When your toilet is clogged, you may be tempted to try anything to fix it as soon as possible. Liquid plumber seems to be a good idea, but then you realize that it was a huge mistake. The advertisements for liquid plumber can be misleading for those who don’t know how corrosive it can be.
Let’s explore what you can do if you make this mistake.
Accidentally put liquid plumber in toilet? If you are one of the lucky ones, nothing will happen afterward. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones, you may cause serious structural damage to your plumbing system. And, if you are very unlucky, you may accidentally interact with this chemical causing a dangerous bodily injury.
Why is Liquid Plumber Not a Good Option for Clogged Toilets?
Liquid Plumber is a chemical clog cleaner. I’m sure you have probably heard of a popular brand of liquid plumber called Drano. When you have any type of clog in your home, you likely think of this brand.
While you might think liquid plumber is a great solution for any type of clog, it is certainly not! Toilets do not fall into the category of drains compatible with liquid plumber.
First, you must think of the shape and size of your toilet. When you look around your house, you’ll notice that the drains in your kitchen and bathroom sinks are much different than the drain in the toilet.
The fixtures on the sinks are specifically designed to carry a particular type of waste. The toilet carries a different type of waste into the sewage system. Liquid plumber was meant to be used for clogs in sinks.
The chemical compounds are designed for clogs that occur in the pipes that lead to sinks. The pipes underneath your sinks are constructed very differently than the pipes that drain your toilet.
Since the toilet pipes are much different, liquid plumber cannot reach all the way down to where the clog could be located. Therefore, it is not effective and can, instead, cause you problems.
What Happens if I Use Liquid Plumber in the Toilet?
Several unfortunate events can happen after you pour liquid plumber down the toilet. First, you’ll notice that the liquid plumber does not unclog the toilet. Since you’ll still have a stagnant toilet bowl, you may decide to use a plunger as the next alternative.
Yet, using a plunger after pouring liquid plumber down the toilet is very risky. As you pull out the plunger, you can splash this harsh chemical on your face! It can get into your eyes and cause severe burns while irritating your skin.
Even worse, if you decide to mix liquid plumber along with other chemicals, you risk causing a dangerous chemical reaction. You can create an explosion or a very poisonous substance.
In addition, if you use chemicals such as bleach to keep your toilet clean, it can be a bad mixture for liquid plumber. The ammonia contained in the liquid plumber solution is the main active ingredient. This compound produces chloramines, which is a highly toxic gas.
If you are exposed to this chemical, it can lead to chest pain, eye irritation, and even difficulty breathing. Imagine having a pre-existing condition such as heart disease. It can be a very dangerous event.
Other Risks Associated With Pouring Liquid Plumber Down the Toilet
Of course, the dangerous effects on your health are enough of an incentive to stay away from liquid plumber for toilet clogs. However, you must also consider the negative effects this chemical has on your plumbing system.
It turns out that liquid plumber can cause major damage to your pipes and your toilet. Liquid plumber is designed to dissolve anything that is clogging a drain. It does this by using an efficient oxidizing chemical reaction.
The chemical reaction creates heat. Since it takes a while to take effect, the lapse in time is damaging. This is no big deal for sink drains, but for toilets, it can be a disaster!
The heat generated from the liquid plumber solution is so strong, that it can crack the toilet’s porcelain. It can also weaken PVC pipes making them prone to breakage. It is simply too risky for various reasons to use liquid plumber in the toilet.
Not only is it dangerous, but it can become a very expensive mistake!
Bottom line, don’t EVER use liquid plumber in the toilet!
Other Reasons Why You Should Never Use Liquid Plumber in the Toilet
Toilet clogs are much different than those that develop in the sink. Sink clogs usually contain hair, soap scum, oils, and food scraps in the kitchen sink. On the other hand, toilet clogs are usually filled with toilet paper, wipes, feminine products, and human waste (see also ‘Can You Flush Oil Down the Toilet?‘).
Each type of clog requires a specially indicated solution. Conscious plumbing professionals recommend never using harsh chemicals to unclog drains. They are simply too dangerous to your health and harmful to plumbing structures. Plus, they are terrible for the environment.
How Should I Properly Unclog My Toilet?
When you are faced with a toilet clog that is hard to resolve, you may have to call a plumber. Before doing that, you can try some DIY methods to see if you have any luck on your own.
Trying a plunger is a good first step. Be sure you get a high-quality brand that can do the job well. If this doesn’t unclog the toilet, you can try a drain snake.
Snaking your toilet is simple to do on your own. You don’t need to hire a plumber for this task. The snake has to be fitted specifically to your toilet size. If the snake doesn’t unclog the toilet drain, the clog may be more serious than you might have originally thought.
The clog could be located further down the piping system. If that is the case, you will certainly want to call a licensed professional to come to help you.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Liquid Plumber
Using these eco-friendly alternatives will give you peace of mind. Not only will they help protect the environment, but they will also keep your family safe.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
It seems like this combination is seen almost for any use! Here again, baking soda and vinegar are a powerful mixture that instantaneously starts to fizz. This fizzing action helps dissolve hair and debris that is clogging your drain.
To use this method, mix ⅓ cup of vinegar with ⅓ cup of baking soda in your toilet. Flush it along with hot water for effective unclogging.
Eco-Friendly Dishwashing Liquid
Dishwashing liquid has been used for a long time for unclogging drains. You simply pour it down the toilet with hot water and flush. Be sure the water is hot, but not boiling. Otherwise you chance damaging your PVC pipes.
An eco-friendly brand of dishwashing liquid is the best option. It will keep you and your family away from toxic substances while protecting Mother Earth.
Flushing With Confidence
Now you should have a clear understanding of what safe options you have to unclog your toilet. Hopefully, the toilet clog you are experiencing is superficial and doesn’t require a deep inspection of your plumbing system.
Regardless of the solution that finally unclogs your toilet, you will be very glad to know you did it right. Liquid plumber has been around for a long time, but it is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
With the effective and safe alternatives that exist, you should be able to stay away from this dangerous chemical.
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