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'Drain cleaner' is a chemical used to dissolve clogs to unblock pipes, such as the drainpipes of sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and showers. It is generally a corrosive chemical such as a concentrated acid or caustic, or is an enzymatic substance. It is most often used after a plunger has not been sufficient to remove the clog.
Drain cleaner should only be used according to the manufacturer's specifications, as improper use may damage skin, lungs or eyes. Strongly corrosive, drain cleaners are one of the most hazardous household products available to the public.
There are five major types of drain cleaners sold today.
The most common type are liquid caustic solutions containing sodium hypochlorite (bleach), sodium hydroxide (lye), or potassium hydroxide in concentrations up to 40 percent. These are used to dissolve grease and hair clogs.
A more concentrated caustic drain cleaner consists of solid granules of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. These are also used for hair and grease clogs.
The third type are the liquid solutions containing bacteria cultures and enzymes that gradually eat away the organic material on pipes that cause slow drains. These are generally not capable of freeing completely clogged drainpipes, but are rather used as routine maintenance for proper flow.
A different type are acidic liquid solutions that contain sulfuric acid, usually in concentrations around 95 percent. These are very corrosive and hazardous if misused, and often create intense heat that can cause the water in the drain to boil, creating a violent eruption from the drain. These acidic cleaners are often the only products that will effectively dissolve paper, rags, sanitary napkins, and similar blockages. Many of these products are intended for professional use by plumbers and janitors, but are legal to sell to the general public in the US, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, despite much debate during the last few decades.
The fifth type of drain cleaner uses forcibly accelerated CO2 (carbon dioxide), air or other gas to physically dislodge clogs. Accelerated gas may instantly clear the clog, in contrast to chemical solutions that may take minutes or hours to work.
Caustic and acidic drain cleaners should not be used in combination as they will neutralise each other which renders them ineffective, and may also liberate possibly harmful gasses.
Strong acids and strong caustics will generate heat when dissolved in water.
See Household chemicals.
Popular brands of drain cleaner include Drano, Floweasy, Kleer Drain, Instant Power, Liquid Fire, Liquid Plumr, Roebic, Rooto, and Hercules/Cloroben.
★ how to unclog a drain
Drain cleaner should only be used according to the manufacturer's specifications, as improper use may damage skin, lungs or eyes. Strongly corrosive, drain cleaners are one of the most hazardous household products available to the public.
| Contents |
| Types of drain cleaners |
| Caustic liquid |
| Caustic solid |
| Enzymatic cleaners |
| Acid liquid |
| Air burst cleaners |
| Usage tip |
| External links |
Types of drain cleaners
There are five major types of drain cleaners sold today.
Caustic liquid
The most common type are liquid caustic solutions containing sodium hypochlorite (bleach), sodium hydroxide (lye), or potassium hydroxide in concentrations up to 40 percent. These are used to dissolve grease and hair clogs.
Caustic solid
A more concentrated caustic drain cleaner consists of solid granules of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. These are also used for hair and grease clogs.
Enzymatic cleaners
The third type are the liquid solutions containing bacteria cultures and enzymes that gradually eat away the organic material on pipes that cause slow drains. These are generally not capable of freeing completely clogged drainpipes, but are rather used as routine maintenance for proper flow.
Acid liquid
A different type are acidic liquid solutions that contain sulfuric acid, usually in concentrations around 95 percent. These are very corrosive and hazardous if misused, and often create intense heat that can cause the water in the drain to boil, creating a violent eruption from the drain. These acidic cleaners are often the only products that will effectively dissolve paper, rags, sanitary napkins, and similar blockages. Many of these products are intended for professional use by plumbers and janitors, but are legal to sell to the general public in the US, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, despite much debate during the last few decades.
Air burst cleaners
The fifth type of drain cleaner uses forcibly accelerated CO2 (carbon dioxide), air or other gas to physically dislodge clogs. Accelerated gas may instantly clear the clog, in contrast to chemical solutions that may take minutes or hours to work.
Usage tip
Caustic and acidic drain cleaners should not be used in combination as they will neutralise each other which renders them ineffective, and may also liberate possibly harmful gasses.
Strong acids and strong caustics will generate heat when dissolved in water.
See Household chemicals.
Popular brands of drain cleaner include Drano, Floweasy, Kleer Drain, Instant Power, Liquid Fire, Liquid Plumr, Roebic, Rooto, and Hercules/Cloroben.
External links
★ how to unclog a drain
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