Before you pour, here is the complete guide to using caustic soda on a toilet blockage. Unlike bleach (which disinfects) or sulfuric acid (which chars organic matter), caustic soda works via saponification . It turns fats, grease, and organic waste (like toilet paper and feces) into a water-soluble, soap-like substance.
When in doubt, throw the lye away and snake it out. Your plumbing (and your skin) will thank you.
There’s a mess in the bathroom. The water level is high, the plunger has failed, and the chemical drain cleaners under the sink look suspiciously mild. You’ve heard rumors about a "nuclear option" for plumbing: Caustic Soda. caustic soda for blocked toilet
For 90% of toilet clogs, a (with a good seal) or a toilet auger (a $30 snake) is safer, cheaper, and more effective. Use caustic soda only for slow-draining toilets caused by organic sludge, and only if you are comfortable handling industrial chemicals.
Leave just enough water to cover the drain hole. Pour 1 cup (250g) of caustic soda flakes directly into the toilet bowl, aiming for the drain opening. Before you pour, here is the complete guide
If the water is already near the rim of the bowl, do not add chemicals. You will cause an overflow of caustic liquid. In that scenario, turn off the water supply, bail the bowl, and call a plumber immediately.
You cannot pour caustic soda into a toilet full to the brim. Use an old cup or scoop to remove most of the standing water into a bucket (dispose of this dirty water outside or down a sink after the toilet is fixed). When in doubt, throw the lye away and snake it out
After half an hour, flush the toilet. If the water level drops, the clog is clearing. If it remains high, repeat the process once more.