If you have ever used drain chemicals, don’t feel bad, most of us have. That being said, however, there are a few reasons why you might avoid doing so again. While drain chemicals might feel like a quick easy fix, it is not easy on your plumbing or on the environment. Drain chemicals, while less aggressive than in the past, can still damage seals, pipes, and septic systems.
So what are your alternatives? It depends a lot on the type of clog you have. If it is in your kitchen, it is possible the clog consists of mostly fat, which you could dissolve by pouring water that is close to boiling. The same method also works well on soap. In other cases, you might be able to dislodge the clog using a plunger, or maybe just a wire hanger that is straightened out. With these methods, you still need to be careful, since it is possible to damage the pipes if you are using too much force.