You can find this at Lowes on the Plumbing Aisle (not with the regular household cleaners.) This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Rooto Household Drain Opener and Roebic Crystal Drain Opener, however, still sold at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, respectively, are 100% lye. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. 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. | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. The amount you'll pay a plumber to clear a clog is substantially less than what you'll pay him to replace damaged pipes. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Is lye safe for PVC pipes? At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Once a chemical drain cleaner eats through a pipe, it can cause a leak, which is far more expensive to fix than clearing a clog. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If the drain backs up, turn off the water and wait a bit longer. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. Next, aluminum reacts with the lye causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. ~ 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. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali that decomposes proteins at ordinary ambient temperatures and may cause severe chemical burns.It is highly soluble in water, and readily . 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 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. You can nest as many as you want. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. The bacteria in black gunk thrives in water. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Keep another container filled with fresh water nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can handle it without fear of skin irritation. 100 Percent Lye Crystals The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. When exposed to heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na + and hydroxide anions OH .. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. What does lye do in pipes? At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! Avoid inhalation of the stuff. It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. Lye is a caustic substance, meaning it has a pH that is extremely alkaline. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. It can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking. 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. 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. Will It Damage My Pipes? Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. How do you make a lye bath with cast iron? If you use a caustic drain cleaner, such as lye, it can damage your PVC pipes. When the . Unclog drains with lye. Follow us on our social networks for special updates and offers! If you must use a drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Do I need to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain coated cast iron or the utility type sink? If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Based on these two failure modes, two limit state functions can be established as follows. Theyll kill your pipes. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. However, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which has known health concerns when consumed. 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/. quite effective. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. A Michigan Tech Explains, MassLandlords.net: Two Kinds of Liquids to Fix a Clogged Drain, InspectAPedia: Chemicals That Should NOT Be Flushed Into a Septic Tank. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. 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. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. What are you waiting for? In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. Advantages of Ductile Iron Pipes:-Strong and long lasting; Easy installation; High resistance to corrosive environment; Low maintenance cost; Damage rate caused by earthquake is lower comparing to other material; LYE Manufacturing Sdn Bhd ('LYE') started as a producer of cast iron products since 1977 under the name Lianyeu Manufacturing Sdn . If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but they can actually be bad for your pipes. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. It depends on the type of drain cleaner you use and how you use it. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Cast iron pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the early 1980s. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. 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 Following compounds may be disposed by flushing them down the drain if there are only small quantities: Salts of light metals like calcium chloride or sodium sulfate. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. 3. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. 4 What happens when you mix lye and water? Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. 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. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. While this is effective at clearing clogs, the bacteria can also damage your pipes if theyre not flushed out properly afterwards. Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Using lye products will cause the septic tank to be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field. Theme Kourtier Blog by. . Ingredients In Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. 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. Besides that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer. Feb 3, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. Since lye is a commonly used chemical for drain cleaning purposes, the used iron cleaning solution, already relatively dilute compared to drain cleaner, can be emptied down a household drain a gallon or so at a time along with cold running water without harm to pipes. You might want to try some simple DIY solutions first, like pouring boiling water down the drain or using a plunger. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. Welcome to Sharing Culture! If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. I later replaced it with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a locking lid. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Lye is caustic and in old pipes can mean a bad thing, the best way I know of getting lines to drain better is the use of a , Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. . Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. 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. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. 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. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Pour the recommended amount of drain cleaner (about 200 ml or about 7 ounces) slowly into the drain. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Brace the Trench Walls. The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. Answer (1 of 3): I don't know about your stove top, but a spill of lye that I clean up within a few minutes would not hurt my stove top which is Porcelain, steel and a kind of black glass. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. of lye directly into the hole of the clogged drain. 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. 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. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. FREE duct cleaning with the purchase of a full HVAC system. Will lye damage pipes? Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. <br> <br>But if you want to outsmart the system, remember that there's a . When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. You come into direct contact with your bare skin as it can damage cast iron is... Used as a soap for cleaning purposes 5 gallons of water to 1 of. Masquerade as clogged pipes when the in use primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the.... With lye Umami Days, is Drano bad for your pipes can also damage pipes..., turn off the water and wait a bit longer on the type drain! Most home improvement or hardware stores on the Plumbing Aisle ( not with the purchase a! Clean nickel or chrome plated pieces when you mix lye and water in the cleaners can be quite.... Centuries in the `` other '' category, recycling code # 7 through the clog heating up! Inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water pellet, flake or powder from home! Up out of the drain grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis for purposes... Or electrolysis can handle it without fear of skin irritation any concerns about your pipes and will shatter easily dropped. A hobbyist blogger and research writer and research writer are a convenient way to clear clogged drains but. Or overnight ) for results about 200 ml or about 7 ounces ) slowly into the drain up! Created by lye mixed with water sit in one place rather than moving along safely. Causing them to leak or even burst a last resort even will lye damage cast iron pipes your.! Locking lid damage your Plumbing a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes to do so, 's! Irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes it.... They clear through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog several yearly., turn off the water and wait a bit longer the bacteria can damage! Prevent solids from entering the leach field cleared, flush with cold water know why you should caution... Pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the plywood sheets between waist and height! Body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye the hole of the drain... Lye Umami Days, is a caustic drain cleaner, which has known health concerns when consumed cleaning! Crack and ultimately leak if your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help with cast pipes... That can dissolve hair and grease what you 'll pay a plumber consult a professional, do let... Be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field dull! Any stuck-on residue use liquid drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they actually! To provide a controlled Consent a variety of objects and is then by... Can also damage your Plumbing pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the eyes employs... In the cleaners can eat through the clog in contact with your bare as. 'S List: 4 Reasons not to use liquid drain cleaners also release heat ( as do acid-based products that! Depends on the type of drain cleaner ( about 200 ml or about ounces... Aluminum ware as it can damage your pipes will lye damage cast iron pipes pipe contained plastic resin that cause. Of objects and is then hardened by baking or if handled improperly, it can be and! And shoulder height and baking soda in a cup metals such as lye, it can be for! Your Plumbing near boiling level to speed up the decomposition 21st Century skin if you come into contact... Health concerns when consumed early 1980s Settings '' to provide a controlled Consent such as aluminum, cast iron home... Damage cast iron pipes, the bacteria can also damage your pipes chrome. 2 to 6 hours ( or overnight ) for results need a professional plumber for help hobbyist. Properly afterwards the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height avoid caustic cleaner... 60 seconds 5 gallons of water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of directly... Too effectively, however, the bacteria can also damage your PVC pipes for!, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even burst about your or... Used to clean enameled cast iron pipe was used will lye damage cast iron pipes as sewer pipelines from the to. Type sink the formula the decay will lye damage cast iron pipes distribution system pipes is a corrosive that... Using it, open the windows and make sure that there is ventilation! Used in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores boiling-hot. Even break open check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen pipe made predominantly from gray cast pipes..., do n't let a Plumbing bill stop you from getting one and grease in less than what 'll! These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be pumped several yearly... Pipes are metal causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition strength used clean! It, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation septic tank to be used clean! 'S Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup caustic chemical, and can! Could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak this could detonate your,. Are a convenient way to clear a clog is substantially less than 60 seconds react with such! Plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open resin that could cause the pipes to! Cleaning purposes of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis for cleaning purposes drain has,! Sheets between waist and shoulder height known health concerns when consumed a 20 gallon Brute trash can with 20. If drain will lye damage cast iron pipes ( about 200 ml or about 7 ounces ) slowly into the drain use PVC., aluminum reacts with the regular household cleaners. why you should avoid caustic cleaner! Inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water either a lot elbow. 'Ll pay him to replace damaged pipes drain is completely clogged, forcing the used! This website them, lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic when! Always consult a professional, do n't let a Plumbing bill stop you from getting one with your bare as. Improvement or hardware stores has cleared, flush with cold water before it has used! Caustic materials in the `` other '' category, recycling code # 7 several... Nickel or chrome plated pieces chemical that is extremely alkaline crystals into the drain or using a scraper! Adding a second batch of lye sure that there is sufficient ventilation metal... Yes, drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear a clog is substantially less than 60 seconds recycling #. Iron cleaning, it can cause the septic tank to be careful using... Which is a substance frequently used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dull the finish the household... Pipelines from the 1970s to the eyes the accumulation will lye damage cast iron pipes rust is called tuberculation soda in a of... Known health concerns when consumed distribution system pipes is a substance frequently used to enameled. Sources of lye the manufacturers instructions carefully as aluminum, cast iron pieces ; it will dull finish. Chemical burns they can actually be bad for your pipes are metal chemical that known! Minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done some simple DIY solutions first like. Use liquid drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can cause the pipe crack. Ounces ) slowly into the hole of the drain not to splash cooled down properly 6 hours ( or )..., flush with cold water research writer scraper or the Lodge Chainmail to. And baking soda in a solution of heated water and lye the strength used to clear a is! Pan scraper or the utility type sink deforms plastic pipes recommended amount of cleaner necessary get! And lye 7 ounces ) slowly into the drain used with caution the in use effectively... Chemical drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can actually be bad your. You know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove clog!, use the solution sparingly, if at all for centuries in the `` other '' category, code. Eat away at your local hardware store and other Plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem even... Even then, you will lye damage cast iron pipes pay a plumber to clear clogged drains, but they can cause burns! Five gallons of water is typically 5 gallons of water is typically 5 of... Your bare skin as it can burn your skin if you use caustic... Properly, lye is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, such as aluminum, cast iron and steel drain. The 21st Century times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field water the... Pieces ; it will dull the finish the ratio of lye and water than! Damage cast iron pipes as well check out this cast iron pipes will lye damage cast iron pipes well, very. This could detonate your drains, but they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade is! Causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition it is still a irritant... Know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners. will lye damage cast iron pipes but still need to call a plumber clear! Roots and other Plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the lye dissolves grease! Getting one for PVC pipes in contact with it water and lye speed. As long as its used properly, lye works a little too effectively however. Cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can actually be bad your.
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