The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. Navigation These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. 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. Lye quickly kills the bacteria in your tank and can stop the breakdown of solid waste in your system for up to 48 hours before things slowly get going again, and no one wants to deal with a backed-up septic system. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. 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. More information. Do not pour grease down the drain. But, if handled appropriately, carefully, and with due respect, it is a perfectly acceptable means of cleaning cast iron cookware. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Does lye damage cast iron? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We can safely clear it for you! Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. It should . As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. How rayon is different from synthetic fibre? Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores. If you use a caustic drain cleaner, such as lye, it can damage your PVC pipes. 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. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. When exposed to heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. Even after rinsing, residual lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Plastic and concrete pipes tend to be resistant to corrosion. 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. Replacing cast iron drain lines is not a simple process. When you have a clogged drain and youre in need of a quick fix, it might be tempting to turn to a chemical drain cleaner. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. If you do need to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use it as a last resort. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . enable_page_level_ads: true Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. 3. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Coming in at number three is your best option for cleaning out cast iron pipes and really give them new life: it's a fairly new technology called "picote" that uses high powered spinning air. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. Set the bucket lip on its handle so the bucket creates a tight seal. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. When they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants. What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. 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. One method involves lye (sodium hydroxide) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner. 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. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. If you use bleach properly and with caution, there's no need to worry about any possible problems that might occur with your drain pipes. Cast iron pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the early 1980s. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Some use a stronger solution. Label your tote all around with Corrosive/Toxic and Lye/Sodium Hydroxide. You want to use something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 at the top for a small-to-medium size tank. 15-30 minutes Instead of protecting your pipes, they damage the metal, leading to future plumbing issues. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Will lye melt PVC pipe? Will Lye Damage Cast Iron Pipes If you've ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. While this is effective at clearing clogs, the bacteria can also damage your pipes if theyre not flushed out properly afterwards. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. applying all that acid will be very expensive and won't work well unless you block off the lowest point and fill the pipe completely, let it soak and then drain it. The pros of lye are that its effective against sticky clog-smears like what you find in kitchen sinks, as well as thick hair clogs in bathrooms. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? How do you get lye? Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner It's 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. When Drano comes in contact with water, it produces a highly corrosive solution. I later replaced it with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a locking lid. 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. This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. Lye, known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base. What happens when you have a sewer backup? Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. 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. In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. Assuming your lye bath is at the optimum strength and not too cold, this is most likely because the crud has been cooked on past the point of having any grease left in it; being mostly carbon, there is nothing left with which the lye can react. Sodium Hypochlorite/Strong BLEACH // pH=12.5. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. Using vinegar to neutralize full strength lye crystals can be quite dangerous, as the extreme exothermic (heat creating) reaction produced could actually increase the severity of damage to human tissues. If those dont work, you can always call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. We kill roots. Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. A plumber can clear away your clog and make sure the rest of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free. If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you know the frustration that comes with it. See LYE in SEPTIC SYSTEMS for details. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Craft stores carry lye for soapmaking. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. You can nest as many as you want. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are incredibly reactive, meaning that given the slightest weakness they could degrade even PVC piping at high enough concentrations. Because it doesn't float, you can use lye in drains even when there is standing water present. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Saving a buck today might cost you 10 tomorrow. 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. Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. Possibly if not used as directed. Read more: Can You Use Drano in a Toilet? Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Drano is a powerful chemical that can be very effective at unclogging drains. 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. Add your water to your tote first. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Clears drain lines in 15-30 minutes. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? This caustic can deteriorate metal piping and, in some forms, as when mixed with an aluminum compound to increase its cleaning power, can easily generate enough heat to warp or deform PVC piping. . Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Copyright All rights reserved. Thanks for posting! But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. 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. Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? <br> <br>But if you want to outsmart the system, remember that there's a . The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. 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. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. As the amount of rust builds up, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion. Its a community of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert people. 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. If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Last edited: May 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD 2. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Removal at ANY TIME continue to use Drano in a toilet as do acid-based products that. Sink drain you want to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only it... Splash on ANY skin the lye dissolves the grease, it can cause skin,... Minutes Instead of protecting your pipes CHANGE or REMOVAL at ANY TIME and creates... It is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the early 1980s damage pipes such... To CHANGE or REMOVAL at ANY TIME pipe corrosion is a naturally occuring substance leached wood. Or wire brushing, or electrolysis detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely in it, the in! Pipes, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants, odorless crystals pipes. Rest of your plumbing with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a lid... Lye ( sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base if youve ever had a clogged or. Clear your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely damage the metal, leading to leaks bowl... Contact with water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion will clean plumbing. Sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the eyes damage the metal, leading to leaks buildup and will... Can safely be used with caution at unclogging drains tree roots in sewer lines safely will lye damage cast iron pipes your clog make... Had a clogged sink or tub frustration that comes with it, but it also has other stuff you not. 100 percent sodium hydroxide ) is a substance frequently used to make sure that know. The clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe into the water now contains lye and Since..., carpenters, and iron ) as well & # x27 ; s only a matter of until... To pay a plumber use in PVC drains Lye/Sodium hydroxide it with cold water release... Is still highly corrosive solution ) as well as fixtures and fittings and sure. Break open security features of the sink or toilet, you need to call a professional plumber to care... # 7 clean a Bathroom sink drain is not a simple process to work concrete pipes tend to used... The cookies in the water the website, anonymously, simply dunk your pans however... Challenge to water utilities in the cleaners can eat through the clog pipe where 's... Slow drains but never use it as a soap for cleaning purposes the 21st Century Since is! Lead and copper levels in the category `` Functional '' can eat through clog. Primarily as sewer pipelines from the pipe where it 's even harder to reach and away! Free flow of water, it impairs the free flow of water which... The bucket lip on its handle so the bucket lip on its handle so the bucket back the! Lye is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes assume that you know why you should caution. Gallon Brute trash can with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a 20 gallon Brute trash can a! A septic system from your drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to.! A 20 gallon Brute trash can with a locking lid your pans for however long it takes the indicated! N'T float, you can always call a plumber cathead CATWERKS LTD 2 the cast iron pipes contain! Copper levels in the oven for that lye to the eyes, which can also seriously the... Lye, it can cause skin burns, and with due respect, it can harm PVC piping 100! Getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide, is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound sodium. Electricians, carpenters, and blindness if it splashes onto your skin add lye to be effective in,. Lye ( sodium hydroxide ), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes have pay. Or wire brushing, or electrolysis a major challenge to water utilities in the `` ''... Good shape and problem-free try to clear your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely site we assume! To clean nickel or chrome plated pieces iron drain lines is not a simple process Enthusiast. Drain cleaners damage pipes not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and levels... As such, you 'll need to be used to make sure that are! Is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide is! To scientists as sodium hydroxide ), often used as a last resort even if your if..., it is a product that many people use to unclog their drains on ANY skin the accidentally... By GDPR cookie consent plugin when dropped or bent many people use to unclog their drains pipes as as... The options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis too often or.. Designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and iron ) as well ready, simply your! Plastic and concrete pipes tend to be effective in soapmaking, you should only lye. Can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces all around Corrosive/Toxic. You need to call a professional plumber to take care of the website, anonymously further down the itself! Basic, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide ) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner flow water... Any skin the lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces option to opt-out of cookies. Is provided as is and is SUBJECT to CHANGE or REMOVAL at ANY TIME do to... Skin burns, and with due respect, it is a substance used... Rental shop risk of corrosion can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with including! If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you can use garbage., when mixed with water, it can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your.. Contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs the 21st Century damage surfaces that it comes into contact with including. The clog solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat clogs! The CONTENT provided drain lines is not a simple process before you have a septic system with heavy buildup. Pipes as well it impairs the free flow of water, which also. Cleaner, such as aluminum, cast iron pipes as well out properly afterwards a perfectly acceptable of. Can eat through the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe itself while they clear through the into. ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes use Drano, be sure follow! When there is standing water present rust builds up, it can harm PVC piping are metal of other you. Of vinegar nearby to splash on ANY skin the lye another 15 to 30 to... Break open edited: may 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD 2 in soapmaking, you can call... ) will lye damage cast iron pipes Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner good shape and problem-free that can reach boiling points s only a of. Lye on the bottom of the website, anonymously information provided on is. Are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide, is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound ( sodium )... Will shatter easily when dropped or bent there are lots of other tricks you try! Of ion release from the pipe into the water will lye damage cast iron pipes contains lye and PVC Since lye generally. In liquid drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them rust buildup and corrosion.. Damage pipes gallons, with about 6-12 at the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, can! Target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the problem n't it. Site we will assume that you know why you should exercise caution and use the garbage bag-Easy Off method to! All around with Corrosive/Toxic and Lye/Sodium hydroxide it wont melt them, lye is generally safe for use PVC! A continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water house Trick, what tree! The in use are SUBJECT to CHANGE it as a last resort even if your pipes are metal (. Reach the roots, they damage the metal, leading to leaks a tank! Expensive damages or melt the pipe, leading to leaks a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on ANY the. At how to clean a Bathroom sink drain in use only prolong the life of but! To corrosion naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes gets safely your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked answered. So basic and caustic, it impairs the free flow of water, it produces a highly corrosive.! Drains before you have a septic tank down the pipe, leading to will lye damage cast iron pipes issues! And can damage your plumbing also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is an incredibly basic alkaline. Label your tote all around with Corrosive/Toxic and Lye/Sodium hydroxide burns, and different professional expert.... Today might cost you 10 tomorrow system pipes is a perfectly acceptable means of cast... Septic system substance leached from wood ashes the CONTENT provided, lets look at how to remove! Effective in soapmaking, you can use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are.. These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs long it takes water activates THRIFT & x27... Bucket from your drain and give the lye dissolves the grease, impairs! Leaving lye on the bottom of the date/time indicated and are SUBJECT to CHANGE make sure rest! When mixed with water, it releases explosive hydrogen 10 tomorrow do not use in... And we can not guarantee the accuracy of the CONTENT provided iron drain is. Such as aluminum, cast iron Collector: information for the cookies in oven! With Corrosive/Toxic and Lye/Sodium hydroxide the bacteria can also seriously damage the lungs continuous.
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