Drain cleaners on the shelf – they might work like a charm and the problem will be solved. Other times, however, it barely works against the clog to get it out of the pipes and a plumber is required. It solves the problem but sometimes warns that using a liquid cleaner can damage your pipes. Liquid drain cleaners are chemical or enzymatic based. They burn or eat obstructions in the drains. Enzymatic cleaners essentially digest the blockage and rarely cause damage to the pipes. Chemical cleaners work because of their reactive nature. The interaction of the chemical with the material causing clogging creates a gaseous heat to burn it. When gases burn through the plug, they can also burn through the pipes or fittings of your plumbing system. Houses have pipes made of several different substances. Galvanized steel, copper, and PVC plastic are the most common.