive chemicals work when dumped down your drain; sometimes they don’t. But what exactly are they doing down there? Is it safe to use them or is it preferable to contact your local plumber like Tioga Plumbing & Electric for drain cleaning instead?

About Chemical Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaning products are invariably marketed as “safe,” and yet, ask any plumber and they’re likely to strongly withhold their approval of the chemicals used in these products. There are essentially two kinds of drain cleaners:

Oxidizing Drain Cleaners

Oxidizing drain cleaners rely on nitrates to dissolve organic debris causing your drain clog. The chemicals release gas and heat, which, together, help to remove the clog.

Caustic Drain Cleaners

Caustic drain cleaners, on the other hand, combine alkaline chemicals and hydroxide ions to produce heat. The heat helps to transform the clog into a soap-like substance that can be washed away.

These cleaners may loosen and dislodge clogs, but not always. If they don’t break down the clog, then what you have is a worse situation. In addition to the clog, you now have toxic chemicals producing gas and heat in your pipes. As any Bedford, TX, drain cleaning service can tell you, that’s not good for your plumbing system.

Are Drain Cleaners Bad for Your Pipes?

Chemical drain cleaners can harm your pipes. The risk of damage increases the more frequently you use these products and if they become blocked by the drain clog and sit in your pipes for a long period of time. These chemicals are powerful enough to make heat. They aren’t something you want hanging around in your drains. The caustic chemicals contained in these products can damage your pipes to cause more serious trouble than the initial clog.

Drain Cleaners Are Dangerous

Each year, thousands of people suffer an injury related to drain cleaner use. Many people are surprised when the chemicals splash back up onto their skin. These chemicals can cause serious irritations. It’s a medical emergency if the chemicals splash into a person’s eyes. Certainly, these products aren’t good for your drains, but they’re definitely unsafe substances to have around the home. Of course, they are potentially fatal if inhaled or ingested. Therefore, they must be kept out of the way of children and pets.

Drain Cleaning Service: A Safer Way to Clear Clogs

If you have a clogged drain at your home, it’s a better option to call Tioga Plumbing & Electric for professional drain cleaning than to use a commercial drain cleaner. First of all, while you might think that the clog is caused by food debris or grease, it could actually be a section of collapsed pipe. In that case, a drain cleaner certainly won’t clear up the problem and will only make the situation worse and more difficult for your plumber to contend with.

Drain cleaning experts like Tioga Plumbing & Electric rely on specialized equipment to perform drain cleaning tasks. This equipment is safe for your plumbing system. For instance, in many cases, your drain cleaning service will simply run a snake, like a long cable, through the pipes to push through the clog. Once the clog is loosened, the material can be flushed out of the plumbing system and into the sewer system. Snaking a drain is a highly effective drain-cleaning method.

On the other hand, if your household has experienced numerous clogs, your plumber might opt for hydro jetting instead. Hydro jetting equipment sends powerful jets of water through the plumbing system to dislodge clogs and any debris that might be hanging out in your pipes. Using water to blast away debris is also safe and effective.

Are Any DIY Methods Safe to Clear Clogs?

At Tioga Plumbing & Electric, we understand why many individuals might prefer to clear their drain clog on their own and save money instead of calling our drain cleaning service. There are a few things that people can try rather than use a caustic chemical cleaner to eliminate the clog. First, you can try to use a plunger to plunge the drain. However, don’t attempt this if you’ve already dumped drain cleaner into the drain. The chemicals could splash upon you.

Using a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar might also loosen a clog, but this option might have better luck with a slow drain. In any case, if these two methods don’t do the trick, it’s better to call our drain cleaning service. If you make any other attempts like running a router into the drain, you could risk doing damage to your pipes. Professional plumbers have the training needed to operate plumbing tools and equipment safely.

Drain Cleaning Service from Tioga Plumbing & Electric

You can rely on Tioga Plumbing & Electric if you need a drain cleaning service. Our plumbers are licensed and experienced. They have the expertise needed to clear even the most stubborn clogs. They are also adept at diagnosing plumbing problems and making plumbing repairs. Our plumbers bring everything needed to provide the services you’re looking for.

If you live in or near Bedford, TX, and need drain cleaning service at your home or business, you can rely on the skilled plumbers of Tioga Plumbing & Electric. If you have a plumbing emergency such as backing up drains, we can send a plumber to your location right away. Tioga Plumbing & Electric also feature electrical solutions in addition to our full range of plumbing services.

Photo By