{"id":1511,"date":"2025-03-24T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/?p=1511"},"modified":"2025-03-28T10:09:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T15:09:52","slug":"drain-cleaning-myths-that-are-costing-you-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/drain-cleaning-myths-that-are-costing-you-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Drain Cleaning Myths That Are Costing You Money"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/iStock-1169172660_1920x1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/iStock-1169172660_1920x1280-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/iStock-1169172660_1920x1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/iStock-1169172660_1920x1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/iStock-1169172660_1920x1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/iStock-1169172660_1920x1280-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/iStock-1169172660_1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When your sink starts draining slowly or your shower turns into a foot bath, your first instinct might be to grab a chemical cleaner or try a quick DIY hack. While these fixes may seem convenient, the truth is that many common drain cleaning myths can do more harm than good\u2014and they could end up costing you more in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At our company, we\u2019ve seen it all\u2014from pipes warped by boiling water to entire drainage systems compromised by repeated chemical use. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most widespread myths about drain cleaning and explain why calling a professional is the best way to protect your plumbing\u2014and your wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Performance-Plumbing-Drain-Cleaning-Myths-That-Are-Costing-You-Money.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Performance-Plumbing-Drain-Cleaning-Myths-That-Are-Costing-You-Money-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"This is an image of someone pouring drain cleaner down a drain. The headline reads what you don't know about drain cleaning could cost you.\" class=\"wp-image-1524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Performance-Plumbing-Drain-Cleaning-Myths-That-Are-Costing-You-Money-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Performance-Plumbing-Drain-Cleaning-Myths-That-Are-Costing-You-Money-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Performance-Plumbing-Drain-Cleaning-Myths-That-Are-Costing-You-Money-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Performance-Plumbing-Drain-Cleaning-Myths-That-Are-Costing-You-Money-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Performance-Plumbing-Drain-Cleaning-Myths-That-Are-Costing-You-Money.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Myth #1: Chemical Drain Cleaners Are a Safe and Effective Fix<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common mistakes we see is the overuse of chemical drain cleaners. These products promise quick relief from clogs, but what they don\u2019t tell you is that they can severely damage your plumbing system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most chemical drain cleaners contain harsh ingredients like lye or sulfuric acid. These substances are corrosive\u2014not just to clogs, but to your pipes. Repeated use can weaken pipe walls, leading to cracks, leaks, and premature failure. If you have older or plastic piping, the damage can be even more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, chemical cleaners are harmful to the environment and unsafe for homes with septic systems. They can kill the beneficial bacteria in your tank, disrupting the natural breakdown of waste and leading to costly septic repairs. Skip the chemicals. If a clog doesn\u2019t clear with a plunger or simple hand auger, it\u2019s time to call a professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Myth #2: Boiling Water Is the Best Way to Clear Drains<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another popular DIY trick is pouring boiling water down the drain to melt away clogs. While this might sound harmless\u2014or even clever\u2014it can actually cause serious damage, especially if your plumbing system includes PVC pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PVC piping is commonly used in residential plumbing. It\u2019s strong and durable, but it\u2019s not designed to handle extremely high temperatures. Boiling water can soften or even melt PVC over time, especially at joints and bends, leading to leaks and warping that require costly repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with metal pipes, boiling water is rarely a long-term solution. It might break up a bit of grease, but it won\u2019t address deeper blockages, hair buildup, or solid obstructions. The safer alternative? Our professional-grade equipment can clear clogs without damaging your pipes or relying on extreme heat or chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Myth #3: If the Drain Is Moving Slowly, It\u2019s Not an Emergency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A slow drain might not seem like a big deal, but it\u2019s often a warning sign of a much larger problem. Waiting too long to deal with it can allow buildup to worsen, eventually leading to a full blockage\u2014or worse, a backup that floods your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hair, soap scum, grease, and even tree roots growing through pipes can all contribute to slow drainage. Without the right tools and training, it\u2019s hard to know what you\u2019re dealing with. That\u2019s where we come in. Our technicians use camera inspections and advanced diagnostics to identify the exact cause of your slow drain and fix it the right way\u2014before it becomes an expensive mess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why You Should Call the Pros First<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>DIY methods often offer only temporary relief\u2014and in many cases, they set the stage for even more damage. Our professional drain cleaning services are designed to be thorough, safe, and long-lasting. We use state-of-the-art tools like hydro-jetters and drain snakes to remove clogs without harming your pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when you choose our team, you\u2019re not just getting a fix\u2014you\u2019re getting peace of mind. We can spot early warning signs of larger issues and help you avoid future problems through regular maintenance and honest advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Don\u2019t Pour Money Down the Drain! Call Us Instead<\/strong>. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to your plumbing, shortcuts can be more expensive than you realize. Don\u2019t let drain cleaning myths lead to costly damage or unsafe conditions in your home. Let our experts handle it right the first time. Whether you\u2019re dealing with a slow drain or a stubborn clog, we\u2019re here to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/plumbing\/water-lines\/laundry-lines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Contact Performance Plumbing today for plumbing services in St. Louis, MO today!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn some of the most widespread myths about drain cleaning and explain why calling a professional is the best way to protect your plumbing\u2014and your wallet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[36],"class_list":["post-1511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-plumbing-service","tag-plumbing"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1511"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1525,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1511\/revisions\/1525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.performanceplumbinginc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}