Drain cleaner

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A drain cleaner is a chemical based consumer product that unblocks sewer pipes or helps to preventthe occurrence of clogged drains. The term may also refer to the individual who uses performs theactivity with chemical drain cleaners or devices known as plumber's snake. Drain cleaners can beclassified in two categories: chemical, or device.

If a single sink, toilet, or tub or shower drain is clogged the first choice is normally a drain cleanerthat can remove soft obstructions such as hair and grease clogs that can accumulate close to interiordrain openings. Chemical drain cleaners, plungers, handheld drain augers, air burst drain cleaners,and home remedy drain cleaners are intended for this purpose.

If more than one plumbing fixture is clogged the first choice is normally a drain cleaner that canremove soft or hard obstructions along the entire length of the drain, from the drain openingthrough the main sewer drain to the lateral piping outside the building. Electric drain cleaners andsewer jetters are intended for this purpose.

Each type of drain cleaner has advantages, disadvantages, and safety considerations as describedbelow.

Contents

1 Chemical drain cleaners

1.1 Alkaline drain openers

1.2 Acidic drain openers

1.3 Usage considerations

2 Handheld drain augers

3 Air burst drain cleaners

4 Home remedy drain cleaners

5 Hydro-mechanical drain cleaners

6 Electric drain cleaners

7 Sewer jetters

8 Enzymatic drain cleaners

9 Alternate terms

10 References

Chemical drain cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners can be in solid or liquid form that are readily available through hardwarestores, though some (primarily acidic ones) are intended for use by licensed plumbers.[1]

Alkaline drain cleaners are available in either solid or liquid state while the acidic ones are usually inliquid form.

Solid Formulation of an alkaline drain cleaner.

Alkaline drain openers

Bottles of alkaline drain cleaners containing sodium hydroxide can dissolve greases and hair.

Alkaline drain openers primarily contain sodium hydroxide and some may contain potassiumhydroxide. They may appear in liquid or solid form.

Liquid formulations of corrosive alkaline drain cleaners can contain sodium hypochlorite (bleach)and lye (sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) in concentrations up to 50 percent. Othercorrosive mixtures come as two-part cleaners that are mixed as they are poured in the drain

opening. Inside the drain the two solutions react to release a gas, and surfactants trap the gas asdense foam. The intent of this foaming action is to coat the inside of the drain pipe to dislodge moreof the substances that form the clog.

Solid formulations of corrosive alkaline drain cleaners in the form of sodium hydroxide or potassiumhydroxide granules can provide more concentrated effective ingredients. Some patented, solid-formula cleaners add aluminum turnings that react with the solid hydroxide in water to heat thecaustic mixture to a boil.

Alkaline drain openers can dissolve hair (containing proteins) and fats inside pipes via alkalinehydrolysis of amide and ester respectively:

RCONH2(amide or proteins)+ OH- -> NH3 + RCOO-

RCO2R'(ester or fats)+ OH- -> R'OH + RCOO-

Acidic drain openers

Acidic drain cleaners usually contain sulfuric acid (sulphuric acid) at a high concentration whichturns a piece of pH paper red and chars it instantly.

Apart from grease and hair, an acidic drain cleaner containing sulfuric acid can be also used todissolve tissue paper inside water pipes.

The acid in drain openers reacts with aluminium oxide on the surface of some pipes.

Acid drain cleaners usually contain sulfuric acid (sulphuric acid) at high concentrations.[2] It candissolve proteins and fats via hydrolysis and since sulfuric acid at high concentrations also has astrong dehydrating property, it readily dissolves tissue paper inside pipes through dehydration aswell.

According to a manufacturer, potential hazards include violent reaction with water and theproduction of explosive hydrogen vapors upon contact with most metals; chronic (delayed) and acute(immediate) health hazards if inhaled, ingested, or contacted, including severe eye, flesh and skinburns or even permanent visual loss, inflammation of respiratory membranes, and corrosive burns toall human tissue. It may even be fatal if swallowed.[3] Due to the vigorous reaction between the acidand water, such acidic drain openers should be added slowly into the pipe to be cleaned.

Here are the ways where acidic drain openers hydrolyze proteins and fats via acid hydrolysis, similarto their alkaline versions mentioned above:

RCONH2(amide or proteins)+ H2O + (H+ or acid) -> NH4+ + RCOOH

RCO2R'(ester or fats) + H2O + acid or dehydrating agent (e.g. conc. sulfuric acid) RCO2H +R'OH

Sulfuric acid at high concentrations in drain openers also dehydrates substances containingcarbohydrates, like tissue paper which consists of cellulose:

(C

6H

10O

5)n + acid -> 6n C + 5n H

2O

Usage considerations

Advantages of chemical drain cleaners include ready availability of some formulations through

retailer stores and potential ease of use for removing soft hair and grease clogs that accumulateclose the drain openings.

Disadvantages of chemical drain cleaners include a lack of effectiveness for removing clogs far fromthe drain opening (for example, clogs that occur in toilets[4] or in the main sewer drain), an inabilityto remove most solid obstructions, and the safety considerations outlined below.

Danger arises from chemical drain cleaners' potential to injure eyes, lungs, and skin; and damage toclothing and household materials such as wood, paint, aluminum, and fiberglass. Chemical draincleaners should be used only according to the manufacturer's instructions, as other use may causeinjury.[5] Strongly corrosive and acid drain cleaners are among the most hazardous householdproducts available to the public. Chemical drain cleaners can cause strong reactions--sometimesexplosively--with other chemicals that may have been used previously, which can result in seriousinjury to anyone in the vicinity.[6]

Handheld drain augers

Further information: Plumber's snake

Handheld drain auger

Handheld drain augers are typically designed to clean portions of a drain within 8 metres (25 ft) ofthe drain opening. The cable of a handheld drain auger is driven into a drain by the mechanical forcecreated when the operator rotates a drum that anchors the cable.

Many handheld augers have cables that are thin enough to pass through common sink traps, thoughsome manufacturers do not recommend using handheld drain augers in toilets because of theirpotential to scratch ceramic surfaces. Instead, a special closet auger (from "water closet") should beused.

Similar to handheld augers, drain rods can be used for clearing blockages in long, straight pipes.

Advantages of handheld drain augers include low relative cost and ready availability throughhardware stores. However, drawbacks include a reach that is normally limited to 8 metres (25 ft),and the potential for the twisting cable to scratch the ceramic surfaces of plumbing fixtures. Theyare also only effective on small diameter pipes - 40-50mm rather than main sewer pipes of 110mm.

Safety considerations include a requirement to wear protective gloves and eye protection, and topractice good hygiene after coming into contact with drain fluids.

Air burst drain cleaners

Air burst drain cleaners use accelerated carbon dioxide, air or other gas to rupture the clogmembrane. Accelerated gas creates a force on standing water that can dislodge clogs thataccumulate close to drain openings.

Advantages of air burst drain cleaners include the potential to immediately clear clogs and slow-running drains, in contrast to chemical cleaners that can take more time to work. Air burst cleanerscan dislodge obstructions that are further away from drain openings than can a plunger, and incontrast to a drain augers do not risk scratching the ceramic surfaces of sinks, bathtubs and toilets.

Disadvantages of air burst drain cleaners include a limited cleaning range in pipes that do notcontain standing water and, in general, ineffectiveness for unclogging blocked main sewer drains.

Safety considerations for air burst drain cleaners include a requirement to wear eye protection and,when using an air burst cleaner that uses compressed gas cartridges, careful handling of unusedcartridges.

Home remedy drain cleaners

Home remedy drain cleaners include boiling water poured into drain openings to clear soap and hairclogs; or, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) poured into a drain, followed by vinegar.[7]

Advantages of home remedy drain cleaners include ready availability and environmental safety,though they are limited in effectiveness compared to other drain cleaners.

Safety considerations for home remedy drain cleaners include the requirement to handle ingredients(for example, boiling water) with the appropriate care.

Hydro-mechanical drain cleaners

Hydro-mechanical drain cleans use high-pressure water to break up obstructions and flush thesesmaller particles down the drain.

Most municipal building codes mandate that drain plumbing increase in diameter as it moves closerto the municipal sewer system. Ie, most kitchen sinks evacuate water with a 1-1/2" drain pipe, whichfeeds into a larger 4" drain pipe on the main plumbing stack before heading to a septic tank or to thecity sewage system. This means that, barring intrusion by tree roots or other debris into buriedpiping, the vast majority of household drain clogs occur in the smallest diameter piping, usually inthe pop-up or drain trap, where they can be reached easily by a hydro-mechanical device's waterhose.

Advantages of hydro-mechanical drain cleaners are their eco-friendliness (most use only tap water),

their ability to dislodge and remove clogs like sand or cat litter that 'back-fill when using aconventional snake, and their friendliness to plumbing joints. Unlike air-burst cleaners, hyrdo-mechanical drain cleaners do not pressurize plumbing joints. On some models of hydro-mechanicaldrain cleaner both hot and cold water can be used, providing added cleaning power for fat, protein,or other easily melting drain clogs.

Disadvantages of hydro-mechanical drain cleaners included limited reach into drain plumbing, andthe necessity of a water source to act as the motive agent.

Safety considerations for hydro-mechanical drain cleaners include the risk of injury from hi-pressurewater coming into contact with skin or delicate areas of the body (i.e., eyes, and face).

Electric drain cleaners

Electric drain cleaner

Electric drain cleaners, also called plumber's snakes, use the mechanical force of an electric motorto twist a flexible cable or spring in a clockwise direction and drive it into a pipe. Electric draincleaners are commonly available with cable lengths of up to 40 metres and can go as far as 80metres.

Advantages of electric drain cleaners include the ability to clean long sections of sewer drain, theability to remove solid objects such as tree roots and jewelry, and ready availability throughhardware stores and tool rental counters. Machines using springs can easily negotiate multiple 90degree bends while maintaining their effectiveness and without damaging the pipe.

Disadvantages of electric drain cleaners include high relative cost and weight, and the considerablephysical effort that may be required to control the cable.

Safety considerations for electric drain cleaners include the requirement to wear work gloves andeye protection, to carefully control the cable during operation to avoid overstressing it, to useappropriate caution when working around rotating machinery, and to use properly groundedelectrical outlets.[8]

Sewer jetters

Pressure Washer Sewer Jetter Attachment, Nozzle End

A sewer jetter is composed of a controlled high-pressure water source such as a pressure washer orreciprocating displacement pump, a flexible high pressure line (called a Jetter Hose which connectsthe High Pressure Engine to the Mini-Reel) of up to hundreds of metres (several hundred feet) inlength, the Mini-Reel (a hose reel which can be taken a distance from the engine) and a nozzle thatuses hydraulic force to pull the line into sewer drains, clean the sides of pipes, and flush out residue.High Pressure Sewer Jetters can be mounted on trolleys, inside vans or on trailers. The power of aSewer Jetter ranges from 1000psi up to 5000psi. Sewer Jetter nozzles come in different sizes andapplications, a bullet type nozzle with a streamlined profile can clear a hole for the larger rootcutting nozzle, root cutter nozzles are designed to cut roots with a spinning nozzle that shoots a jetstream horizontally inside the pipe. 5000psi Sewer Jetters with a root cutting nozzles can clear ahole through the center of a root infested sewer line and with its rear facing jet streams cut theroots and clean the pipe walls flushing the root debris through the sewer line. The Sewer Jetter hasbeen labeled as a technological advancement of the Plumber's snake (also known as an Electric Eel)drain clearing method.

Portable sewer jetters and pressure washer sewer jetter attachments are primarily used by servicepersonnel and homeowners to remove soft obstructions throughout the length of a building's sewerdrain and to prevent the recurrence of clogs by cleaning the sides of drain pipes and flushing outresidue. Pressure washer sewer jetter attachments are generally lower in cost and weight thanelectric drain cleaners with an equivalent reach, and can present a lower risk of scratching plumbingfixtures.[9]

Truck and trailer-mounted sewer jetters used by municipalities and larger service companies benefitfrom the high hydraulic horsepower delivered by powerful displacement pumps and so can removetree roots and other solid obstructions.

Pressure washer sewer jetter nozzle

Advantages of sewer jetters include the relative ease of penetrating long sewer lines and the abilityto remove residue that accumulates along the sides of sewer pipes, thereby reducing the need forsubsequent drain cleaning.

Disadvantages of pressure washer sewer jetter attachments and many portable jetters include aninability to extract tree roots and other hard obstructions. Disadvantages of truck and trailermounted sewer jetters include high relative cost and weight, and the requirement for extensive

training to comply with manufacturers' safety guidelines.

Safety considerations for sewer jetters include a requirement to wear protective gloves and eyeprotection, to avoid contact with sewer drain fluids, and to ensure that the jetter nozzle operatesonly inside the sewer pipe.[10] Furthermore, larger truck and trailer-mounted units that operatewith sufficient power to cut tree roots require extensive training and strict adherence tomanufacturers' safety guidelines to avoid serious injury.[11]

Enzymatic drain cleaners

Enzymatic drain cleaner

Enzymatic drain cleaners contain bacteria cultures and concentrated enzymes that react withorganic residue that builds up on sewer pipes, dissolving the residue to help prevent slow-runningdrains. Most enzymatic drain cleaners are intended for general maintenance to maintain proper flowand are not intended to clear fully clogged drain pipes.

Advantages of enzymatic drain cleaners include relative safety for use in a wide range of plumbingfixtures, low environmental impact, low cost and ease of use.

Disadvantages of most enzymatic drain cleaners include longer cleaning times compared to mostother drain cleaners. Because enzymatic cleaners rely on liquid flowing through the pipe to disperse,they are also generally not intended to open completely clogged drains.

Safety considerations for enzymatic drain cleaners include a requirement to avoid contact with eyesand prolonged contact with skin.

Alternate terms

Liquid sosa is the well-known term for drain cleaner (in liquid form) in the Philippines.

References

^ "Chemical Drain Cleaners: Should You Use Them to Unclog Drains?". Scotto Plumbing. Retrieved5 July 2014.

^ "Sulphuric acid drain cleaner" (PDF). herchem.com.

^ Material Safety Data Sheet, "Liquid Fire" Drain Line Opener, September 2007

^ www.drano.com, "The plumbing configuration of toilets is not conducive to using drain clog

removers..."

^ Drano Clog Remover Liquid Material Safety Data Sheet, 30 November 2009

^ "My face melted when drain cleaner exploded". 3 July 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2012.

^ Drain Cleaner and Opener Information, DoItYourself.com.

^ Ridgid K-7500 Drain Cleaning Machine Operator's Manual

^ www.sewerjetgazette.net, "How to Unclog a Sewer Drain with Your Pressure Washer"

^ www.sewerjetgazette.net, "Sewer Jetter Safety"

^ [1], "Sewer Worker Killed by Jet-Vac," Iowa FACE Program Submission, 23 March 2000

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