If your drain is blocked, there are many methods posted on the Internet about how to unblock it to save you the bother of calling in a professional plumber, but doing it yourself could land you in the hospital, or worse. Doing it yourself sounds easy, but do you know how dangerous it is and what horrendous consequences there can be?
Consider this: In January this year, a 69-year-old plumber suffered devastating injuries when a bottle of sulphuric acid exploded in his face. And at 69 you’d imagine he would have had years and years of experience. If this can happen to him, then doing it yourself is downright dangerous. The man was unblocking a pipe at a Walkerville Terrace barbershop in Adelaide when the bottle of acid pressurised and exploded in his face causing the man to scream in pain as his clothes melted off his body, a witness told 9News.
What About Shop-Bought Drain Cleaners?
It’s the drain cleaning and unclogging chemicals which are easily bought over the counter that are the main dangers since they are in a volatile state unless you use them correctly. So many accidents that happen when DIYers (and as we saw above, even at times the professionals) try to unblock drains are from the improper or accidental use of caustic chemicals that burn the skin on contact. Chemical or caustic burns are incredibly harmful because the chemical keeps on burning until it is completely washed off.
Why Do Plumbers Use Such Strong Chemicals?
When grease, hair and other gunk blocks a drain, the only way to get rid of it and clear the pipe is with caustic chemicals that dissolve the blockage. It can also dissolve skin, so imagine the horrific results if there’s a spill or explosion and you get splashed in the face and eyes, or like the poor plumber, all over much of his body?
These chemicals have explicit warnings on the labels, but so many people ignore them or don’t even read the list of safety recommendations and end up having an accident and suffering injuries.
It’s good advice to be very careful around chemical products, even the ones you use to clean the toilet and other areas of the house. Remember always, when using harsh chemicals to clean, wear gloves to protect your hands, and safety glasses to protect your eyes.
What To Do If Your Drain Is Blocked
Yers, it can be frustrating if the drain is blocked, especially if you have guests coming for dinner or for an overnight stay and the drain smells disgusting. But it’s important that your safety and that of your family as a top priority. Yes, boiling water, vinegar, and other natural drain unblockers might ease the situation a little, but they could simply move the problem a bit further down the line.
Blocked drains can be more complicated than they at first appear and can also be symptomatic of a larger problem such as a crack in the pipes, or a tree root, which is why plumbers NEVER recommend that you use chemical drain cleaners because they can damage the pipes, cause more issues and they’re dangerous to you and your family.
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Author’s Bio
Alex Morrison has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in-depth understanding of many different industries including home improvement, financial support and health care. He has used his knowledge and experience to work for clients as diverse as Dafra, Cosh Living and Me Bank to help them reach their business goals.
