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chrishuizar · Jul 25, 2006, 05:59 PM

I was told by the guy at the hardware store that if plunging and using a snake don't work, try sulfuric acid. I bought a bottle and followed the instructions, but it didn't seem to work. The instructions say to flush five times when the drain is open, but I don't think it is and I'm afraid of having the acid overflow all over the bathroom. I was told to try pouring in boiling water to try to get it down. What should I do?

RickJ · Jul 26, 2006, 02:49 AM

The guy at the hardware store is, pardon my french, full of baloney.

Slowly pour hot water in there to see if it's eaten the blockage. If the blockage is still there, your options are
1. running a snake until it's cleared,
2. disassembling the plumbing to get to the blockage or
3. calling a plumber out to do one of the above.

Physical removal is far better than acid for tough blockages.

allozier · Jul 28, 2006, 04:05 PM

If you do call a plumber be sure to tell about the acid in the line. I have had several incicents where the homeowner did not inform me and have gotten it in my eyes and face. It is very painful but to answer your question best thing to do is run a snake through the line if there is a lot of soap and grease buildup in the line it may take several attempts to open the line . If possible run hot water in the line at the same time you snake it out if not possible do it as soon as you open the line and reconnect the pipes.

Thomas1970 · Jul 29, 2006, 12:44 AM

I have unclogged some pretty tough clogs for people, by alternating plunging and boiling water with a bit of Drano when necessary. But I would never use acid, particularly sulfuric acid. Not sure about the effectiveness of such, but extremely unsafe in many regards.

speedball1 · Jul 29, 2006, 05:22 AM

DANGER! Sulfuric acid is sold only to licensed plumbers,(Blast Out) and should NEVER be used indoors. A few years ago I lost a good friend behind pouring Sulfuric acid downa closet bend in a unvented bathroom.
Ya got uninformed advice that is both dangerous to your life and harmful to your health. At the very least the hardware store should be informed that their salesman is dispensing dangerous advice. Use a toilet auger to clear the toilet and if that don't get it either pull the toilet and go up the bottom or call in outside help. Good luck, Tom

mswaldo · Oct 28, 2012, 04:15 PM

Hi, my toilet was blocked and I poured a sulphuric acid drain cleaner (that had an extra plastic bag covering the bottle, I know, not a good sign) . But the people at my local home depot told me to use it and I followed all the instructions, and now... my toilet is a black vat and the black liquid isn't going down,
I'd appreciate some help other than verbal abuse for my stupidity