The Effects of Boiling Water on Residential Drainage Systems
Wear gloves and eye protection to prevent splashes. When to Call a Professional boiling water down drain
To help me give you the best advice for your specific situation, could you tell me the drain is in, what material your pipes are made of, and what is causing the clog ? Share public link The Effects of Boiling Water on Residential Drainage
Cast iron is strong, but it is also brittle and prone to cracking under thermal stress. Worse, old cast iron pipes have a rough, rusted interior. When you pour boiling water down them, the hot water melts any grease, which then flows down to the cold cast iron section of the pipe further along the line. That grease instantly re-solidifies as a hard, rocky deposit. You haven’t cleared the clog; you’ve just moved it deeper into the system where it’s harder to reach. Worse, old cast iron pipes have a rough, rusted interior
Yes, generally safe. Copper is a metal. It handles extreme temperatures very well. In fact, copper pipes are often used to carry steam and hot water heating systems. Pouring boiling water down copper drains is unlikely to damage the pipe itself.
If you must dump hot water immediately, turn your sink's cold water faucet on at full blast. Pour the hot water directly into the cold stream very slowly to dilute the temperature.