Do chemical drain cleaners really unclog blocked drains?
Chemical drain cleaners can be purchased at most supermarkets and hardware stores like Bunnings. Because drain chemicals are readily available and affordable, they are normally the first thing people try to unblock a toilet or clogged drain.
Blocked drains including blocked sewers, sinks and toilets can happen at any time and cause major inconvenience in your home or at your business premises. It’s no surprise that people want the problem fixed as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners may not be the best option when it comes to unblocking drains quickly and safely. Below are some things to consider before spending money on a chemical drain unblocker.
Types of chemical drain cleaners
You can buy a range of drain cleaning products from the supermarket in the form of gels, liquids and powders. They vary in terms of price and the time they take to work. Choosing the right drain cleaner can be a tedious task, particularly when all of the products use clever marketing, making bold statements about their efficacy. These drain cleaner products occasionally work on minor clogs caused by organic matter, but there are a number of important considerations to be taken into account before buying these products.
The best drain cleaners for unclogging drains and toilets depend on the type of clog
Don’t just grab any bottle of drain cleaner. Make sure you choose the right drain cleaning product for the job at hand. If you have a blocked toilet, for example, look for chemicals made specifically to unblock toilets. The chemicals that are designed to clear a build up of too much toilet paper, may not necessarily work on tough grease if you have a blocked sink in the kitchen. If you’re dealing with the latter, look for a sink and drain cleaner instead.
Some drain cleaners claim to be “all purpose”, but this normally isn’t the case. If you have a blockage in the main sewer line caused by tree roots or damaged pipes, no amount of drain cleaning products will fix the issue. For a blocked main sewer line it’s imperative to get in touch with an emergency plumber as soon as possible.
Most drain cleaning chemicals have bad online reviews
There is no better way to assess the potency of a drain cleaning product than by reading the reviews of customers who have already tried it. Mr muscle drain cleaner reviews and feedback on other popular products like Drain Clean and White Knight can be found here on Product Review. A quick look at these reviews suggest that you get what you pay for. While supermarket drain chemicals may be cheaper than a plumber, many customers complain that they don’t fix the problem. In fact, some reviews claim that drain cleaning chemicals made the problem worse. Customers end up paying more because they still need to call a plumber who to unblock the drain or toilet.
Drain cleaning chemicals are toxic and pose a health risk
Most drain cleaners that are available for consumer use are chemically based. They need to be handled with the utmost of care, so always wear gloves and protective gear. Keep them away from children and pets. Chemical drain cleaners come with a list of warnings and instructions on how to use them safely. Many people don’t bother reading these, leading to accidents. If it comes into contact with your skin, drain chemicals can burn or cause irritation. Even breathing in the toxic chemicals can be detrimental to your health. When you combine the dangers of using drain chemicals with the poor consumer reviews, ask yourself if it’s really worth the risk?
Chemical drain cleaners can damage your plumbing pipes
Because the chemicals are so strong and abrasive, if you live in an older house with old clay pipes, there is a risk of damage occurring. If the pipes are damaged, the results could be very expensive if a plumber needs to replace the pipes. Even modern PVC pipes can be damaged by drain chemicals if exposed for long enough. Long exposure often occurs when the pipe is completely blocked and the chemicals are unable to get past the clog. Instead, the chemicals sit in the pipes, gradually eating away at them.
Drain cleaning chemicals take a long time to work
These products may take a long time to start working, with some customer reviews stating that it’s taken two bottles over a 12 hour period to start seeing results. If you want the problem fixed fast, with the knowledge that it will be completely cleared, you may want to consider hiring a local plumber to do the job. If you only have one toilet in the home, for example, waiting 12 hours may not be a viable option. A plumber can clear most blocked toilets in under an hour.
How to avoid blocked drains in your Sydney home or business
Most drain blockages occur when items are washed down the sink or flushed down the toilet. Here are some ways to prevent blocked drains from occurring:
Don’t use excessive amounts of toilet paper - flush twice if necessary
Never flush nappies, wet-wipes or sanitary items down the toilet
Don’t pour fats, oil and grease down the sink
Make sure your children don’t flush toys or other objects down the toilet
Plant trees away from outside sewer and stormwater drains
When to call a local plumber in Sydney
Using a licensed plumber to unblock a clogged drain or toilet may be more expensive than supermarket drain cleaning products. However, you can rest assured that the blockage will be fixed properly and quickly.
JAB Plumbing Solutions are experts in the field and we are equipped with the latest drain clearing equipment. We have CCTV pipe inspection cameras to locate the blockage and determine the cause, and we have high-pressured jet blasters that can clear even the most stubborn blockages.
We pride ourselves on offering the most comprehensive, high-quality and affordable blocked drain solutions in Sydney. If you need help with a blocked drain in Sydney get in touch with our licensed plumbers today.
