Why is caustic soda used at home and how to dilute it
Caustic soda is an easy to use and inexpensive alkaline cleaner. This substance quickly removes organic matter from sewer lines. The caustic also neutralizes the action of the acid, which leads to corrosion of the metal surface. It is sold in pure form and is also found in various household cleansing gels.
Description and principle of action of caustic soda
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or caustic soda, is an alkaline substance in the form of hard white crystals and flakes that dissolve well in water. Caustic soda solution causes severe burns if it comes into contact with the skin. Caustic copes well with any dirt, corrodes organic compounds.
As you can see from the formula, NaOH is a substance made up of sodium, oxygen, and hydrogen. This alkali is not found in its pure form in nature. It is obtained in chemical factories from carbonate or sodium bicarbonate.
Caustic properties:
- soluble in water and alcohol;
- does not burn;
- dissolving in water, heats the liquid up to 60 degrees;
- the solution has soapy qualities;
- does not react with iron and copper;
- dissolves aluminum, zinc, plastic;
- ignites in reaction with ammonia;
- does not dissolve in acetone.
In the solid state, caustic soda is white, and in the dissolved liquid state, it is transparent. This substance is odorless. The main property of caustic soda is to dissolve in water and form a solution that quickly corrodes all organic compounds. Due to this quality, caustic soda is used to clean pipes.
Varieties and fields of application
Sodium alkali is used in industry (cellulose, food, automotive, chemical) and in everyday life (for cleaning metal sewer, cast iron and plastic water supply pipes). Caustic sodium is used in cosmetology, to remove warts and for medical purposes, for disinfection (kills bacteria, viruses, fungi). During an outbreak, caustic soda can be added to water to clean floors.
Sodium hydroxide is a powder detergent and removes stubborn stains well. Caustic soda is used in the kitchen to clean grease stains, limescale and dirty dishes. This substance is the basis of the manufacture of artisanal soap.
Caustic soda is sold as a white powder, flakes, crystals, granules, and a liquid alkaline solution. The dry reagent is 99% sodium hydroxide. In a liquid solution, the basic alkaline substance is at least 46 percent. For household needs, they buy dissolved or granular caustic powder.
With this product you can easily clean sewer pipes in the bathroom, in the kitchen and in the toilet. Caustic sodium quickly corrodes blockages that form at pipe bends.Caustic is able to remove cork from grease, hair and food debris in minutes. This substance even removes the lime deposits that form on the walls of the pipes.
Liquid caustic soda solution is usually sold in cans (5 liters). On sale there are gels containing sodium hydroxide in the composition ("Mole", "Mister Muscle"). The dry substance comes in the form of powder or granules and is thus called: "caustic soda", "caustic soda", "caustic soda".
Advantages and disadvantages
How to use it correctly for sewer cleaning
Sodium hydroxide is generally used to clean sewer pipes. The substance can be used in dry (undiluted) and liquid (diluted) form. A more caustic effect is provided by a powder or granular reagent. You should work with caustic soda wearing rubber gloves and a mask.
Solution
Sodium alkali can be purchased immediately in a liquid state, or you can prepare a solution yourself at home, that is, dilute the powder or granules with plain water. The higher the concentration of the cleaning agent, the more effective it is.
The pipes are cleaned with caustic soda dissolved in water in 2 stages.First, half a bucket of solution is poured down the drain and waited for 1.5-3 hours. During this time, the sodium hydroxide begins to eat away at the blockage. Then another half bucket of solution is poured in and wait another 1.5-3 hours. After cleaning with caustic soda, the pipes are rinsed with plenty of water.
As a preventive measure, only 250 grams of powder can be taken for 2 liters of liquid. A low concentration solution is poured into the pipe and waited for 1.5-3 hours, then 1-2 buckets of water are poured into the sewage system for flushing. You can repeat the cleaning procedure no earlier than six months later.
dry powder
Heavily contaminated sewers can be cleaned with a dry, undissolved product. Caustic soda granules or powder should be poured directly into the pipe. It is recommended to first pour a bucket of warm water down the drain.
To clean the pipeline, take no more than 250 grams of powder (6 tablespoons). This is a single dose. The powder poured into the pipe is poured into a glass of water. After such a procedure, the reaction begins. The caustic eats away the organic debris accumulated in the pipe for 1.5 to 3 hours. Then the sewer must be flushed, that is, pour 1-2 buckets of water.
The dry powder can be periodically poured down the drain to prevent blockages. True, in this case you need to take not 250 grams, but 100 grams of the substance. A dry method of cleaning sewer pipes is considered the most effective. The main thing is to use the powder for its intended purpose.
Cast iron and plastic pipes are cleaned with caustic soda.After using caustic soda, the pipeline must be rinsed with plenty of water so that the soda does not remain on the walls and does not corrode metal or plastic.
Freeze
To clean the sewers, you can buy a ready-to-use gel based on sodium hydroxide in the supermarket (Mole, Sanfor, Mister Muscle, Chistin Stock, Sanox). Pipe cleaning should be carried out according to the instructions. Usually 200-250 ml of gel is poured down the drain and waits for the agent to start corroding the dirt.
Before using the cleaning agent, pour a bucket of warm water down the drain. It is recommended to work with the gel wearing a mask and rubber gloves. After waiting 1.5-3 hours, you need to pour another 1-2 buckets of water down the pipe in order to clean the drains from dirt and residues of the cleaning agent. This method of cleaning pipes has a milder effect and is mainly used for prophylaxis or to remove small blockages.
Instructions for cleaning the sump pit
Using caustic soda, you can clean the sump drain and liquefy the hardened sludge at the bottom. Caustic soda is poured directly into the tank or previously into the sewer pipe.
To clean the pit, take no more than 3-5 kg of a granular or powdery substance. The caustic is diluted in a bucket of water. Caustic soda can be poured into the waste tank to liquefy sludge that has solidified at the bottom.
An alkaline solution is prepared to clean the effluent. For 7 liters of cold water take 2 kg of caustic soda. The solution is poured into the pipeline and from there it enters the drain pipe. Lye dissolves any debris that gets in its way.Corroding the organic matter, the caustic solution cleans the pipes and is evacuated into the sump. In the tank, the alkali settles to the bottom and liquefies the sludge.
Household precautions
Caustic soda is an indispensable tool for cleaning sewer lines. Sodium hydroxide has many benefits. This substance is cheap, it is easy to use, ordinary water is used as a thinner. Caustic eats away any dirt in minutes. However, this aggressive drain cleaner should not be used too often. Soda eats away not only dirt, but the pipes themselves.
This is especially true for powder or granules. You cannot use caustic more than once every six months. In addition, it is recommended to observe precautions when working with this alkaline substance.
It is advisable to prepare the solution only in a mask and rubber gloves. Do not exceed the standards recommended in the instructions. When filling a pipe, the maximum amount of powder does not exceed 250 grams. To clean the sewers, you can prepare a solution by adding a maximum of 2-3 kilograms of caustic soda to 7 liters of cold water. For a sump, the maximum amount of caustic is 3-5 kilograms.
When preparing the solution, the powder should not be taken by hand. The use of a spatula or spoon is recommended. If alkaline powder or solution comes into contact with skin or eyes, flush contaminated area thoroughly with water.
It is recommended to observe safety measures when working with gel. It is prohibited to ingest this substance or inhale its vapours. It is advisable to store the gel separately from food. Sewer cleaning agent should be used strictly for its intended purpose.