Pipes are like the blood vessels of our house, which means we should take care of them. While PVC pipes are durable and have chemical resistance properties, there are still things that can damage them.
It’s important to consider the consequences of what you’re pouring down your drain, especially with bleach. While bleach is a common household cleaner known for its disinfecting properties, improper use can lead to serious damage to your plumbing.
Today, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of using bleach in household drains and pipes. We’ll discuss potential risks and how you can use it safely.
Let’s begin.
Is Bleach Bad for Pipes?
Bleach, also known as sodium hypochlorite, is commonly used for whitening or stain removal. It’s also excellent for surface cleaning and disinfecting, which makes it great for cleaning your bathroom’s surfaces, sinks, and floors.
While bleach is not directly bad for all pipes, you should be careful of its chemical reactions and byproducts. Long-term use of bleach can be corrosive and cause problems that might become costly.
Damage to Pipes
Excessive or frequent use of bleach can also damage pipes and lead to pipe deterioration, regardless of the material. For example:
- Metal pipes (especially galvanized steel): Prolonged exposure to bleach, either from tipping large quantities down the drain or leaving to sit, can corrode and weaken metal pipes. This can cause leaks and damage that might be costly to fix.
- PVC pipes: Bleach can damage the sealants used in PVC pipes over time. This causes them to dissolve, creating gaps for water to escape.
- Copper pipes: Copper pipes are even more susceptible to damage from bleach, as the two materials can react. This reaction weakens the pipes and makes them more vulnerable to leaks.
Chemical Reactions in Pipes
You should also be careful of how much bleach you are using for cleaning, as well as other cleaning products and materials that are lying around.
If bleach comes into contact with organic materials such as hair, soap scum, and grease, it can cause chemical reactions. The byproducts of these reactions can damage pipes by weakening their joints and seals.
Additionally, avoid mixing bleach with other household cleaners. These can sometimes create toxic gasses and compounds such as chlorine and chloroform which can be bad for the health of your pipes, and in extreme conditions, cause them to burst.
Bleach is Ineffective for Clearing Clogs
There is a common misconception that bleach can clear blockages in your drains. In reality, it is ineffective for this task.
Bleach cannot dissolve common clogged materials such as hair, grease, or food scraps. Adding bleach to the mix allows it to sit there and even harden, which makes the blockage more difficult to remove.
While bleach is great for cleaning, its chemical properties are unsuitable for breaking down materials that typically cause clogs. There are plenty of better DIY solutions (which we will highlight later) for clearing blocked drains.
Dangerous Chemical Reactions
As discussed earlier, mixing bleach with other substances can cause harmful chemical reactions. Let’s discuss further:
Toxic Gasses
It’s important to be careful of what you tip down the drain, especially if you add bleach. Avoid mixing bleach with ammonia or vinegar, as these can produce toxic gasses including chlorine and chloramine. These can be harmful to your pipes as well as dangerous to your overall health.
Harmful Compounds
You also should be careful of pouring bleach down drains that contain organic matter such as hair, soap scum, and grease. Combined with these materials, it can form harmful compounds such as chloroform. Much like the gasses discussed previously, these compounds can pose a serious risk to your health.
Heat Generation
When chemical reactions occur, heat can often be released as a byproduct of energy usage. This heat can cause damage to pipe joints or seals, and in extreme cases, cause them to burst.
Do’s of Using Bleach Safely in Plumbing
When used properly, bleach is a fantastic surface cleaner and disinfectant. However, if used incorrectly, bleach can cause some serious damage to your plumbing. Here are some do’s for cleaning with bleach safely:
Dilute Bleach Properly
Diluting bleach is the safest way to use it to clean your bathroom. This is because diluting bleach reduces its corrosiveness, thus minimizing the potential damage to your pipes. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but a general rule of thumb is 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
Use Bleach Only for Surface Disinfection
Bleach can kill up to 99.9% of germs as a surface cleaner or disinfectant. This makes it suitable for disinfecting sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. However, you should avoid using it to clean pipes or clear clogs. As discussed earlier, bleach can damage your pipes and prove costly to fix.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
You should always be in a room with proper ventilation when cleaning with bleach. This is because bleach has some harsh fumes which can be irritating and harmful to consume, especially within enclosed spaces. If ventilation is not an option, a face mask or face covering is another good solution to avoid inhaling fumes.
Wear Protective Gear
While bleach is an excellent cleaner, it’s important to remember that it is also a harmful substance. It can even cause burns and irritation when in contact with your skin or eyes. You should always wear gloves and adequate eye protection when handling bleach to avoid skin irritation or accidental splashes.
Rinse Thoroughly After Use
Lastly, avoid leaving bleach on surfaces after cleaning. Residual bleach can still interact with other substances, and potentially lead to damage to surfaces or pipes. To steer clear of this, remember to rinse your surfaces thoroughly with water to remove any leftover bleach.
Don’ts of Using Bleach in Plumbing
While bleach can be an effective cleaner for your bathroom, it’s important to remember that it can be dangerous when used incorrectly. Let’s discuss some don’ts for using bleach in your plumbing:
Don’t Mix Bleach with Other Cleaners
It might be tempting to use bleach alongside other chemicals and products to clean your bathroom. Two powerful products mean a cleaner home… right? Unfortunately, mixing bleach with other chemicals can be quite dangerous. When bleach comes into contact with substances such as ammonia or vinegar, it can create toxic gasses that are harmful to your health and the health of your plumbing.
Don’t Use Bleach to Clear Drains
As discussed earlier, bleach is ineffective for clearing clogs. You might assume that it can help dissolve blockages, but in reality, it can make them worse. Bleach can unfortunately harden these blockages and make them more difficult to remove, costing you more in the long run.
Don’t Use Bleach on Old or Corroded Pipes
You should also never use bleach on pipes that are old or corroded. Bleach can cause further damage to your plumbing, which makes it dangerous to use on older pipes which are more susceptible to bleach’s corrosive effects. Doing so can increase the risk of leaks or further damage.
Don’t Leave Bleach Sitting in Pipes
If you leave bleach sitting in pipes for long periods, you increase the risk of chemical reactions which can cause serious damage. This is true for both surfaces and pipes. If you have to tip bleach down your drain, you should ensure correct dilution to avoid damage to your pipes. A good ratio is ⅓ cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.
Alternatives to Bleach for Drain Cleaning
As we already mentioned, bleach is ineffective for unclogging drains. That’s why you should avoid pouring it straight down your pipes. However, if used correctly and cautiously, there’s no need to worry about bleach damaging your drain pipes. There are plenty of safer alternatives for drain cleaning:
Baking Soda and Vinegar
This is a popular do-it-yourself solution for cleaning that is safe to use in your drains as it avoids harsh chemicals. Pour baking soda followed by vinegar down your drain and wait for the fizzy reaction. This method can help dislodge minor clogs and deodorize your drain. It’s also natural and eco-friendly.
Enzyme-Based Cleaners
Enzyme-based cleaners are a biodegradable, non-toxic solution for cleaning your drains. These cleaners are made up of natural enzymes and bacteria that help break down organic materials such as hair, grease, and food that clog your drains. They are also safe for your plumbing and are ideal for regular maintenance.
Boiling Water
You can even use boiling water to help dissolve grease and soap buildup in your drains. This method is simple and can be effective for clearing minor blockages when you don’t want to introduce your drain to harsh chemicals.
Plunger or Drain Snake
Using a tool such as a plunger or a drain snake can also be an effective method to clear clogged drains. Plungers are adequate for minor clogs, as the suction created can easily dislodge the buildup of hair or soap scum. Drain snakes are better suited for stubborn clogs that a plunger won’t be able to reach.
When to Call a Plumber
Although many minor clogs can be fixed easily by yourself, it’s important to know when to call for help when you need it. Here are some tips:
- Persistent clogs: A plumber might be necessary to assess more serious blockages. If you have tried multiple solutions to no avail, you should consider calling a professional to look at the issue.
- Slow drainage: A slow-draining sink or tub can indicate a serious issue in the main sewer line. At this point, it’s worth calling a professional instead of tackling the issue yourself.
- Foul odors: If you notice a nasty odor coming from your drains, call a plumber immediately. These odors could indicate a plumbing leak or blockage further in your pipes.
- Visible leaks or water damage: It’s important to assess any leaks or water damage you come across immediately. While some minor leaks might be easily fixed yourself, a plumber will have the expertise to diagnose the situation and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Conclusion
While bleach is effective for surface cleaning and disinfecting, it poses many risks when used in your plumbing. When used correctly, however, there’s no reason to be scared of bleach damaging your drain pipes.
However, we encourage you to explore safer alternatives to bleach for cleaning your plumbing. It’s important to prioritize your plumbing system’s longevity, and bleach is often not the correct tool for the job. Use bleach responsibly and call in a professional when needed.
