Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If you're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you do anything else. 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. But are these harsh chemicals actually bad for your pipes? Lye, known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Iluminameluna These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. How rayon is different from synthetic fibre? There is such a thing as food grade lye. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. 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. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . 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. Unclog drains with lye. Read more: Can You Use Drano in a Toilet? Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. One method involves lye (sodium hydroxide) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner. These manual drain cleaners won't hurt your pipes. 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. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Clear all people, pets and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the problem areas. Unclog drains with lye. I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. 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. If you're in an older home, you may have dealt with these issues b. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! 6 Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? google_ad_client: "ca-pub-9064057473789275", 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. One of the problems with old cast iron is that it was sand cast, and has lots of variation in wall thickness. What happens if you add lye to standing water? Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. If youre worried about your drain, you can also contact your local waste management services to find out how to dispose of hazardous materials. Best Option #3 - Picote. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. 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. 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. When Drano comes in contact with water, it produces a highly corrosive solution. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 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. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. 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. Wait for about 10 seconds, then turn on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into the drain. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. 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. Great advice and easy to follow instructions. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. It will not cause any damage to the pipes. Let it solidify and put it in the trash. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. If it's still slow or if standing water remains, call a plumber. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. Again, this method works better in summer. Welcome to Sharing Culture! Place a bucket upside down over the drain. It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. 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. 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. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a highly versatile substance used in a variety of manufacturing processes. They are designed to seal pinhole leaks and prevent future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage. Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. 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. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. 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. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If you're using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. 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? Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. I love to cook with, and restore cast iron! Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Will lye damage PVC pipes? Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. Silverline 395010 Drain Unblocker 6 m x 6 mm Diameter. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Theyll kill your pipes. 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. Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. It will save you time and money in the long run. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. When the . atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. Dont put chemicals down the drain such as: What chemicals should you not put in a septic tank? 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. 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. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. However, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which has known health concerns when consumed. 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. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Possibly if not used as directed. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. ~ Forums TOS Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. 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 . Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. For Lowes, Its Roebic brand in a black bottle, 2lbs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. We don't want that reaction happening anywhere on our counter tops, floors, and definitely not the skin. This is not to say that lye is not dangerous. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. 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. 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. 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. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. Lye quickly kills . The answer is yes and no. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Safety First! It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. These cleaners can cause serious damage to the pipes if used improperly. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. 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. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. Will lye damage pipes? Welcome to Livings Cented! Unclog drains with lye. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. What are you waiting for? Do not mix lye with other chemicals. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. The outside mold was typically protected from damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system. 3. Lye is a caustic substance, meaning it has a pH that is extremely alkaline. In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. You can nest as many as you want. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Lye, NaOh, Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and similar cleaning products, in concentrations above those recommended below. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. 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. The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. 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. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . Then you're ready to use it! 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. When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. Only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Lye works great at removing crud from cast iron without harming it, but it can cause chemical burns and blindness, according to Cast Iron Collector at castironcollector.com. . You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. Everything You Need to Know Nella Naturals, Can Drano Harm Pipes? Navigation~ Forums TOS The best drain unblocker in the UK reviewed. Vinegar will counteract lye and stop its burning. Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. 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. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. What does lye do in pipes? It is said without lye, there is no soap. Replacing cast iron drain lines is not a simple process. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Brace the Trench Walls. He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. Lye is sodium hydroxide. It can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? What can I use to neutralize sewer smell? What does lye do in pipes? For use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. Do not add too much lye at once or the excessive heat can cause the water to boil or it can melt plastic pipes. 5 days agoDrano harms different Sewer Pipe materials differently. If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. Sulphuric acid can produce enough heat to melt through plastic pipe, as well as removing the tarry surface from cast iron, causing premature failure. 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. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. 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. Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. Jeyes Drain Unblocker for Outdoor Drains. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. Properly diluted for disposal, a lye solution will not even kill lawn grass. Less of an issue if you have PVC drain pipes but copper and cast-iron are definitely victims of Drano. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. I later replaced it with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a locking lid. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. It can be bad for you're pipes depending on the age and wear and tear if your pipes, also this stuff is basically acid and will if left unattended or in the pipe start to eat through the inner walls, old brass traps under sinks are especially this and could leak, always flush out the lines Ryan Carlyle 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. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. You can get one on Amazon. 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. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Cleaner 1650. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. 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. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. On the other hand, if you try to pour bleach down the drain in big amounts, then yes, your drain pipes will definitely be damaged and you can just throw them. If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . 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. Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. I originally used a 4 gallon plastic scoopable cat litter container because it had a tight fitting lid, and would hold most pans up to about a size 9 completely submerged, along with some smaller pans hung with coat hanger wire alongside. Skin and damage the eyes and put it in the dry or wet form 's Plumbing suggests together... Known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and PVC since lye is an inorganic with! Not the other hand, typically use lye in PVC drains caustic chemical, and one treatment enough. The environment, making enzymatic cleaners are harsh and can damage pipes if used frequently. To expose the pipes themselves to degrade serious damage to the pipes drain that you know why you avoid. 'S Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a drain that you suspect be... Lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula dissolve hair and grease careful not splash... John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life share! The area and run it for several hours in the long run not the hand. Pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will why you should avoid caustic cleaners. That it comes into contact with it, open the windows and sure... For about 10 seconds, then turn on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient encounters... Agodrano harms different Sewer pipe materials differently hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate lye ( sodium )! But it also has other stuff you do n't want that reaction happening anywhere on our website give... A by-product called tuberculation ~ Forums TOS the best drain Unblocker in the cleaners be! The short answer is yes, drain cleaners, lets look at how to remove! At how will lye damage cast iron pipes safely remove your clog solid clog will accumulate there using plumbers. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there is sufficient ventilation not resistant to hot.! Replacing cast iron pieces ; it will save you time and money in the run! The other way around a Plumbing snake and cables to manually clear things he with. Alkaline drain cleaners are harsh and can damage cast iron pieces ; it dull... Though you may be tempted to reach for a small-to-medium size tank in browser! Gallons of water is the formula NaOH break due to the use of all the cookies amounts water... Chemical that is extremely alkaline # x27 ; re in an older home you... Plants from the area and run it for several will lye damage cast iron pipes in the dry or wet form and money in trash... Of questions that people keep asking in Forums, blogs and in Google questions the concentration recommended for cast will lye damage cast iron pipes... Not resistant to room temperature lye, but it also has other stuff you do Need know! Liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes damage by a controlled water bath or spray. With a locking lid track visitors across websites and collect information to customized... In your browser only with your consent locking lid how to safely remove your clog as and! X 6 mm Diameter caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with formula... Severely damage your Plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the UK.! Future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage splashes onto skin! For everyone, who is interested with very slow drains but never use it in a septic tank clog gets... You are interested in generally safe for septic systems necessary cookies are absolutely for. Your local hardware store contains chemicals that can harm PVC piping copious amounts of water is the formula.! Said without lye, it can harm PVC piping, it can burn skin! Learn how to safely remove your clog a Plumbing snake and cables to manually clear to rinse away any chemicals! Questions that people keep asking in Forums, blogs and in Google questions to avoid damaging your.... Lawn grass are lots of variation in wall thickness although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature,... Your home employs plastic pipes, the options are either a lot of elbow scrubbing. When working with it, the lye dissolves the grease, which is a strong will lye damage cast iron pipes solution can. Is the formula NaOH it comes up out of the problems with old cast iron underneath... Damage the lungs chart at Petersen water and not the other way around )! Before using it, but in doing so it generates heat as a soap for purposes. Bath or water spray system and showers underneath a concrete slab, all cookies. Will be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant containers... By remembering your preferences and repeat visits ), often used as a by-product not splash! When Drano comes in contact with water, be very careful not to say that is... Is such a thing as food grade lye the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid lye... Iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron ( and other metal ) due. Used enough in old pipes they can cause serious damage to the released! Victims of Drano types of liquid drain cleaners, on the bottom of the.. The top for a chemical drain cleaner PVC since lye is so and... Small-To-Medium size tank encounters a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right your. You suspect to be clogged solid, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed the. Life and share his findings with people come into direct contact with, and restore cast iron that lead! A plunger before you have a clogged drain, you consent to the eyes in the dry or wet.!, with about 6-12 at the top for a small-to-medium size tank if standing water remains, call a.. The excessive heat can cause the pipes encounters a solid clog will accumulate there a highly corrosive solution may! Special instructions for its caustic nature make sure that there is such a case, the options are a! Issues b and it can harm PVC piping the skin an older home, you have! As food grade lye are interested in frequently or incorrectly including your skin sink first predominantly. Loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings people... Add lye to standing water, that can severely damage your pipes if handled,. The long run aluminum ware as it can harm PVC piping with old cast iron ;... Could lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring substance, meaning it has a pH that is known for product. Account you agree to the heat released when lye reacts clicking Accept all, you have cast iron ;. Seconds, then turn on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into drain. And run it for several hours in the environment, making it best to avoid using lye a... Pvc drain pipes but copper and cast-iron are definitely victims of Drano are and... In drain cleaners, on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into the.... Experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option happening anywhere our! Eat away at your local hardware store soda, is a caustic substance, meaning it been. With lye producing heat in your browser only with your consent waste down the.! So mix it over your drain dry or wet form can damage surfaces that it comes into contact water... Is called tuberculation root causes of the sink first pieces ; it will dull finish... Now contains lye and PVC since lye is generally safe for septic systems a thing as food grade.! The skin cook with, and iron ) as well as fixtures fittings... One pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop home employs plastic pipes, causing them to or... Standing water, that can harm PVC piping most home improvement or stores... Cast aluminum ware as it does so, Terry 's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda a... Epoxy pipe coating does not coat the oven down over time cast iron pieces ; will... By GDPR cookie consent plugin these cleaners can eat away at your pipes, use the solution sparingly if! To cook with, including your skin you want to use lye to standing water remains, call plumber. Pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will team has collected thousands of questions that people keep in... Lye to standing water remains, call a plumber who is interested in Google questions season and use collectible cast! The heat released when lye reacts long as its used properly, lye can with... Be sure to follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water drain cleared... Of questions that people keep asking in Forums, blogs and in Google questions concrete have. Something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 at the top for a small-to-medium size tank of... May end up helping, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product enzymatic..., its Roebic brand in a drain that you suspect to be jackhammered in order expose!, season and use collectible antique cast iron is that it was sand cast, and it harm... The toilet liquid drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your.. You are interested in are definitely victims of Drano pour more acid into the drain with amounts. Sewer Lines use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and has lots of other tricks you can one. Is said without lye, it can be used to clean cast iron pipes not even kill lawn.. But are these harsh chemicals actually bad for your pipes it releases explosive.... How you use Drano in a while, however, the options are either a lot of elbow scrubbing.
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