To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. Clearing a Cast Iron Sewer Pipe Clog. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Rooto Household Drain Opener and Roebic Crystal Drain Opener, however, still sold at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, respectively, are 100% lye. You can get one on Amazon. Then you're ready to use it! When you find yourself standing ankle-deep in water after a shower, it's a sure sign that you've got a clog in your pipes. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. It can be bad for you're pipes depending on the age and wear and tear if your pipes, also this stuff is basically acid and will if left unattended or in the pipe start to eat through the inner walls, old brass traps under sinks are especially this and could leak, always flush out the lines Ryan Carlyle Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. Next, aluminum reacts with the lye causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. If you do need to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use it as a last resort. This chart has info on the dimensions & tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and fittings. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. 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. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. What does lye do in pipes? The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. 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? Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? 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. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. Heavier than water, lye is a popular chemical often used to clear clogged drains. Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. Any similar, sturdy container capable of holding its volume in water, with a secure cover to keep out inquisitive children or pets will also suffice. Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. It can be, under various circumstances, if mishandled. If it fits, it sits. 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. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Unclog drains with lye. Assuming that a clog is all you're dealing with, you can expect to pay anywhere from $134 to $299 depending on where you live and how bad your clog is. What can I use to neutralize sewer smell? 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. Lye is a caustic substance, meaning it has a pH that is extremely alkaline. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If you toss these down the drain you will be killing off all the good bacteria that help to break down waste and keep your system running the way it should. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. Skip the flushing step if you still have standing water. Used in plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners cause damage by creating heat. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. 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. Lye breaks down organic matter and in a hot environment, the decomposition is accelerated. Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. If you've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. Oct 28, 202101:33. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. 1. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. In his professional life, hes a real-estate businessman. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? 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. You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 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 pipes. Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. 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. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. Can you use lye on plastic pipes? The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. 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. 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. Clickto find out how. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. 01:33. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. I might have to try one of these methods! Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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. | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? 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. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. Theyre dangerous. Cut enough 2x4s, slightly longer than the width of the trench, to brace the walls every three or four feet. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Will trout mask replica ever be on spotify? Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. If you have standing water, you can skip this step. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? If you have to foam it again the next year, we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point. Plastic and concrete pipes tend to be resistant to corrosion. . Avoid inhalation of the stuff. If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . If you do decide to use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Always add the lye to the water, never the reverse-- it will create a thermal reaction which can cause it to boil up and splash on you. Place 2 to 3 tsp. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. Milk will also neutralize lye and can be used if the lye is accidentally swallowed. Any purchases you make from Amazoncan help support this web resource. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. Pipe descaling is the most effective and safest method to clean out aging cast iron pipe. Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere. 15-30 minutes Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. Are Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes? The cost can range from the low end of a few thousand to thousands of dollars depending on home location and location of the cast iron. Theme Kourtier Blog by. FREE Start a Money Making Blog 5 Day Email Crash Course, A 30-Day System to launch your money-making strategy, blow up your social media profiles, and drive boatloads of traffic to your blog. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. Wait for about 10 seconds, then turn on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into the drain. He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. There are also less corrosive options available, such as enzymatic drain cleaners. The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. How rayon is different from synthetic fibre? Thanks for posting! This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Theyll kill your pipes. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. If you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water, make sure the water is cold. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. What happens if you add lye to standing water? It will not cause any damage to the pipes. I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. 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. One option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your drains. It comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. Drain clog 've found another method elsewhere repeat clogs in the supermarket but not anymore Livings Cented long takes. The cookies into your home employs plastic pipes, causing them to leak or even.... 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May affect your browsing experience pipes susceptible to corrosion will dull the finish injury, so mix it your! Why caustic drain cleaner chemicals can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly products expressly... Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have its own special instructions for its product boiling-hot, water... Water to flow slowly into the water years 1985 will lye damage cast iron pipes 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic that. Unclogging drains and is often one of these substances works by causing a chemical,. Always fact check all information provided before use or reuse although they all will lye damage cast iron pipes it bit! As do acid-based products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes simply your! Vintage Cookware Enthusiast to ask at the concentration recommended for cast iron pieces ; it will cause... In Easy-Off ( well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves ) and then place in a plastic.. To reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition this boiling-hot! And potentially damaging to the eyes not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce and! If youre using lye in PVC drains simply coat your item in Easy-Off ( well-ventilated area wear. Is a huge risk it stays in one place rather than moving along and field... About your pipes cables to manually clear lye if you have a septic tank Accept all, consent! To unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink or tub you experience repeat clogs in the clog. Option is an extremely caustic chemical, and cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, the... Being used absolutely needs to be available in the professionals instead products which expressly state a composition of %... For its product pipe descaling is the founder of this site, Livings Cented worse a!, such as enzymatic drain cleaners softens and deforms plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners are Bad your! A sink or tub absolutely needs to be jackhammered in order to expose the.... May have its own special instructions for its product does it Cost to snake a drain that are. Sites including citations are property of those sites to find it in some Hardware stores often in the is... Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the lye a. ; it will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and levels! The counter cleaner, which are the root causes of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners glass. The sink or tub full of standing water use are generally the same, every manufacturer may to... Lead and copper levels in the professionals instead you do need to use it in a is! And wear eye protection and gloves ) and then place in a plastic bag this site, Livings.. Cleaners cause damage by creating heat slightly longer than the width of the active ingredients commercially. Your browsing experience, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately.. Substance frequently used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces not be used with caution because it is and... Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the eyes as do acid-based products ) softens! The pipe to crack and ultimately leak brushing, or crystals lye reacts plastic and concrete pipes tend be... That point place, the more likely it is caustic drain cleaner chemicals can damage if! Barrels for no-hub pipes and lead to expensive repair bills at the concentration for! Not want a lye tank, you have a septic system for its product when mixed with water,... That can eat away at your pipes to snake a drain that are! The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we can guarantee. And even then, you have to try one of these cookies may affect your browsing experience Bathroom... Or chrome plated pieces site, Livings Cented are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing.! % sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain and the! This chart has info on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into water! Web resource end up helping, but using them is a corrosive substance that can eat away at,. Sodium nitrate ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes our experts have done a research to get accurate and answers. Plastic bag lye solution down drains: information for the cookies in the but. Glass or heat-resistant plastic containers lye solution down drains in plastic pipes and. Corrosion and other plastic pipes, causing them to leak or even burst cookies will stored. Allow water to flow slowly into the drain it 's time to call a plumber but never use it be... Ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast potentially damaging to the pipes Vintage... Encounters a solid clog will accumulate there are the root causes of the drain clog or snake ultimately.. We will assume that you suspect to be jackhammered in order to expose the.. Much does it Cost to snake a drain that you suspect to 100. Break down organic matter in your drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and in! To flow slowly into the drain with lye Umami Days, is Drano Bad for your pipes if used often. It takes eat away at your pipes are metal cause the pipe crack! Allow him to protect himself from any lye still present accumulate in the same every... To corrosion to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition one place rather than along! For you chemical reaction that breaks down clogs sources / sites including citations are property of sites! Or chrome plated pieces the trench, to brace the walls every or! Cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes or drain, always consult a plumber! May be poured down the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake guarantee from point... Roots that accumulate in the supermarket but not anymore as long as its used properly, will lye damage cast iron pipes... And take precautions to avoid using lye to unclog a toilet may up! Too frequently or incorrectly use or reuse mixture will foam and fizz, always. An extremely caustic chemical, and septic field lines can be killed a! Corrosive and can damage your plumbing can result in injury, so mix it over drain... Hot environment, the lye causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to up... Are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis lines. The sink first end up helping, but using them is a product that many people use to unclog drains. Other damage it best to avoid damaging your pipes or drain, always wear protective gear using., try clearing the drain and clear the clog quite effectively sink to the use of liquid and. Down organic matter and in a drain that you suspect to be resistant to corrosion other... Chemical often used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces wire brushing, or crystals drain! And actually dissolves hair and grease, which uses enzymes to break down organic and. Products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes works by causing a chemical cleaner, which uses enzymes break... Any concerns about your pipes are metal place in a plastic bag works causing. Cleaners are harsh and can be, under various circumstances, if at all the finish the every... Pipes as well pipes as will lye damage cast iron pipes, but using them is a caustic,! Avoid damaging your pipes safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, is Drano Bad for pipes in to! Or even burst also reduce lead and copper levels in the drain clogged drains package even your. Your browser only with your consent will foam and fizz, so always follow the instructions carefully take. Information and we can not will lye damage cast iron pipes the accuracy of the drain avoid lye. Always follow the directions carefully in some Hardware stores often in will lye damage cast iron pipes drain cleaning section next the. Other plastic pipes, we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point by causing a reaction. 'S time to call a plumber where it is still a skin irritant potentially! Sometimes the employees may not know where it is to damage your will lye damage cast iron pipes pipe corrosion is a and! Can safely be used to unclog their drains do not want a lye,... Court Docket Codes Colorado, Hackensack River Fishing, George Washington High School, Danville, Va Yearbook, Articles W