What You Didn't Know About Liquid Drain Cleaners & Garbage Disposal Damage

Helping You Avoid and Deal with Garbage Disposal Damage

When it comes to clogged or sluggish drains, many homeowners turn to liquid drain cleaners. These cleaners often provide a quick and inexpensive solution, making them a tempting choice.

However, resist that temptation. Liquid drain cleaners are bad for your pipes, bad for your plumbing systems, and dangerous. The chemicals in these solutions have a high toxicity level that can be dangerous to inhale or come into contact with.

Plus, they’re bad for your home’s pipes and plumbing. They’re particularly bad for your garbage disposal and should never be used in your kitchen sink. Here are just a few reasons why liquid drain cleaners are bad for your garbage disposal.

Unnecessary Pipe Damage

Any time that you use a liquid drain cleaner, you put your pipes at risk of damage and deterioration. Liquid drain cleaners are made of a variety of chemicals, but the most potent is sodium hydroxide. It’s an incredibly caustic substance that can cause damage to all aspects of your plumbing system.

Similarly, if it comes into contact with your skin it can cause serious burns. Given the risks that these substances present, it’s important to avoid using them whenever possible.

In many cases, garbage disposal issues aren’t even caused by a clog, but rather are the result of some other issue. Obviously, you don’t want to put your pipes or yourself at risk for no reason at all. Avoid this problem entirely by never using liquid drain cleaners in your kitchen sink.

The Risk of Garbage Disposal Heat

To help clear clogs, liquid drain cleaners create excessive amounts of heat when they come into contact with water. While this can help clear blockages, it can also interfere with your garbage disposal.

The heat that liquid drain cleaners create is bad for the blades or impellers of your disposal. While there are many reasons that drain cleaners are bad for your garbage disposal, the heat that it produces is reason alone to never pour this type of chemical down your kitchen sink.

Play it Safe and Call a Plumber

If your garbage disposal isn’t working, it could be the result of a number of different things including a jam, a motor issue, or an electrical issue. Even if it’s not working because of a clog, first find out what you can put down a garbage disposal, and then avoid the temptation of using a liquid drain cleaner.

Instead, call a professional to have your disposal inspected and repaired. A professional plumber will be able to identify the source of your problem and find a solution that ensures that all aspects of your plumbing system are taken care of and well maintained. Given the importance of your kitchen plumbing, it’s always a good idea to let a plumber handle any issues that you have.

When you have a kitchen sink that’s not draining, it’s easy to want to run out and buy a drain cleaner to quickly handle the issue. However, to help protect your plumbing, your garbage disposal, and yourself, avoid this temptation. Instead, contact a professional and let them take care of it. If you’re concerned about your pipes or have a clog that needs to be cleared, contact a trusted professional as soon as possible.

Trust Nixco Plumbing Inc.

Nixco Plumbing Inc. has been providing quality plumbing services to the Mason area for over 40 years. A family-owned company, their team of experts is always there to handle any residential or commercial plumbing issues.

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