Caustis soda to unblock sink can be used on plastic pipes?

rainy233

Hi have very blocked pipes under sink tried soda crystals vinegar plunger boiling water net curtain rods etc etc no luck! Reading about Caustic soda know it dangerous but husband will wear all protection, just needed to know if can use this if pipes are plastic? And how to use? Thanks in advance

Meant caustic lol

andyhop

caustic soda will only work if the drain is not completely blocked, it needs to flow thro it for it to work

Suzy_M

I tried the environmentally friendly way but after lots of huffin' and puffin' with all the methods you have tried used Mr Muscle sink and drain unblocker. Poured a whole litre down in one go and it worked very thoroughly and very quickly.

If you shop around there's still lots of 100% free bottles around.

rainy233

just went hardware shop got a bottle of one shot was nearly £7 and he said best thing but still no luck! Any one used this and if so how?

bigdic

You could try one of these:

http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/walk.yah.UKGD~U085

It works by blasting copmmpressed air down the drain and either breaking up the blockage or moving it to a wider part of the drain where it can flow away.

I inherited one of these a good few years ago and it's never failed to unblock a drain, it must have saved me a lot of time and trouble over the years. Just remember that if you use it you have to cover the overflow or you'll get a facefull of drain water (not pleasant I can tell you :eek: ).

Suzy_M

As you've now put potent chemicals down you're now restricted to using
water and wire only until it can be flushed through. - And put some goggles on.

Flush through the other waste pipes on the same network with copious amounts of hot water. - A blockage may be building up at a junction.

Put scalding water in the blocked sink and leave overnight to dilute the chemicals.

If the pipe outlet is exposed try fishing up the pipe with the curtain wire.

Once the hot water has gone through - or you've baled it out can you get at the sink trap underneath.

furndire

Our drains were blocked in a shop we had a few years ago. I put caustic soda down a few times, and then they completely blocked!!!!!!!! Was told by the man who cleared them not to use it unless you can thoroughly flush through with very hot water, as caustic soda sets solid with cold water.

TimBuckTeeth

As previously mentioned, do not mix chemical drain cleaners, they can produce harmful fumes.
If a drain pipe is completely blocked then using chemicals make the job hazardous for a plumber called later.
The best way to clear a blocked sink pipe is by removing the U-bend and physically cleaning the pipe.
Caustic soda is powerful stuff, it can cause chemical burns, it should be treated with care - mixed according to the instructions wearing gloves and goggles. I would only use it for outside drains.

richardc1983

Easiest thing we have used, requires no chemicals was to take the waste trap off the sink so you had the main pipe underneath and we borrowed a wet and dry vac, like a vax. We then put the suction pipe of the vacuum over the waste pipe and this cleared the blockage instantly clearing anything in the pipe. Was fanstastic, best way to clear the blockage as your actually removing it from the pipe rather than putting harsh chemicals down and risking pushing blockage further down!

elliep_2

For those situations where you can't get at the trap under the drain what is best to use?
Our shower is blocked. I know it's only hair (our lodger refuses to clear his long hair from the drain and has a shower at least once every day).

I cant get at the workings of it to unscrew anything. I've read the threads on caustic soda and it sounds good if handled safely. Is that the best thing to use or am I better off with something else?

The drain is still draining, Just slower than it ought to be. After a few min in the shower I'm standing in a puddle but it does all drain by the time I've been out for a minute or two.

Browntoa

imac does hair