The main point here is that forced air ventilation (a fan) should be setup to blow fumes out a window BEFORE you start using it. I augered the old steel pipe out, but there was so much gunk caked up on the edge of it that I decided the best move would be to replace it. To be on the safe side, I'd wash linens in bathroom before using again. Wear your PPE (Proper protection equipment) when handling the sodium hydroxide. I know if you poured sugar into a drain and followed with sulfuric acid, you'd be buying new pipes. He wasnt wrong to be using Sulfuric acid, he just didnt know what he was doing. I busted out the rusted/acid damaged tail pipe with the auger, so that had to be replaced, but the sink was still backing up. Is stationarity of data necesarry in order to do any statistics? Consider this, the sulfuric acid for car batteries is about 45% and even that would not be practical to pour down a drain especially if there's metal components or metal pipes. I only had a foot long plastic "zipper" thing. This is the stuff that he used: (meltmsds)[. This page works best with JavaScript. The worry would be droplets of sulfuric acid which might have gotten blown out of the drain. If that doens't do it for you, go to home depot and buy a drain auger. Editorial team. It is important to follow the directions provided to ensure that the Santeen Drain Opener is used safely and appropriately. Sulfuric acid quickly eats through paper, rags, sanitary napkins, food scraps and all organic matter.It will melt ice and liquefy grease. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 7. UPDATE: Long day yesterday, but problem is now fixed. UPVC vs CPVC: Differences, Properties & Applications, PVC Pipes Pressure Rating vs Size: Sch 40 & 80 Charts, PVC Pipes Dimension Charts Schedule 40 & 80, Advantages of PVC Pipes Over Other Materials, The 6 Different Types of PVC Pipes Detailed Guide. Place a small bucket under the P-trap. most drain cleaners are highly PH basic, not acidic. You can also put on the bathroom vent. Santeen Drain Opener is different from other drain cleaners because it has a lower heat index. I think if you used 1/4 cup of bicarbonate in a 9 L bucket of water a few times it should be fine. The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Probably should have tried removing the drain trap. Just make sure you use your heavy gloves when you remove the old trap and pour it straight into a bucket that is already half filled with water(all ways pour acid into water, never the other way around). The plumber wrote back that he agreed with the Bureauhydrochloric acid works fine. What should I do to make the bathroom/shower usable again? Once that is done, here is how to proceed: It is important to face away from the drain as you pour the sulfuric acid. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. That heat has to go somewhere though. Turn a fan on and make sure the area has very good ventilation and air flow before you get into this. Disassembled all of the plumbing under the sink trying to find the clog (wearing PPE because of the acid). That way it gets to act on the clog directly. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. What compound(s) contribute to bleach's smell and are they dangerous? Needless to say, I also had towels, toothbrushes, and other items in the room, do I need to take any precaution before using them (cleaning, rinsing, etc? It is best to wear chemical resistant gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing. Using Santeen Drain Opener on a clogged toilet is easy and straight forward. Lets get started. Should any acid get onto your skin, flush with water immediately. 2008 DudaDiesel.com | Biodiesel & Alternative Energy Supplies, About Sulfuric Acid used as a Drain Cleaner, General notes and cautions when using sulfuric acid, About Sodium Hydroxide used as a Drain Cleaner, Using Sodium Hydroxide as a Drain Cleaner, General notes and cautions when using lye as a drain cleaner. A little judicious use of an old fashioned plunger took care of it. Whether you own a business or a home with a clogged toilet, it is important to clear the clog right away so the toilet can be safely used again. We had a mysterious sewer gas odor in the upstairs bathroom of our four year old bi-level home for several years. Read and understand the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) before using it. it is safe to use with plastic piping. Sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid (also known as a muriatic acid) are the 2 acids mostly used by plumbers and homeowners to unclog drains. Hydrogen sulfide is very poisonous. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. Also the trap may also contain residual acid, so make sure plenty of litres / gallons of water go through it. Your email address will not be published. The reason for this is that sulfuric acid is too strong and will easily damage the plumbing in your home or office. There are a number of reasons that your toilet could be clogged. To prevent your drains from clogging, make it a habit to clean them using baking soda and vinegar at least once a fortnight. All you need to do is look directly under the sink where it makes a sharp bend and unscrew that, mind you with a bucket under it and wear gloves since you put acid in it. It works by physically breaking down the clog or by hooking and pull it out. After about 10 seconds, apply a slow flow of water. Also did you try any manual means of unclogging? Sulfuric acid is naturally occurring and is sewer and septic safe as it is diluted in its journey down your pipes. Drain cleaners contain very dangerous chemicals that can be harmful to your health if you swallow them, breathe them in (inhale), or if they come in contact with your skin and eyes. Thank you. The good thing in using sulfuric acid as a drain cleaner is that it breaks down clogs very fast (usually within seconds). Continue adding sulfuric acid if clog persists. After contact with Sulfuric acid the fixtures will be black, gray, or yellow gold if it strips down to the brass plating. A clogged toilet can be an inconvenience, a potential health code violation, and a supreme money-sucker if left untreated. Basically he let down an entire bottle of >95% sulfuric acid down the drain just like that, without even wearing safety goggles or gloves. Of course there will be fumes produced as the clog is being broken down and you do not want to inhale them. It does NOT need to be an emergency. It reacts with the clog thereby breaking it down into smaller pieces that will easily flow down the drainpipe. If any Sulfuric acid splashed on fabrics or paper you will find the material burned away looking exactly like a cigarette burn. If it's high enough concentration that you can smell it in throughout the room then it's high enough concentration to be very bad for you. After you unscrew it remove all debris in the trap and look for any debris in the rest of the inside of the drain you exposed when you removed it. Chemistry Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for scientists, academics, teachers, and students in the field of chemistry. Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. If your kitchen drain is backed up, then most likely the P-trap is clogged. Your plumber was clearly not one of these people. Severely clogged drains may require up to 2 lb or more. Can you elaborate? First open some windows up, the gasses you're smelling are not good for. Poisoning. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing or breathing in drain cleaner. What kind of pipes to you have, and how high of a concentration of acid did you use? Sulfuric acid is very effective in clearing clogged drains. I doubt that the workman was a professional. Bicarbonate will work better. In fact, the Santeen S-T Drain Opener is safe enough to clean PVC pipes and septic systems, as well as unthaw frozen pipes. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 148. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. First thing is first open a window and get some immediate ventilation in the area. Potassium hydroxide may also be used in drain opening. PLEASE READ: Chemicals suggested for drain cleaning in this article are very dangerous and all cautions most be read on the bottle before using. If this fails, you can always disconnect the pipes and physically remove the clog. It is best to wear chemical resistant gloves when handling it, and preferably safety goggles and a lab coat. 23rd ed. But it is highly water soluble and not harmful when it is dilute enough. This heat index allows the mixture to be safer for drains, septic tanks, and drain fields. If you simply follow the instructions provided, the Santeen Drain Opener will fix your toilet in no time. They were definitely not there before. When sulfuric acid is poured down the drain, it quickly reacts with the clog and in the process gases like sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide may be formed. If you have any standing water in the sink, tub or any other drain, use a cup to scoop it out. Thank you for your response. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, The Blavatnik Family Chelsea Medical Center, Heart - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Committee to Address Anti-Asian Bias and Racism (CAABR), Preparing for Surgery and Major Procedures, Loss of vision if the poison touched the eyes, The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known), Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth (intubation), and breathing machine (ventilator), Camera down the throat (endoscopy) to see burns in the food pipe (esophagus) and stomach, ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing), Fluids through a vein (intravenous or IV), Surgical removal of burned skin (debridement), Transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care, Washing of the skin (irrigation), possibly every few hours for several days. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. Used it in a few different drains, no luck, Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2017, Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018, Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2012. Wow, finally! 98% sulfuric acid is very corrosive, so use extreme caution when using it. All local poison centers in the United States use this national number. Poisoning. That chemical is not for use in a home kitchen or bathroom that's an industrial drain cleaner I'd sue him for endangering your life. It could easily boil or splatter up from the drain. Copyright 2018-2020 ToiletReviewer.com, Most Rights Reserved. If this is the case for you, you are finished fixing your clog. Battery acid solution preparation from 98% ACS Sulfuric Acid. If it really is 95% H2SO4 it may have damaged the drain system Sulfuric acid fumes from cleaning shower drain, markvitow.com/external/commerce/1/productfiles/safety/. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. I've got a hand pump air gun that works fantastic. is the French certificate of renewal of CNI enough to prove my identity in Switzerland. Holes (perforations) in the esophagus and stomach may cause serious infections in the inside spaces of the chest and abdomen, which may lead to death. The amount of lye needed depends on the severity of the clog. It also produces a substantial amount of heat that can melt plastic pipes and corrode chrome, stainless steel and galvanized pipes. Sulfuric acid will instantly strip the nickel finish off the drain ring. Why gack Id Error ID: 248606545-14096 (-1147209962) is displayed when I try to review the information for my managed package? Open all windows in the room where the drain is to be unclogged to allow for proper ventilation. 9th ed. Most of the time you have slow running or clogged drain, the clog is usually in the P-trap. When dealing with a clogged toilet, my favorite tool to use is the plunger and if that does not work I upgrade to a toilet auger. Don't mess with chemicals if you don't know what they are you might get sick. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. That guy was an idiot . Reviewed by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. I can't stress this enough as that smell WILL kill you. In this case, repeat steps 3 and 4 until the clog is completely gone. Additionally, Plumbing Sniper participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Red Hot Devil Lye distributed by Duda Diesel is now the red Devil Lye replacement. Also, avoid using sulfuric acid drain cleaner if you have used another chemical in trying to clear the clog. we can help. Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2018, Not effective. What is the rounding rule when the last digit is 5 in .NET? Not for use in older pipes, or pipes that need to be treated gently. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. It is not good practice to neutralize a strong acid with a strong base or other way around. Our team is composed of industry professionals and home improvement experts. Turn on the cold water faucet slowly after about 10 seconds to check if the clog is cleared. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Sometimes it can take overnight or a few days to pass the clog if not enough sodium hydroxide is used or the clog is extremely severe. Would a spear ever out perform a bow when wielded by an insanely powerful person? Is there a device to plug in to dead socket to figure out which breaker? Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Drain any standing water. Do not use sulfuric acid with stainless steel, aluminum chrome or galvanized steel pipes. Once you have cleaned the P-trap, connect it back and turn on the faucet to confirm that the clog has been removed. Sodium hydroxide lye reacts with fats and greases when combined with water to make soap. I don't know exactly how much tap water it would take but a few buckets . Higher concentrations are unstable and will break down to 98% on their own, with the remaining 2% being water. Opens plugged drains in a hurry. Our sulfuric acid is 98%, the most powerful available. Even with severe clogs, sulfuric acid should be able to eliminate them within 15 minutes. To use this tool, all you need to do is pour the mixture down the toilet, flush, and wait for the mixture to do its magic. Maybe not super smart, but I bet you keep things interesting! Can I get a clock signal from a 4-pin crystal oscillator circuit by applying 5V to the input pin? Sulphuric acid is not toxic but is very corrosive when concentrated. The reaction between water and acid is exothermic in nature, which means that heat is produced in the process. That keeps the heat produced at low levels while at the same time avoiding sputtering. If your toilet is completely clogged and a plunger or enzymatic cleaner is not working, then you should opt for Santeen Drain Opener.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'toiletreviewer_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',135,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-toiletreviewer_com-banner-1-0')}; If you do not already have Santeen Drain Opener on hand, you can purchase it at a local hardware store or plumbing supply center. Two trips to Home Depot later, problem solved. If you must use sulfuric acid to clear a clogged toilet, I recommend using buffered sulfuric acid which is both effective in breaking down the clog as well as septic-safe. It is a strong base and effective when attacking clogged drains. How should I clean up those droplets? Santeen is the best drain cleaner I have found. Suing sounds like too much effort, but I will at least I will report it to his company and my landlord who arranged the work. For severe clogs, slowly apply 500 ml (half of a Liter bottle) of sulfuric acid to the clog. What is "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern" in _The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel_ season 3 episode 5? Remember that the P-trap is always full of water so you dont want to spill it on the floor. On the other hand, when you add acid to water, the heat is absorbed by the water which will only becomes warm. To understand what a buffered sulfuric acid is, you must first know what a buffer is. (Solved). Acid burns are unpleasant. DO NOT give vinegar or lemon juice, as this may cause more severe burning. Reminds me of a story I heard many years ago: A New York plumber of foreign extraction with a limited command of English wrote the National Bureau of Standards and said he had found that hydrochloric acid quickly opened pipes when they got clogged and wanted to make sure it was a good thing to use. The amount of time that you should wait will be listed in the directions. Santeen S-T Drain Opener is a formulated mixture of virgin sulfuric acid that is both powerful and safe to use on bathroom toilets and drains.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'toiletreviewer_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_4',138,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-toiletreviewer_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')}; This mixture works at a lower heat than other cleaners, making it safer than other cleaner options. Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2016. I just can't believe how he could turn such a simple plumbing job into a chemical mess. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Santeen Drain Opener, Sulfuric Acid, 1/2 gal, PK4, Yellow, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, See all details for Santeen Drain Opener, Sulfuric Acid, 1/2 gal, PK4, Yellow. Announcing the Stacks Editor Beta release! This allows any fumes produced to flow out and also fresh air to come in. ToiletReviewer.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Concentrated Sulfuric acid also reacts with water and releases a lot of heat (this is a whole separate dangerous property aside from it being a strong acid). If you get dry sodium hydroxide on your skin, it will not burn unless a small amount of moisture is present. Theobald JL, Kostic MA. Turn on the cold water after 10 seconds to check if the drain is cleared. Do I need to clean with a sodium bicarbonate solution? I don't want a plumber to love me :(. $20 - $30 and you'll never fear a clog again. Note: This list may not be all-inclusive. I'd definitely change toothbrush and towels and anything that goes in or on your body all of which should have been removed from the room prior to using a chemical that strong in the household. It is not advisable to add sulfuric acid directly to water since it can cause spitting or splattering in the neutralizing process. In high concentrations one or two breaths of Hydrogen sulfide can be deadly. One of the best ways to clear a clog is with Santeen Drain Opener. Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2014. Sulfuric acid is sold for cleaning pipes, but you wont find it easily because it is one of the most dangerous ways to clear a drain. However, diluted sulfuric acid is a perfect ingredient for fixing clogged toilets. And as I said read the bit in the msds where it explains how and where not to use the product. It can however take longer (about 15 minutes) to break down clogs in a severely clogged drains. Sodium carbonate is classes as a weak base and sulfuric acid is a strong acid so if you use a few buckets of a weak bicarbonate solution it should work. For bigger clogs, you might find that the toilet is still clogged even after one round of Santeen Drain Opener. Sulfuric acid seems like an odd choice to clean a drain. Sulfuric acid smells like rotten eggs. ToiletReviewer.com is the #1 source for toilet reviews and tips. Read and understand the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) before using it.