For weeks, that clog had been a sticky empire of congealed bacon grease, hair, and soap scum. The fatty acids in the grease were long, tangled hydrocarbon chains—too big to wash away.
But caustic soda is a base with a pH of 14. It is a master of . The hydroxide ions from the soda attacked the fat molecules like a pair of molecular scissors. They sliced the big, stubborn grease into two smaller, water-soluble parts: glycerol (a soap-soft liquid) and fatty acid salts (which are, literally, soap). how does caustic soda unblock drains
She poured a cup of the tiny white beads directly into the drain. They looked harmless, like coarse salt. Then, very carefully, she measured a cup of cold water. Not hot, she reminded herself. Never hot. For weeks, that clog had been a sticky
A fierce chemical reaction erupted. The water instantly began to hiss and bubble like a witch’s cauldron. The porcelain sink grew hot to the touch. Marta stepped back as a wisp of steam rose from the drain. It is a master of
Inside the dark pipe, a brutal transformation was taking place.