Start by removing the grate with a screwdriver and pour about 1 cup (208 g) of baking soda into the open drain. Step 3: The debris that caused the blockage now get risen to the top and add more water and dissolve the debris which has found its way to the surface. 1. If you want to use caustic soda for a blocked drain, your best bet is to use Drano or some other drain cleaner that contains caustic soda in the proper proportions for drain cleaning. Keep these tips in mind when using caustic soda to unclog a drain. How to unblock an outside drain Visual inspection. Protect Your Body This will cause the debris causing the blockage to rise to the surface where you can fish it out. Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is a chemical that has several purposes. You can purchase it at a hardware or home improvement store. This works best if you do it right before bedtime since the drain won't be used until morning. Drop some of it in your drain along with some water. My worries are 1. Note that there can be dangers when using chemical drain cleaners. To use you first need to dilute with water. Step 1: Pour 2-3 tablespoon of caustic soda into the drain. Caustic soda is a very corrosive chemical and reacts with food and dirt as well as hair. If the baking soda and vinegar method doesn't unclog the drain, use the salt and baking soda method next. Yes, you can make your own outdoor drain cleaner using vinegar and baking soda. 10 really easy ways to unclog drains how to unclog a sink 10 s with 11 to unclog a shower drain patrick e chase plumbing 3 simple ways to unblock outdoor drains 3 Simple Ways To Unblock Outdoor Drains WikihowHow To Clear A Block Outside Drain Times ConnectionOutside Drain Unblocker Tools Diy Solutions London Drainage3… Read More » If that does not work, the blocked drain is on your property and you own you will need to get a professional out, if you rent ask the landlord to get a professional out. Caustic soda and washing soda are alkaline, try an acid based drain cleaner - they hit different types of blockage. How to Clean a Clogged Drain With Salt and Baking Soda . Using salt and baking soda is, subsequently, a super treatment that can allow you to to unblock the nastiest or cussed blockages you are trying to unblock. How to Unblock an Outside Drain. Boiling caustic is much faster than cold caustic. I have some caustic soda, can i just tip it into the standing water as dry powder, or do I mix it into water first and then pour it in? Hence, it is very useful when it comes to unblocking bathroom sink and bath tube drain pipes. 2. For example, area drains, roof drains, driveway drains, and more. Just like all water fixtures, these outdoors drains aren’t invulnerable to clogging. Step 2: Next, add water and let the soda fizz away. Make sure you wear rubber gloves and eye protection before you start. Using caustic soda to unblock drains. Then, pour 1 cup (240 ml) of distilled white vinegar into the drain to start a chemical reaction that will break up the clog. It is used in wallpaper stripper, to strip furniture for refinishing and most commonly used to clear blocked drains. If you do not have access to drain rods you can use caustic soda to unblock external drains. I was thinking of using a chemical such as caustic soda to eat away the fats and eventually block the drain though I worry about using such chemical. My outdoor drain that the kitchen things run into (dishwasher, washing machine, sink etc) seems to be blocked, there's standing water in it. The first thing to do when solving the problem of a blocked drain outside is to carry out a visual inspection of the area you think is blocked and try to understand what is causing the problem. Will caustic soda actually do the job of unblocking the drains? Caustic Soda. How to unblock an outside drain blockage using caustic soda? Completely! Another method you can use to unblock an outside drain is using sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).