Unclog Drains with Caustic Soda in 5 Easy Steps

Sodium hydroxide, sometimes known as caustic soda, is an organic chemical that is commonly used to clear drains. Because of its capacity to dissolve grease, oils, and fat deposits, caustic soda is a great choice for clearing clogged drains. The chemical compound is effective, inexpensive, and easy to find at any hardware or home improvement store. To ensure the safety and efficacy of caustic soda as a drain cleaning, take the following precautions:

1. Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times (PPE). Gloves and protective spectacles are essential to avoid skin and eye injury. When sodium hydroxide comes into contact with the eyes, it causes chemical burns that can lead to permanent blindness. You must exercise extreme caution when handling or utilizing these chemicals. Wear a respirator mask to protect your lungs from any potential injury caused by the fumes.
2. Prepare a 10% sodium hydroxide solution. Dissolve 100 grams of sodium hydroxide in one liter of water to get a 10% solution. Use the same ratio if you need more or less lye solution (1 part sodium hydroxide to 10 parts water). Stir the solution with a plastic stick to speed up the dissolving process. Because the chemical may heat up the water on its own, using cold water during the dissolving process is highly recommended. It is not recommended to pour sodium hydroxide pellets down the drain. The granules may clump together and further clog the drain.
3. Pour the lye solution down the drain. Allow enough time for the solution to finish its job. After 5-10 minutes, slowly pour some water down the drain. If the drain appears to be clear, increase the water pressure. Repeat the treatment if the drain is still cloudy.
4. Rinse the clogged drain with plenty of water. Remove any sodium hydroxide deposits.
5. Caustic soda should be kept in airtight, non-metallic containers with legible labels. When storing it, make certain it is out of reach of children and pets. Sodium hydroxide, even in small doses, can be lethal if consumed.

Caustic soda has been connected to environmental issues in addition to the health dangers. According to a report published by the non-governmental group Total Environment Centre (TEC), sodium hydroxide will erode aluminum and glass swiftly. It has been established that when the chemical comes into contact with any ammonia-containing preparations, it affects the evolution of ammonia gas.

Because of the potential risks of caustic soda, suitable safety precautions must be taken.