Just let the water run until it is unclogged. Be careful with this water since it contains large amounts of NaOH and is corrosive. This will remove the NaOH layer, but your initial problem will probably not be solved so you will have to try using the drain cleaner again, but this time use less NaOH.

What do you do when your drain Unblocker doesn’t work?

What To Do If A Plunger & Drain Cleaner Didn’t Work?

  1. Unclog drain with baking soda & vinegar. …
  2. Sodium Hydroxide. …
  3. The bent wire or hanger. …
  4. Solution of Salt and baking soda. …
  5. The wet & dry vacuum. …
  6. Boiling Water. …
  7. Dish detergent.




How much sodium hydroxide does it take to unblock a drain?

Using a glass or plastic container add 3 teaspoons of sodium Hydroxide to 2 tablespoons of water and stir with a plastic or wooden spoon. The mixture will start to fizz and heat up in an exothermic reaction with the water. Pour down your drain and wait 30 minutes or so.

Can drain cleaner make clog worse?

In fact, a chemical cleaner can actually make a clog worse by turning the clog into a more solid, congealed mass. This can more effectively block the drain, hardly your goal!

Can you put sodium hydroxide down the sink?

Use Sodium Hydroxide to Unblock Your Sink





As a strong base that is very reactive, there are several ways that sodium hydroxide can unblock household sinks, drains and pipes. When handling this substance, it is important to wear the appropriate protective clothing since it is very corrosive to skin contact.

How do you unblock a badly blocked sink?

There’s a good chance you can fix the problem yourself with one of these six methods to unclog a kitchen sink:

  1. Attack with boiling water. …
  2. Check the garbage disposal. …
  3. Plunge away the blockage. …
  4. Break it down with baking soda and vinegar. …
  5. Try the plumber’s snake. …
  6. Clean the P-trap.

What happens if you use too much drain cleaner?

Too much drain cleaner can cause your pipes to corrode and in the case of mixing various products, sometimes even cause chemical reactions that produce heat or toxic gases that can be dangerous to you and the environment.

Will sodium hydroxide damage pipes?



The problem is, while sodium hydroxide (lye) and sulphuric acid break down organic material well, people are also organic material! It is also corrosive for the pipes themselves.

Is sodium hydroxide safe for plumbing?

Sodium Hydroxide is naturally occurring and is sewer and septic safe as it is diluted in its journey down your pipes. Though not as effective as sulfuric acid, it is safer and easier to use.

How long can you leave caustic soda in drain?

Caustic soda is extremely dangerous if it gets on your skin or in your eyes. After 2 minutes flush the drain with hot water again and wash it all away. If your drain is still blocked you should call a plumber or professional drain cleaning company such as DrainBoss 03302235789.

Can drain cleaner damage pipes?



Drain Cleaner Can Damage Your Pipes

Drain cleaner is caustic, meaning it will eat away at your pipes — even the tougher types. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. It can even eat away at metal pipes. Use the solution once to break up a clog, and you could be safe.

Can I use hot water with caustic soda?

Always use cold water (the mixing process generates heat). Use a plastic bucket and stir carefully with a wooden spoon or stick. Always add Caustic Soda to water not water to Caustic Soda.

How do you remove hardened caustic soda?

Try a Plunger or Drain Bladder First



Since the hardened mass is blocking water flow, the sink, shower pan or bathtub is probably full of water, which is a good thing. Water is incompressible, and plunging is more effective when you’re not pumping air.

Can you use caustic soda in kitchen sink?

Pour caustic soda down the drain.

Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is an extremely strong chemical that will dissolve most blockages clogging up your sink. Caustic soda can be purchased at most hardware stores.

What neutralizes caustic soda?

・If caustic soda comes into contact with clothing, immediately remove the clothing and wash the skin with a large quantity of flowing water for a long time. Then neutralize the caustic soda with a boric acid solution or ammonium chloride solution.

Is sodium hydroxide corrosive to metal?



Sodium hydroxide, solid appears as a white solid. Corrosive to metals and tissue.

Does sodium hydroxide eat steel?

The short answer is yes. Sodium hydroxide will not react with iron or steel, in fact the alkaline conditions will not allow rust to grow; if you make the conditions oxidizing, the black magnetic oxide will grow in its stead; hence the use of alkaline solutions of sodium nitrate for hot bluing baths.

Will sodium hydroxide hurt stainless steel?

Corrosion resistance of stainless steels

Both 304 and 316 stainless steel types are resistant to a wide range of concentration and temperature. Below 80 oC they can be considered resistant to any concentration of sodium hydroxide, up to the limit of solubility.