Have a clogged drain? And you want it to be cleared immediately, so you can move on with your life?

There are multiple options available, but unfortunately not all options are GOOD options.  In this article, we'll talk about the option of using off the shelf drain cleaners. In your local supermarket there are several available popular options to choose from.

What you should know about these products is that depending on the type of clog you have they don't always work. Additionally, the types of chemicals used in these products are caustic and can cause injury, even death, and can damage your plumbing systems.

Toilets: Most definitely you never, EVER want to use these products to clear a clogged toilet. Most modern toilets are made of porcelain. The chemicals in liquid drain cleaners will seep into the porcelain fixture and cause discoloration, or worse, cracks, which can lead to even more expensive repairs (replacing the entire toilet and possibly the connecting pipes). There have been extreme cases when liquid drain cleaners have been left in toilets for a long period of time and severe chemical reactions have happened, creating damage to the toilet fixture, sewer line, floors and even walls of the bathroom.

Bathtub & Bathroom and Kitchen Sinks: The same rules apply regarding the porcelain in your sink or tub, if they are made of porcelain, liquid drain cleaners can discolor or damage them. Some sinks are made of stainless steel, and liquid drain cleaners can damage or discolor this type of material as well.

Pipes: The major concern about using liquid drain cleaner however is the possible damage it can cause to your drain pipes.  There is the very real potential that the pipes can be severely damaged.  Most houses built in the last 30 years use plastic pipes for their drain systems. The chemicals in commercial drain cleaners can destroy these types of pipes, again resulting in thousands of dollars in damage to your drain system.  Even if your house uses the old fashioned type steel pipes, the corrosive chemicals in over the counter drain cleaners can eat through these types of pipes as well, if the clog is not cleared and the chemicals are allowed to sit in the pipe for an extended period of time.

The reality is that clogs are caused by many different factors. In the kitchen, usually the culprit is food particles and grease that get lodged in the trap (the curved upwards pipe under the counter). Often this can be cleared by a plunger, but in the case of a clog that won't budge, don't risk damage to your sink, your pipes or your garbage disposal by using corrosive chemicals, it's best to reach out to a professional plumber.

In the bathroom, the sink and tub are most usually clogged by hair, skin tissue and oils from the body, and shampoo & soap residue. Again, don't risk damage to your sink or tub or tile and the pipes they connect to by using the chemicals in over the counter drain cleaners. If the clog cannot be cleared by the use of a plunger, call a plumbing professional.

Lastly, toilets clog for all kinds of reasons. People flush all kinds of materials down the toilet that they were never designed for. In most cases, drain cleaning products were not designed to dissolve things such as feminine products, used q-tips, food waste, paper towels, and other items that people purposely or accidentally try to flush down the toilet. Most especially in the case of toilets, if the clog cannot be cleared by a plunger, call a plumber. Doing so can save you not only aggravation, but potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.

For a free consultation about your plumbing problem, including clogged drains, call the pros at Expert Plumbing & Rooter today! 

Our number is (818) 938-1002. We will give you straight talk about the available solutions for your plumbing issue, and we are available 24/7. Call us Now!

How to Hire the Best Plumbing Company for Drain Cleaning service

If you want to maintain the comfort and convenience of your home, you need to ensure you hire a drain cleaning professional. The first and the foremost point to emphasize is to ensure that the drains are kept clean. Hence, you require hiring the services of the best Drain Cleaning service providers. The information below will give you the necessary guidance for choosing a reliable and drain cleaning company.

Does the provider have the necessary equipment and tools to produce the best drain cleaning service?

As hair and toilet paper start to clog in your homes pipes which is sometimes left in your pipes for years, there develops the problem and a very strong clog in your pipes. This debris turns hard and difficult to remove and hence, usage of modern drain cleaning tools and equipment turns unavoidable in the course of unclogging these drains. Thus, before you hire a plumbing company, check whether the provider has the necessary equipment and tools to produce the most effective drain cleaning jobs.

What about the types of chemicals that the plumbing company uses for cleaning the drains?

Cleaning of drains and pipes will sometimes involve the application of various types of chemicals. It stands out of the scope of debate that usage of such chemicals can trigger adverse effects on the health of the homeowners. Hence, it is important that you discuss with your plumbing company about the different types of chemicals that will be used during the drain cleaning process. The top service providers use cleaners that are made for residential homes. But truth be told, most if not all professional plumbing companies avoid chemicals in drains and use either a snake or hydro jetting equipment to unclog these drains and pipes.


What about the reputation of the plumbing company?

It is important that you use drain cleaning services from a well reviewed plumbing company. The reputation and reviews of the plumbing company is the best and most realistic evidence about their work and performance. It is because a top professional plumbing company only gets a good reputation after they deliver above satisfactory services for years consistently.

What about the services fees payable to the service provider?

Another major point of consideration is about the service fees payable to the plumbing company. You should shop around for quotes and finalize the deal with the provider that is offering the best services at the modest rates. However, you should ensure that you are not compromising on the aspect of service quality to save some insignificant amount. Remember, you should never ever avail the services of those providers that offer a surprisingly low quote as it might indicate towards inferior service quality.

Before you hire the services of a provider of Drain Cleaning service, ensure that you consider the points suggested above. It will enable you to select a worthy provider that can get you the most effective cleaning at the most inexpensive rates. Remember, if you have to live a happy and healthy life, you cannot compromise on the aspect of cleanliness, health, and hygiene. With that said, it turns inevitable that you always use the services from the most reliable and honest provider that can offer you the best value for your money.