Dealing with a clogged drain?

Having a clogged drain can range from a minor inconvenience to a major, and costly problem. A clogged sink drain is usually a minor inconvenience that most homeowners can fix on their own. A clogged sewer drain can be a major problem, leading to expensive repairs to your home, and to the sewer pipe itself. When a homeowner is experiencing a slow or clogged drain, it is important that they remedy the problem before water backs-ups and causes major damage. Unfortunately, many homeowners attempt to fix a clogged or slow drain by using a chemical drain cleaner. Homeowners should avoid using chemical drain cleaning solutions to unclog their drains for several reasons.

First, chemical drain cleaning solutions are ineffective in cleaning the entire drain. When a drain is clogged, the entire circumference of the pipe is blocked with debris. A chemical drain cleaning solution flows down the bottom of the pipe, only clearing a small path that water can flow through. Because such a small area is cleared, the drain is likely to clog again soon.

Another problem with chemical drain cleaning solutions is that they are ineffective in breaking-down debris and sediment. Chemical drain cleaning solutions break-down organic material, like toilet paper and sewage, but these solutions are ineffective in breaking-down mineral deposits and debris. This means that obstructions will remain in the drain, and another clog can form soon.

Another problem with chemical drain cleaning solutions is that they are harmful to the environment. The caustic chemicals in chemical drain cleaning solutions will eventually end up in the groundwater, a river, or a lake. These chemicals can be harmful to fish and wildlife, and can pollute drinking water.

There are many reasons to not use chemical drain cleaning solutions to unclog your drain. Chemical drain cleaning solutions are ineffective at cleaning the entire circumference of your drain, they do not break-down all obstructions, they do not clear out debris, and they are harmful to the environment. Next time your drain is clogged, look for a better way to unclog it than through the use of a chemical drain cleaning solution.

Dealing with a clogged drain in the Naperville area? Contact Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc. at (630) 577-9241 or (815) 609-1859 and schedule a service call today!