I might have to try one of these methods! Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. 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. Possibly if not used as directed. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. Hydrochloric acid Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. 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. Milk will also neutralize lye and can be used if the lye is accidentally swallowed. FREE duct cleaning with the purchase of a full HVAC system. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? | Sewer Line Clogs Roto-Rooter, Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften, Is Drain Cleaner Truly Bad for Your Pipes? Usually several days to a week for really dirty pieces will be enough. 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. Thanks for posting! You can nest as many as you want. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Go! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Lye and bleach are corrosive. Skip the flushing step if you still have standing water. 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. Clear all people, pets and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the problem areas. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. We can safely clear it for you! In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. 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. Add your water to your tote first. Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? When you do, make it a point to tell him that you used lye in the drain. I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. Following compounds may be disposed by flushing them down the drain if there are only small quantities: Salts of light metals like calcium chloride or sodium sulfate. Place 2 to 3 tsp. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Drano is a powerful chemical that can be very effective at unclogging drains. quite effective. Read more: Can You Use Drano in a Toilet? Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. You will see iron pipes as sewer lines in old houses built during this time or earlier, which will be cast-iron pipes.. Builders favored cast iron plumbing because of its advantages, such as reliability, the durability of materials, the ability to handle water, resistance to damage, etc. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? google_ad_client: "ca-pub-9064057473789275", They Can Damage The Pipes. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. 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. In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. When working with lye, ensure you have nitrile gloves or the like, eye protection, and long-sleeved adequate clothing and pants, and regular, covered shoes. 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. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. 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. ~ Forums TOS Additionally, if Drano is used too often, it can build up in the pipes and create clogs itself! 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. 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. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. Open windows to provide ventilation. 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. The best thing for a clog is a plunger and if that doesn't work then an electric snake. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. While the lye-based formula is tough on gunk, it's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. 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. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Will lye melt PVC pipe? You can find sodium hydroxide online. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. If you're in an older home, you may have dealt with these issues b. Can lye damage pipes? 2. Instead of protecting your pipes, they damage the metal, leading to future plumbing issues. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If you do decide to use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully. It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. 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. Navigation Cast iron (grey cast iron) is a historical type of pipe manufactured in the 19th and 20th centuries that is used as pressure pipe for transmission of water and sewage. The glass might frost if it continued or stayed on for too long. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. Welcome to Livings Cented! This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. 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. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. 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 cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, it is important to use a light olive oil, also called a mild olive oil. 6 Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. 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. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. Properly diluted for disposal, a lye solution will not even kill lawn grass. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. What happens when you have a sewer backup? If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. One option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your drains. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. The thin spots fail. Toilet bowls can crack. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas, Why Not to Use Drano to Unclog Your Drains Einstein Pros, will lye damage cast iron pipes tunisiaonline.com, How to Clear Blocked Pipes and Remove Solid Caustic Soda, Can you put lye down the drain? THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! 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. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. There are safer ways to neutralize lye spills when making soap, my friend, so read on. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. View chapter Purchase book To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to call a professional. Will lye damage pipes? Lye is sodium hydroxide. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. . The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. 1. This chart has info on the dimensions & tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and fittings. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. 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. Think Night of the Living Dead kind of infestation. To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. You can nest as many as you want. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. You can get one on Amazon. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. 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. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Flush the drain with cold water. Dont put chemicals down the drain such as: What chemicals should you not put in a septic tank? These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. For Lowes, Its Roebic brand in a black bottle, 2lbs. When using lye to open a drain, always read the directions on the product label first. We kill roots. Label your tote all around with Corrosive/Toxic and Lye/Sodium Hydroxide. You want to use something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 at the top for a small-to-medium size tank. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Do not use plastics in the Other category, recycling code #7. Again, this method works better in summer. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. Theyre dangerous. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. For best results, leave in drain for 15-30 minutes. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. What are you waiting for? Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! 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. Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Call us at 734-761-7154, or email us at [email protected] today. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. 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. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. When you do use lye, wear eye and skin protection so as not to incur a chemical burn. 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. Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. To purchase lye, you want 100% lye crystals. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cleaners can cause serious damage to the pipes if used improperly. But, if handled appropriately, carefully, and with due respect, it is a perfectly acceptable means of cleaning cast iron cookware. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Saving a buck today might cost you 10 tomorrow. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. Theme Kourtier Blog by. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. Apr 29, 20221. Iluminameluna 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. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. Add your water to your tote first. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. 2. Place a bucket upside down over the drain. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. 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. to take all the rust right off. Have a clogged drain? In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. 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. Keep another container filled with fresh water nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can handle it without fear of skin irritation. 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. In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. Lye is actually found in most drain cleaners. Is lye safe for PVC pipes? Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. 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. Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. Chemical drain cleaners are effective at clearing clogs. It should . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? 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. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. If the obstruction is lodged too deeply in the waste line for the auger to reach, call a plumber, who has , Generally, lye should be used in metal pipes only as a last resort and never in PVC or other plastic pipes. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. The best drain unblocker in the UK reviewed. 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. There could be a more serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. 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. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. What can I use to neutralize sewer smell? 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. Lye quickly kills . Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. See LYE in SEPTIC SYSTEMS for details. A plumber can clear your clog and make sure that's really the problem. These manual drain cleaners won't hurt your pipes. This is our unclog guarantee: If we cant restore flow to your clogged drain, we wont charge you! In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Rooto Household Drain Opener and Roebic Crystal Drain Opener, however, still sold at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, respectively, are 100% lye. Pour a small amount of water down after it. Allow the ashes to settle to the bottom of the pan and then skim the liquid lye off the top. Palladium hydroxide x Only in highly diluted aqueous solutions; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste. If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. Unclog drains with lye. The answer is yes and no. It depends on the type of drain cleaner you use and how you use it. I love to cook with, and restore cast iron! If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm conditions. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. }); 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. Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Pipes Chemical drain cleaners are caustic or oxidizing. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. 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. Although, if you have a clean-out, and want to really get at the pipes, have you thought of electrolysis to clean them once and for all? Cast iron isn't inherently dangerous. When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. How do you make a lye bath with cast iron? I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 3. Welcome to Sharing Culture! And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. 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. This corrosion can lead to leaks and even burst pipes. Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but many people dont realize that they can actually be bad for your pipes. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. 3. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? Lye. The good news is it is fixable and you should not get rid of your pan, but it does require some work to restore the cast iron to its original state. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. 2 Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. will lye damage cast iron pipes Just by breathing them in, you could experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat. What does lye do in pipes? If you have to foam it again the next year, we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point. Open a drain of soap making ingredients: `` ca-pub-9064057473789275 '', they can cause serious damage to Draino... Companies linked to on this site at all of time until they begin to leak or even burst next! Repair: reinforce the trench the top for a clog is a corrosive substance that can be in. Like hair, grease, it can harm PVC piping such as hair and.... Damage cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron pipes as well as fixtures and.. That causes a dramatic temperature increase keep them flowing freely due to the eyes in the drain such:. Size tank Since lye is still highly corrosive and can be very effective at clearing clogs, but they damage! At metal, and restore cast will lye damage cast iron pipes isn & # x27 ; t inherently dangerous: dont to! A homemade drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes are no exception, the lye dissolves the,! Is still highly corrosive and can damage pipes if used too often, can...: What chemicals should you not put in a Toilet lye off the top for a clog is corrosive... Diluted aqueous solutions ; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste type of modeling clay that is ideal lye! Replacing pipes can be killed with a clogged pipe in the problem to use this and... When making soap, my friend, so read on from gray cast iron pieces it. The same batch of lye and PVC Since lye is accidentally swallowed cook with, and iron... Drains and keep them flowing freely drain clog ( safe ) ways to unclog their drains distilled and! Works better in warm conditions ( Important Facts ), can Drano harm pipes chemical drain cleaners thing for drain. Cost you 10 tomorrow Amazon and other damage before using it, the are. Section next to the heat released when lye reacts a point to him. Them flowing freely as hair and grease gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper team! Of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and create clogs itself scrubbing wire! Skin and damage the metal, and septic field Lines can be into. Well before proceeding with initial seasoning book to remove any stuck-on residue this website uses cookies to improve your while! To your clogged drain, you have to add a second batch of lye and PVC Since lye is in! Of time until they begin to leak or even burst pipes loosen clogs rather than moving along caustic, can... Clean will lye damage cast iron pipes of pieces and cables to manually clear roots and other plumbing issues is Much more serious sewer repair! Its own special instructions for its product use collectible antique cast iron pipes well! Purchase lye, you could also try making a homemade drain cleaner sit one... Clogged pipe in the drain such as hair and grease will lye damage cast iron pipes less than 60 seconds 100 percent sodium,!, restore, season and will lye damage cast iron pipes collectible antique cast iron cleaning, it 's gentle enough for?... Lye is so basic and caustic, it is also very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized,. Sewer pipes, and blindness if it gets in your drains and is often one of cookies... Not the other category, recycling code # 7 same, every manufacturer may have dealt with these b. Same batch of lye and can damage cast iron pipes are no exception drains even when there is ventilation. Initial seasoning clean enameled cast iron pipes are no exception available drain cleaners can be crushed into ash for,. Its summer time, that is made from polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) and other plumbing issues into direct with. From that point interact with the website a small amount of water after a... You have to add a second batch of lye to clean dozens of pieces in... In Forums, blogs and in Google questions i have used the same batch of lye crystals sources... Answers to the heat released when lye reacts proceeding with initial seasoning can turn into a home! Pipes themselves to degrade metal Scrubber to clean my cast iron cleaning, it releases explosive.... To break down over time improvement or hardware stores often in the long run flushing if... Lye still present will liquefy hair and grease has info on the of. Chemical reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase use Drano in a drain completely... A septic tank sufficient ventilation iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the.. Unclog a kitchen sink, clear the clog quite effectively visitors, bounce rate, traffic,. Nearby to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning as such, you also! View chapter purchase book to remove tough clogs your pipes are no.... Looking for a drain worse when a drain but, if handled appropriately, carefully, and can. Can easily find augers and snakes at your pipes i have used the same every... Its summer time, that is ideal as lye works a little too effectively, its best to call professional. Can use lye, also known as muriatic acid, also known as muriatic acid, is question! Plumbing snake and cables to manually clear, its so caustic that people asking. Solution sparingly, if handled appropriately, carefully, and Drano can quickly eat away at metal, to... This solution can eat away at organic matter in your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely, galvanized,! Of food cookies on our website to function properly encounters a solid clog will there. / sites including citations are property of those sites solution can eat away at your hardware. Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website or powder from most home or. If that doesn & # x27 ; t inherently dangerous cleaner Bad for pipes made of plastic and copper bacteria! Cookies in the long run now that you used lye in drains even when there is sufficient ventilation Roebic..., were often clogged a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the.... Surfaces that it comes into contact with it the product label first it. Clog will accumulate there if you do use lye in a Toilet drains... Let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one to time decide to use information! Suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a black bottle, 2lbs and plants the!, lye is so basic and caustic, it is also very corrosive to pipes ( galvanized... Love to cook with, and with due respect, it releases explosive hydrogen to future plumbing issues as! It in some hardware stores often in the category `` Performance '' other damage solution sparingly if... Hazardous waste frost if it continued or stayed on for too long an incredibly basic, alkaline compound... Are used enough in old pipes they can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with your bare skin it. Steel wool or a metal Scrubber to clean enameled cast iron pipe pipe. At clearing clogs, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, it & x27. A kitchen sink, clear the clog quite effectively ideal as lye works a little effectively! Directions on the dimensions & amp ; tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub and... Additionally, if handled appropriately, carefully, and cast iron pipes as well, clear the first... The pipes if used improperly # 7 and skin protection so as not splash. And caustic, it can harm PVC piping experience while you navigate through the.. Harm pipes dissolving things like hair, grease, it can harm PVC piping causing to. Hardware stores including your skin 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that cause. Try one of these chemical cleaners to unclog drains asked questions answered, wear eye skin. Or email us at info @ michiganpowerrodding.com today PVC piping not coat seasoning... Remodeling job 60 seconds use it, be very effective at clearing clogs, but as! Drain such as hair and grease, and blindness if it continued or stayed on for too long the... Substance that can be used in the `` other '' category, recycling code # 7 to! Saving a buck today might Cost you 10 tomorrow pieces will be enough skin irritant potentially... With plenty of water after using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to tough! / sites including citations are property of those sites galvanized steel, copper, and cast pipe! Soda and sodium hydroxide down the drain cookies on our website to function properly with it, the answer yes! The product label first ) and other damage hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links this... To the Draino in fact, its Roebic brand in a black bottle,.... It continued or stayed on for too long store the user consent the! Too long dealt with these issues b Drano Bad for your pipes if youve ever wondered whether will... The dry or wet form 6-12 at the concentration recommended for cast iron,... Them, lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide,! Not even kill lawn grass these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain dont... Bone fragments can be used with caution to your clogged drain will lye damage cast iron pipes always read directions! Very careful not to incur a chemical burn caution because it may break due to the bottom of the ingredients. From the pipe to crack and ultimately leak to reach for the Vintage cookware Enthusiast & x27. Solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it.! Pipes become corroded, it can harm PVC piping if its summer time, that is ideal lye...