What chemical will unblock a drain?

Author: Pinkie Yost  |  Last update: Sunday, August 10, 2025

Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid) It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away. Safety Measures: Due to its potent nature, handling hydrochloric acid requires strict safety measures.

What is the strongest chemical to unclog a drain?

The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.

What chemical dissolves clogged drains?

While there are many methods for unclogging drains, one of the most effective solutions is using hydrochloric acid (HCl), a powerful chemical cleaner.

What chemical is used to open blocked drains?

Sodium Hydroxide is widely used to unclog drains and sinks. It is frequently used as an industrial cleaning agent. When electricity is passed through an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (called brine), it decomposes to form sodium hydroxide.

How do you unclog a severely clogged drain?

Pour one-half cup table salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Or try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar—let it bubble, wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half-cup of salt; let it sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water.

DIY Fix For a Blocked Drain or Gully Outside

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

What do professionals use to unblock drains?

Drain snakes also called drain rooters or augers, use a long cable with a spiral-shaped head.

What liquid do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid)

Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.

What is the best chemical to unblock outside drains?

The Best Outside Drain Unblocker

For solid blocks in your outside drains, use caustic soda to help. We have also provided a step-by-step guide for how to unblock your outside drains with a drain rod or read more about drain rods below.

What chemicals do plumbers use?

Chemicals Used by a Plumbing Company

Drain cleaners often contain potassium hydroxide to transform grease into soft soap, and thioglycolic acid to dissolve hair. Other common ingredients include sodium hydroxide, lye, or sulfuric acid. Some of these ingredients are toxic and require special care.

What is the best homemade drain cleaner?

Baking Soda + Vinegar
  • Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down drain.
  • Plug drain and let sit for one hour.
  • Then, pour a pot of boiling water down drain. Repeat if necessary.

What liquid is used to unblock drains?

HG drain unblocker is a safe and extremely powerful liquid for effectively clearing blockages in just 30 minutes. Instructions for Use - Pour 300ml of HG liquid drain unblocker down the affected drain, and leave to work for approximately 30 minutes.

What household chemicals can I use to unclog a drain?

Pour one cup of baking soda down the affected drain, immediately followed by one cup of white vinegar. You should let the mixture sit for anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour. Once you've let the mixture do its job, flush the drain with a pot of boiling water.

What chemical will unclog a toilet?

Baking Soda and Vinegar Method

Pour one cup of baking soda into the toilet. Immediately follow it up with one cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes and then pour several cups of hot water into the bowl.

What is the best unclog drain?

9 Best Drain Cleaners, Tested by Experts
  • Best Overall Drain Cleaner. Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover. Read more.
  • Best Drain Cleaner for Hair Clogs. Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Eliminator. Read more.
  • Best Drain Cleaner for Kitchen Sinks. Green Gobbler Drain Opening Pacs. Read more.

How do you permanently unclog a drain?

All you have to do is pour 1 cup or baking soda down your drain and then follow it with 1 cup of vinegar. After your mixture is in the drain, seal the top of the drain and wait for about an hour so your concoction can start breaking down any clogs. After about an hour, rinse your drain a few times with boiling water.

What dissolves concrete in a drain?

Use Croc Crete to Remove Hardened Cement

This is the best method of removing hardened concrete from a drainage system. Croc Crete is a cement softener that attacks concrete at its core. It transforms cement back to its liquid form, allowing you to work it through the drain.

What is safe to pour down the drain to unclog it?

Add a half cup of vinegar and put something over the drain. Wait half an hour and then pour boiling water into the drain. Dish detergent: For a clogged toilet, pour a quarter cup of dish detergent into the bowl and then pour hot water over it. Use a plunger.

How do you unblock a badly blocked drain?

Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe.

What should you avoid when unclogging a drain?

Sometimes you have to wonder what they were thinking. Put boiling water or vinegar down the drain – While it is probably ok to run some hot water down your drain if you notice the start of a clog, avoid pouring boiling water or vinegar down your drain.

What chemical dissolves fat in drains?

You might find it difficult to know where to look for caustic soda, but it is available from many hardware shops and online. When hot water is not effective enough you only need to use a few tablespoons of caustic soda in the drain for it to work.

What do you do if your drain won't unclog?

Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.

What will dissolve hair in a drain?

Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.

Is bleach or vinegar better for drains?

Drain Line Material

Chlorine bleach can quickly eat away at not only the line but the glue and cement joining the line to the fittings and the condensation pan. If your drain line is PVC, stick to white distilled vinegar for clearing clogs and debris, particularly during winter.

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