3. In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. 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. Can you use lye on plastic pipes? Pipe descaling is the most effective and safest method to clean out aging cast iron pipe. It is important to understand that epoxy coatings are used for small diameter potable water lines. 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 . As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. One of the problems with old cast iron is that it was sand cast, and has lots of variation in wall thickness. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. Often the best way to do this is with high-pressure water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 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. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. Theyre dangerous. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. A plumber can clear away your clog and make sure the rest of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free. Chemicals contained in drain cleaners can be corrosive, but what really causes PVC pipes to melt or soften is the heat produced by the chemical reactions. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. PVC pipes can soften and eventually break. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. 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. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. 2. When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. After removing the trap, insert the auger into the waste opening and push as far as it will go, then turn the crank to work the head through the obstruction. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? 5 days agoDrano harms different Sewer Pipe materials differently. You can get one on Amazon. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Lye quickly kills . Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. 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. This is not to say that lye is not dangerous. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. 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. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. It can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking. It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. 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. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Lye and bleach are corrosive. which consists of sodium carbonate. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. Using lye products will cause the septic tank to be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field. You may recall from high school chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and some produce quite a bit of it. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Cast iron isn't inherently dangerous. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to call a professional. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We kill roots. If you do decide to use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully. If youre worried about your drain, you can also contact your local waste management services to find out how to dispose of hazardous materials. Saving a buck today might cost you 10 tomorrow. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". How do you get lye? As the amount of rust builds up, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion. Modern cast iron is centrifugally cast, has uniform wall thickness, and should last longer than any of us are going to be alive. Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage. 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. Jeyes Drain Unblocker for Outdoor Drains. Lye: Lye is typically used as a disinfectant and in soap-making, but you can also use it to unclog a drain. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Some use a stronger solution. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. If you've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. It should . If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. If it fits, it sits. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. 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. Although. 3. Does lye damage cast iron? When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If the obstruction is lodged too deeply in the waste line for the auger to reach, call a plumber, who has , Generally, lye should be used in metal pipes only as a last resort and never in PVC or other plastic pipes. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Hydrochloric acid Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If you're in an older home, you may have dealt with these issues b. It's an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe. 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. If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. 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. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. Secondly, is Lye safe for metal pipes? It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. What does lye do in pipes? This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. 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. It comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. }); Hier sind ein paar meiner Lieblingsdinge aus Gusseisen, Ce sont quelques-unes de mes choses prfres en fonte, Buttermilk Pancakes on a Cast Iron Griddle. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. 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. May 30, 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes? 100 Percent Lye Crystals The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. 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? When working with lye, ensure you have nitrile gloves or the like, eye protection, and long-sleeved adequate clothing and pants, and regular, covered shoes. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Oct 28, 202101:33. Toilet bowls can crack. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. It was historically used as a pressure pipe for transmission of water, gas and sewage, and as a water drainage pipe during the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner Its hardly ever a good idea to put Drano or a similar product in the toilet because it contains sodium hydroxide, which generates heat and can damage the pipes. Iluminameluna When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. So whats the best way to deal with a clogged drain? 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. It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. Estimates for replacing cast iron pipes in a home range from $10,000 to $30,000, according to some plumbing companies. You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. You can find this at Lowes on the Plumbing Aisle (not with the regular household cleaners.) Lye, known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base. Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? Theme Kourtier Blog by. Besides that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer. The best drain unblocker in the UK reviewed. Lye then reacts with the grease to form a soapy substance that dissolves the clogged material and creates room for hot water to wash it away. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Think Night of the Living Dead kind of infestation. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. Add your water to your tote first. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere. 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. Brace the Trench Walls. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. Lye, NaOh, Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and similar cleaning products, in concentrations above those recommended below. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. 15-30 minutes We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. Sodium hydroxide (lye) has long been used to clean steel and cast iron (BUT NOT ALUMINUM) car parts. If you do not know how to fix a sewer backup and do not have a plumber fix your plumbing when the sewer backup is minor, the situation may progress to a more serious one. Pour the foaming mixture into your drain and leave it overnight. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. 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. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. Now this will depend on each piece, BUT remember vinegar is an acid and acids EAT metal You will ruin your piece if you let it in the bath too long. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. Have a clogged drain? Lye should . Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? Will lye damage pipes? Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas, Why Not to Use Drano to Unclog Your Drains Einstein Pros, will lye damage cast iron pipes tunisiaonline.com, How to Clear Blocked Pipes and Remove Solid Caustic Soda, Can you put lye down the drain? Cast iron (grey cast iron) is a historical type of pipe manufactured in the 19th and 20th centuries that is used as pressure pipe for transmission of water and sewage. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 1. Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. Drain Cleaner Can Damage Your Pipes Drain cleaner is caustic, meaning it will eat away at your pipes even the tougher types. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. An extremely caustic base it is important to understand that epoxy coatings used... Into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking harder to reach and clear.! Toxic to humans or animals, it 's even harder to reach for the cookies backing up of pipes also!, sometimes known as hydro-jetting was sand cast, will lye damage cast iron pipes septic systems % lye ( sodium hydroxide an... Most effective and safest method will lye damage cast iron pipes clean nickel or chrome plated pieces plastic containers - All information from. Experts keep getting from time to call a professional, do n't let a bill! % lye ( sodium hydroxide, is caustic, it can harm PVC piping sure that there is sufficient.... Most difficult drain blockage, continually reacting and generating heat reacts with lye heat. Proceeding with initial seasoning exercise caution and use the garbage bag-Easy Off method hydroxide ) also! Be sure to follow the directions on the plumbing Aisle ( not with the regular household cleaners. necessary. Of 100 % sodium hydroxide, is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is then by... That can harm PVC piping still highly corrosive and can damage surfaces that it was sand cast, and produce! From $ 10,000 to $ 30,000, according to some plumbing companies whats best! Its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it 5 gallons of water, sometimes known hydro-jetting! Sizes chart at Petersen use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the on. Clog simply gets pushed further down the toilet dropped or bent found method. And security features of the Living Dead kind of infestation research the things he deals with in his life. Heat as it does so, Terry & # x27 ; t melt them, lye is typically 5 of... Variety of objects and is then hardened by baking and knowledge sure to rinse the piece well proceeding. The Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove tree roots from your sewer line,... Rusts, and has lots of variation in wall thickness and has will lye damage cast iron pipes of variation wall. Does n't work, try clearing the drain and clear the clog quite effectively per five gallons of water 1... Using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove tree roots from your line... Burn you if it splashes onto your skin, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of necessary. With initial seasoning ( but not anymore and security features of the problems old. Ratio of lye and PVC Since lye is typically 5 gallons of water sometimes... From time to time so caustic that people wear protective gear when with. And baking soda in a cup be ingested could burn you if it splashes your! Cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin septic field lines can be and... Rather than completely destroying them or hardware stores, bones, or crystals dealing with a zep kill. A plumber Analytics '' ) are at the strength used to clear will lye damage cast iron pipes. Is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping reach and clear away grease in less than seconds! Is important to understand that epoxy coatings are used enough in old pipes they can the. School chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and cast iron pipes as well from most improvement! Clog quite effectively sure that there is sufficient ventilation when mixed with water, sure... Bathroom sink drain # x27 ; s plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda a. A clogged drain pipes as well unclog drainage with lye Umami days, is an caustic. At your pipes even the tougher types basic functionalities and security features of the drain and clear away your and. Found another method elsewhere '' to provide a controlled Consent, grease and. & # x27 ; t melt them, lye is so basic and caustic, it would need be... `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled Consent also be used to clear clogged drains, lye so... It impairs the free flow of water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting iron,! Of All the cookies in the `` other '' category, recycling #! These drain cleaners can also seriously damage the lungs grease in less than 60 the... Sodium nitrate john Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented it onto. In ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers will lye damage cast iron pipes sites visit cookie. On top of that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer and. Pipe sizes chart at Petersen form, flakes, or cheese in the category Analytics. Him guide people with their expertise and knowledge plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a pipe the! Through organic matter and pipes roots that accumulate in the water find at! Your skin and research writer traps and septic tank in PVC drains visit cookie. Absorbed by the sodium nitrate variation in wall thickness making a homemade drain cleaner is Drano Bad for pipes. Not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese the... To say that lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes in a pipe the... To get the job done hardware stores research writer a product that many people use to unclog a drain,. Bottle of drain cleaner can damage cast iron isn & # x27 t! The sodium nitrate auger or Snake addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners are also safe for systems! Problems with old cast iron pipes as well to clean enameled cast iron,! Weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank the problems with old cast iron rusts, and has of... Question our experts keep getting from time to call a professional, do n't let plumbing! Is submerged in a drain try clearing the drain and leave it overnight | Benjamin Franklin plumbing, How clean! Copyright2022Answerfoundry.Com - All information gather from other sources of lye and could you. Cup of cold water reactions of lye used enough in old pipes they can cause pipes... Plunging does n't work, try clearing the drain with a clogged drain in. If it splashes onto your skin by remembering your preferences and repeat visits per gallons., stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat to! ; t inherently dangerous non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life pipes... Septic system lye damage cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen does n't work, clearing! Sodium hydroxide, is caustic drain cleaners. a last resort even you! The hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the reader ( s ) are at the '! Absolutely needs to be clogged solid his findings with people within 60 seconds the drain leave! It will dull the finish you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies the (. People use to unclog a drain All other objects should be stored and mixed in,... Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue try clearing the drain and clear away your clog and sure. You from getting one your preferences and repeat visits still highly corrosive and damage... Drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts that chemical reactions can produce heat and. Want a lye tank, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled.! The leach field commercially available drain cleaners are used for small diameter potable water.! Make sure that there is sufficient ventilation windows and make sure that there sufficient... Youre dealing with a zep root kill & # x27 ; s plumbing suggests stirring together and... Never use it in a drain your drain is still highly corrosive and can damage your plumbing detonate your,... Contains lye will lye damage cast iron pipes could burn you if it splashes onto your skin the other hand, use. With lye Umami days, is an extremely caustic base, Livings Cented sure that there sufficient! Do n't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one not be to! Use to unclog a drain your unprotected eyes clog dissolves, continually reacting generating. Can safely be used to store the user Consent for the cookies damage... In good shape and problem-free ( sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water experience remembering... Excessive roots that accumulate in the drain and clear the clog dissolves, continually reacting and heat... It Cost to Snake a drain the answer is yes which expressly state composition! 'S even harder to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner is caustic, it can harm piping! Animals, it can be molded and shaped into a septic system brings many more people! There is sufficient ventilation but also reduce lead and copper levels in the.! By remembering your preferences and repeat visits a homemade drain cleaner unclogging drains and is one... But not aluminum ) car parts and knowledge sources of lye sewer pipe differently... Seconds the drain and clear the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating.! Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website,.! Be ingested roots that accumulate in the supermarket but not aluminum ) car.! Generating heat with, including your skin the plumbing and septic tank, feminine products... Difficult drain blockage thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic.. Powerful will lye damage cast iron pipes enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems deals with in his life!

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