We get it: liquid drain cleaners seem super convenient. They’re right there in the cleaning aisle. Using them requires almost no effort. You just pour and the drain clog disappears, right? Unfortunately, there is–of course–a catch.

More often than not, the problems that come with using liquid drain cleaners are greater than the convenience they bring. Here are three reasons why liquid drain cleaners often end up causing more trouble than they’re worth.

They damage drains.

Liquid drain cleaners clear out the pipes and drains by corrosive, caustic chemicals that work to dissolve whatever it is that is causing your clog. The problem is that these chemicals don’t know the difference between the things clogging a pipe and the pipe itself.

If used regularly, the acidic compounds in drain cleaners eat away at your pipes. Corrosion caused by drain cleaners can cause weakened walls, cracks and even leaks.

The chemicals can damage the environment.

Health-consciousness is a cornerstone to many homeowners these days. They want to take better care of their health, their family, and the world at large.

When it comes to chemical drain cleaners, eco-friendliness is not a priority. The residue within the bottles ends up in landfills, and from there it can leach into water and hurt fish and animals.

They usually don’t even work!

With all the risks that come with chemical drain cleaners, you’d think they’d at least work really well. Unfortunately, however, that’s usually not even the case. The back of many drain cleaning bottles even have to inform consumers that there’s no guarantee they’ll work.

Do you know what is guaranteed to work? The drain cleaning provided by a professional plumbing company. You don’t have to call more than once, or waste money on bottle after bottle of drain cleaner. They’ll clear your drain right the first time without leading to unnecessary damage to your pipes and plumbing.

The next time you experience a drain clog in your home, call the pros at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Dallas. We’ll take care of you, your home, and your drains the right way, the first time.