What can be done to unclog drains that are clogged with clay and dirt? Rainwater drain blocked with mud is the main reason for clogged drain pipe.
Clay was commonly used for older sewage pipes. PVC piping, used in modern sewer systems, can also connect to clay piping used in older cities to dispose of trash.
Drain cleaning products that break down clogs in clay pipes can also damage plastic pipes. Consequently, removing the obstruction that prevented the clay and dirt from draining is the most effective method of removing the clog.
The Intrusion of Solids into Sewer Systems
Avoid putting anything solid down the toilet or sink drain. A sewer system can be quickly clogged by debris. The purpose of a sewer system is to transport only certain types of waste.
Both clay and dirt are solids. Wastewater from washing soiled goods, such as gardening tools, gardening clothes, flower pots, and any other soiled items, can carry solid materials down and into the drainage system.
Clay is a key ingredient in the production of cat litter, which is used as bedding for feline pets. In other words, the litter doesn’t decompose. So, it gets evacuated as grains when it hits water, leading to drain obstructions.
Root Causes of Blockages
The direction of a tree’s roots while searching for water is a constant. This results in a natural inclination for them to develop near the pipelines that carry waste away. In order to get to the water, the roots will squeeze through the tiniest of openings in the drain pipes.
Because they act like a nett to catch solid material, once they get into the pipes they might cause blockages.
Eventually, clogged drain pipes could cause a backup in the bathroom sinks and toilets. If things get bad enough, the roots could even crack the pipes.
How Sulfuric Acid Helps Unclog a Drain?
Sulfuric acid is one substance often recommended for this purpose. Sulfuric acid drain openers are extremely acidic (usually over 90% acid) and include only a trace amount of corrosion preventing chemicals (which are typically phosphoric acid or alum). On the other hand, these items are not available for purchase in stores so that only trained professionals can use them.
Sulfuric acid can be used to get rid of a wide variety of organic materials, including tree roots, rags, soap scum, hair, sanitary napkins, paper, grease, fats, and food residue. When the organic matter decomposes, the water may readily rinse it away.
In this way, the entrapped soil and clay can be removed. Sewer systems consisting of corrosion-resistant materials including stainless steel, chromium, aluminium, and galvanised steel are safe to use with sulfuric acid.
Using Hydrochloric Acid to Unclog a Drain
In plastic sewer pipes, hydrochloric acid drain openers work best. Besides galvanised steel and aluminium, they can be used to clear clogs from sewer lines made of other metals.
There is roughly 30% acid in the solution. The anti-corrosion and anti-foaming components in the solution also help to prevent corrosion.
Hydrochloric acid is effective because it dissolves mineral deposits and solid lipids that form in urine, hard water, scale, and rust. Drain deposits of plaster, earth, and concrete are also dissolved by the acid.
Tools for Killing the Source
Products that are acid-free but nonetheless effective at clearing drains and pipes can be found for those systems that should not be cleaned with acids. Although they do the job, they are not as powerful as acid-based alternatives. So, they go hand in hand with products that snake drains.
For the specific purpose of eliminating tree roots from sewer lines, there are some products available. Herbicides made specifically for roots and foaming surfactants are an effective method for dealing with the plant’s roots.
When used together, these substances weaken the roots and prevent them from growing again. In places where it is illegal to flush copper compounds down the drain, you can use products that don’t include copper sulphate.