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How to unblock drains with Caustic Soda
Many people with blocked drainage systems want to know `what is caustic soda?' and `how to unblock drains with caustic soda.' Caustic soda can be extremely beneficial in clearing drains around the home or at your place of work.
What is Caustic Soda?
Caustic soda is also known as Sodium Hydroxide and has many uses in many different industries. It is a caustic metallic, strong chemical base and is used widely in the manufacture of:
- Textiles
- Pulp
- Paper
- Drinking Water
- Soaps
- Detergents
- Hair straightening products
As-well as more, it is available in different forms, pellets, flakes, granules and as saturated solution.
Caustic soda is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs any water from the air, for this reason it must be purchased and stored in air tight containers. Due to its nature it is also a useful product for cleaning drains.
Caustic Soda as a drain cleaner
How to unblock drains with caustic soda is widely typed search on the internet for people suffering from drains that are obstructed in any way of not flowing correctly. The chemical elements in caustic soda mean that it has the ability to dissolve almost anything that could be causing the obstruction. It can break down and dissolve:
- Grease
- Fat
- Oils
- Protein based products
It also has the ability to dissolve the protein in the make- up of hair, making it excellent for any bathroom of shower plugholes. It can be purchased in the form of a liquid, gel or crystals, each of which can be used to unblock drains.
How to unblock drains with caustic soda
Depending on which kind of caustic soda you have purchased as a drain cleaner there will be a different method of use. If you have bought it in the form of a liquid or gel then this will be much easier. Once the blockage is located you simply pour the caustic soda liquid down in to the drain and leave for a period of time (usually around 20 minutes). After it is left to work it should have broken down any obstructions in its way and is simply flushed away by pouring hot water in to the drain.
How to unblock drains with caustic soda if you have purchased it a granule form is a little different and requires a little more physical work. Firstly fill up a bucket of cold water, about 1.25 litres worth, and then add to the water the caustic soda. Once added it will need to be stirred well with a stick or mixing paddle of some sort, stirring must continue until all the soda has dissolved. The stirring motion will generate heat, so precautions must be taken. When the mixture is ready to use, pour in to the blocked drain and leave it to work for 20 minutes, after this time simply flush away with hot water and the blockage should have been removed. Caustic soda can also be used every so often to prevent the risk of blockage.
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