When a drain gets stopped up, many homeowners reach for the convenient bottles of chemical drain cleaner that are so plentiful in supermarket and hardware stores. However, not many homeowners realize that these chemical drain cleaning solutions can do more harm than good.
Know the facts:
- Drain cleaners contain sodium hydroxide, which is a caustic chemical that can cause serious bodily harm. If inhaled, the fumes can burn the lungs. If ingested, it can burn the lining of the throat. If splashed into the face, it can burn the eyes. When splashed on the skin, it can cause chemical burns.
- Drain cleaners are dangerous to family pets. If the dog or cat is accustomed to drinking from the sink, tub, or toilet where the drain cleaner is being used, the pet could suffer serious harm or even death by ingesting the chemicals.
- The chemicals in commercial drain cleaners can damage some types of pipes. If you do not know what type of material the plumbing system in your home is composed of, take extreme care in pouring any chemical solutions down the drain. Damaged pipes could leak, resulting in extensive and expensive repair requirements.
Professional plumbers can inspect your plumbing system to determine what type of material used and then use the appropriate solution or tool to dispel the clog. Plumbers also take the necessary safety precautions to guard against injury from chemical solutions. Natural methods, such as using an auger to clean the drain, are another option that our Durham plumbers have at their disposal.
At Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham, our expert plumbers can unclog stopped up drains and perform pipe repairs when chemicals have caused damage. Our professional plumbers work efficiently and effectively to solve your most urgent plumbing repair needs in a safe and natural manner. Call us today at 919-408-7200 for plumbing service and information that you can trust.
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