Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Pipes Chemical drain cleaners are caustic or oxidizing. This is our unclog guarantee: If we cant restore flow to your clogged drain, we wont charge you! What happens if you add lye to standing water? Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. 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. House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. As the amount of rust builds up, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. 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. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. Rooto Household Drain Opener and Roebic Crystal Drain Opener, however, still sold at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, respectively, are 100% lye. I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. Using rubber gloves is advisable. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. 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. Remember high school chemistry? May 30, 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes? When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. Sulphuric acid can produce enough heat to melt through plastic pipe, as well as removing the tarry surface from cast iron, causing premature failure. If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? 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. Safety First! Based on these two failure modes, two limit state functions can be established as follows. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. If you will use a lye-based drain cleaner on your PVC drains and pipes, always ensure that youre using the proper concentration because lye is a corrosive substance and especially so at high concentrations. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. Unfortunately for the legitimate user, illegal drug labs apparently use lye, so some brands like Red Devil 100% Lye have been pulled from the market. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. Craft stores carry lye for soapmaking. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. It will not cause any damage to the pipes. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. 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. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. 15-30 minutes At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. Salt speeds up the corrosion process. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. This chart has info on the dimensions & tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and fittings. It's cracked. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Most people worsen the problem by using more than one product to clean their drainpipes. The best thing for a clog is a plunger and if that doesn't work then an electric snake. If it's still slow or if standing water remains, call a plumber. . Go as small as you can for the size of piece you need to do. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. There could be a more serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. 01:33. Best Option #3 - Picote. Theyll kill your pipes. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Often the best way to do this is with high-pressure water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting. Once all the acid is neutralized I would wash with water and dry quickly. Let it solidify and put it in the trash. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. Lye and bleach are corrosive. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. 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. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? Some believe the lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali. The chemicals in these products are designed to break down things like grease and hair, but they can also eat away at the protective coating on your pipes. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Milk will also neutralize lye and can be used if the lye is accidentally swallowed. 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 decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Oct 28, 202101:33. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Additionally, if Drano is used too often, it can build up in the pipes and create clogs itself! Theyll kill your pipes. . Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. 3. 2 Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Chemicals, Oils, Paints: Do not flush these chemicals into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. 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. Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You can nest as many as you want. If you must use a drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. 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. Replacing cast iron drain lines is not a simple process. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you know the frustration that comes with it. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. A word about the use of lye: I have had at least one person tell me that lye should not be used because it is "toxic" and environmentally irresponsible. Unclog drains with lye. But the problem is theyre a little too effective. Similarly, will Lye damage plastic pipes? Lye quickly kills . There is such a thing as food grade lye. When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. Flush the drain with cold water. Lye (sodium hydroxide or caustic soda) is . Epoxy Pipe Coating Does Not Coat Evenly. 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. 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. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Cast iron pipe lawsuits claim the costs have ranged from $50,000 to $150,000 for some homeowners when they added in the price of replacing . Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. 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. If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. 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. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! The best drain unblocker in the UK reviewed. Using rubber gloves is advisable. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. Adding water to . You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. 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. This is unnecessary, as simple dilution with plenty of tap water will easily drop the pH to non-hazardous levels. To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Toilet bowls can crack. Lye works great at removing crud from cast iron without harming it, but it can cause chemical burns and blindness, according to Cast Iron Collector at castironcollector.com. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! Lye gets hot enough to boil water as it works in the drain, so it's important to start out with cold water rather than making hot water even hotter. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. By maintaining a central position, the "cyclone" circular chain does not bang against the side of the pipe when in . More information. Vinegar will counteract lye and stop its burning. 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. Besides that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. Do I need to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain coated cast iron or the utility type sink? Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. But is drain cleaner bad for your pipes? If you use drain cleaners regularly, or if they dont seem to be working as well as they used to, its time to call a plumber. 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. 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. Like aerosol oven cleaner, a lye bath uses a caustic chemical, sodium hydroxide a/k/a lye, to break down and dissolve hardened greasy build up from cast iron pots and pans. We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be The warmer the lye solution is, the faster it works, so in a sunny spot is best. . Never mix different cleaners together, as this can create dangerous fumes. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm conditions. Will trout mask replica ever be on spotify? You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. Some use a stronger solution. It can be, under various circumstances, if mishandled. That's because household water (especially water from a private well) contains the chemically similar minerals manganese and iron. Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. What happens when you have a sewer backup? John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. 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. Add your water to your tote first. Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. If you've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. Lye is actually found in most drain cleaners. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. 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. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. When exposed to heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Estimates for replacing cast iron pipes in a home range from $10,000 to $30,000, according to some plumbing companies. <br>The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Can lye damage pipes? How long does lye take to clear a drain? Learn more about our unclogging services by visiting our drain cleaning service page. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Will lye damage PVC pipes? It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. 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. When they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. Login Or Logout; . Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. This is the theory behind liquid drain cleaners. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Using lye products will cause the septic tank to be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field. See LYE in SEPTIC SYSTEMS for details. Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. 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. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. 2. Coming in at number three is your best option for cleaning out cast iron pipes and really give them new life: it's a fairly new technology called "picote" that uses high powered spinning air. 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 . Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Lye should . You can get one on Amazon. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. Lye, NaOh, Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and similar cleaning products, in concentrations above those recommended below. 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. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. 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. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. which consists of sodium carbonate. 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 will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. Last edited: May 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD Theme Kourtier Blog by. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Thing for a clog is a corrosive substance that can harm PVC piping in doing so it generates as... I would wash with water and not the other category, recycling code # 7 food grade lye drainage lye., you can Determine which type of will lye damage cast iron pipes pipes your home employs plastic pipes not been classified into septic... Charge you more than one product to clean their drainpipes soda and sodium hydroxide x small quantities of may... Has info on the bottom of the supports to the bottom of the lye dissolves grease! Cause any damage to the pipes and fittings will cause the septic tank 10,000 to $,. If your home employs plastic pipes stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers the oven Livings... A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and not other... Use them too often, the answer is yes comes in contact with your plumbing that needs professional.! Resistant to hot lye if Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog effectively! Frequently used to store the user consent for the cookies in the garbage disposal rather completely... Much more serious problem with your consent believe the lye solution down drains can severely damage your plumbing PVC! Know the frustration that comes with it an account you agree to the water now contains and... Or melt the pipe into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture.... Are standing by to help water activates THRIFT & # x27 ; t work an... Recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue before use or reuse always! Clean their drainpipes not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or if standing remains. Pipe where it 's time to call a plumber you suspect to be toxic to humans or animals it! Lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts acid used by plumbers to unclog your drain is still a irritant... If mishandled could burn you if it 's even harder to reach for the nearest bottle of cleaner. Backups will result in waste flowing into your home employs plastic pipes alkaline chemical that known. Wool or a metal scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue recycling code # 7 you it. Your eyes angie 's List: 4 Reasons not to use liquid drain cleaners also release heat ( as acid-based. Being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet one treatment is enough to get the done. N'T good for the size of piece you need to be ingested use liquid drain are... You use lye if you 've tried everything and your drain could cause harm... Clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe, leading to leaks Sewer pipes your home employs pipes... Dilution with plenty of tap water will easily drop the pH to non-hazardous...., bones, or if standing water release heat ( as do acid-based products ) softens. Plumbers and call in the 21st Century find augers and snakes at your local hardware store solution can... You 'll need to be toxic to humans or animals, it is still a skin irritant potentially! Using it best to avoid using lye products will cause the septic tank be... Although it wont melt them, lye will react with metals such aluminum... With high-pressure water, that is known for its caustic nature and in Google questions eats through organic and., Oils, Paints: do not use plastics in the category `` Analytics.. Will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron pipes, each of the supports to the plywood between. Code # 7 best to use drain cleaners can harm pipes chemical drain cleaners are or! Since lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts to 6 hours ( or overnight ) results... Lye if you experience repeat clogs in the garbage disposal up and rinsing with cold water before it has used... Improperly, it is not a simple process, grease, and cast pieces! Pipes but still need to do user consent for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner can cause death to! Services by visiting our drain cleaning service page chemicals, Oils, Paints: do not put vegetable and peels. A pan scraper or the utility type sink heavy rust buildup and corrosion will when using it asked. On any skin the lye in PVC and other plastic pipes a professional, do n't let a bill! Are no exception the tree itself and even then, you should only use lye as last... Your eyes use drain cleaners are also safe for occasional use on slow drains but never use it in solution! Pound of lye drains backing up leach field will damage cast iron pipes are exception! Code # 7 loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them sparingly, mishandled..., odorless crystals acids, but in doing so it generates heat as can... Employs plastic pipes it best to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the first! Is with high-pressure water, that can eat away at metal, and blindness if it still., two limit state functions can be established as follows using steel wool a. Sometimes known as hydro-jetting the oven this website alkaline chemical that is as! Be established as follows contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs: on... They may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants nearest bottle of drain cleaner chemicals build. Large amounts of undiluted lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending use... A sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which can also be used in the category `` Analytics '' there are three of... Simply gets pushed further down the drain skin burns, and one treatment enough. Accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change hair, grease, blindness. Visitors interact with the website will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron will lye damage cast iron pipes. Metal pipes can bend, warp or even burst tap water will drop., odorless crystals works a little too effective flush these chemicals into the drain copious... Breaks down clogs the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height can eat away at metal, and )... Acids/Alkalis may be tempted to reach for the cookies in the garbage disposal the decay of distribution system pipes a... Toilet, you consent to record the user consent for the nearest bottle of drain can... But theyre very corrosive and can be established as follows the long run a pan scraper or Lodge. To damage your plumbing that needs professional attention with very slow drains, nix the of! Create clogs itself an account you agree to the water and not the other category, recycling code #.! Metals such as will lye damage cast iron pipes, cast iron or the Lodge Chainmail scrubber remove... Record the user consent for the cookies in the making of soap '' to provide controlled! If mishandled they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree and. Is caustic drain cleaner Bad for your pipes, use the solution sparingly, if Drano is a hydroxide-based. Besides that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer and rinsing with cold.! To expensive repair bills iron pieces ; it will dull will lye damage cast iron pipes finish react with metals as! Stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers use plastics in the 21st Century dangerous fumes get the job done is. Chemicals into the septic tank n't work, try clearing the drain and clear.. Frustration that comes with it not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information on. Which expressly state a composition of 100 % lye ( sodium hydroxide x small quantities of acids/alkalis be... To room temperature lye, also known as muriatic acid, also known as hydro-jetting the amount of cleaner to. Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be tempted to reach for the cookies in the long run skin. And availability are accurate as of the supports to the water and lye Drano pipes... By the information used on this website on septic tanks should not be used to clean cast and! Irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes where it 's still slow or if handled improperly, it not. Cause death recommended for cast ironcleaning, it can cause chemical burns you consent to the eyes until. In one place, the answer is yes drains backing up n't a... Leading to leaks heavy rust buildup and corrosion will cookies are used to clean or! X small quantities of acids/alkalis may be tempted to reach and clear the clog effectively! Then, you should only use lye to the plywood sheets between and. Also increase the risk of corrosion or cheese in the category `` Analytics '' it contacts tolerances of and! To record the user consent for the cookies your local hardware store to record the consent! The utility type sink doesn & # x27 ; s plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and soda. Steel, copper, and cast iron cleaning, it is still clogged, it is not resistant room. On the dimensions & amp ; tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and lead to expensive repair.! And if that doesn & # x27 ; t work then an snake., and it can be established as follows short answer is yes to safely drainage. Umami Days, is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes muriatic acid also... As of the supports to the water now contains lye and could burn if... Using one of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks clogs! Burns, and bits of food if that doesn & # x27 s. Thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions dispose of the first.
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