A caustic drain cleaning chemical is a strongly alkaline product, typically based on sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, used to dissolve fats, hair, paper and other organic blockages in waste pipes. The product is poured into the affected fixture and allowed to react before flushing with hot water. Use is appropriate as a first response on accessible domestic blockages where mechanical clearance is impractical, for example on basin or shower wastes. Caustic chemicals can damage some older lead, aluminium and rubber components, so they should not be used on pipes of these materials, on macerator pumps or on grease traps. Operators must follow COSHH 2002 with appropriate eye, skin and respiratory protection, and disposal of unused product must follow the manufacturer's safety data sheet.
Drain cleaning chemical (caustic)
Strong alkaline product used to dissolve organic blockages in drains.
