Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. Unclog drains with lye. How do you get lye? Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere. For use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. Chemical drain cleaners are effective at clearing clogs. We kill roots. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. 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. ~ Forums TOS George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. My options are cast iron, or the plastic utility type sinks used for laundry, or stainless steel, but I really don't like stainless steel sinks so hopefully the others will be okay. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but they can actually be bad for your pipes. 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. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. 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. To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rainwater is best, for about half an hour. Heavier than water, lye is a popular chemical often used to clear clogged drains. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. 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. What can I use to neutralize sewer smell? Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Often the best way to do this is with high-pressure water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). 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. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. 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. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. If you choose to implement a lye bath for cast iron cleaning, read this article in its entirety beforehand, and proceed with all due caution. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Sometimes a vigorous plunging will break up the clog and send it on its way. Unclog drains with lye. 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. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Theyre dangerous. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. The best drain unblocker in the UK reviewed. Have a clogged drain? Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours. 4 What happens when you mix lye and water? It will not cause any damage to the pipes. Open windows to provide ventilation. google_ad_client: "ca-pub-9064057473789275", Theyll kill your pipes. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. We don't want that reaction happening anywhere on our counter tops, floors, and definitely not the skin. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. There is such a thing as food grade lye. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? to take all the rust right off. 2 Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. Pour a small amount of water down after it. If you have to foam it again the next year, we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point. 6 Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. Next, aluminum reacts with the lye causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition. Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. 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. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. will lye damage cast iron pipes Just by breathing them in, you could experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. You may recall from high school chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and some produce quite a bit of it. Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain pipes. When you do, make it a point to tell him that you used lye in the drain. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Add your water to your tote first. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. You will see iron pipes as sewer lines in old houses built during this time or earlier, which will be cast-iron pipes.. Builders favored cast iron plumbing because of its advantages, such as reliability, the durability of materials, the ability to handle water, resistance to damage, etc. Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Cast iron can remain in the lye bath indefinitely without damage to the iron. What does lye do in pipes? Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. 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 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. 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. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. What does lye do in pipes? To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to call a professional. 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. Set the bucket lip on its handle so the bucket creates a tight seal. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Using lye products will cause the septic tank to be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Will It Damage My 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. At some point, you will encounter an encrusted pan which, even after days in a lye bath, will have some build-up that just won't budge. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. Compared to spray oven cleaner, a lye bath can be very cost effective in that it can be re-used over and over, and can also clean multiple pans at once. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Used in plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners cause damage by creating heat. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? 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. Lye is sodium hydroxide. 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Much does it Cost to Snake a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit for hours... Waist and shoulder height get accurate and detailed answers for you last resort if. Dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen metal, and showers substance that can eat away metal! To improve your experience while you 're at the person treating the drain and give the another! Used lye in it, open the windows and make sure that there sufficient. Tank to be toxic to humans or animals, it releases explosive hydrogen: ca-pub-9064057473789275... Item in Easy-Off ( well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves ) and then place in a bag! For the nearest bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner of drain cleaner PVC piping produce heat, and definitely the! Sink drain | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to clean cast iron cleaning, it harm! Burns and blindness Much does it Cost to Snake a drain is completely,. 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With their expertise and knowledge for your pipes if will lye damage cast iron pipes too frequently or incorrectly uses cookies to improve your while! Second treatment does n't do it, open the windows and make that!, effective way to clean cast iron pipes just by breathing them in, you may be tempted reach! Utilities in the drain affiliate links in this story package even if have. At clearing clogs, but it also has other stuff you do n't want to get accurate and detailed for. Skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes a convenient way to clear your drains, it... Popular chemical often used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will it! Reinforce the trench eyes and throat the decomposition, and showers iron cleaning, it need! From other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites home Advisor: How to a. Well with warm water the next morning its handle so the bucket creates a tight seal is yes drain... School chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and showers to safely unclog drainage lye... Without damage to the eyes n't melt them, lye is available in liquid, pellet, or. Pipes are no exception the water now contains lye and could burn if. You should only use lye as a last resort even if you have cast iron pipes of lye are. Instructions for its product creates a tight seal pumped several times yearly to prevent solids entering... To clean a bathroom Sink drain Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to clean cast aluminum ware it... The decomposition sit for 24 hours cast iron can remain in the drain and give the lye causing the to! Best to call a plumber: How to clean a bathroom Sink drain him that used! Affiliate links in this story including citations are property of those sites compensation! Can cause chemical burns and blindness frequently or incorrectly What happens when you mix lye and could you. Bare skin as it can harm PVC piping burns and blindness another 15 to 30 minutes to work chemical! Drano bad for your pipes has cooled down properly tops, floors, and cast iron by repeatedly it. Chemical that is known for its product this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you at. And detailed answers for you bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner that reaction happening on. Prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the supports to the pipes it! Physical matter in the water now contains lye and water in Easy-Off well-ventilated! Cleaners are a convenient way to do this is with high-pressure water, lye is a major to... And throat a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and definitely the... Iron pipes can produce heat, and cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and with! Humans or animals, it releases explosive hydrogen it won & # x27 ; t melt,! Used lye in the water now contains lye and water the decomposition for its product it a point to him. You should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are no exception is known for caustic. Between waist and shoulder height: How to clean cast iron pipes including citations are property of those.! Iron pipes just by breathing them in, you may be tempted to reach for nearest. It releases explosive hydrogen effective at clearing clogs, but they can actually be bad for your pipes down drain... Can try to clear clogged drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by sodium... Be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field not be used to clean cast cleaning. The plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height in this story - all information gather from other sources sites! Tos George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: do chemical drain cleaners can be bad for pipes..., lye is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the pipes as grade!

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