The Pros and Cons of Using Liquid Drain Cleaners

Most homeowners tend to grab liquid drain cleaners when they see their drains clogged up, and we can’t blame them! After all, these products are incredibly convenient to use, and you can easily buy them in markets, both online and offline. It’s a relatively quick and cheap way to drain cleaning in CT.

However, you could be pouring these products down the sink when the problem the whole time is broken pipes. It’s safe to say that liquid drain cleaners have pros and cons, and we’ll discuss them in this article.

The Pros of Liquid Drain Cleaners

Fixing clogged drains is as easy as pouring a liquid solution down the sink. Here are the benefits of using liquid drain cleaners:

They’re Cheap 

Liquid drain cleaning products are more cost-efficient than hiring a professional plumber. They help you address clogged drains for as low as $5. And best of all, you can get them in grocery stores, hardware stores, etc.

Guaranteed Quick and Easy Fix

Using a liquid drain cleaner saves you a lot of time dealing with plumbing issues. It helps you remove all clogs and back-ups as fast as a few minutes. 

Works Well on Specific Types of Clogs

Although companies advertise drain cleaners as flexible, they aren’t. Not all work on all clogs. You can’t just grab any drain cleaning product from your shelf, pour its content down your drains, and expect it to remove all debris, sediments, and other build-ups. Remember, there are various drain cleaners. So, you must know which to use depending on the clog.

For instance, an enzymatic drain cleaner works best for soft clogs like bundled hair and paper. Meanwhile, acidic formulas work best for back-ups caused by grease, food scraps, or soap scum. Finally, acidic drain cleaning products are best for heavy-duty clogs.

The Cons of Liquid Drain Cleaners 

Using liquid drain cleaners isn’t always the best choice. Here are some of the cons of using this solution:

Damage Your Sink, Pipe, or Septic Tank

Before buying a drain cleaner, don’t forget to check its label first. Avoid using formulas with dangerous chemicals damaging your sink, especially if it’s made of porcelain or enamel. These can be strong enough to corrode your pipes while killing helpful bacteria living in your septic system.

Most Aren’t Environmentally-Friendly

We all know that most liquid drain cleaning products contain potent and toxic chemicals. So, it’s unsurprising that some can be incredibly harmful to the environment. And some are also known to be dangerous to water supplies. Therefore, ensure the liquid drain cleaner you’re using is environmentally-friend and free of these toxic chemicals. 

If not, you can always make a homemade drain cleaner.

They Won’t Work on All Clogs

Although liquid drain cleaners are meant to be flexible, not all will work on all clogs. So, don’t get surprised once you see some clogs reappear even after pouring a highly-concentrated solution down your drain. When this happens, it’s best to work with a pro to address the root cause of the problem.

The Bottom Line

Liquid drain cleaners undoubtedly help remove clogs in drains. But if the issue persists even after pouring a whole bottle of 

the solution, some more severe problems may emerge from underneath. When this happens, it’s best to work with a professional plumber who can employ various practical methods to ensure your drains are clog-free.