[boar_d_laze]

I just bought "virgin sulfuric acid" drain cleaner. Some drain cleaners are bases, some acids.

BDL

 

[phatch]

deltadoc, it's hard to show specific cause and effect in that case. Lots of stuff goes down a disposal. Talking to my plumber at the last installation, they last on average just a little longer than their warranty. He was replacing a 7 year old disposal. It would grind fine, but the housing started leaking.

 

[deltadoc]

First time I ever heard of sulfuric acid drain cleaner, expecially "virgin" sulfuric acid. I wonder what that really means. New one on me. Thanks for setting me straight.

doc

 

[dillbert]

you've not heard of it because if you go

Household Products Database - Health and Safety Information on Household Products

there are no acid formulated drainer cleaners approved for household use.

 

[elchivito]

chemex A1 Drain Line Opener is 93% virgin sulfuric acid.

Acid Cleaners - Bowl Cleaners

There are lots of acid drain cleaners, but they're mostly sold for industrial/commercial use. We use this one in our milk and slaughter barn. The plumbing is ancient and in very good condition. Can't say as much for the concrete floors where it's been occasionally spilled though:blush:

 

[dillbert]

>>There are lots of acid drain cleaners, but they're mostly sold for industrial/commercial use.

which are in your local supermarket?

 

[elchivito]

I don't know, I buy in bulk from a Dairy supplier, but my nearby farm supply store also carries their foaming acid cleaner in home sized bottles. Your point apparently is that acid drain cleaners aren't approved for home use. I wouldn't know about that either. The link you provided is not a list of APPROVED products, it's just a list of products and their stated ingredients and uses on the Material Data sheets provided by the manufacturers. I find no indication there that that site is involved in approving anything, they're just providing information. Goodness, I use that stuff at home, I hope I'm not breaking some law!

 

[dillbert]

well, the site says something like "household" not "barnhold"

"approved" may be an inappropriate choice of words - but manufactures are required to supply MSDS for household products. as there is not a single drain cleaner listing acid as its active ingredient, one could think perhaps such things are not sold into the consumer household market.

 

[boar_d_laze]

The drain cleaner I bought at Smart & Final, is called "Liquid Lightning," and the label says: SAFE TO USE IN: Septic Tanks, Toilets, Sinks Tubs, Metal and PVC Pipes." The active ingredient is listed as "Virgin Sulfuric Acid with Twelve Buffers." The label indicates the product will dissolve, "HAIR, GREASE, SLUDGE, RAGS, SOAP, PAPER -- ANY ORGANIC MATERIAL!

The product labeling does not indicate any restriction in terms of commercial, residential or barnyard use.

Liquid Lightning is made by Jones-Stephens Corp. For futher informatoin and/or the MSDS the label indicates Jones-Stephens will be happy to provide if you would only call 800-231-5733.

Should you be of a more DIY frame of mind, here's a link to the product site: Liquid Lightining Drain Opener

Available there (upper right) is link to the material safety data sheets (MSDS), but let me save you the trouble by linking for you, here: http://www.liquidlightning.net/webad...ner%20MSDS.pdf

Here's another MSDS for the prodcut as sold at Wal-Mart (appears to be the same stuff, different color label): http://www.liquidlightning.net/webad...ner%20MSDS.pdf

Jones-Stephens wouldl no doubt be surprised to discover their MSDS does not exist. Maybe we should give them a call?

BDL

 

[dillbert]

as a lawyer you'll appreciate the fed site lists that product under drain opener, and it does not show under drain cleaner. only a bureaucrat could love that system.

I found it by looking up sulfuric acid backwards into the containing products.

another theory bites the dust....

 

[boar_d_laze]

Dill,

I do appreciate. I do appreciate. I do, I do, I do. Most of my work is appellate which is another way of saying "a lot of online research." You're not the first person burned by a government DB.

BDL