Television advertising makes using chemical drain cleaners seem like the best option for a kitchen sink that is clogged or draining too slowly. But those ads are leaving out some pretty important information that could change the way you feel about purchasing these chemicals for use in your home.

Repeated use of chemical drain cleaners can cause corrosion and pipe damage

The same chemicals used to dissolve clogs and residue on the inside of your pipes can actually begin to dissolve some types of plumbing pipe materials, as well. This is especially true when the chemical drain cleaner is frequently used or when the clog is particularly stubborn, and the chemicals are allowed to remain inside the pipes for too long. Even worse, if you are renting your home, you may be financially responsible for any damage you may have caused to the plumbing system.

Frequent need for chemical drain cleaners is the symptom of a much bigger problem

A kitchen drain that acts up frequently is just exhibiting a symptom of a larger, underlying plumbing issue. While tossing in more chemical drain cleaners may temporarily allow the drain to resume functioning on some level, this type of temporary fix is not addressing the real problem. In fact, it is probably making it worse. 

When a drain runs slowly or becomes clogged on a frequent basis, it often means that the interior of the drain pipe has a thick layer of grease, food particles, and packed on residue that is constricting the flow. Adding a chemical drain cleaner will only clear a small passage through the clog. As soon as the small opening is cleared and the water drains from the sink, the chemicals are also flushed through, making them completely ineffective at dealing with the hardened gunk that is choking your plumbing pipes. As soon as the small opening is again clogged, the drain will stop working again. 

Removing the complete clog is the only real cure for recurring drain problems

Any real cure for slow drains must include removing the buildup of hardened residue that forms a varnish-like coating inside your pipes. Depending on the size of the clog, its makeup, and the length of time it has been allowed to harden inside the pipes, options for removing the total clog can include using a tool called a plumber's snake to rout out the clog and reopen the line, using pressurized water to blast the clog, or dismantling the pipes and cleaning or replacing them. 

For more specific solutions to your slow running drain problems, call a reputable sewer cleaning service in your area. These professionals will help you eliminate messy clogs and remove dangerous drain cleaning chemicals from your life for good.   

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