Can solid calcium chloride be used as a deicer to melt out a frozen drain line by pouring it down the drain?
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Do not pour solid calcium chloride down a drain to melt an ice plug. In that confined space, the calcium chloride will most likely form a solid salt cake, making the plugging problem worse, not better. If calcium chloride has been poured down a drain and a salt plug has formed, it can be dissolved out as follows:
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1. Remove all the water from the plugged drain by the best available method.
2. Pour in hot water and wait five minutes or so.
3. Remove all the water from plugged drain and add more fresh, hot water.
4. Repeat the cycle until plug is dissolved. It may require 5-6 iterations.
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This is passed on in good faith based on current knowledge. No guarantee is implied or given regarding effectiveness, safety or appropriateness in every situation.
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