Some over-the-counter drain cleaners can damage your pipes. If you have a persistent clog, it might be time to call in the experts from Billy the Sunshine Plumber.

You’re planning to go to Fort De Soto to get some outdoor time before Tropical Storm Eta sends rains and winds toward Tampa Bay. But when you were brushing your teeth this morning, you noticed that your bathroom sink was not draining the way it should.

That didn’t surprise you because you seem to have a persistent clog or slow drain issue where that sink is concerned. You’ve tried plungers and homemade remedies that seem to work for a short time. But, soon, the problem’s back. You’re getting ready to march down to the hardware store to buy the strongest drain cleaner you can find to solve the problem forever.

Whoa! Before you do that, calm down. If you’re going to buy a drain cleaner, be sure and understand what you’re getting. To start with, read the label to see what’s in it. That’s because drain cleaners that contain lye or other harsh chemicals can really damage your pipes – especially the PVC pipes. And a damaged pipe leaves you with a worse problem than the clog you started with.

“Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. This caustic can deteriorate metal piping and, in some forms, as when mixed with an aluminum compound to increase its cleaning power, can easily generate enough heat to warp or deform PVC piping,” hunker.com says.

Hunker.com adds: “The chemical reactions of the main types of drain cleaning chemicals — acids, caustics and oxidizers — release heat. Some heat is usually needed to melt grease and help clogs move more easily through the plumbing, but excessive heat generation can cause the PVC pipes to soften or even melt. In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are incredibly reactive, meaning that given the slightest weakness they could degrade even PVC piping at high enough concentrations.”

What’s a frustrated home owner to do? Well, you can try snaking the drain. If that doesn’t work, your best bet may be to call in a professional like the plumbing specialists at Billy the Sunshine Plumber.

Billy the Sunshine Plumber has been the Tampa Bay plumber of choice since 1924 when he first opened for business. Billy the Sunshine Plumber is open 24/7/365 in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Days, nights, weekends, or holidays, Billy the Sunshine Plumber is always here for you.

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