Sulphuric acid or sodium hydroxide to unblock the pipes?

Jonny69 · 25-09-2008, 12:56

The pipe that drains the bath slowly blocks in our rented flat. Basically there's not enough drop on it and it silts up and eventually blocks if we don't periodically run some drain cleaner down it.

It's expensive buying it in the supermarket and I've noticed it's just sodium hydroxide which I can buy much cheaper in quantity and mix it up myself. However, when the pipes blocked completely once the plumber used strong suphuric acid. I can also get this in bulk but it was very smelly.

What are the pros and cons of each and any reason why I shouldn't go for one over the other? It's a plastic bath with chrome fittings and the old soil pipe is iron. Changing the plumbing is not an option due to renting, crazy landlady and shared drainage with upstairs flat.

leowyatt · 25-09-2008, 13:01

No idea mate, but the mr muscle stuff we use isn't too expensive and works a treat

chumpychops · 25-09-2008, 13:07

Cant you get a good plunger and apply some welly to it?

I have a guy that sometimes comes wrong to unblock me. Very reasonable rates, though given the size of his tool he charge a lot more.

Jonny69 · 25-09-2008, 13:07

It's £3.50 a pop and 1Kg of NaH crystals is about £3 which will be about 5 applications.

Jonny69 · 25-09-2008, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumpychops

Cant you get a good plunger and apply some welly to it?

I have a guy that sometimes comes wrong to unblock me. Very reasonable rates, though given the size of his tool he charge a lot more.

Lol. I did this last time and it dislodged a chunk of scale that blocked the soil pipe completely. It was a massive job then to pull all the bathroom apart to fix it. The plumbing in this block is a joke.

divine · 25-09-2008, 13:12

Stop pussying around and use both.

Mark · 25-09-2008, 13:13

At the same time?

I use a compressed air plunger myself, which works for me, but you need sound plumbing and regular application for that to be viable.

chumpychops · 25-09-2008, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

At the same time?

I use a compressed air plunger myself, which works for me, but you need sound plumbing and regular application for that to be viable.

Yeah. Ive heard some horror stories of pipes literally exploding....

Von Smallhausen · 25-09-2008, 13:17

More chemical capers with Jonny.

cleanbluesky · 25-09-2008, 13:20

Tip liquid AIDS down your drains, you wont be sorry

25-09-2008, 12:56	#1
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Sulphuric acid or sodium hydroxide to unblock the pipes? The pipe that drains the bath slowly blocks in our rented flat. Basically there's not enough drop on it and it silts up and eventually blocks if we don't periodically run some drain cleaner down it. It's expensive buying it in the supermarket and I've noticed it's just sodium hydroxide which I can buy much cheaper in quantity and mix it up myself. However, when the pipes blocked completely once the plumber used strong suphuric acid. I can also get this in bulk but it was very smelly. What are the pros and cons of each and any reason why I shouldn't go for one over the other? It's a plastic bath with chrome fittings and the old soil pipe is iron. Changing the plumbing is not an option due to renting, crazy landlady and shared drainage with upstairs flat. __________________

25-09-2008, 13:01	#2
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	No idea mate, but the mr muscle stuff we use isn't too expensive and works a treat __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

25-09-2008, 13:07	#4
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	It's £3.50 a pop and 1Kg of NaH crystals is about £3 which will be about 5 applications. __________________

25-09-2008, 13:12	#6
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	Stop pussying around and use both. __________________

25-09-2008, 13:17	#9
Von Smallhausen I'm Free Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tyneside Posts: 3,061	More chemical capers with Jonny. __________________ " Well, old bean, life is really so bloody awful that I feel it’s my absolute duty to be chirpy and try and make everybody else happy too." David Niven, 1910-1983.

25-09-2008, 13:07	#3
chumpychops Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 155	Cant you get a good plunger and apply some welly to it? I have a guy that sometimes comes wrong to unblock me. Very reasonable rates, though given the size of his tool he charge a lot more.

25-09-2008, 13:13	#7
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	At the same time? I use a compressed air plunger myself, which works for me, but you need sound plumbing and regular application for that to be viable.

25-09-2008, 13:20	#10
cleanbluesky Abandoned Ship Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 492	Tip liquid AIDS down your drains, you wont be sorry

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