Many San Diego homeowners call us only when there’s a plumbing emergency. When faced with something less pressing, like a simple clog, many homeowners bust out their DIY drain cleaning kit and take a shot at the nasty clog themselves. Though more often than not, even the most DIY-savvy homeowners turn to a professional San Diego drain cleaning service when the clog refuses to go away. Their most common weapon in this situation is your average drain cleaner. But did you know that these products contain acidic chemicals that could cause irreparable damage to your pipes? Naturally, not all products are based on the same chemicals and some are certainly more dangerous than others. There are tons of different brands and types stacked on the shelves of every local market, and come in the form of a gel, powder or liquid. But one thing they all have in common is that they are extremely dangerous, not just to your plumbing and your health but to the environment as well.
What Makes Average Cleaners So Dangerous?
These products rely on a chemical reaction that generates heat to dissolve the clog. The main ingredients in most of these cleaners is lye, a liquid metal hydroxide derived from leaching ashes from potassium carbonate, or potash. Under high temperatures these chemicals alter the clog’s structure, making it more liquefied and easier to dissolve. Other products rely on nitrates or bleaches to corrode the blockade. While effective in most cases, these chemicals burn not only through the clog but the PVC or steel pipes as well. Furthermore, these products often produce gases that can be harmful if inhaled. These products are dangerous if they come in contact with your skin or eyes. Look at the label more carefully and you’ll see tons and tons of warning signs. If you plan on using these, be sure to wear protective gear like goggles and gloves. If you come in contact with these chemicals, contact a doctor immediately. But most importantly, keep these products away from children!
How Do They Harm The Environment?
The plumbing in your home is a part of a much larger plumbing system that spans large areas. So whatever you flush down your drain permeates this vast system. Not only that; the small amounts of the chemical left at the bottom of the bottle you dispose of can hurt the environment as it becomes a part of a landfill.
But how should I get rid of clogs without them, you ask?
The best way of course is to make sure the clog never forms in the first place. Be mindful of how you use your plumbing system, don’t treat it like a trash can. Don’t flush large chunks of food or grease down the drain expecting them to go away. But if the clog does form, you can still clean the drain yourself, just be sure to use bio-degradable, eco-friendly products. Still, some clogs are just too much for a homeowner to handle.
Seek Help from an Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaning San Diego Service!
We offer a wide variety of equally effective drain cleaning products that provide a safe, green alternative to common drain cleaners. They use completely different methods like bacteria that eat through the clogs. We use these cleaners because we believe in saving the environment.