When a sink or tub drains slowly, many Riverside County homeowners reach for a bottle of liquid drain cleaner. It seems like a cheap, easy fix, but those harsh chemicals can actually cause more harm than good. In fact, using them can lead to expensive plumbing repair needs that could have been easily avoided.

At Davis Plumbing, we’ve seen the damage these products can do. Here is why you should keep the chemicals away from your pipes.

1. They Can Melt or Corrode Your Pipes

Chemical drain cleaners work by generating intense heat (a caustic reaction) to dissolve hair and grease. This heat is often enough to soften or even melt PVC pipes. If you have an older 951 home with metal pipes, the chemicals can eat through the iron or copper, leading to hidden leaks and eventual slab leaks.

2. They Kill Your Septic System

If your home relies on a septic system design, those chemicals are even more dangerous. They don’t stop at the clog; they travel down into your tank and kill the beneficial bacteria needed to break down waste. This can lead to solid buildup, foul odors, and the need for a premature septic tank inspection or pumping.

3. They Rarely Clear the Whole Clog

Most liquid cleaners only burn a small hole through the blockage, leaving the rest of the debris behind. This creates a “sticky” surface that catches more hair and soap scum, leading to a much tougher clog just a few weeks later. Methods like hydro-jetting or professional snaking are the only ways to restore full flow.

4. Safety Risks to You and Your Plumber

These chemicals are highly toxic and can cause severe burns to your skin and eyes. Furthermore, if you use a chemical cleaner and it doesn’t work, you’re left with a sink full of “acid water.” This makes it much more dangerous for a technician to perform a septic service near me or a standard drain cleaning.

Safe, Professional Drain Clearing

Don’t risk your plumbing for a temporary fix. Davis Plumbing uses safe, mechanical methods to clear clogs and protect your pipes. Whether you need a simple snaking or a high-tech sewer camera inspection to find the root of the problem, we’ve got you covered throughout the 951.

Call Davis Plumbing at (951) 657-0393 for a safe and permanent solution to your drain problems!