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You are probably wondering how you will keep the drain pipes clean without Drano. There are many DIY solutions that can help you achieve the desired result. However, that is not what we are here to discuss. We want to make you aware about the damages that Drano causes to the plumbing system. It’s quite simple actually: the chemicals in Drano corrode the pipelines from the inside and cause perforations. This makes it difficult to detect the leaks until it is too late.

You will probably see the signs near the bathtub that will start backing up dirty water, overflowing water, leaving standing water on the floor, draining water slowly from the bathroom sink, and a number of other problems that are not visible on the surface. This is why it is important to call for a plumber in Crowley, TX instead of pouring down a cup of chemical cleaner down the sink.

The real questions worth asking is whether or not chemical drain cleaners are harmful.

The answer to this question is both yes and no.

Confused?

You see… there are hundreds of blogs online that talk about how harmful drain cleaners are. Next to them are those blogs that talk about water line repair in Crowley, TX. You will even find some blogs claiming that when Drano mixes with water, its temperature reaches to 200 degrees. With PVC pipes having a melting point of 176 degrees, you can imagine how the cleaner would work. However, what you are forgetting is that if this was the case, the companies that manufacture Drano and other chemical cleaners would have been sued by a number of people all over the world by now.

The purpose of this blog is to set people straight once and for all about how chemical drain cleaners work. So here’s what we are going to discuss:

• It is very unlikely that chemical cleaners will damage the pipes.
• If the chemical cleaners are misused, PVC pipes will get damaged.

While you are concerned about what chemical cleaners will do the pipes, you forget that they are harmful to you to. A few drops on your hand and you are looking at a number of surgeries, even amputation.

Types of Pipes Used in Homes

We have already established that if used correctly, chemical cleaners will not harm the plumbing system except if your home has copper drain lines, which are quite rare. The good news is that a professional plumber in Crowley, TX has knowledge about every type of plumbing pipe and scheduling regular maintenance sessions with them will extend the life of plumbing in Crowley, TX. Let’s have a look at the other types of pipes:

Cast Iron

Houses that were built before the year 1960 have vertical, cast-iron sewer pipes. Cast iron pipes are prone to rusting, which is why you should follow the exact instructions written at the back of the chemical cleaner bottle.

Galvanized Steel

Some houses that were built before the year 1960 have horizontal, galvanized steel sewer pipes. In order to extend their useful lives, galvanized steel pipes were dipped in molten zinc. As time passes, the zinc layer wears off, leaving the galvanized steel vulnerable to rust. They last for 50 years and, similar to cast iron pipes, corrode from the inside.

ABS – Black Pipe

ABS pipes were quite popular in the 1970s. The reason why they were considered high-quality pipes was because they didn’t rust. However, from 1985 to 1998, the ABS pipes produced had plastic resin in them that caused them to crack and leak under pressure.

PVC

PVC plumbing pipes were introduced in the mid 1970’s. They instantly became a hit and were soon being used worldwide. Throughout history, they have shown tremendous strength and durability, which is why PVC pipes as well as coupling and joints made from the same material are used by plumber in Crowley, TX. However, plumbers advise that PVC pipes should not be used for hot water distribution. PVC cannot withstand temperatures higher than 176 degrees. When the water temperature exceeds 140 degrees, PVC pipes are likely to break.

Enzyme Drain Cleaners vs. Chemical Drain Cleaners

The good thing about enzyme drain cleaners is that they do not contain chemicals. As an alternate to chemical cleaners, enzyme drain cleaners are less damaging to the plumbing system.

This drain cleaner contains concentrated enzymes and bacteria cultures that break down the organic substances in waste. When the clog clears, beneficial bacterial is reproduced, which move further down the pipe and clean the pipelines. One of the best things about this type of cleaner is that it cleans the pipe from the inside and works its magic for at least 30 minutes.

Homes that have a septic system have an advantage with this cleaner because its formula contains specific enzymes and bacterial that does not eat into the sewer pipes. This is why an enzyme drain cleaners is recommended highly by a plumber in Crowley, TX.

Coming to chemical-based cleaners, they contain lye (sodium hydroxide), sodium nitrate, bleach (sodium hypochlorite), and aluminum and salt. The good thing about chemical cleaners is that lye decomposes organic matter such as grease and hair.

The bad thing about these cleaners is that the formula contains a mixture of aluminum and lye.
These two chemicals react with water to produce hydrogen, which heats up to a high degree and clears the clog. As mentioned earlier, PVC pipes have a low capacity of handling hot temperature. This is why, a plumber in Crowley, TX recommends that when using chemical cleaners, read the instructions carefully and then pour them down the drain. Moreover, do not use them frequently or you will be looking at an expensive water line repair in Crowley, TX.

Since chemical cleaners have environmentally unsafe ingredients, plumbers recommend that you always call for plumbing in Crowley, TX. Benjamin Franklin is a company that handles water line repair in Crowley, TX and other plumbing problems. To learn more about their services, call 817-983-7876.