I washed bucket of wet drywall compound down my toilet. Will it clog the pipes?
What might be some possible solutions?
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3The question above was, “how much?”– Aloysius DefenestrateSep 27, 2022 at 14:08
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More than a little– Unknown 45Sep 27, 2022 at 14:14
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1 Answer
Water-based joint compound can still settle and harden to a degree that it causes clogs, though that's somewhat unlikely given the amount of water in a toilet flush. I'd be running water for say half an hour at the best rate you can muster. It might help to fill a utility sink or bathtub (or several), then release that in a gush. Most of the compound will probably wash away and be diluted, preventing downstream issues.
If you have any indication that a blockage has occurred, you'll need to borrow, rent, or buy a suitable plumbing auger and run the pipes to dislodge the hardened material.
answered Sep 27, 2022 at 19:03
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I suspect that some sort of acid might be used to dissolve the hardened compound. Of course, acid might damage the pipes and kill the "good bugs" in a septic tank, so some care is necessary if acid is used. Sep 27, 2022 at 19:19
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3Acid is not needed. Drywall compound is water soluble. That is why your are getting so many recommendations to continue running water down the drain.– RMDmanSep 27, 2022 at 19:36
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1Acid would be very difficult to apply in a localized manner to such an extent that a thick gob of compound would be removed. I don't consider that worth doing. Sep 27, 2022 at 19:37
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If water dissolves something, generally hot water (not boiling) dissolves it faster. Sep 28, 2022 at 3:19