Chemical drain cleaners are liquids, dyes or granulates that, even when they come into contact (waste) water from the pipe, result in a chemical response. The intention of this reaction is to take out the reason for the pipe blockage by dissolving or binding. This can work well if the pipe congestion is caused by organic substance: The chemical reaction is precisely tailored to attack cells, fats (and thus also hair), oils, cellulose (paper). As a rule, the structure of the clogging substance is ruined, so that the pipe cleaner literally"melts" the pipe congestion. The chemical reaction takes a certain quantity of time, which is why a specified exposure time ought to be observed. Considering that the reaction should be stopped following the blockage was removed, the pipe cleaner must not remain in the pipe outside the recommended times. Otherwise there might be undesirable chemical processes between the cleaner and the material of the pipe. Never exceed the recommended dose! If the lye can't clear the pipe congestion, it's normally because it's caused by a chemical or foreign body, because the lye can't dissolve. "A great deal helps a lot" has the opposite effect: The blockage is not eliminated, on the opposite, the pipe cleaner can crystallize and result in a gigantic, complete closure of this pipe! At length, vigorous rinsing of the pipeline with water guarantees that the substances that react with one another are removed from the sewer pipe. The"household treatments" for pipe cleaning - baking soda, baking powder, soda - as very weak alkalis, strictly speaking, also belong to the chemical pipe cleaners.
In learn more here to alkaline components, granulate cleansers also contain aluminum granules as well as nitrate and sodium carbonate. If water is added, a strong lye is created. The aluminum reacts with the lye, producing heat and generating hydrogen. The hydrogen released becomes exceptionally volatile oxyhydrogen in conjunction with oxygen. To avoid this, the hydrogen is blended with the nitrate to form ammonia. This can result in the typically pungent smell. Therefore, the premises must be well ventilated! In case the granulate is overdosed, the subsequent heat can damage pipes.
When the compound pipe cleaner is brought to the drain and is not able to clean the pipe blockage, this is the"worst-case scenario"! Because the strongly caustic lye cannot drain into the sewer system as planned. This situation is anything but unlikely, as pipe blockages can also be caused by foreign objects like metal (jewelry and other items that have fallen into the drain unintentionally or unnoticed. Chemical pipe cleaners don't help here.
IMPORTANT: If the pipe cleaner is clogged, then NEVER attempt to remove it using a plunger, a pipe cleaning spiral or similar! There's a risk that you will come in contact with the strongly caustic lye and lead to severe burns! With liquid pipe cleaner, then you can carefully and gradually pour diluted acetic or citric acid down the drain. As explained in the part on how it works, the germ and acid neutralize one another and form water. Because the chemical reaction is very violent, this should just be carried out very carefully, slowly and slowly over a longer time period.
If crystallized granulate drain cleaner clogs the pipe, slowly pour boiling water to the pipe. It takes time, however, the crystalline structure is divided over time from the warm water.
How can the chemical response of drain cleaners do the job?
The compound pipe cleaner consists of a strongly acidic chemical, mainly sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), which in combination with (waste) water creates a strong lye or base. The lye heats up and in extreme cases may also bring the water required in the reaction to a boil. The resulting steam can lead to pressure build-up if it can't escape. When there's an unexpected chemical response beyond the pipe, then the sudden boiling of the water may cause unpredictable splashes of this caustic lye!
The consequence of the reaction is hydroxide ions (OH-). The same as an acid, this hydroxide dissolved in water is extremely corrosive: when it strikes organic cells, then the molecular cell constructions are divided, which in turn implies that the cell is destroyed. For organic substances in the pipe, such as hair, dandruff, feces, food debris and paper, this usually means that they will dissolve. If the lye matches oil or fat, which are the reason for several pipe blockages from the kitchen space, it converts this into glycerine or soap. Compared to oil or fat, glycerin and soap are water-soluble, so that they can then easily be flushed from the pipe.
IMPORTANT: When the hydroxide ions of a foundation meet their compound counterpart, the H3O ions of an acid, they respond with them and form water (H2O) and a salt. The acid and Saturdays neutralize each other. The related chemical reaction happens with the release of a lot of energy, therefore it can also bring the consequent or surrounding water to the boil, so that the caustic acids and lye dab! Consequently, in combination with the use of a chemical pipe cleaner, an acid or an acidic cleansing agent should never be used! ATTENTION: several bathroom cleaners and toilet cleaners that dissolve limescale work on a acid basis! These must therefore never be utilized from the drain before the lye was completely removed!
Is compound pipe cleaner dangerous and harmful to the environment?
Considering that the effect of chemical pipe cleaners relies on the formation of a strongly caustic lye, this question can simply be answered with YES! If the lye comes into contact with skin, it immediately starts to destroy the cell structure of skin. The result is severe skin damage. Inadvertent splashes of the lye lead to serious harm to the cornea and eyes when they come in contact with the eyes. The lye burns itself to the skin with acute pain on account of the resulting heat. Irreparable harm to the deeper layers of the skin"down to the bone" can occur. The top layers of the skin are attacked immediately, causing flaking and blistering. The response has to be stopped as fast as possible by diluting it with water! Chemical pipe cleaners are among the most dangerous substances for human health that could be found in the home! Therefore, always focus on proper handling and keep drain cleaner in a secure place. Chemical pipe cleaners are completely taboo for kids!
In learn more here to alkaline components, granulate cleansers also contain aluminum granules as well as nitrate and sodium carbonate. If water is added, a strong lye is created. The aluminum reacts with the lye, producing heat and generating hydrogen. The hydrogen released becomes exceptionally volatile oxyhydrogen in conjunction with oxygen. To avoid this, the hydrogen is blended with the nitrate to form ammonia. This can result in the typically pungent smell. Therefore, the premises must be well ventilated! In case the granulate is overdosed, the subsequent heat can damage pipes.
When the compound pipe cleaner is brought to the drain and is not able to clean the pipe blockage, this is the"worst-case scenario"! Because the strongly caustic lye cannot drain into the sewer system as planned. This situation is anything but unlikely, as pipe blockages can also be caused by foreign objects like metal (jewelry and other items that have fallen into the drain unintentionally or unnoticed. Chemical pipe cleaners don't help here.
IMPORTANT: If the pipe cleaner is clogged, then NEVER attempt to remove it using a plunger, a pipe cleaning spiral or similar! There's a risk that you will come in contact with the strongly caustic lye and lead to severe burns! With liquid pipe cleaner, then you can carefully and gradually pour diluted acetic or citric acid down the drain. As explained in the part on how it works, the germ and acid neutralize one another and form water. Because the chemical reaction is very violent, this should just be carried out very carefully, slowly and slowly over a longer time period.
If crystallized granulate drain cleaner clogs the pipe, slowly pour boiling water to the pipe. It takes time, however, the crystalline structure is divided over time from the warm water.
How can the chemical response of drain cleaners do the job?
The compound pipe cleaner consists of a strongly acidic chemical, mainly sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), which in combination with (waste) water creates a strong lye or base. The lye heats up and in extreme cases may also bring the water required in the reaction to a boil. The resulting steam can lead to pressure build-up if it can't escape. When there's an unexpected chemical response beyond the pipe, then the sudden boiling of the water may cause unpredictable splashes of this caustic lye!
The consequence of the reaction is hydroxide ions (OH-). The same as an acid, this hydroxide dissolved in water is extremely corrosive: when it strikes organic cells, then the molecular cell constructions are divided, which in turn implies that the cell is destroyed. For organic substances in the pipe, such as hair, dandruff, feces, food debris and paper, this usually means that they will dissolve. If the lye matches oil or fat, which are the reason for several pipe blockages from the kitchen space, it converts this into glycerine or soap. Compared to oil or fat, glycerin and soap are water-soluble, so that they can then easily be flushed from the pipe.
IMPORTANT: When the hydroxide ions of a foundation meet their compound counterpart, the H3O ions of an acid, they respond with them and form water (H2O) and a salt. The acid and Saturdays neutralize each other. The related chemical reaction happens with the release of a lot of energy, therefore it can also bring the consequent or surrounding water to the boil, so that the caustic acids and lye dab! Consequently, in combination with the use of a chemical pipe cleaner, an acid or an acidic cleansing agent should never be used! ATTENTION: several bathroom cleaners and toilet cleaners that dissolve limescale work on a acid basis! These must therefore never be utilized from the drain before the lye was completely removed!
Is compound pipe cleaner dangerous and harmful to the environment?
Considering that the effect of chemical pipe cleaners relies on the formation of a strongly caustic lye, this question can simply be answered with YES! If the lye comes into contact with skin, it immediately starts to destroy the cell structure of skin. The result is severe skin damage. Inadvertent splashes of the lye lead to serious harm to the cornea and eyes when they come in contact with the eyes. The lye burns itself to the skin with acute pain on account of the resulting heat. Irreparable harm to the deeper layers of the skin"down to the bone" can occur. The top layers of the skin are attacked immediately, causing flaking and blistering. The response has to be stopped as fast as possible by diluting it with water! Chemical pipe cleaners are among the most dangerous substances for human health that could be found in the home! Therefore, always focus on proper handling and keep drain cleaner in a secure place. Chemical pipe cleaners are completely taboo for kids!
The consequences of improper handling of chemical pipe cleaners are described within this article"Injured individuals in Euskirchen by pipe cleaners", in which the excessive use of sulfuric acid-based drain cleansers resulted in the escape of caustic vapors.
In combination with water, the pipe cleaner creates a highly caustic lye, the aim of which is to divide and destroy organic compounds. If the lye gets from the pipe into the environment, it destroys living organic tissue . Plants are destroyed, microorganisms are killed - when they come into contact with animals (insects, rats, etc.) they endure severe burns, which frequently cause death. Obviously, the lye is diluted on its travel through the sewage system. However, by way of instance, at the transition from the house drain to the street sewer, the mix is still undiluted. Thus, think for yourself if you want to utilize chemical drain cleaners in addition to the danger to yourself despite this possible environmental damage.
The alternative to chemical pipe cleaners: pipe cleaning spiral, Higher pressure pump or biological drain cleaner
The safe and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pipe cleaners is to utilize a pipe cleaning coil. The pipe cleaning isn't done , but mechanically: the blockage is loosened from the spring steel wire of the spiral in the pipe and then flushed out. There is no chance of chemical burns or damage to health. The functioning principle of the spiral is illustrated in our next video:
You may find more information on this in our guide to pipe cleaning spiral: Work and correct use. You can also clean out the pipe with a high pressure pump without any hesitation. Its working principle is based on the solution of this pipe congestion by water pressure or air pressure, and is therefore completely harmless. There is a risk of chemical burns from contact of this spiral with the cleanser and then the skin and eyes! If you call a professional pipe cleaner or other person for help, be sure to inform them that a chemical pipe cleaner is already used and is still diluted or completely in the pipe!
Another alternative is your biological drain cleaner. This can be done a lot more softly and, in contrast to compound pipe cleaners, entirely environmentally friendly. On the other hand, the comparatively long exposure time is a disadvantage. Additionally, the enzymatic pipe cleaner isn't of any aid if inorganic foreign cells clog the pipe. Incidentally, the household remedy mist for drain cleaning also belongs to this category of biological drain cleaner!
In combination with water, the pipe cleaner creates a highly caustic lye, the aim of which is to divide and destroy organic compounds. If the lye gets from the pipe into the environment, it destroys living organic tissue . Plants are destroyed, microorganisms are killed - when they come into contact with animals (insects, rats, etc.) they endure severe burns, which frequently cause death. Obviously, the lye is diluted on its travel through the sewage system. However, by way of instance, at the transition from the house drain to the street sewer, the mix is still undiluted. Thus, think for yourself if you want to utilize chemical drain cleaners in addition to the danger to yourself despite this possible environmental damage.
The alternative to chemical pipe cleaners: pipe cleaning spiral, Higher pressure pump or biological drain cleaner
The safe and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pipe cleaners is to utilize a pipe cleaning coil. The pipe cleaning isn't done , but mechanically: the blockage is loosened from the spring steel wire of the spiral in the pipe and then flushed out. There is no chance of chemical burns or damage to health. The functioning principle of the spiral is illustrated in our next video:
You may find more information on this in our guide to pipe cleaning spiral: Work and correct use. You can also clean out the pipe with a high pressure pump without any hesitation. Its working principle is based on the solution of this pipe congestion by water pressure or air pressure, and is therefore completely harmless. There is a risk of chemical burns from contact of this spiral with the cleanser and then the skin and eyes! If you call a professional pipe cleaner or other person for help, be sure to inform them that a chemical pipe cleaner is already used and is still diluted or completely in the pipe!
Another alternative is your biological drain cleaner. This can be done a lot more softly and, in contrast to compound pipe cleaners, entirely environmentally friendly. On the other hand, the comparatively long exposure time is a disadvantage. Additionally, the enzymatic pipe cleaner isn't of any aid if inorganic foreign cells clog the pipe. Incidentally, the household remedy mist for drain cleaning also belongs to this category of biological drain cleaner!