Why You Should Stop Pouring Drain Cleaner Down Your Drains

Liquid drain cleaners are a $1 billion industry in the US. They're also one of the worst things you can put down your pipes.

What they actually do

Most drain cleaners are sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. They work by generating heat and dissolving organic material — including hair, soap, food, AND the inside surface of your pipes.

The damage

• PVC pipes warp from the heat, eventually cracking
• Older metal pipes corrode faster — the chemicals strip the protective interior coating
• Gaskets and seals degrade at every joint
• Chemical fumes trapped in your drains
• If it doesn't clear the clog, the chemicals sit there and damage pipes until a plumber arrives

What to do instead

• For minor clogs: hot water + dish soap, or a manual plunger
• For hair clogs in showers: a plastic drain snake (a few bucks at the hardware store)
• For grease clogs: don't pour grease down drains; if you did, hot water + degreaser
• For anything beyond that: call a plumber for a proper snake or hydro-jet