Most of the chemical drain cleaners available in the market have lye or sodium hydroxide as a chief ingredient. Some of them are liquid, while a few are in powder form. In most cases, the powdered chemical drain cleaners are a combination of aluminum and sodium hydroxide. Lye drain cleaners belong to the caustic clan of chemical drain cleaners. This is because of their hazardous properties which can cause severe injuries and fatal conditions when inhaled, contacted or ingested by humans. Since lye has the potential to corrode everything it comes in contact with (like sulphuric acid), chemical drain cleaners made of lye should be handled with care.

    You use a drain cleaner to unclog your drains. Though it looks pretty easy and simple, it is not so. You need to take a lot of precautions and consider several things before rolling up your sleeves and getting down to the actual cleaning job.

    The heat released by chemical drain cleaners may actually soften plastic (PVC) pipes. Combined heat and chemical reaction may damage old, corroded pipes. Acid drain cleaners can corrode or etch stainless steel, damage aluminum fixtures, and may crack porcelain. If a chemical drain cleaner does not remove the obstruction in the piping system, the chemical may remain unreacted in the piping system. Users occasionally attempt to clear a blockage by using more than one product. The introduction of acid drain cleaners into pipes containing caustic drain cleaners may result in vigorous acid-base neutralization reactions. These reactions generally result in the formation of a salt and water, but may generate extreme heat and, consequently, the liquids may spatter or erupt from the drain. Dilution of concentrated caustics and acids may also generate heat. The addition of water to a concentrated caustic or acid may also result in boiling and spattering of the resulting solution; if the caustic or acid is slowly and carefully added to water, this effect is minimized.

    Chemical and enzymatic drain cleaners are potentially dangerous to use. They are reactive with human tissue in a similar manner as to the organic materials (i.e. hair, dirt, grease, soap) in drain blockages. Hazardous and toxic gases may be generated, as well as spattering and/or eruptions. Standards exist addressing these potential hazards with recommendations for proper and safe use, packaging and labeling recommendations, and personal protection recommendations. Recommendations have been made to use preventive methods such as avoiding pouring grease down drains; using strainers to trap food, hair, and other articles; regular biological/enzymatic treatments; and/or, pouring hot water down the drain weekly to keep the drain free flowing. (The water should be poured directly into the drain rather than in the basin, so as to avoid cracking of porcelain fixtures). If a drain requires cleaning, I recommend the use of mechanical devices, followed by removal and cleaning of traps and cleanout plugs. Chemical cleaners are recommended only as a last resort; if the chemical drain cleaner fails to work, a professional plumber should be contacted and the situation should be explained.