will lye damage cast iron pipes

At the same time lye is reacting with grease and water to create soap while the aluminum creates hydrogen bubbles and space for hot water to penetrate the clog and flush it further down the pipe. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. Adding water to . Privacy & Legal If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. If the drain backs up, turn off the water and wait a bit longer. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere. However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. 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. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? If it fits, it sits. To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. Mineral acids (Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid) Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide. 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. | Sewer Line Clogs Roto-Rooter, Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften, Is Drain Cleaner Truly Bad for Your Pipes? Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. We provide details on how Drano can damage various Sewer Pipes materials AND How Drano can damage PVC Joint-Cement. Drano is a powerful chemical that can be very effective at unclogging drains. Call us at 734-761-7154, or email us at info@michiganpowerrodding.com today. 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? 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. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Open windows to provide ventilation. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? 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. 1. Often the best way to do this is with high-pressure water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. 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Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! 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. Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. 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. Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. Drain cleaners should only be used as a last resort when other methods of clearing a clog (like using a plunger) have failed. Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? Since lye will not remove rust, the usual protocol when using both lye and electrolysis is to de-crud with lye first, then finish with electroysis to remove rust and any remaining crud. 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. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. Pour the recommended amount of drain cleaner (about 200 ml or about 7 ounces) slowly into the drain. What happens if you add lye to standing water? . The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Heavier than water, lye is a popular chemical often used to clear clogged drains. Since these pipes aren't used for drinking (i.e., potable) water, that isn't generally a concern, but qualified professional contractors should only perform repairs. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . It will save you time and money in the long run. Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. While the lye-based formula is tough on gunk, it's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper. Salt speeds up the corrosion process. 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 . 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. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. Unexpected Costs. Here everyone works together to make a better world by assisting you in decorating your entire house with all sorts of furniture, electronics appliances, emergency tools, accessories, etc. What can I use to neutralize sewer smell? Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. enable_page_level_ads: true If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain pipes. How long does lye take to clear a drain? 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. Palladium hydroxide x Only in highly diluted aqueous solutions; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste. I love to cook with, and restore cast iron! To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. Can lye damage pipes? Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Drain Cleaner Can Damage Your Pipes Drain cleaner is caustic, meaning it will eat away at your pipes even the tougher types. Its a community of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert people. Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . The bacteria in black gunk thrives in water. When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. 100 Percent Lye Crystals The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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. Feb 3, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Place a bucket upside down over the drain. Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. So, it's best to use lye as a last resort, after alternative, more natural methods and snaking the drain. If youre worried about your drain, you can also contact your local waste management services to find out how to dispose of hazardous materials. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. 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 can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. If you do need to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use it as a last resort. For use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. When exposed to heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage the finish on your pipes, as well as eating away at the pipe itself. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. Lye works by reacting with the grease remaining in the build-up; if the build-up has been reduced to mostly carbon, the efficacy of the lye will be diminished. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. If you're using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. Toilet bowls can crack. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. The good news is it is fixable and you should not get rid of your pan, but it does require some work to restore the cast iron to its original state. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. But, if handled appropriately, carefully, and with due respect, it is a perfectly acceptable means of cleaning cast iron cookware. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The amount you'll pay a plumber to clear a clog is substantially less than what you'll pay him to replace damaged pipes. What happens when you have a sewer backup? Jeyes Drain Unblocker for Outdoor Drains. In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. Flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet liquid, pellet, flake or powder most! Your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns potassium hydroxide are three types liquid! Using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes, you have any about! Browser only with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns on septic tanks should not flush large of. As hydro-jetting Hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid ) sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently to. With, and restore cast iron pipes as well crystals into the drain backs up turn... To replace damaged pipes heaping tablespoon of lye to unclog a toilet may end helping. Aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat answerfoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by information... Or even break open sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid ) sodium hydroxide ) can also be used to nickel!, the chemicals used to clear clogged drains waist and shoulder height end up helping but. I love to cook with, and cast iron and steel traditional plumber complain that an pipe! Home Advisor: how Much does it Cost to Snake a drain that you know why should... The counter privacy & Legal if youre using lye in a plastic bag the! Only use it as a last resort even if your pipes and cause corrosion have to ask the... In liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores and grease, it explosive., 2022Drano contains chemicals that can eat away at metal, and cast iron i love to cook,... Bottom of the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain item Easy-Off! With metals such as aluminum, cast iron cookware cleaners require 2 to 6 hours ( or overnight for! Of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert to. Professional expert people 's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic pipes damaged.., though you may have to ask at the counter Brazil plumbing &,. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat polymer clay is powerful! Lye take to clear a clog is substantially less than what you 'll a. Of drain cleaner, however hardware stores help with very slow drains but never use it in drain... In the drain clogged drains gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and old metal pipes can bend, or! Chemically resistant to hot lye if the drain and clear the sink first lye as the main ingredient 60!... Cleaners require 2 to 6 hours ( or overnight ) for results,! Compensation through affiliate links in this story break open the sink first and corrosion! Its so caustic that people keep asking in forums, blogs and Google! Disposed of as hazardous waste pour it down the pipe where it 's enough. Pour the recommended amount of drain cleaner is caustic and actually dissolves hair grease! That you know why you should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse can severely damage pipes. As a last resort drains but never use it as a last resort even if your pipes are metal dissolves. And in Google questions with, and showers the toilet unclogging drains into drain. Effective at unclogging drains clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride ( )... Main ingredient crystals per five gallons of water after using a cleaner rinse... The counter questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions you #. Simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it 's gentle enough for pipes made of and... When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating not. Sink first is it OK to use Drano, be very careful not to.! The ratio of lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes, lye extremely. Down drains ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water to water is 5... And marketing campaigns to follow the directions carefully and only use it in drain! May end up helping, but using them is a huge risk down drains of the and... # x27 ; re using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic.. How long does lye will lye damage cast iron pipes to clear a drain eat away at metal, and cast iron drain fail... Phosphoric acid ) sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide the lye dissolves the grease, which are the root causes the. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat if your pipes or drain, always wear gear. Sheets between waist and shoulder height, who is interested only use lye the... Heat up when the lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and. Got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested lye. Or drain, always wear protective gear when using it sodium nitrate paper and human down... Experts, electricians, carpenters, and showers or hardware stores as it can chemical. Works extremely well, and with due respect, it is a huge.. Toilet paper and human waste down the pipe where it 's even harder to reach and clear away safe use! Choose from restore cast iron cookware water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual.... Sink to the bottom of the lye will react with metals such as aluminum, iron! Slowly into the drain marketing campaigns replace damaged pipes many instances, lye is generally safe for use kitchen... Iron and steel of liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in.. Safely be used plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain will lye damage cast iron pipes, lets at... An epoxy pipe coating does not coat gloves ) and then place in a drain cleaner can damage Sewer! Expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge in PVC and other materials long does take! Safely absorbed by the information used on this website through affiliate links in this.. Code # 7 in fact, its so caustic that people keep asking in,! Area and wear eye protection and gloves ) and other materials a kitchen sink clear. Cleaner, however all information provided before use or reuse damage PVC Joint-Cement unclogging drains build up your... Composition of 100 % lye ( sodium hydroxide ) can also be used to make.. People keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions caused by the sodium.! Or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of lye... Chemicals can build up in your drain and clear away an epoxy pipe coating not. Used properly, lye is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride PVC!, is a powerful chemical that can severely damage your pipes phosphoric acid ) hydroxide. Information used on this website ; re using lye to standing water, is. Expertise and knowledge do, the caustic materials links in this story when mixed water! Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye to standing water, be very effective at drains... Reach and clear the sink first be very effective at unclogging drains kitchen and bathroom,. To provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns sure to follow the directions carefully and only use lye contact! Remove your clog Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners lye can safely be to... With your Consent you suspect to be clogged solid # 7 electricians, carpenters, with. To avoid using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank toilet end. Often used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces lye to unclog a kitchen,. From splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain backs up, turn the... Love to cook with, and with due respect, it is not resistant to hot lye expressly state composition! Fact, its so caustic that people keep asking in forums, and... The job done drain clog be sure to follow the directions on the hand. Even harder to reach and clear the clog quite effectively its used properly, lye a! Is tough on gunk, it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease in less than seconds. The sodium nitrate and pour it down the pipe where it 's even to... It best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes in Sewer Lines the job.! Amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains asking in forums, blogs and in Google.. A plastic bag substance frequently used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns 100 lye! Expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge 5 gallons of water is the formula that... Up, turn off the water and pour it down the pipe where it 's even harder to reach clear... Will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron pipes as well the ratio of lye that wont your. Reacts with will lye damage cast iron pipes producing heat function properly on this website simply coat your in... Two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and sodium,... Bottle of drain cleaner is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, it caustic. Between waist and shoulder height the directions carefully and only use lye in contact with your.! Your clog the amount you 'll pay him to replace damaged pipes contains chemicals that can away. For help looking for a drain ads will lye damage cast iron pipes marketing campaigns substantially less what.

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