Bath bombs provide an easy way to relax and de-stress after a long day. When you place one in the warm water of your bath, it dissolves, changing the color of your bathwater and leaving behind a pleasant scent. Before you decide to use a bath bomb in your tub, however, you should be aware of the risks that they may pose to your plumbing and keep the contact information of an emergency plumber on hand in case of any issues.
Some Bath Bomb Ingredients Don’t Dissolve
Depending on the type of bath bomb that you buy, you may be at risk of clogging your drain with extra ingredients. Some bath bombs contain glitter or confetti, which do not dissolve into your bathwater: instead, they float in the tub with you and can cause harm once your bath is over and it’s time to empty the tub. A few stray pieces of confetti are not likely to create a major blockage, but regular use of these types of bath bombs can create a problem over time.
Oils May Build In Your Pipes
Unfortunately, bath bombs without extra solid pieces aren’t entirely safe, either. The oil that makes bath bombs smell so good can cool very quickly as it goes down the drain, which causes it to harden and block your pipes. Pipe blockages can severely harm your overall plumbing system if they are not treated in a timely manner.
The Bottom Line
An occasional luxurious soak enhanced by a bath bomb is not a major issue, but bath bombs can cause significant damage to your plumbing if you use them often. To mitigate the harmful effects, you can slip your bath bomb into a cover before dropping it into the tub. The cover will catch some of the debris and soak up some of the oils emitted by the bomb. Besides, you should clean out your drains using a solution composed of vinegar and hot water regularly to rid them of grease and oils from bath products that tend to build up over time regardless of which products that you use. In general, you should make sure to perform routine maintenance on your plumbing and seek out professional help sooner rather than later if any issues come up. It is always easier to fix a problem in the early stages before enough time has passed for it to get worse.
