Liquid Drain Cleaners: The Good, Bad, & Ugly

Drain Cleaning in a Bottle

Liquid drain cleaners are a popular choice among homeowners for many reasons. They're easy to use, mess-free, and relatively inexpensive, but most of all, they're convenient. The marketing ploys of all liquid drain cleaners are geared toward a convenient and hassle-free experience with a quick and simple fix. But if it's the golden solution to all slow drains, why does it seem like every plumber has something negative to say about it?

If it's the golden solution to all slow drains, why does it seem like every plumber has something negative to say about it?

To understand, you'll need to learn more about how they work.

Liquid Drain Cleaner is A Corrosive Chemical

A liquid drain cleaner contains corrosive chemicals and/or acids that can eat through whatever is clogging your drain. It dissolves the solids into liquids and allows them to continue down the drain into the septic or sewer system. If you've ever used a liquid drain cleaner, you know it doesn't take long for them to work their magic and resolve the issue. Knowing that it has to be corrosive enough to eat through something so quickly shows us how potent these mixtures can be.

It Eats Away At EVERYTHING

This is where the problem starts- as the chemicals are eating away a simple clog, they are also busy eating away at the inside of your drain pipes. That's why most liquid plumbers recommend running plenty of water through the lines after use - the chemicals can eat right through your pipes if they aren't thoroughly rinsed away. The damage caused during the first incident is usually minimal as long as all the chemicals are rinsed away. But after several uses, pipes wear away and start to leak.

It's Toxic and Damaging

When a plumber arrives to repair a leak, they come prepared to replace that area of pipe that is leaking, and maybe check for other troubling spots to prevent leaks in other areas of the home with similar problems. Liquid drain cleaners, however, are not only toxic and potentially harmful to the plumber when they cut open the pipe, they're also deceptive. Lines may not look thin from the outside, but turn out to be so brittle that a simple repair is impossible. We like to be the hero, so delivering this kind of news is one of our least favorite parts of the job.

The Repairs Are More Costly

Redoing whole drain systems is a common result of using liquid drain cleaners, and while we appreciate the work, we'd prefer it be under different circumstances. If you're looking for another reason to avoid chemical drain cleaners, think about how long they sit in your septic without getting cleared out. Even though they are diluted, using them often enough will cause damage to the septic system of your home.

You're Better Off Without Liquid Drain Cleaners

The key takeaway is this: If you're looking to take care of these clogs on your own to save time and money, invest in a closet auger or a really nice plunger. These are much better for your pipes, last longer than chemical cleaners, and they're better for sewer and septic systems.

If you're looking to take care of these clogs on your own to save time and money, invest in a closet auger or a really nice plunger.