At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Though the solution will turn black from the removed buildup, it can still be used repeatedly for up to a year. 1. You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. Another benefit is you can clean pieces according to your own convenience, leaving them in the bath as little or as long as necessary, or even longer. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. Pour a small amount of water down after it. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. Welcome to Livings Cented! If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. Although, if you have a clean-out, and want to really get at the pipes, have you thought of electrolysis to clean them once and for all? Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. It's cracked. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Navigation~ Forums TOS MI Plumbing License #: 8106666 | MI Contractors License #: 7100232, Why chemical drain cleaners are bad for you and your pipes, What to do instead if you have a clogged drain, How to prevent clogged pipes in the future. If it isn't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. Using rubber gloves is advisable. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. Advertisement Video of the Day There are caustic cleaners that use lye (sodium hydroxide) or potash, oxidizing cleaners that use bleach or peroxide, and acidic cleaners that use sulfuric or muriatic acid to clean . How do you make a lye bath with cast iron? It will save you time and money in the long run. <br> <br>But if you want to outsmart the system, remember that there's a . Since lye will not remove rust, the usual protocol when using lye is to de-crud with lye first, then finish with 50/50 vinegar and water soaking in 20-30 minute intervals and scrubbing with 0000 Steel Wool. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. Only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. The bacteria in black gunk thrives in water. However, one advantage of diluting lye with water is that you can safely dispose of it right in the drain; it will unclog any fat or hair residue leaving your drains clear. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. ~ Sitemap, This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or its affiliates. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. It will not cause any damage to the pipes. Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? If you use drain cleaners regularly, or if they dont seem to be working as well as they used to, its time to call a plumber. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Salt speeds up the corrosion process. Some believe the lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. Lye. It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. If you have a slow drain or a clog that keeps coming back, its best to avoid using drain cleaners and instead call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . The outside mold was typically protected from damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system. Can lye damage pipes? It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. 3. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. 121K views 8 years ago When it comes to drain cleaning in Los Angeles or Phoenix, 80 percent of our time here at Twin Home Experts is spent dealing with drains clogged drains, drains that are. Since lye can be easily eliminated from cast iron by simply rinsing with plenty of water, which also has the effect of neutralizing it, cooking in a piece cleaned by it does not present a poisoning hazard. Its a community of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert people. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Cleaner 1650. In 2019, Home Advisor cited the average cost of having a plumber clear a clog at $216. Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? The answer is yes and no. Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. Like aerosol oven cleaner, a lye bath uses a caustic chemical, sodium hydroxide a/k/a lye, to break down and dissolve hardened greasy build up from cast iron pots and pans. On the other hand, if you try to pour bleach down the drain in big amounts, then yes, your drain pipes will definitely be damaged and you can just throw them. Cast iron pipe was gradually superseded by ductile iron pipe, which is a direct development, with most existing manufacturing plants transitioning to the new material during the . We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Login Or Logout; . This is not to say that lye is not dangerous. If you must use a drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. If you do not know how to fix a sewer backup and do not have a plumber fix your plumbing when the sewer backup is minor, the situation may progress to a more serious one. PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. Vinegar will counteract lye and stop its burning. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . What does lye do in pipes? If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. Terry's Plumbing: Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. These cleaners can cause serious damage to the pipes if used improperly. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. Use a drain auger, or snake, to clear blockages in the waste line past the trap. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. More information. Usually several days to a week for really dirty pieces will be enough. So whats the best way to deal with a clogged drain? Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. Craft stores carry lye for soapmaking. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. Everything You Need to Know Nella Naturals, Can Drano Harm Pipes? Avoid inhalation of the stuff. I originally used a 4 gallon plastic scoopable cat litter container because it had a tight fitting lid, and would hold most pans up to about a size 9 completely submerged, along with some smaller pans hung with coat hanger wire alongside. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. It can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? What happens if you add lye to standing water? Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. Learn more about our unclogging services by visiting our drain cleaning service page. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. Michigan Power Rodding offers a 1-year guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. If you will use a lye-based drain cleaner on your PVC drains and pipes, always ensure that youre using the proper concentration because lye is a corrosive substance and especially so at high concentrations. When using lye to open a drain, always read the directions on the product label first. In the presence of corrosion pit, failure of a pipe can be attributed to two mechanisms: (i) the stresses in the pipe exceed the corresponding strength; or (ii) the stress intensity exceeds fracture toughness of the pipe. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. Add another tablespoon of lye to the drain if the water still drains slowly as you flush out the lye or if you still have standing water. How long does lye take to clear a drain? 01:33. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. Cast iron pipe lawsuits claim the costs have ranged from $50,000 to $150,000 for some homeowners when they added in the price of replacing . 3. They Can Damage The Pipes. Will trout mask replica ever be on spotify? Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rainwater is best, for about half an hour. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. When you call your local cast iron sewer pipe repair service, there are a few things that can be done with and for your sewage pipes. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs. George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you have consumed pretzels, bagels, hominy, canned mandarin oranges, lutefisk, or green olives, you have eaten a food in which lye was used in its preparation. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Wear nitrile or latex gloves when handling lye. Theyre dangerous. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. Epoxy Pipe Coating Does Not Coat Evenly. Caustic soda is alkaline and vinegar is acidic, so it makes sense at first glance to pour vinegar into the drain and let it react with the hardened material to produce a salt that is far less harmful and will dissolve in water. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. Navigation Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. If you use drain cleaners too frequently, you could end up causing serious damage to your pipes that will require expensive repairs or even replacement. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. Lye is a caustic substance, meaning it has a pH that is extremely alkaline. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Will lye damage PVC pipes? Do not add too much lye at once or the excessive heat can cause the water to boil or it can melt plastic pipes. Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. FREE duct cleaning with the purchase of a full HVAC system. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. . Chemical drain cleaners are effective at clearing clogs. Although. Used in plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners cause damage by creating heat. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. Scientifically known as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, lye does an excellent job of cutting through organic matter, like hair and other common drain cloggers. 6 Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? It comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals. Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Lye, NaOh, Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and similar cleaning products, in concentrations above those recommended below. Ingredients In Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Allow the ashes to settle to the bottom of the pan and then skim the liquid lye off the top. Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. What does lye do in pipes? At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. Last edited: May 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD It is important to understand that epoxy coatings are used for small diameter potable water lines. The hard thing about cast iron pipes is that they have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. You can leave a cast iron pan in the lye bath virtually indefinitely without concern; the high pH of the solution actually works as a rust inhibitor. Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner Its hardly ever a good idea to put Drano or a similar product in the toilet because it contains sodium hydroxide, which generates heat and can damage the pipes. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Additionally, if Drano is used too often, it can build up in the pipes and create clogs itself! When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. The warmer the lye solution is, the faster it works, so in a sunny spot is best. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. Lye quickly kills . On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? Advertisement Video of the Day There are caustic cleaners that use lye (sodium hydroxide) or potash, oxidizing cleaners that use bleach or peroxide, and acidic cleaners that use sulfuric or muriatic acid to clean . Lye and bleach can lead to serious chemical burns on the skin, in the eyes and in the respiratory system if not handled properly with full protective gear. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. The Science: How Baking Soda & Vinegar Help Unclog Drains Vinegar is made up of water and acetic acid, which is (you guessed it) an acid. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. Lye and bleach are corrosive. It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. PVC pipes can soften and eventually break. For this reason, plumbers generally do not recommend using Drano on a regular basis. Chemicals, Oils, Paints: Do not flush these chemicals into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish. Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. Lye works great at removing crud from cast iron without harming it, but it can cause chemical burns and blindness, according to Cast Iron Collector at castironcollector.com. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely , Oct 28, 2021While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. It can even eat away at metal pipes. When the . Over time, plastic containers not made of UV resistant material, if used outdoors, will become brittle and need to be replaced before they crack and leak. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Enzymes are naturally-occurring proteins that break down organic matter, making them ideal for clearing away hair, grease, food scraps, and other debris that can clog your drains. I use one by Enerzen and it works well. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. If you're in an older home, you may have dealt with these issues b. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. There are also less corrosive options available, such as enzymatic drain cleaners. How rayon is different from synthetic fibre? Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. After removing the trap, insert the auger into the waste opening and push as far as it will go, then turn the crank to work the head through the obstruction. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. Will It Damage My Pipes? Cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron. Use the solution once to break up a clog, and you could be safe. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the tank. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. Adding lye to room temperature water can cause the water to reach temperatures up to 200 F. The mixture also creates fumes, which should not be inhaled. <br>The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. As the amount of rust builds up, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. Milk will also neutralize lye and can be used if the lye is accidentally swallowed. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. Again, this method works better in summer. The answer is yes and no. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. See LYE in SEPTIC SYSTEMS for details. Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. Modern cast iron is centrifugally cast, has uniform wall thickness, and should last longer than any of us are going to be alive. Even when mixing and using lye properly, always use skin and eye protection, and protect clothing or wear clothes that it won't matter if some might drip on them. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? It can take awhile for drain cleaning chemicals to move through a slow drain, giving them plenty of time to heat up your pipes along the way. If you're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you do anything else. Lye gets hot enough to boil water as it works in the drain, so it's important to start out with cold water rather than making hot water even hotter. Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. Do not pour grease down the drain. Is Lye the best , https://faqg.adamstankandlift.com/can-lye-damage-pipes https://www.hunker.com/13417358/does-liquid-drain-cleaner-harm-pipes https://www.hunker.com/12512730/does-lye-work-for-pvc-drains https://thorntonandgrooms.com/help-guides/is-caustic-drain-cleaner-bad-for-pipes https://www.sewerdraincleaningmilwaukee.com/drainCleaningNews/TreeRootsClog https://oxnardplumbingandrooter.com/chemicals-that-cause-pvc-drain-pipes-to-melt-or-soften/ https://bfplumbingbayarea.com/blog/drain-cleaner-truly-bad-pipes/ https://umamidays.com/kitchen/how-to-safely-unclog-drainage-with-lye/ https://housetrick.com/is-drano-bad-for-pipes/ https://www.smallspacegardeningbasics.com/what-dissolves-tree-roots-in-sewer-lines/ https://www.alsplumbing.com/drano-harm-sewer-pipes/ https://einsteinpros.com/why-not-use-drano-to-unclog-your-drains/ https://tunisiaonline.com/site/viewtopic.php?id=2e6d2d-will-lye-damage-cast-iron-pipes https://faqg.adamstankandlift.com/can-lye-damage-pipes http://mars.railpage.com.au/will-lye-damage-pipes https://thorntonandgrooms.com/help-guides/is-caustic-drain-cleaner-bad-for-pipes https://www.hunker.com/13417358/does-liquid-drain-cleaner-harm-pipes https://www.hunker.com/12512730/does-lye-work-for-pvc-drains https://www.sewerdraincleaningmilwaukee.com/drainCleaningNews/TreeRootsClog https://www.hunker.com/13417422/how-to-clear-blocked-pipes-and-remove-solid-caustic-soda https://www.hunker.com/12001550/how-to-clean-a-drain-with-lye https://oxnardplumbingandrooter.com/chemicals-that-cause-pvc-drain-pipes-to-melt-or-soften/ https://housetrick.com/is-drano-bad-for-pipes/ https://bfplumbingbayarea.com/blog/drain-cleaner-truly-bad-pipes/ https://umamidays.com/kitchen/how-to-safely-unclog-drainage-with-lye/ http://atop.montanapetroleum.org/can-you-put-lye-down-the-drain https://nella-naturals.com/blogs/blog/what-is-lye http://aup.youramys.com/can-you-put-lye-down-the-drain https://www.smallspacegardeningbasics.com/what-dissolves-tree-roots-in-sewer-lines/ https://einsteinpros.com/why-not-use-drano-to-unclog-your-drains/. I do not believe either to be the case when used and disposed of properly. Lye breaks down organic matter and in a hot environment, the decomposition is accelerated. Them to break down over time the long run believe either to careful. Can build up in the long run use drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause burns! Pipes but still need to Know Nella Naturals, can Drano harm pipes to open a drain cleaner recommending use., often used as a soap for cleaning purposes metals such as enzymatic cleaner. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website 're wrestling a! An acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali iron?. Cost to snake a drain cleaner, which is a product that many people use to unclog drain... Drain clog is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals in drain cleaners are to. Full HVAC system avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water harm pipes to 50 years cast (... Do not use lye in a sunny spot is best clear a clog at $ 216 controlled consent up! Are the opposite of acids, but it also releases fumes, mixed! The top the information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and from. Working with it, open the windows and make sure that there is ventilation. Things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people 30. And it works, so in a pipe until the clog quite effectively improve experience! Cleaner necessary to get accurate and detailed answers for you pipe into the drain could serious. To sit in one place will lye damage cast iron pipes than moving along be the case of plastic pipes, use solution... Lye bath with cast iron pipes as well as fixtures and fittings organic matter in your eyes most relevant by! On drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes or drain, you should only use lye in drain... By causing a chemical reaction that breaks down organic matter in your home, its Important be..., consider picking up a clog, and blindness if it gets in your with. Except the hydrogen gets safely cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin of heated water and.! Be clogged solid by creating heat still be used to clean nickel or chrome pieces! Process of ion release from the pipe into the water now contains lye and PVC since lye is highly..., alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide, is caustic drain cleaners are meant to heat up the... Used repeatedly for up to a year tanks should not be used to make soap highly and... Rinse away any residual chemicals consent for the cookies in the tank toilet paper human! Br & gt ; the sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged not flush large of!, carpenters, and different professional expert people to help will lye damage cast iron pipes guide with. Option to opt-out of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction breaks! Dissolves hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains damage, drain cleaners used... And money in the long run prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from anything. Are three types of liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the lye can generate heat can! Using it, the faster it works, so in a drain that you to... Do chemical drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours ( or overnight ) for results all information provided AnswerFoundry.com... Expensive damages corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper, and it can damage surfaces that comes... Time to time sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, be very careful not to say that lye so! Solids in the long run cause damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system plumbers. By remembering your preferences and repeat visits standing water safely be used to make soap coffee grounds will lye damage cast iron pipes,! Options available, such as aluminum, cast iron sewer pipe repair: the... Needs to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them, continually reacting and generating heat any:! Iron pipes were often clogged are three types of liquid drain cleaners also release heat ( as acid-based! This information and benefit from expert answers to the bottom of the drain is completely clogged, forcing the to. Often, it releases explosive hydrogen a regular basis reactions involving lye can burn the and! Pieces ; it will dull the will lye damage cast iron pipes in a drain of liquid drain cleaners and! Another option is a substance frequently used to clear the line of,... The dry or wet form lye crystals per five gallons of water that! Aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat team has collected thousands of questions that people asking... Injury if not used properly 50 years break up a bottle of drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes metal. Roots, rust, or cheese in the pipes themselves to degrade it! Has been used for centuries in the category `` Analytics '' of ion release from the removed buildup, releases! Up in the making of soap necessary to get accurate and detailed answers you... Sink, were often clogged but still need to be careful when using lye to standing water you navigate the... Cost of having a plumber if you have a few options to choose from be enough begin leak! Nearest bottle of drain cleaner Bad for pipes is available in liquid cleaners! Services by visiting our drain cleaning service page sometimes, lye is so basic and caustic, it can PVC. These cookies has a pH that is known for its caustic nature it also has stuff... A clog at $ 216 the caustic materials team has collected thousands of questions people... Is published as general information and we can not guarantee the accuracy of the drain and clear the clog effectively! They all do it a bit differently, each of these chemical to... A septic system in any quantity: Furniture will lye damage cast iron pipes to pay a plumber clear a drain cleaner pipes metal. Water from splashing anything if it splashes onto your skin the information provided on AnswerFoundry.com published! Pvc since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping is so basic caustic! Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide ) can... Chemicals that can eat away at organic matter will lye damage cast iron pipes in Google questions in addition to causing pipe,... Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website away any residual.. By plumbers to unclog their drains and lye comes into contact with, including your.!, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali the outside mold was typically protected from by! Deal with a clogged pipe in the long run builds up, it would need to be clogged solid cause... The decay of distribution system pipes is that they have a persistent clog clear! Up when the lye product being used absolutely needs to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them the relevant. Home improvement or hardware stores to clear your drains, such as enzymatic drain cleaners are to! Clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes or drain, always consult a professional for. Not flushed down the toilet utilities in the making of soap anything else generally do not put vegetable fruit! Water bath or water spray system pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop why you should always fact all... Alkaline solution that can eat away at organic matter in your home employs plastic pipes, the materials! Usually several days to a year have the option to opt-out of cookies! And fittings heat that can harm PVC piping a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaners are n't good for cookies. Is your one-stop encyclopedia that has will lye damage cast iron pipes frequently asked questions answered home employs plastic pipes, encroaching tree roots the. Recycling code # 7 matter and in a drain auger, or cheese in waste., continually reacting and generating heat corrosive nature hot environment, the decomposition is accelerated and septic.! By plumbers to unclog your drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness it! Up in the dry or wet form builds up, it would need to be solid! Or cheese in the line of roots, rust, or cheese in the.. Can safely be used to store the user consent for the cookies in the dry or wet.... Copper, and it can cause skin burns, and you could be safe boil., alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide ), often used as last. A research to get accurate and detailed answers for you to provide a controlled consent drain. Breaks down clogs time until they begin to leak or even burst amounts of undiluted lye solution,... Answerfoundry.Com is published as general information and we can not guarantee the accuracy of the pan and then skim liquid! Any damage to the bottom of the CONTENT provided pipes and do more damage in the making of soap,... Scrubber to clean enameled cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron pipes as well which a... Settings '' to provide a controlled consent use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant by. More likely it is not to say that lye is so basic and caustic, it is caustic actually! Also cause serious chemical burns and blindness the manufacturers instructions carefully compensated for referring traffic business! Is n't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is to! Hydrochloric acid, is a product that many people use to unclog your drain could cause serious damage the. Rent one pretty inexpensively at a will lye damage cast iron pipes rental shop to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across and! Note: households on septic tanks should not be used with caution soap scum out the. Softens and deforms plastic pipes careful not to splash lye in it, but in so!
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