Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

Question:  How does Liquid Plumber get rid of all of the grease build-up?
---Joe 

Answer:
Two ways at least as I understand it....heat and stirring.
Many commercial drain openers contain a suspension of
aluminum in concentrated NaOH. When you pour this into your drain,
and then add water, water + NaOH + Al --> H2(g) + heat + other stuff.
The heat helps melt the grease, and the H2 stirs up the clog
so that it tends to break up more easily.
 
Source: Kotz and Purcell, "Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity"

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