To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. 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. Caustic soda is alkaline and vinegar is acidic, so it makes sense at first glance to pour vinegar into the drain and let it react with the hardened material to produce a salt that is far less harmful and will dissolve in water. I use one by Enerzen and it works well. If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. If you have standing water, you can skip this step. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Theyll kill your pipes. For Lowes, Its Roebic brand in a black bottle, 2lbs. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Can you use lye on plastic pipes? Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. Follow us on our social networks for special updates and offers! When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. When they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants. Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. Use a drain auger, or snake, to clear blockages in the waste line past the trap. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. 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. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. What does lye do in pipes? . You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. If you have a slow drain or a clog that keeps coming back, its best to avoid using drain cleaners and instead call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. To purchase lye, you want 100% lye crystals. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The answer is yes and no. 4 What happens when you mix lye and water? 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. Properly diluted for disposal, a lye solution will not even kill lawn grass. FREE duct cleaning with the purchase of a full HVAC system. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. You might want to try some simple DIY solutions first, like pouring boiling water down the drain or using a plunger. 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 kill roots. How do you get lye? 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. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Some advanced hobbyists use sodium hydroxide aka lye to achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, but for most, the simpler . It does not store any personal data. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. 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 answer is yes and no. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. 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. Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. Although. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. 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. What does lye do in pipes? Place 2 to 3 tsp. One option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your drains. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. Oct 28, 202101:33. Great advice and easy to follow instructions. Lye, known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base. Pour a small amount of water down after it. Lye is a caustic substance, meaning it has a pH that is extremely alkaline. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. . Do I need to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain coated cast iron or the utility type sink? As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. May 30, 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. 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. Adding water to . 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. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Secondly, is Lye safe for metal pipes? quite effective. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. 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. 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. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Will lye damage PVC pipes? Based on these two failure modes, two limit state functions can be established as follows. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. 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. Read more: Can You Use Drano in a Toilet? Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? It's cracked. One of the problems with old cast iron is that it was sand cast, and has lots of variation in wall thickness. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. You can get one on Amazon. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. 3. Feb 3, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. I might have to try one of these methods! Lye. Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. It will not cause any damage to the pipes. 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. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Will lye damage pipes? 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 . Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? Chemicals, Oils, Paints: Do not flush these chemicals into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. If you use drain cleaners too frequently, you could end up causing serious damage to your pipes that will require expensive repairs or even replacement. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage. 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. Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Again, this method works better in summer. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. 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. Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. enable_page_level_ads: true Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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 . Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. If you're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you do anything else. will lye damage cast iron pipes Just by breathing them in, you could experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat. Copyright All rights reserved. Login Or Logout; . Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. But, if handled appropriately, carefully, and with due respect, it is a perfectly acceptable means of cleaning cast iron cookware. The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are incredibly reactive, meaning that given the slightest weakness they could degrade even PVC piping at high enough concentrations. Clear all people, pets and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the problem areas. A Michigan Tech Explains, Will Lye Dissolve Tree Roots? It can be, under various circumstances, if mishandled. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. 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. Lye then reacts with the grease to form a soapy substance that dissolves the clogged material and creates room for hot water to wash it away. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. 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. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. The glass might frost if it continued or stayed on for too long. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Hydrochloric acid Will lye damage cast iron pipes? 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. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Go! You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. 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. Navigation 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. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. If you must use a drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. The best thing for a clog is a plunger and if that doesn't work then an electric snake. Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. When you do, make it a point to tell him that you used lye in the drain. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. It depends on the type of drain cleaner you use and how you use it. All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. However, Drano can actually damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. 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 . Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. We can safely clear it for you! Once all the acid is neutralized I would wash with water and dry quickly. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. There is also food-grade sodium hydroxide, sold in some specialty cooking stores. 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. You may recall from high school chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and some produce quite a bit of it. 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. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. Will Lye Damage Cast Iron Pipes If you've ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. Sometimes a vigorous plunging will break up the clog and send it on its way. Place a bucket upside down over the drain. Sodium Hypochlorite/Strong BLEACH // pH=12.5. Explained by FAQ Blog, Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Harm Pipes? Using rubber gloves is advisable. This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. If you're using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. 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. 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. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. Have a clogged drain? 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. If you do need to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use it as a last resort. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. This is the theory behind liquid drain cleaners. More information. Lye and bleach are corrosive. 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. A plumber can clear your clog and make sure that's really the problem. If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm conditions. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. If it fits, it sits. 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. Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! 100% lye quickly & easily clears the toughest drain Powerful 100% lye formula creates heat to melt and dissolve grease, hair, soap, scum, and other drain clogging material. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning. If it's still slow or if standing water remains, call a plumber. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. Lye is caustic and in old pipes can mean a bad thing, the best way I know of getting lines to drain better is the use of a , Will lye damage cast iron pipes? As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Do a test on a small area first as there may be a strong reaction at first. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. Can lye damage pipes? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Lye should . Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. It comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals. 1. In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. What can I use to neutralize sewer smell? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? 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. 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. 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. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . However, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which has known health concerns when consumed. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? Clickto find out how. 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. I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. View chapter Purchase book Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a highly versatile substance used in a variety of manufacturing processes. Remember high school chemistry? To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. 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. Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Lye and bleach can lead to serious chemical burns on the skin, in the eyes and in the respiratory system if not handled properly with full protective gear. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. When you call your local cast iron sewer pipe repair service, there are a few things that can be done with and for your sewage pipes. They are designed to seal pinhole leaks and prevent future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. What does lye do in pipes? You may have also used drain cleaner to try to clear the blockage. 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. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. If it isn't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is. Even after rinsing, residual lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully. Open windows to provide ventilation. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. Because it doesn't float, you can use lye in drains even when there is standing water present. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. For best results, leave in drain for 15-30 minutes. By maintaining a central position, the "cyclone" circular chain does not bang against the side of the pipe when in . These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. What happens when you have a sewer backup? Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. Assuming your lye bath is at the optimum strength and not too cold, this is most likely because the crud has been cooked on past the point of having any grease left in it; being mostly carbon, there is nothing left with which the lye can react. While the lye-based formula is tough on gunk, it's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase.
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