Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Cause Garbage Disposal Damage?
Can You Pour Drano in a Garbage Disposal?
While it might be tempting to pour Drano or other liquid drain cleaners into your garbage disposal to clear clogs, it’s not recommended. These products can damage your disposal and pipes. The harsh chemicals in drain cleaners can cause wear and tear on the disposal’s components, potentially leading to costly repairs. Instead of using liquid drain cleaner, it’s best to call a professional plumber who can properly address the issue without causing further damage to your garbage disposal.
How a Liquid Drain Cleaner Can Damage the Garbage Disposal
Most people like a quick fix. Some will even go through intense measures to avoid paying more money for a better solution. They’ll spend hours upon hours making some contraption. But after a little while, it fails, and they’re back to square one. Liquid drain cleaners are considered to be one of these quick fixes.
They use chemicals to eat away at clogs in the drains and pipes. A bottle of drain cleaner is relatively cheap, easy for the average person to use, and gets results fast. Or at least it gets “surface-level” results fast. However, liquid drain cleaners aren’t a long-term solution, and they don’t get to the root of the problem.
This is especially true for garbage disposals especially when many people are unaware of what should go down a garbage disposal. Liquid drain cleaners can damage the garbage disposal and should be avoided. Rather than turning to this quick fix, it is a much better idea to hire a professional to fix the problem correctly and have the solution last.
Resulting Pipe Damage
Though clogs are a common issue for garbage disposals, they are not the only problem that a garbage disposal can have. Leaks and worn out blades are a few of the many other common problems of garbage disposals.
However, when the garbage disposal starts to back up, produces unpleasant odo.rs, or makes odd grinding noises, most homeowners jump to the wrong conclusion. They assume right away that it is a clog causing the problem. So they reach under the kitchen sink, grab the handy-dandy liquid drain cleaner, and pour it down the drain.
There, problem solved!
Except, it isn’t really solved, and it can actually result in more damage including pipe damage. Because there are so many chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners, they can start to eat away at the pipes and result in serious damage. When this happens, the pipes are more likely to leak. So much for a quick fix! Now that homeowner has a pipe replacement on their hands that could become a true plumbing emergency.
Rising Temperatures in Garbage Disposals
Liquid drain cleaner can also produce additional heat in the garbage disposal. The liquid drain cleaner’s temperature significantly rises when it makes contact with water. This additional heat is not good for the blades in the garbage disposal. When the contents in the garbage disposal, like grease and other fats, become hot, they melt.
But then they can re-solidify later on and cause blockages, making it difficult for the blades to operate. When using the garbage disposal, it’s best to keep temperatures cool, and avoiding liquid drain cleaner is one of the best ways to do this.
Why It’s Best to Call a Plumber
Fixing a garbage disposal problem can be very dangerous. The blades are very sharp and can easily cut a person who doesn’t know exactly where they are. The best way to fix the problem is to call a professional plumber.
They will be able to better navigate the disposal to avoid injuries and will have all of the necessary tools to implement a long-term solution, rather than just a quick fix.
About Primo Plumbing Inc
Primo Plumbing Inc is a family-owned and operated company. They provide complete residential and commercial plumbing repair and services throughout Timberwood Park.
From a simple (or not-so-simple) drain clog or installing a new water heating system to running a new sewer line or a complete remodel, Primo Plumbing Inc can handle any repair that’s thrown their way.
