One of the big mistakes that a DIY plumber makes is to immediately go for chemical drain cleaners when they have a clog in their drain. But why should a DIY plumber avoid making this mistake? Below are some of the problems that liquid drain cleaners can cause.

1. If the clog’s not cleared by the liquid cleaner, chances are that you’re going to have to remove your trap arm. It’s going to be full of the chemical drain cleaner.

2. When you use drain cleaner too often or use a lot of it, it can damage your metal pipes and traps which causes leaks.

3. Liquid drain cleaners will destroy those rubber gaskets that you use in couplings. If those couplings are used in the plumbing and you are using harsh drain cleaners, they can be damaged and cause leaks.

4. The drain cleaners contain really toxic chemicals like hydrochloric acid and lye. They can damage the environment and your plumbing. It can corrode the plumbing, eating through the pipes and destroying the helpful bacteria that your plumbing contains.

If you are a DIY plumber, the last thing that you want to do is to reach for one of these chemical drain cleaners when you have a clog. Using a DIY method such as a plunger or with baking soda and vinegar will most likely get the job done and be a lot better for your pipes, your family and the environment.