Should You Use a Drain Cleaning Chemical?

Every homeowner has experienced the annoyance of dealing with a clogged sink, shower, or tub at least once in their life. Unfortunately, it seems like no matter how well you protect the drains in your home, something always manages to clog them up over time. Many plumbers will encourage you to use a drain snake or a plunger instead of a commercial clog-clearing chemical. Why is that?

There are plenty of reasons. Perhaps the most common is that these harsh chemicals can corrode or dissolve certain types of pipes and fixtures, which can be much more expensive to fix than a clogged drain. Another reason has to do with septic tanks – these rely on beneficial bacteria to break down the contents of the tank, and drain cleaners can kill these bacteria. While there are other reasons, this should give you plenty of reason to check out the manufacturer’s information on a drain cleaning product before pouring it down your drain.