A drain cleaner is a chemical substance, like a strong acid or base, which is used to remove the clogs. It can be used in kitchen sinks, bathtubs, toilets, showers etc. These drain cleaners are generally used when the the plunger fails to remove the blockage.
A drain cleaner should only be used according to the manufacturer's specifications, as improper use may cause chemical burns to skin, respiratory problems or damage lungs, or can cause damage to eyes.
With very strong corrosive properties, drain cleaners are one of the most hazardous household products sold to the public today. Care needs to be taken, as well as ensure that different types of drain cleaners are not mixed in the drain.
Normally four kinds of drain cleaners are available in the market today. A very common type is- liquid solutions which contains sodium hydrochloride, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide having 3% to 40% concentration. This liquid solution is mostly used to melt grease and hair clogs.
Another type of cleaning product contains solid granules or crystals of sodium or potassium hydroxide. It is used for clearing the hair and grease clogs. This type of liquid cleaner contains an aluminum chip which when reacts with water in the drain creates heat.
The third type is the liquid solution containing bacteria cultures and enzymes that gradually eat away the buildup on pipes that cause slow drains.
The fourth and last type of chemical drain cleaner contains sulfuric acid (93%-95%). It can be very harmful if not used in a proper manner. It generates large amount of heat that can cause the water in the drain to boil, producing an aggressive eruption from the drain. But, it is the only products which can easily remove tough clogs like paper, rags and any such kind of similar blockages. There are many such products which are only meant for professional use by the plumbers, but it is sold in the market for general public as well. .
The chemical drain cleaners must be used with extreme caution. The manufacturers recommend to use gloves and goggles. Finally, the chemicals should be kept far out of reach of young children.
Author Resource:
Scott Rodgers is a writer with ample plumbing experience all over the country. His exemplary guidance has created business opportunities for a lot of plumbers from Naples Plumbers (Need one? click here !) to San Mateo Plumbers (Need one? click here !) to get a strong hold on their revenues.
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