Almost all of us have faced the issues of clogged sewer lines in our homes. However, most of us are unaware of the ways through which we can easily unclog the sewer line. In this article, you will get to know about the basics of unclogging a sewer line by using the chemicals.
There are multiple ways to unclog the sewer line such as the mechanical drain cleaning, chemical drain cleaning, as well as the pressure release method. All of these methods are of equal importance and are commonly used based on customer preferences.
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Contents
What is Chemical Drain Cleaning?
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Chemical drain cleaning is a very simple type of unclogging the sewer lines if some hard to move substance got stuck into the pipes. For example, sometimes the little roots of a tree make their way towards the sewer lines under a toilet floor. Thus, it becomes important to pour some chemical into the commode and flush it into the lines to unclog them.
The acid which we pour acts on removing or dissolving the roots on the way of sewer lines. Ultimately, this process effectively unclogs the lines or pipes. Similarly, if the hair or grease stuck into the sewer pipes, the chemical drain cleaning is the best method to remove them. Here we discuss two methods for how to unclog a sewer line with chemicals?
Two Types of Chemical Drain Cleaning
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Alkaline Cleaning Process
First method for “how to unclog a sewer line with chemicals?” In this type of chemical drain cleaning, the most used chemicals include potassium hydroxide, and mainly the sodium hydroxide. These may be used either in liquid form or in solid form. Alkaline formations usually include various additives and enhancers to initiate the process.
To unclog the sewer lines, you should first buy a bottle of the alkaline formulation. After that, read the instructions on it carefully. Put on your gloves and glasses so that the chemical may not go into your eyes accidentally. Pour the right amount of the chemical into the drain opening according to the instructions given on the bottle. Leave it for few minutes and then flush the chemical.
What happens is that the chemical gets into direct contact with the clogged substances. In this way, it initiates the reactions, especially sodium hydroxide. As a result of reactions of chemicals with the substances, the substances got dissolve. Then, they are flushed with the water into the gutters while leaving the passage clean and free.
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Acidic Cleaning Process
2nd method for “how to unclog a sewer line with chemicals?” In the acidic chemical cleaning process for unclogging the sewer pipes, we mostly use the acids. Acids are very dangerous, and they require special care and attention for using them. When the other methods fail to unclog the sewer pipes, then you may go for the acidic chemicals.
You can buy these unclogging sewer pipes chemicals from various departmental or medical stores at varying prices. However, make sure to read the instructions carefully on the acid bottle and apply all the necessary precautions while unclogging the sewer lines.
Just like unclogging the sewer line with alkaline chemicals, the cleaning with the acidic chemicals is completely the same process except the extra care taken into it. The basic purpose of using this method is to clean the strongly or badly unclogged sewer lines because the acids powerfully dissolve all the clogged substances and make the sewer lines clean.
Precautions
- If you are going to use the chemical drain cleaning method for unclogging your sewer lines, must give special consideration to some important precautions.
- First all of, never touch the chemicals with your hands as they may burn your skin badly. Always wear the thick rubber gloves because the fabric gloves may absorb the chemicals and damage your skin. Therefore, must use the thick rubber gloves and handle the chemical carefully.
- Avoid its direct contact with your eyes. It may cause serious damages to your eye-sight even if a single drop of the chemical gets into your eyes. If possible, wear the glasses before using the chemical drain cleaning method.
- Always read the instructions carefully on the bottle of the chemical. Always follow the instructions carefully and implement the procedure step by step.
- In case of an accident, immediately contact with a doctor.
Advantages of Chemical Cleaning
The greatest advantages of this method greatly help in removing the hairs, grease, tree roots, and other such substances. These may be stuck in the way of sewer pipes and cause the blockage or clogging. Chemical cleaning is best because you don’t have to make the mixture in specific quantities.
You only need to buy the chemical and pour it into the flush as instructed. It is also great because it saves a lot of your time because you don’t have to make the formulations. The process of making the formulations consumes so much time. Moreover, there are greater chances that you may add the wrong quantities of the formulation and the whole procedure fails.
Furthermore, another advantage of using this method is that you don’t need to buy any tools for cleaning or unclogging the sewer lines. The only thing that you need to do is to buy the chemical and pour it into your sewer lines or pipes. Then, flush it into lines so that it reached to the substances which are causing the clogging and dissolve them. As a result, the clogged sewer lines will unclog easily.
Disadvantages of Chemical Cleaning
The main disadvantage is that it only unclogs the lines or pipers which are closer to the drain opening. This is because the maximum amount of direct chemical can reach to them. On the other hand, those clogged parts which are far away from the main drainage opening may not unclog effectively and properly.
When you pour the chemical into the drainage opening, it gets mixed with water and other impurities and substances until it reaches the far points. Till that time, the effectiveness of the chemical reduced and the results also become lower or dissatisfying.
Therefore, must evaluate the most effective method before you apply it. Choosing the right method is the key to unclog the sewer lines effectively and efficiently.
How to clean the tubes with laundry soda
To prevent the obstruction of the pipes you can use a completely ecological and effective product, laundry soda , not to be confused with caustic soda. It is a very useful powder product for carrying out household cleaning, which is easily found in any supermarket near the products for the washing machine.
It is sufficient to pour about 4 tablespoons into the pipes , depending on the severity of the obstruction, followed by a liter of hot water.
These recommended and very do-it-yourself methods can work in case of small obstructions and blockages. If the situation is more complex, the suggestion is always to rely on specialists for a decisive and long-term intervention.
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