Chemical Drain Cleaners…PLEASE Be Careful!!

Chemical Drain Cleaners…PLEASE Be Careful!!

Just last week one of our RooterPLUS! drain cleaning specialists was sent to a clogged bathroom sink in Atlanta. Our technician arrived and smelled what he thought was some sort of chemical drain cleaning product. When he asked the homeowner if she had attempted to clear the blockage herself, she said, "No." Our technician proceeded to diagnose the blockage and remove the trap under the sink. Upon doing so, he was inhaling what turned out later to be about two full bottles of two different chemical drain cleaning products that had been used in the past 4 hours by her husband. He then spent the next 30 minutes vomiting in the street by his truck. So… the message here is there is inherent danger in using chemical drain cleaners and knowledge is power.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners use extremely corrosive chemicals to clean drains. These chemicals "eat" through materials such as hair, soap, grease, etc. These drain cleaners can be harmful and require careful handling and storage. Some ingredients commonly found in these drain cleaners include sulfuric acid and lye. The chemical reaction caused by these chemical drain cleaners dissolves the materials that clog pipes and hinder proper drainage. These chemicals can be dangerous as they are generally skin irritants and can cause serious burns or blindness. The toxic vapors from some of these chemical drain cleaners can also be harmful.
Chemical drain cleaners when used regularly can corrode or damage the plumbing connected to the drains. Additionally, chemical drain cleaners in high enough concentrations can harm the microbial bacteria necessary to help maintain septic systems.
Further, the use of chemical drain cleaners can be harmful to the environment as these toxic chemicals are flushed through the drainage system and eventually into the ground or well water.

Chemical Drain Cleaner Precautions

A chemical drain cleaner, if used without caution, can be hazardous to the operator. Handling a chemical drain cleaner with safety in mind will guarantee you can complete your task without getting hurt.
When using the drain cleaner make sure you never come in physical contact with the chemicals. It is highly suggested the user wear a pair of rubber gloves and protective goggles in case any chemicals splash out of the drain. After the operation, be sure to avoid the drain area as chemicals are likely to bubble up, which releases harmful fumes and liquids.
You should never use a chemical drain cleaner on a garbage disposal. The chemicals can linger in the garbage disposal after the work was done on the drain. If someone decided to turn on the disposal, chemicals could splash and cause bodily harm.
While operating with chemical drain cleaners, be sure to avoid using a plunger. Plungers have the potential to pull up the used chemicals which could spill on the operator. This applies both during and after using chemical drain cleaner.
It is very important not to mix different types of drain cleaner. Mixing chemicals can be a dangerous concoction especially if you mix an alkali cleaner and an acid cleaner together. The mixture has the potential to be explosive.
Do not use chemical drain cleaner on a completely clogged drain. The chemicals will remain on top of the clog and further increase the difficulty of removing the clog.

In conclusion, chemical drain cleaners can, if used properly and safely, clear some partial blockages. For all other problems, or if you would just rather have a professional do the job the right way, call us at RooterPLUS!, 770-888-1931, and we will take care of the problem for you.

Friendly and punctual

Jason has come to my house three times. Each time he was friendly, punctual, and very clear about the cost of repairs and what kind of work was required. At every step he kept me informed. Outstanding service. Would definitely call on Rooterplus again.

Chris S.

7/21/22

Came through for me I needed to service my septic tank prior to sodding my backyard. I called 2 other companies prior to RooterPLUS, Both showed up with equipment that couldn't do the job. With only a couple day window available, RooterPLUS came through for me the next morning with the right...

Came through for me

I needed to service my septic tank prior to sodding my backyard. I called 2 other companies prior to RooterPLUS, Both showed up with equipment that couldn't do the job. With only a couple day window available, RooterPLUS came through for me the next morning with the right equipment and a professional and pleasant crew.

Doc and Kory assessed the situation and got right to work. They knew exactly what to do and completed the task perfectly. They explained everything throughout the process and pointed out potential issues as they worked. Everything was done to my complete satisfaction and I'll definitely use RooterPLUS in the future for my septic tank needs.

Jim P.

9/7/21

Amazing Experience

From Customer service (Amanda) to plumber (Kurt) my experience was amazing! Thank you for helping me to solve my issue quickly and affordably. I will recommend this company to anyone needing a plumber in the future!

Laura A.

9/23/20

Neighborhood rockstars We had an issue in my neighborhood where a water main pipe burst, leaving a giant mess of a leak spewing into the street. We called numerous plumbing companies who all said they couldn't get out in a timely manner. RooterPlus! said no problem, we'll be out asap.Josh...

Neighborhood rockstars

We had an issue in my neighborhood where a water main pipe burst, leaving a giant mess of a leak spewing into the street. We called numerous plumbing companies who all said they couldn't get out in a timely manner. RooterPlus! said no problem, we'll be out asap.Josh came out, assessed the situation and said he had to go get some more supplies. He came back with the necessary supplies and got to work. And he worked and worked and worked from 6pm until 4:30 am! He had to call in reinforcements (Josh 2) and they worked hard as a team to repair the issue. Then they came back out only 5 hours later to put the finishing touches on the job.I think I speak for the entire neighborhood when we say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for being absolute rockstars and getting our neighborhood back up and running.

Matt S.

7/14/22

Contact Us Today!

770-888-1931