Drain Cleaner Overview
Drain cleaners are chemical products or electric devices which are used in the cleaning or unclogging of pipes or drains.
In most of the areas of Pakistan drain cleaner term may be used for plumber or the person who unclogs drain.
Use of drain cleaners
- Drain cleaners are used to unclog or clean sewer pipes or water drains. Mostly chemical-based drain cleaners are used on more of a home-based area where single drain is clogged.
- The chemical drain cleaners are consumer-based products and can be used by anyone.
- The electric drain cleaner is used where more than one plumber fixture is needed.
- To use an electric drain cleaner an expert might be required as the procedure and working of it is different from the simple chemical-based drain cleaner people use at their homes.
Types
Drain cleaners are mostly of two types. Although there are many categories in Drain cleaners tools here we will just focus on two main types in Drain cleaner.
Chemical Drain cleaner
Chemical drain cleaner can be in powder, liquid or gel form and is mostly available easily in markets. Drain cleaners that are chemical-based contain strong chemicals and each product can have different types of chemicals in it.
The chemical drain cleaners can be further divided into three types based on the substances used in it.
- Alkaline drain cleaners
This type of drain cleaner contains substances like caustic potash and Sodium hydroxide. They are bases and typically heavier than water.
- Oxidizing drain cleaners
The oxidizing drain cleaner contains nitrates, peroxides, and household beach.
- Acidic drain openers
This type can be dangerous to use without caution and is usually used only by plumbers as it contains a high concentration of sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.
This type is not easily sold to anyone but plumbers who know how to use it with precautions.
Electric Drain cleaner
Plumbers snakes or can be called electric drain cleaner which works by electricity. This type of drain cleaner is used to clean a long section of pipes or to remove solid objects from the sewer drain.It is mostly used in industrial work areas or big buildings. Many people do not prefer it as it requires a lot of physical effort and is quite expensive due to the usage of electricity.
Many other types of drain cleaners are available like Hydro-mechanical drain cleaner, Airburst drain cleaner, handheld drain augers or as preferred by many users homemade drain cleaners which are safe from strong chemicals.