Got a Clogged Drain?

One of the most common issues that homeowners have to deal with from time to time is a clogged drain. When this happens, most people tend to reach straight for a powerful, fast-acting drain cleaning chemical from their local hardware store. While this may be a functional solution for you, there are plenty of reasons why you may want to reach for a plunger or drain snake before you go for a drain cleaner.

One of the biggest reasons why many plumbers discourage using drain cleaning chemicals is the damage they can do to pipes and fixtures. Many drain cleaners advertise that they won’t damage pipes, but you have to look closely at the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure this is true for your pipes. Certain materials used in pipes and fixtures react harshly with drain cleaners, or there may be other chemicals in the pipes that can cause chemical reactions.