The frustration that homeowners do feel regarding unexpected clogged or slow-moving drains is on another level. So, it’s natural to reach for a quick solution, such as liquid plumbers, to solve your problems. But repeated use of liquid plumber on drains that clog often can deteriorate your pipes while causing damage in the long run.
If unknowingly your plumber uses an industrial cleaner in the gutter, the chemical might interact, causing an explosion or releases dangerous fumes.
After using the liquid plumbers for a while and still experiences issues in the same drains, ditch them and call in the professional plumber instead. Liquids are safe for occasional use to make your drain flow freely again. Normally it takes fifteen minutes to restore your drains; it’s a simple clog like soap scum and residue in the gutter. Always scrutinize the safety measures on the container and never mix them with other ingredients. Indeed, liquid plumbers are corrosive and can cause injury if it’s not handled properly.
How Do Liquid Plumbers Work?
Generally, liquid plumbers come in many formulas meant to attack certain kinds of clogs. Almost all of them contain lye (sodium hydroxide) and bleach (sodium chloride). Both chemicals work together to compose a chemical reaction that releases heat. The heat has the capacity to dissolves grease and organic matter; on the other hand, bleach eats through soap scum and hair. Different formulas also have peroxide to create a foaming action that coats the pipes and removes residues.
Is It Safe To Leave Drain Cleaner Overnight?
The product is safe for pipes, and if need be, then you can leave them overnight. In extremely slow-draining or completely clogged drains, pour in the contents of the full bottle. Wait for fifteen minutes and thirty minutes for a complete clog. When dealing with a tougher blockage, you can leave overnight. Later on, flush with hot water and enjoy free-flowing drainers.
When there is an object in the drain, the problem will come back as gunk from wastewater building up around it. In this case, you will require a skilled plumber to remove the object from the drain. Note that the drain cleaners are only safe for occasional use to get your gutters to work again. It should not be a routine since you might end up paying money in the long run to replace your plumbing system pipes.
Why Can You Not Use A Liquid Plumber In The Toilet?
Even liquid plumber has its limitation just like other products in the market. The major reason why it’s not advisable for someone to use a liquid plumber in the toilet is that the lavatories have a big wax ring that seals it to the drain pipe. When the liquid is used, it eats away at that wax ring.
Afterward, nearly half the water will go down the pipe every time you flush, while the other half will leak out across the floor from under your toilet’s base. If you have a clog, try using a plunger to dislodge it. If this method doesn’t work, call your nearest plumber. A liquid plumber is too risky and messy when used in the toilet.
Can Liquid Plumber Harm Your Pipes?
The liquid plumber is made of toxic and powerful chemicals designed to eat away clogs, which can end up damaging your plastic or metal pipes. In various cases, the occasional use of a liquid plumber will not cause any problems with your lines. But frequent use will likely bring such issues at one point. Please note that you should avoid using these liquids in your toilet. It can crack the porcelain bowl, or concoction could explode at the end of your pipes.
What Do Plumbers Use To Unclog Drains?
Plumbers are often subjected to more than one method or a combination of more techniques to unclog a drain. To do all these, plumbers use specialty tools suitable for specific purposes to complete their work. Common tools used regularly by plumbers include plungers, drain sticks, hand augers and sewers, bladders, and chemical drain cleaners. The process is quite messy, and it is good to equip yourself with a bucket, clothes, and a sponge close at hand.
Plungers
This is also known as a plumber’s helper. The tool is commonly used for an opening sink, tub, shower, and toilets. A plunger is very useful on clogs in the trap area of the drain line. Here the bell or cup combined with a plunging action invents suction in the pipe to dislodge a clog. More force is applied when the cup is deeper on a plunger or has bellows or accordion design.
For sinks, a plunger with a flat cup is more suitable. While those with funnel or cone extending from the bottom of the cup are more effective on toilets.
Drain Sticks
It’s a flexible rod or strap that looks like a tool that you insert into the drain of a sink, shower, or tub to remove hair. The device is perfect for a clog in p-traps but isn’t long enough to reach deeper in the drain line. Press it into the pipe and pull it back out; by doing so, the hooks on the stick catch on the clog, enabling you to pull out the material. There are reusable drain sticks, but other manufacturers stipulate a single-use only due to their sharp edges; so, they caution you not to clean or reuse. You can also purchase packaged chemical drain cleaners that come with a drain stick.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
These are pretty easy for plumbers to use, and you can do it yourself too. It would be best if you poured into the clogged sink, tub, or shower these chemical treatments. Even though they are heavier than water, they drop through standing water to get into the drain, eventually reaching the clog. Another product with foaming action fills the pipe to enables the product to contact and attack the clog.
If properly used, chemical drain cleaners will soften and break up a clog caused by buildup hair, enabling you to rinse the blockage away. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage and safety measures.
Bladders
A bladder uses a stream of water to break up the clog. It’s perfect for in-house plumbing or a sewer main for clogs at least six inches from the interject point. Plumbers would need helpers with this tool. First, you attached it to a garden hose and then fed it into the pipe you have to clear. To twist a hose while working with this, too, turn it to tighten in the bladder coupling rather than disconnecting when it becomes loose.
Bladders come in various sizes to fit different pipe diameters. Take the bladder fills with water and expands to lodge tightly in the pipe. When it is full, it discharges the water in the high-pressure stream to loosen the clog.
Hand Augers And Sewer Rods
A hand auger is also known as a plumbing snake or plumbing auger, which is very useful in in-house plumbing. The tool is fit for clearing clogs past p-trap in sinks, showers, tubs. It has an elastic cable with a handle on one end and the other side a sharp coiled head. While rotating the line and pushing it through the pipe, it bends to sail turns.
Waste found inside, such as paper, hair is wind into the head, enabling you to remove it when you pull out. When making the purchase, pay attention to the auger or sewer. More length means you can reach out on clogs deeper in the drain line.
What Do You Do If A Liquid Plumber Doesn’t Work?
There is a possibility that the liquid plumber will not work because of broken pipes or troubles in the sewer line. So, dumping chemicals down the drain won’t fix these problems at all. Reach out to a plumber around your location to check your plumbing system if there any concern that needs quick attention.
You can also try using other tools like drain sticks, hand augers, sewer rods, plungers, chemical drain cleaners, and bladders to unclog your drain line. For minor clogs, use baking soda and vinegar to fix them; if all of these fail, consider calling in the plumber.
What Is The Best Drain Unblocker?
There are several drain cleaners available in the market nowadays. Here are some of the brands you can consider:
1. Drano Max Gel Clog Remover
2. Pequa Drain Opener, best for shower
3. Rockwell Invade Bio Drain Gel suitable for sink
4. Bio-Clean Drain Septic
Final Word
A liquid plumber is one of the best methods to clogged minor problems in our homes, especially if it’s an emergency case and it’s urgent. The problem here is how these drain cleaners have been misused over a long period and at the same time charged for their harsh result. They are designed to solve plumbing problems occasionally but not permanently. Repeat use of such overtime might result in dare consequences like pipe breakage and leakages etc. Check safety measures first before using them.
