Chemical Drain Unblocker

[twitchboy]

Not a tool as such, but which is the most effective chemical drain unblocker?

I've always used one shot but is there anything better?

 

[Ermintrude]

Hydrogen fluoride (aq) 10% melts drain too!

 

[Anton]

There's a chemical cleaner called 'Blockbuster' available. It's powerful stuff and protective gear is needed when using it. Goggles, gloves, suit of armour.

Blockbuster - Arrow Solutions

 

[Ermintrude]

The best ones are alkaline not acidic. Mostly fatty blockages , fats are made of hydrocarbons and a lot of organic material which has more bonds that are easily broken with alkaline. So things like hydrogen chloride ( bleach) is acidic as it increases h+ ions isn't any good but KOH potassium hydroxide or Ca(OH)2 calcium hydroxide will burn your fingers off even while your running them under cold water. As they have the magic OH- ions

 

[twitchboy]

The best ones are alkaline not acidic. Mostly fatty blockages , fats are made of hydrocarbons and a lot of organic material which has more bonds that are easily broken with alkaline. So things like hydrogen chloride ( bleach) is acidic as it increases h+ ions isn't any good but KOH potassium hydroxide or Ca(OH)2 calcium hydroxide will burn your fingers off even while your running them under cold water. As they have the magic OH- ions

Is there a particular brand because if I go into screwfix and start talking about hydrocarbons and alkalines they'll probably boot me out of the shop.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

i used shift it few times, but dont use on wastes with plastic nuts. I hate chemicals overall. Prefer proper unblocking

 

[Ermintrude]

Just read the ingredients list simples or download coshh sheet

 

[Whyme]

I always thought bleach was a Base (alkaline).

 

[Ermintrude]

Depends which bleach but ones that smell of chlorine are defo acidic

 

[stevetheplumber]

i would only use chemicals as a last resort apart from urinals which should have spirits of salts down them once a month

 

[turnpin]

What ever drain cleaner you use make sure nothing has been put down already as chemical reaction can have deadly resultsi.e fumes or blowback its no laughing matterbeing sprayed with acid.....where possible try to use mechanical means to unblock......regards Turnpinunk: