CP CHEMISTS, HELP! - Dissolving a Clog

[afc wimbledon]

if you know how far the clog is down the drain then you can use the auger, the idea is not to force it through, just drop out enough length to hit the clog then let it spin on the clog for a minute or two, dont allow it to push foward

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Years ago when I worked at a greenhouse the drain pipes used to get clogged with all sorts of ####. We used to use a small high-pressure nozzle on the end of the hose that shot a thin jet of water out the front, and four behind it to propel it into the pipe. It cut through any clog like butter, but for the life of me I have never been able to find one of these since.

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about 32 bucks US from some outfit called DHGate

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

about 32 bucks US from some outfit called DHGate

Thanks. What is this contraption called?

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[Sluggo]

What I imagine it would look like when he clears it



Seems like the image wont work here's the link https://i.imgur.com/iBNISrN.mp4

I'd just get it filled with water and stuff some rags in the top end and blow compressed air in like the link. Be warned if it doesn't clear the clog it could become a makeshift pipe bomb.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Thanks. What is this contraption called?

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1/4'' Quick High Pressure Washer Sewer Nozzle Washing Machine Drain Cleaning Pipe Dredging Cleaning Nozzle

[Locke]

Can you fashion a rudimentary lathe?

[Tiger]

There is nothing in the bird seed that is going to dissolve in acid or base ( muratic acid and draino have been suggested). And as suggested eye protection just in case. Suggested before was baking soda and vinegar. Send down a high concentration of baking soda in water let it soak in and chase it will vinager. Cover the top of the drain to build up some pressure to move the clog.

Or just use a snake or water jet.

[cal_guy]

You might want to rent a professional cleaner from homedepot.

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/too...-12.04401.html

[psyang]

Another thought - was it draining fine before you cleaned the patio? I wonder if it just might be ice build up that hasn't melted yet since it's deep underground?

[RichieRich]

With respect to building pressure on the "open" end... not only is can pressure buildup cause other dangers, but it could potentially push the clog further along. Like others have mentioned the auger to burrow through and extract is likely best to relief your constipation problem.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Tiger

There is nothing in the bird seed that is going to dissolve in acid or base ( muratic acid and draino have been suggested). And as suggested eye protection just in case. Suggested before was baking soda and vinegar. Send down a high concentration of baking soda in water let it soak in and chase it will vinager. Cover the top of the drain to build up some pressure to move the clog.

Or just use a snake or water jet.

Listen to this man. Actual chemist.

[woob]

Nothing to add, but please video all attempts. Especially the coked up squirrels.

[DoubleF]

Stupid question, but you can access the other side of the pipe at the retaining wall, right?

What happens if you auger or power wash from that direction instead of from the patio direction?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Lots of people like to talk about this old wives’ tale that baking soda and vinegar can be used to unclog a drain. Not really

Here is the equation
CH3COOH + NaHCO3 -> NaC2H3O2 + H2O + CO2
vinegar + sodium bicarbonate -> sodium acetate + water + carbon dioxide

The fizzy volcano project basically shows CO2 gas being liberated. The pressure increase in the bottle, and reduced diameter across the neck, the gas / fizz escapes with velocity. With no obstruction though. Basically moving from an area of higher pressure to lower

Sodium acetate is an organic salt, not corrosive. So anything you rely on chemically would be perhaps an excess of a very weak acid, vinegar.

* In the right proportions, these products may be able to make a nice fizzy electrolyte replacement drink to spank that hangover

Even if you can seal off an end of the pipe, I suspect you would be able to effect a minor pressure rise, likely practically insignificant, given the volume of the pipe. The liberated gas causing pressure rise would be spread over the available volume within the pipe

If the blockage is a perfect seal, you may have a pressure gradient. If not, the pressure of the gas will normalize on both sides

As for birdseed, I don’t know exactly what it’s made of

In a controlled lab setting, hydrochloric acid can be used for demineralization, and sodium hydroxide (a strong base) for deproteinization

Both are terribly nasty on their own (but fun fact, mixed together, in the right proportions, they would make ordinary water and salt - HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H2O )

Drano uses sodium hydroxide

If freezing is the issue, hot water or maybe some rock salt.

Depending on whether you have any drainage at all, you could try both an acid and a base treatment, as they would do different things. Just one at a time

Perhaps Muriatic acid - let it sit for a good amount of time and flush (hopefully you are getting at least some drainage)

Then afterwards, something like Drano?

Or try Drano first. I’m not sure how much protein is in the seeds

I feel like either reaction would take a long time, given concentrations available in commercial products, maybe repeated treatments.

Your guidelines for something like Drano are more likely based on dissolving things like food waste and hair.

If freezing isn’t the issue, probably the best bet, in terms of time to resolution, is physically unclogging, using auger or some kind of water jet. That thing AFC mentioned sounds interesting.

Is it possible to fill the pipe and use a plunger?

Good luck

[bootsnixon]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Years ago when I worked at a greenhouse the drain pipes used to get clogged with all sorts of ####. We used to use a small high-pressure nozzle on the end of the hose that shot a thin jet of water out the front, and four behind it to propel it into the pipe. It cut through any clog like butter, but for the life of me I have never been able to find one of these since.

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https://www.princessauto.com/en/pres...t/PA0008195612

Priceless Auto to the rescue!

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by psyang

...I wonder if it just might be ice build up that hasn't melted yet since it's deep underground?

This. Strong flashlight into the outlet end of the pipe revealed that the pipe is completely iced up about 6 feet in. So, we've got sunflower seeds, some other crap washed off the patio and ice. Poured hot water from the top but it didn't do much. Will have to wait I guess...

[Fuzz]

I bought a heat-it cable for mine, as it would freeze and the melt would ice up the driveway. It worked fantastic this year. If you want to go that route, I'll dig up the model #. It's fairly specific.

[EldrickOnIce]

The only answer, obviously, is the purchase of a brand new skid steer with backhoe attachment. Also, remind momma this purchase was necessary solely as a result of her actions.