The Pros and Cons of Chemical Drain Cleaners

There are various drain cleaners you can try if you notice that one of the drains in your home is not working as well as it once did. If the water takes a long time to go down, it’s likely a blockage of some kind has formed. Chemical drain cleaners are one way to go if this happens.  

To do a drain unblock, Windsor homeowners, you can try a store-bought chemical drain cleaner before resorting to more costly measures. Let’s take a moment to talk about some of the pros and cons if you go in this direction.

Chemical Drain Cleaners Don’t Usually Cost All That Much

The relative cost of a chemical drain cleaner you buy on Amazon or in a hardware store as compared to some other solutions is one of the main reasons you might choose this option.

Usually, a bottle of chemical drain cleaner will cost anywhere from $5-$10.

You can buy larger ones at Costco or similar stores for a little more. You might also go with a more heavy-duty one if the regular kind doesn’t seem to be getting the job done. A chemical drain cleaner you buy in a store is almost always cheaper than hiring a plumber, though.

They Work Quickly

If you buy a chemical drain cleaner and pour it slowly down the drain, then flush out the pipes with hot water a few minutes later, as the directions indicate you should do, you will probably see the results immediately if it worked. When you run the water after the cleaner has done its job, you should see a real difference.

They Can Injure You if They Touch Your Skin

Now, on to the not-so-great qualities of chemical, store-bought drain cleaners. First, they can give you a nasty burn or irritate your bare skin if they come in contact with it. If you’re going to use one, you should probably wear gloves. Dishwashing gloves will do the job.

If you’re pouring the cleaner into the drain, you should also do it slowly and steadily. If you pour it in haphazardly, it might splash and get on your forearms or even your face if you’re trying to get it all down at the same time.

They Don’t Always Work

Also, there’s the undeniable fact that they don’t always work. If you have a clog that formed out of grime, dirt, or hair, it’s likely the chemical cleaner will break through that. If the regular one doesn’t do it, a heavy-duty one will.

However, maybe you have something more serious going on with your pipes. A more substantial blockage might be resistant to the harsh chemicals that make up most of the composition of one of these cleaners.

Since this option doesn’t cost much, it probably makes sense to turn to it if flushing the pipes with boiling water or natural cleaners doesn’t work. If the chemical cleaner doesn’t have the desired effects, you might need to go to something more drastic.