Putting liquid plumber or any drain cleaner down the toilet can cause serious problems and damage. Liquid plumber and other chemical drain cleaners contain very caustic and corrosive ingredients that can harm the plastic and metal parts inside your toilet.
What is liquid plumber?
Liquid plumber is a popular chemical drain cleaner product sold to dissolve clogs and clean drains. The active ingredients in liquid plumber are sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite – both very corrosive chemicals.
Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye or caustic soda, is a very alkaline chemical that breaks down organic material like hair, grease, and food particles. It works by dissolving this gunk and allowing it to flush away. However, sodium hydroxide is very corrosive and can damage pipes.
Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient in bleach. It helps sanitize drains and kill germs. However, it is also very harsh and corrosive.
Why you should never put liquid plumber in your toilet
There are a few key reasons why it’s dangerous to put liquid plumber or chemical drain cleaners in your toilet:
- Can damage plastic and rubber toilet parts – The caustic ingredients in liquid plumber will corrode and degrade the rubber and plastic components in your toilet. This includes the flush valve, seals, gaskets, and hoses. These parts will wear out faster and be more prone to leaking or breaking.
- Harms metal toilet components – Liquid plumber will also corrode and attack metal parts like the flush mechanism inside the toilet tank. This can render these components inoperable.
- Toilets are not designed for these chemicals – While chemical drain cleaners may be formulated for sinks and tubs that have metal or ceramic piping, toilets contain much more plastic and rubber. The caustic ingredients can rapidly degrade these toilet materials.
- Causes leaks – The damage and corrosion caused by liquid plumber inside a toilet can result in leaks. Leaks will waste water and if left undetected, can cause water damage to your flooring and subfloor.
- Hurts the wax ring seal – The wax ring provides the water tight seal between the toilet and the floor flange/drain pipe. Chemical drain cleaners can eat away and damage this wax ring, leading to leaks.
- Harms metal drain pipes – While toilet drain pipes are usually plastic, there may be some metal pipes. Liquid plumber will corrode metal pipes and cause damage over time.
What to use instead of liquid plumber in your toilet
There are much safer and effective alternatives to use for clogged toilets instead of liquid plumber or chemical drain cleaners:
- Plunger – A simple plunger can usually unclog most simple toilet clogs by creating pressure to dislodge the blockage.
- Closet auger/toilet snake – A toilet auger or snake can reach deeper into the toilet trap and drain pipe to clear stubborn clogs or objects stuck farther down the pipe.
- Hot water – Simply pouring a bucket of very hot (not boiling) water into the toilet can help melt and break up some clogs.
- Baking soda and vinegar – An environmentally safe option is pouring 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Allow this mixture to fizz and work for 10-15 minutes before flushing.
- Enzyme based cleaner – Enzyme cleaners are formulated specifically for toilets and breaks down waste matter without harsh chemicals.
How liquid plumber damages toilets
When liquid plumber or other chemical drain cleaners are poured into a toilet, the corrosive ingredients immediately start to attack the rubber and plastic components. Here are some specific ways liquid plumber harms a toilet:
- Degrades flush valve seal – The flush valve at the bottom of the toilet tank has a seal made of rubber. Liquid plumber will degrade and warp this seal, causing leaks.
- Corrodes metal bolts – Metal bolts hold the toilet tank and bowl together. Liquid plumber corrodes these bolts which can break and lead to the tank separating from the bowl.
- Weakens plastic fittings – Plastic fittings connect the water supply line and toilet tank. Liquid plumber makes these brittle and prone to cracking.
- Damages flush valve – The metal or plastic components that make up the flushing mechanism inside the toilet tank can be corroded and jammed by liquid plumber.
- Harms plastic drain pipes – The plastic drain pipes leading from the toilet are degraded by liquid plumber drain cleaner chemicals.
These damages can result in serious plumbing issues down the road including leaks, flooding, and even the inability to flush the toilet. Repairing this damage is often very costly.
Dangers of the toxic fumes
Another hazard of putting liquid plumber in your toilet is that toxic fumes can be produced. The chemical reaction between the caustic ingredients in liquid plumber and the organic waste material in toilet traps generates harmful gases.
These toxic fumes can include:
- Chlorine gas
- Ammonia
- Methane
- Hydrogen sulfide
Exposure to high concentrations of these gases, especially in enclosed spaces like bathrooms, can cause breathing issues, nausea, headaches, and other health effects.
Environmental impact
Dumping liquid plumber and other chemical drain cleaners down your toilet also has a negative environmental impact. These chemicals do not break down easily and can pollute waterways.
Sewage treatment plants are not designed to remove many of the caustic and toxic ingredients in liquid plumber. When liquid plumber goes down your toilet, it can pass through the sewer system and discharge into lakes, rivers, and oceans where it can harm aquatic life and ecosystems.
The safer and more eco-friendly alternatives like hot water, plungers, or enzyme cleaners have minimal environmental impact compared to liquid plumber.
It’s illegal
In many municipalities across the United States and Canada, it is actually illegal to dispose of liquid plumber and other chemical drain cleaners down your toilet or drains. These jurisdictions prohibit dumping hazardous chemicals because of the previously outlined risks to plumbing systems and the environment.
There can be hefty fines for improperly disposing liquid plumber or bleach. For example, the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts issues fines of $500 to $1,000 per violation for illegal dumping of hazardous waste.
Signs liquid plumber damaged your toilet
If someone has put liquid plumber down your toilet in the past, here are some signs of damage to look out for:
- Toilet leaks – Small leaks around the base of the toilet or tank could indicate liquid plumber corroded seals and gaskets.
- Toilet rocking – If the toilet rocks when you sit on it, corroded bolts may be broken.
- Difficulty flushing – Liquid plumber might have corroded the flushing mechanism and made the toilet hard to flush or not flush at all.
- Plastic parts cracked – Cracked plastic fittings or tank components indicate degradation by liquid plumber chemicals.
- Odors – A chemical odor coming from the toilet could mean liquid plumber has damaged components creating an unsealed toilet that sewer gas escapes from.
How to clean up after liquid plumber use
If liquid plumber was mistakenly poured into your toilet, take quick action to clean it up and reduce damage:
- Turn off the toilet water supply valve.
- Plunge the toilet repeatedly with a plunger and flush several times to drain out as much of the liquid plumber as possible.
- Fill the tank or bowl with hot water and let soak for 15 minutes. This will help dilute any remaining chemical residue.
- Use a towel to wipe and dry the inside of the tank and bowl.
- Open windows and turn on fans to ventilate the bathroom and remove toxic fumes.
- Run very hot water through the toilet for a few minutes to flush the pipes.
- Follow up by flushing several batches of baking soda and vinegar to help neutralize any lingering chemicals.
- Check toilet components for any damage or leaks that may need replacement.
How a plumber can fix liquid plumber damage
If your toilet already has significant damage from liquid plumber or you want to preemptively replace components that have been compromised, a plumber can help. Here are some repairs a plumber may need to carry out:
- Replace rubber gaskets and seals
- Replace plastic fittings and connectors
- Replace any damaged metal components like bolts or the flush mechanism
- Replace the wax ring seal between toilet and floor
- Replace any damaged sections of plastic drain pipe
- Complete rebuild or replacement of toilet if damage is too severe
A plumber has the skills, experience, and proper equipment to properly remove and replace toilet components damaged by liquid plumber chemicals. Attempting toilet repairs without know-how risks further damage or leaks.
How to avoid using liquid plumber
The safest approach is to avoid pouring liquid plumber or any drain cleaner into your toilet altogether. Here are some tips to prevent clogs so liquid plumber is never required:
- Don’t flush wipes or paper towels – Only flush toilet paper designed to disintegrate in water.
- Minimize oil and grease down drains – These can congeal and clog drain lines.
- Use a drain strainer – Catch hair and food scraps before going down the drain.
- Don’t pour fats or oils down toilet – Allow cooked fats and oils to solidify and throw away in the trash instead.
- Use a toilet brush – Regular cleaning with a toilet brush removes buildup and prevents clogs.
However, if you do end up with a clogged toilet, reach for a plunger or closet auger before resorting to liquid plumber which should always be avoided.
Conclusion
Liquid plumber and chemical drain cleaners may claim to dissolve clogs, but they simply should not be used in toilets. The extremely caustic ingredients like lye, bleach, and acids corrode and degrade all the plastic and rubber components critical to a toilet’s operation. The damage caused can lead to leaks, fractures, the inability to flush, costly repairs, and even health dangers from toxic fumes. A plunger, toilet auger, hot water, or enzyme cleaner are far safer and more effective options. Being aware and avoiding liquid plumber can save you from an emergency call to the plumber and expensive repairs down the road.