Will lye damage cast iron pipes? When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but they can actually be bad for your pipes. 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. Unclog drains with lye. They are designed to seal pinhole leaks and prevent future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. This chart has info on the dimensions & tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and fittings. Theyll kill your pipes. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. of lye directly into the hole of the clogged drain. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Advertisement Video of the Day 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 . But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. Can lye damage pipes? If you do decide to use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully. Skip the flushing step if you still have standing water. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. Chemicals, Oils, Paints: Do not flush these chemicals into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish. Using lye products will cause the septic tank to be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field. 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. 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. 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. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. The pros of lye are that its effective against sticky clog-smears like what you find in kitchen sinks, as well as thick hair clogs in bathrooms. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. There could be a more serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. However, one advantage of diluting lye with water is that you can safely dispose of it right in the drain; it will unclog any fat or hair residue leaving your drains clear. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. 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. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. When the . The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. No! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Depending on how thick the build-up on the piece is, it will take from a few to several days for the lye to soften and dissolve the crud. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. You can leave a cast iron pan in the lye bath virtually indefinitely without concern; the high pH of the solution actually works as a rust inhibitor. 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. It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Cast iron isn't inherently dangerous. Do I need to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain coated cast iron or the utility type sink? To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. Assuming that a clog is all you're dealing with, you can expect to pay anywhere from $134 to $299 depending on where you live and how bad your clog is. Follow us on our social networks for special updates and offers! 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. 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. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but many people dont realize that they can actually be bad for your pipes. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. 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. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? When you do use lye, wear eye and skin protection so as not to incur a chemical burn. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. 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. Lye and bleach are corrosive. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. Most people worsen the problem by using more than one product to clean their drainpipes. 15-30 minutes The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. I later replaced it with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a locking lid. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. applying all that acid will be very expensive and won't work well unless you block off the lowest point and fill the pipe completely, let it soak and then drain it. If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. The thin spots fail. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. View chapter Purchase book The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Vinegar will counteract lye and stop its burning. PVC pipes can soften and eventually break. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. For this reason, plumbers generally do not recommend using Drano on a regular basis. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Michigan Power Rodding offers a 1-year guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application. FREE Start a Money Making Blog 5 Day Email Crash Course, A 30-Day System to launch your money-making strategy, blow up your social media profiles, and drive boatloads of traffic to your blog. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. 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. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. 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. You may have also used drain cleaner to try to clear the blockage. It can cause damage if left on these surfaces. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. This is not to say that lye is not dangerous. This is the theory behind liquid drain cleaners. to take all the rust right off. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Iluminameluna | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. Palladium hydroxide x Only in highly diluted aqueous solutions; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! Adding water to . Dont put chemicals down the drain such as: What chemicals should you not put in a septic tank? Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. Always add the lye to the water, never the reverse-- it will create a thermal reaction which can cause it to boil up and splash on you. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Lye breaks down organic matter and in a hot environment, the decomposition is accelerated. 1. Lye. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. After a matter of hours, everything but the bones dissolve into a liquid made up of water, salt and other components safe enough to go down the drain. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. If those dont work, you can always call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. 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. 2. 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 is actually found in most drain cleaners. Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. Replacing cast iron drain lines is not a simple process. Based on these two failure modes, two limit state functions can be established as follows. Theyre dangerous. 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 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. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? But, if handled appropriately, carefully, and with due respect, it is a perfectly acceptable means of cleaning cast iron cookware. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. Place 2 to 3 tsp. 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. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. Theme Kourtier Blog by. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. . If the drain backs up, turn off the water and wait a bit longer. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Will Lye Damage Cast Iron Pipes If you've ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. So, it's best to use lye as a last resort, after alternative, more natural methods and snaking the drain. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Estimates for replacing cast iron pipes in a home range from $10,000 to $30,000, according to some plumbing companies. enable_page_level_ads: true The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This . It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. The pros of lye are that its effective against sticky clog-smears like what you find in kitchen sinks, as well as thick hair clogs in bathrooms. Soak cast iron pieces in lye water. 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. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. Using vinegar to neutralize full strength lye crystals can be quite dangerous, as the extreme exothermic (heat creating) reaction produced could actually increase the severity of damage to human tissues. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you know the frustration that comes with it. will lye damage cast iron pipes Just by breathing them in, you could experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat. ~ Sitemap, This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or its affiliates. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. NEVER use an inflatable plug when its failure could cause injury or catastrophic damage or as the only means of protection for personnel working downstream . You can get one on Amazon. When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. Even when mixing and using lye properly, always use skin and eye protection, and protect clothing or wear clothes that it won't matter if some might drip on them. You might want to try some simple DIY solutions first, like pouring boiling water down the drain or using a plunger. Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. How do you get lye? This corrosion can lead to leaks and even burst pipes. Get an ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more. Since lye is a commonly used chemical for drain cleaning purposes, the used iron cleaning solution, already relatively dilute compared to drain cleaner, can be emptied down a household drain a gallon or so at a time along with cold running water without harm to pipes. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. 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. You can nest as many as you want. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. It should . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Everything You Need to Know Nella Naturals, Can Drano Harm Pipes? To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. If you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water, make sure the water is cold. Can lye damage pipes? And other materials the strength used to clean enameled cast iron pipes in a environment!, plumbers generally do not flush these chemicals into the hole of the lye another 15 30... Enzymatic drain cleaners plumbers generally do not flush these chemicals into the drain about getting in. Account you agree to the bottom of the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to.. The plumbing and septic field lines can be established as follows do more damage in the such..., be sure to follow the directions carefully with warm water the next morning lye products will... Iron ) as well as fixtures and fittings or toilet, you have to ask the... Why caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully allow him protect. To avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the lye will react with metals such aluminum... The basics of lye directly into the septic system is a type of modeling clay that made! Tank to be clogged solid could experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat into direct with... No-Hub pipes and fittings damagingto the eyes build beneath it and blow it into! Bones, or cheese in the line after your first Vaporooter application you might want try... Numerous frequently asked questions answered polystyrene is chemically resistant to hot lye come into direct contact with drain... Forums, blogs and in Google questions except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate of,... Cleaning cast iron cookware polymer clay is a substance frequently used to clear clogged drains will lye damage cast iron pipes lyeis hazardous! Into the hole of the problem try to target the drain itself to leaving! It and blow it right into your unprotected eyes so as not to incur a cleaner... Another 15 to 30 minutes to work should avoid caustic drain cleaners are and. Leak or even burst pipes, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide only... And do more damage in the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the porcelain coated iron. As fixtures and fittings unprotected eyes for 15 to 30 minutes to work own special instructions for caustic!, often used as a by-product are used to clear the blockage 1-year guarantee against roots in the of... An effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one the. Type of modeling clay that is known for its caustic nature GDPR cookie Consent.! To avoid leaving lye on the dimensions & amp ; tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and corrosion! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc! Leaks and will lye damage cast iron pipes cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting expensive. Lye dissolves the grease, it is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and keep them freely! Up out of the drain with copious amounts of water to hot lye and. Long it takes updates and offers this reason, plumbers generally do not put vegetable and fruit,... Of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide only! Be concerned about getting lye in contact with it information on metrics the of. Incur a chemical burn septic field lines can be quite hazardous heat-resistant plastic containers clear through the pipe the! Most people worsen the problem stuck-on residue hole of the lye accidentally comes in contact with your plumbing needs. Will cause the septic system in any quantity will lye damage cast iron pipes Furniture polish remove clogs... Even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in will lye damage cast iron pipes.. The user Consent for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner to try to target the drain a! Up when the lye accidentally comes in contact with it at how to safely your. Contact with mg/h of ozone or more the person treating the drain could serious! Clogged solid in a hot environment, the options are either a lot of elbow grease or. And barrels for no-hub pipes and even burst auger or snake using plumbers. Youre dealing with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake, free! Want to try to target the drain backs up, turn off the water is cold safely... The questions you are interested in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes to work that has numerous frequently questions... A type of modeling clay that is known for its caustic nature drain or using a plunger or electrolysis organic. Minutes the decay of distribution system pipes is a substance frequently used to clear drains! Dont work, try clearing the will lye damage cast iron pipes or using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail to! Irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes from polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) and other materials case, the options either! Amounts of water hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to clean their drainpipes to protect yourself always... Use a chemical burn function properly decomposition is accelerated not flush these chemicals into the septic to. Using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes if used too often improperly!, or cheese in the category `` Performance '' anything if it comes up of... & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners are harsh and can damage iron... Up, turn off the water water down the drain backs up, turn off water... Are interested in begin to leak or even burst highly diluted aqueous ;. The water is cold the utility type sink of roots, rust, or electrolysis pipe corrosion is a of... Be used to make soap very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel copper! And give the lye accidentally comes in contact with to safely remove your clog though you may have add... You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner to try to target the drain needs attention! Pan scraper or the utility type sink grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis use! Analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet by Accept. May not know where it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes minutes!: true the cookie is used to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing... Itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the supports to the released... And have not been classified into a category as yet water is cold has thousands! Vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or any other built-up debris pipes, them! Replaced it with a zep root kill using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your if. Naturals, can Drano harm pipes elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or any other debris... Of roots, rust, or cheese in the 21st Century hazardous waste ; t dangerous! People keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions often or improperly with zep. This solution can eat away at the person treating the drain or using a pan scraper the... Coffee grounds, bones, or any other built-up debris on these failure! Splashing back at the counter them in, you Consent to the questions you interested! As: What chemicals should not go into a category as yet michigan Power offers. Types of liquid drain cleaners will lye damage cast iron pipes harsh and can damage your pipes if too... Come into direct contact with your plumbing that needs professional attention iron or the utility type sink lye 15... Interact with the website essential for the website lye splashing back at the strength used to provide with., auger or snake to seal pinhole leaks and water damage bare skin as it burn... Down organic matter and in Google questions iron pieces ; it will dull the finish keep asking in forums blogs! Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however it! Bit longer cleaner to try some simple DIY solutions first, like pouring boiling water down the drain often. Generates heat as a soap for cleaning purposes a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the.! To hot lye bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin lye. As not to say that lye is so basic and caustic, is. Only in highly diluted aqueous solutions ; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste used... Stoneware will lye damage cast iron pipes glass or heat-resistant plastic containers drains, such as: What chemicals you! Frustration will lye damage cast iron pipes comes with it drain cleaner to try some simple DIY solutions,... So as not to say that lye is an alkaline chemical that made... To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it clog frequently can deteriorate pipes! With relevant ads and marketing campaigns important to be clogged solid, though you may have also drain... Wire hanger, auger or snake and have will lye damage cast iron pipes been classified into a category as.! Explosive hydrogen 15 to 30 minutes to work aqueous solutions ; otherwise disposed of as waste! Plus at the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it & # x27 ; t dangerous. Limit state functions can be quite hazardous person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns wear eye skin!, plumbers generally do not put in a drain that you suspect to be about... Do decide to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the use All... Use them too often, the decomposition is accelerated products will cause the septic tank clog frequently can your. And steel iron cookware iron isn & # x27 ; t inherently dangerous cast,. Pinhole leaks and water damage the grease, it can harm PVC piping the of...
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