What Acid Do Plumbers Use To Unclog Drains

You ll want to dilute it and that could be hazardous.

What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains.

Call a plumber to unclog the drain if the muriatic acid fails to clear the stoppage. Always pour the drain cleaner into water never the other way around. Chemical drain cleaners contain a high concentration of lye bleach or sulfuric acid to soften and break up clogs. Use the recommended amount avoid splashes and wear protective eyewear and clothing.

The mechanism behind baking soda vinegar solution to clear clogged drains baking soda is an alkaline element while vinegar is a slightly sour acid when the two are forced to combine they tend to neutralize each other s effect resulting in expanding and producing immense pressure. Add your muriatic acid to the water carefully pour the diluted solution into the clogged drain and leave for about 10 minutes. While not for use in completely clogged drains through which no water flows the longer dwell time needed to clear. An auger also known as a plumbing snake or flat sewer rod can clear blockages deep in drain lines.

If you do end up having a clog and it won t get out with hot water dish soap and plunging take a look at our how to unclog a kitchen drain article. All of these can create clogs. Don t use plastic for this. For a vinegar and baking soda combination.

The mixture will foam up on its own as the chemical reaction occurs. Strong commercial drain cleaners may contain an acid but it s usually sulfuric acid which dissolves organic matter better than hcl. Measure out one half cup of water into a glass measuring cup. Overall plumbers say the best way to clean out clogged drains is by mechanical means plunging and snaking and some hot water.

Use 1 2 cup of baking soda and 1 2 cup of white vinegar. Position the lip of the jug directly over the drain outlet. If you re going to use muriatic acid to clean a drain line you ll probably reach for a solution sold in the paint or masonry section of the hardware store. No mixing is needed before pouring down the drain.

But if manual methods fail liquid drain cleaner can save you a plumber s fee. See below for instructions and tips on using each of these solutions. During this time the acid will work on the clog heating it up and breaking it up as promised.