Chemical vs Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaners: What You Need to Know
When we consider how important modern plumbing is to our everyday lives, we would think we would do a better job of maintaining our drains. Unfortunately, this is not the case. For the most part, people pay no attention to their drains until an actual problem occurs.
Fortunately, maintaining your drains is a relatively simple task. One of the best ways to do this would be to hire a professional drain cleaning service like Drainrite Sewer & Drain Cleaning Co. When choosing which a drain cleaning service, however, you may want to ask them what kind of drain cleaners they use. If they inform you that they use chemical drain cleaning solutions, you may want to ask them if they have a more eco-friendly alternative.
The Problem with Chemical Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners usually have an ingredient known as sodium hydroxide. This man-made chemical is highly corrosive, which is how it clears clogs in your drains. Although conventional chemical cleaners are effective, they aren’t exactly “safe”.
Sodium hydroxide is a strong irritant that can burn the skin and aggravate respiratory airways. If accidentally ingested, the substance may induce vomiting or cause chest/abdominal pain. Furthermore, the corrosive nature of these cleaners can actually erode your drains!
The Case for Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaners
Eco-friendly drain cleaners are a viable alternative to more popular chemical drain cleaners. Most of these drain cleaners are made using a unique combination of bacteria and enzymes which naturally breakdown organic waste like grease, hair, cotton, and sewage. This means it’s safe, even if it comes into contact with skin, and will not erode your pipes. With regular use, these drain cleaners can keep your drains clear of any clogs.
After pouring the cleaner down your drains, you need not worry about any negative residual environmental impact. Since eco-friendly drain cleaners are free of ammonia or nitrogen, the water that flows does no harm to both plants and animals. In fact, the bacteria in these cleaners convert the waste into water, carbon dioxide, and mineral ash, three substances that are known to help improve plant growth.
Your Options
There are many different eco-friendly drain cleaners available on the market. One of the most effective options available is Bio-Clean. Unlike more common eco-friendly solutions which contain one or two enzymes, Bio-Clean has four different enzymes, allowing it to treat protein, grease, carbohydrates, and fibres. Additionally, the cleaner comes in powder form to retain potency and maximize effectiveness.
Alternatively, you may want to ask your drain cleaning company which drain cleaner they would recommend. Professional drain cleaners should be able to recommend a product that is compatible with the age and condition of your existing drainage system.