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. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. . | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. Though the solution will turn black from the removed buildup, it can still be used repeatedly for up to a year. 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. 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. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? How do you get lye? Will It Damage My Pipes? The warmer the lye solution is, the faster it works, so in a sunny spot is best. When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. 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 . Avoid inhalation of the stuff. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Lye should . 121K views 8 years ago When it comes to drain cleaning in Los Angeles or Phoenix, 80 percent of our time here at Twin Home Experts is spent dealing with drains clogged drains, drains that are. If the drain backs up, turn off the water and wait a bit longer. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Adding lye to room temperature water can cause the water to reach temperatures up to 200 F. The mixture also creates fumes, which should not be inhaled. | Sewer Line Clogs Roto-Rooter, Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften, Is Drain Cleaner Truly Bad for Your Pipes? Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Some use a stronger solution. Adding water to . Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Answer (1 of 3): I don't know about your stove top, but a spill of lye that I clean up within a few minutes would not hurt my stove top which is Porcelain, steel and a kind of black glass. 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. What can I use to neutralize sewer smell? If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. So how do we clean up that gunky old cast iron flea market find? Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to call a professional. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. Think Night of the Living Dead kind of infestation. But are these harsh chemicals actually bad for your pipes? However, Drano can actually damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. 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. These manual drain cleaners won't hurt your pipes. Lye: Lye is typically used as a disinfectant and in soap-making, but you can also use it to unclog a drain. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Replacing cast iron drain lines is not a simple process. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. A Michigan Tech Explains, MassLandlords.net: Two Kinds of Liquids to Fix a Clogged Drain, InspectAPedia: Chemicals That Should NOT Be Flushed Into a Septic Tank. Pour a small amount of water down after it. Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? Theyll kill your pipes. Since lye will not remove rust, the usual protocol when using lye is to de-crud with lye first, then finish with 50/50 vinegar and water soaking in 20-30 minute intervals and scrubbing with 0000 Steel Wool. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. What are you waiting for? Get an ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more. Additionally, if Drano is used too often, it can build up in the pipes and create clogs itself! Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. If it fits, it sits. More information. 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. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. It is said without lye, there is no soap. Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. You can get one on Amazon. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you know the frustration that comes with it. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Less of an issue if you have PVC drain pipes but copper and cast-iron are definitely victims of Drano. Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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. Follow us on our social networks for special updates and offers! If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. There is such a thing as food grade lye. 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 . According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. 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? Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Lye is a caustic substance, meaning it has a pH that is extremely alkaline. Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a highly versatile substance used in a variety of manufacturing processes. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Hydrochloric acid 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. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. ~ 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. Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. If those dont work, you can always call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. Instead of protecting your pipes, they damage the metal, leading to future plumbing issues. Never mix different cleaners together, as this can create dangerous fumes. Can you use lye on plastic pipes? In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. Use a drain auger, or snake, to clear blockages in the waste line past the trap. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. 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. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. Feb 3, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. Since these pipes aren't used for drinking (i.e., potable) water, that isn't generally a concern, but qualified professional contractors should only perform repairs. You can nest as many as you want. Cast iron pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the early 1980s. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. Remember high school chemistry? 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. However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali that decomposes proteins at ordinary ambient temperatures and may cause severe chemical burns.It is highly soluble in water, and readily . These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. 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. Silverline 395010 Drain Unblocker 6 m x 6 mm Diameter. It can take awhile for drain cleaning chemicals to move through a slow drain, giving them plenty of time to heat up your pipes along the way. You may have also used drain cleaner to try to clear the blockage. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. Next, aluminum reacts with the lye causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours. of lye directly into the hole of the clogged drain. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. What happens if you add lye to standing water? Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. . To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Most people worsen the problem by using more than one product to clean their drainpipes. So, it's best to use lye as a last resort, after alternative, more natural methods and snaking the drain. Some believe the lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali. Palladium hydroxide x Only in highly diluted aqueous solutions; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste. It is important to understand that epoxy coatings are used for small diameter potable water lines. There is also food-grade sodium hydroxide, sold in some specialty cooking stores. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. But the problem is theyre a little too effective. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. Salt speeds up the corrosion process. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. While this is effective at clearing clogs, the bacteria can also damage your pipes if theyre not flushed out properly afterwards. Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na + and hydroxide anions OH .. 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. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm conditions. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Can lye damage pipes? }); 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. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Similarly, will Lye damage plastic pipes? It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. We can safely clear it for you! Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. 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. First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain pipes. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. Will lye damage PVC pipes? Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. Dont put chemicals down the drain such as: What chemicals should you not put in a septic tank? Great advice and easy to follow instructions. 2. Welcome to Livings Cented! Call us at 734-761-7154, or email us at info@michiganpowerrodding.com today. Sodium hydroxide isvery damagingto human tissue (especially eyes). 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. 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