Is Drain Cleaner Safe for Septic Systems?

The Professional Drain Cleaning You Can Trust in Bucks & Montgomery County

When faced with a clogged drain, many homeowners reach for a quick fix, often in the form of store-bought chemical drain cleaners. While these products promise easy and effective solutions, they can pose significant risks, especially if your home has a septic system. Our expert plumbers at Cooper Mechanical Services want to help you understand the potential harm these products could do to your plumbing and septic systems. Here’s why our professional drain cleaning services are a safer and more effective choice for maintaining your home’s plumbing system.

The Risks of Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners, like the kind you would normally buy at the store, typically contain harsh substances such as sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. These chemicals can clear blockages by dissolving hair, grease, and other common clog components. However, because these chemicals are so aggressive, they can also cause consequences such as: 

  1. Damage to Plumbing: The caustic chemicals in drain cleaners can also corrode and weaken your plumbing pipes, especially if they are older or made of more vulnerable materials like PVC or copper.
  2. Harm to Septic Systems: For homes with septic systems, the use of chemical drain cleaners can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria essential for breaking down and treating waste. Killing these bacteria can lead to bigger septic system problems, including backups and system failure.
  3. Environmental Concerns: Once chemical cleaners pass through your system, they can eventually end up in local waterways, posing risks to wildlife and your community’s water quality.
  4. Health Hazards: The fumes from chemical drain cleaners are harmful to inhale and can cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory systems, posing a direct threat to your family’s health.

Trusting Professional Plumbers for Drain Cleaning

Considering how dangerous chemical drain cleaners can be for your plumbing, it’s a safer choice for your family to trust professional plumbers for your drain cleaning needs. Here’s why you should always contact our team when you’re dealing with a clogged drain: 

  1. Expert Assessment and Solutions: Our trained plumbers can assess your plumbing issues using tools like video inspections to accurately diagnose the problem without resorting to guesswork or harmful chemicals.
  2. Safe and Effective Methods: We use advanced methods such as hydro jetting, which uses high-pressure water to clear blockages and clean pipes without damaging plumbing or harming your septic system. This method is incredibly effective at removing buildup, including larger or more severe blockages. 
  3. Comprehensive Care: Beyond just clearing blockages, our professionals can evaluate the overall health of your plumbing and septic system, providing maintenance tips and services to help prevent future problems.
  4. Emergency Services: We offer prompt responses to plumbing and drain cleaning emergencies. Our emergency services mean that we’re there for your family when you need us. 

Contact Us For Emergency Drain Cleaning in Bucks & Montgomery County Today

For all your drain cleaning, hydro jetting, and sewer service needs, remember that Cooper Mechanical Services is here to help with expert, safe, and environmentally friendly solutions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or service visit, and experience the peace of mind that comes from professional care.