Comment on If you had a drain that you knew was clogged only with hair, could you unclog the drain only using Nair?

over_clox@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

• Varyk@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  You’re correct.

  The hair won’t dissolve.

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  • PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Couldn’t you just use an acid to dissolve the hair as well as the other shit that makes up a drain clog?

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    • kinkles@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Acids don’t work as well on the substances that contribute to typical household drain clogs compared to bases, which is what Drano is.

      When it enters your drain pipes, the sodium hydroxide reacts with fatty acids and proteins from your typical clogging culprits like oils, grease, soap scum, hair, and food particles. 

      This reaction generates heat, breaks large molecules into smaller ones, and liquefies solid gunk. The extremely high pH enables the sodium hydroxide to saponify fatsand dissolve organic matterthrough chemical decomposition.

      Acids simply wouldn‘t have the same cleansing effects on drain clogs. Grease and oils are composed of tough-to-break-down fatty acid chains that resist acidic breakdown. Quoted from here.

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    • pelletbucket@lemm.ee ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      your typical household drain cleaner is basic rather than acidic. acid will attack metal pipes, so if you don’t know what’s going on downstairs, I would stick with lye. and acid isn’t good for septic systems

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    • Varyk@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Yup, although boiling water works like a charm just about every time.

      Usually what I use for a clog.

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      • over_clox@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        Advice: Don’t use boiling water for toilets. It’ll melt the wax seal at the base…

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    • snooggums@midwest.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      That is what stuff like draino does.

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