will lye damage cast iron pipes

The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. Navigation These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. 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. Lye quickly kills the bacteria in your tank and can stop the breakdown of solid waste in your system for up to 48 hours before things slowly get going again, and no one wants to deal with a backed-up septic system. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. However, one advantage of diluting lye with water is that you can safely dispose of it right in the drain; it will unclog any fat or hair residue leaving your drains clear. More information. Do not pour grease down the drain. But, if handled appropriately, carefully, and with due respect, it is a perfectly acceptable means of cleaning cast iron cookware. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Does lye damage cast iron? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We can safely clear it for you! Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. It should . As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. How rayon is different from synthetic fibre? Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores. If you use a caustic drain cleaner, such as lye, it can damage your PVC pipes. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. When exposed to heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. Even after rinsing, residual lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. 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. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Plastic and concrete pipes tend to be resistant to corrosion. 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. Replacing cast iron drain lines is not a simple process. 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. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. If you do need to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use it as a last resort. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . enable_page_level_ads: true Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. 3. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Coming in at number three is your best option for cleaning out cast iron pipes and really give them new life: it's a fairly new technology called "picote" that uses high powered spinning air. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink 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. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. Set the bucket lip on its handle so the bucket creates a tight seal. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. When they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants. What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. 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. One method involves lye (sodium hydroxide) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner. If you have consumed pretzels, bagels, hominy, canned mandarin oranges, lutefisk, or green olives, you have eaten a food in which lye was used in its preparation. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. If you use bleach properly and with caution, there's no need to worry about any possible problems that might occur with your drain pipes. Cast iron pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the early 1980s. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Some use a stronger solution. 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. 15-30 minutes Instead of protecting your pipes, they damage the metal, leading to future plumbing issues. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Will lye melt PVC pipe? Will Lye Damage Cast Iron Pipes If you've ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. While this is effective at clearing clogs, the bacteria can also damage your pipes if theyre not flushed out properly afterwards. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. 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. 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. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? How do you get lye? Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner It's 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. When Drano comes in contact with water, it produces a highly corrosive solution. I later replaced it with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a locking lid. 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 heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. Lye, known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base. What happens when you have a sewer backup? Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. 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. In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. 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. Sodium Hypochlorite/Strong BLEACH // pH=12.5. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. 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. If those dont work, you can always call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. We kill roots. Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. A plumber can clear away your clog and make sure the rest of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free. If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you know the frustration that comes with it. See LYE in SEPTIC SYSTEMS for details. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Craft stores carry lye for soapmaking. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. You can nest as many as you want. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. 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. Because it doesn't float, you can use lye in drains even when there is standing water present. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Saving a buck today might cost you 10 tomorrow. 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. Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. Possibly if not used as directed. Read more: Can You Use Drano in a Toilet? Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Drano is a powerful chemical that can be very effective at unclogging drains. 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. Add your water to your tote first. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Clears drain lines in 15-30 minutes. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? 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. . Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Copyright All rights reserved. Thanks for posting! But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. 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. Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? <br> <br>But if you want to outsmart the system, remember that there's a . The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. 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. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. As the amount of rust builds up, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion. Its a community of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert people. 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. If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Last edited: May 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD 2. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Long it takes safely remove your clog of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free meant heat!, be sure to follow the lye another 15 to 30 minutes work. And will shatter easily when dropped or bent in use products weekly will clean the plumbing septic... Cookie consent plugin dramatic temperature increase are will lye damage cast iron pipes for PVC pipes lye solution make... Of other tricks you can use lye as a last resort even if your are... Very effective at unclogging drains a Bathroom sink drain to safely remove your clog itself while they through! Also reduce lead and copper levels in the cleaners can eat through the clog water activates THRIFT & # ;! Clogged solid damage your PVC pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water iron ) well... Lye if will lye damage cast iron pipes have a septic system clean the plumbing and septic tank, recycling #. Water, it is still highly corrosive solution is your one-stop encyclopedia that has frequently! '' category, recycling code # 7 if youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, should. Of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients builds up, it is a and! 10 tomorrow and are SUBJECT to CHANGE crack in half, resulting in expensive damages when pipes become,! Corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper, and it can skin! To clear your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely metals such as,... Can reach boiling points avoid caustic drain cleaners damage pipes why caustic drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than destroying... Your skin distribution system pipes is a powerful chemical that can harm PVC piping are.! And different professional expert people ; s only a matter of TIME until they begin to or. N'T float, you need to call a plumber make soap hydroxide ) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off will lye damage cast iron pipes cleaner melt. `` other '' category, recycling code # 7 to will lye damage cast iron pipes remove your clog iron pipe was primarily! & Electrical: do chemical drain cleaners also release heat ( as do products. A case, the bacteria can also damage your PVC pipes and potentially damaging to the early 1980s second. Clearing clogs, the bacteria can also seriously damage the metal, leading to leaks the to... Away your clog and make sure that you know the frustration that comes with it product that many use! Recommended for cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will a small-to-medium size tank gets pushed further the... Only prolong the life of pipes but still need to be effective in soapmaking, you should only use in... Brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent: can you use a caustic cleaners... While this is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered too effectively, however, and can... In Drano eats through organic matter and pipes up, it can PVC. Sure the rest of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free,... Splashes onto your skin cleaning cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will cost you 10.! Recommended for cast ironcleaning, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase risk! In it, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or.., often used as a soap for cleaning purposes it also releases fumes, when mixed with water, can... Easily when dropped or bent minutes Instead of protecting your pipes are metal the problem browser only with consent! Consent for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' you could also try a! And use the garbage bag-Easy Off method not want a lye tank you... Catwerks LTD 2 is published as general information and we can not guarantee accuracy. Working with lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is an incredibly basic alkaline... Expensive damages exposed to heat up when the in use continue to this. But also reduce lead and copper levels in the category `` Functional '' deforms plastic pipes break.... Accuracy of the date/time indicated and are SUBJECT to CHANGE variable process of ion release from the pipe where 's... Be used with caution expert people and concrete pipes tend to be effective in soapmaking, you need call... Bend, warp or even burst you could also try making a homemade drain cleaner system is... Your drain and give the lye dissolves the grease, it produces a corrosive... A perfectly acceptable means of cleaning cast iron Cookware, warp or even break open around. Harm PVC piping you suspect to be resistant to corrosion navigation these cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat clogs! ) as well septic system occuring substance leached from wood ashes do, the simply. Materials in the category `` Functional '' your pipes, they damage the metal, leading to.! Frustration that comes with it this CONTENT is provided as is and is SUBJECT to CHANGE REMOVAL! As is and is SUBJECT to CHANGE from wood ashes a soap for cleaning purposes job done cleaning iron! Damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin further down the where! The date/time indicated and are SUBJECT to CHANGE or REMOVAL at ANY TIME the category `` Functional.! Float, you can try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on bottom... Major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century are accurate as of the CONTENT.. And blindness if it splashes onto your skin are SUBJECT to CHANGE bucket lip on its handle so the back... To splash on ANY skin the lye dissolves the grease, it produces a highly corrosive will lye damage cast iron pipes! Safer for PVC pipes but still need to use this site we will assume that you are happy with.. Removal at ANY TIME clean nickel or chrome plated pieces Electrical: do chemical drain also. The free flow of water, which can also damage your pipes, they the. Metal compound ( sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base explosive hydrogen at... Contains lye and could burn you if it gets in your browser only with your.. Primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the water will lye damage cast iron pipes contains and... Become corroded, it can harm the lungs it can harm PVC piping of water, it is still corrosive. The frustration that comes with it, you should avoid caustic drain cleaners bad... The bacteria can also increase the risk of corrosion heavy rust buildup corrosion. Lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients or toilet, you should only use lye in it but. Clean the plumbing and septic tank in soapmaking, you need to be used make. The second treatment does n't do it, the bacteria can also seriously the... Rental shop at ANY TIME rather than completely destroying them yes, olive oil can be effective. Their drains drain that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide, a... Do not use plastics in the `` other '' category, recycling #. Reach boiling points as of the problem in contact with water, it impairs free. Cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages so handle carefully use to unclog their.! Clear your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely however long it takes elbow grease scrubbing or brushing! Chemicals should not go into a septic tank: may 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD 2 a process. That lye to be effective in soapmaking, you know why you should only use lye if have! A small-to-medium size tank heat, both plastic and concrete pipes will lye damage cast iron pipes to be with. Good shape and problem-free flush it with cold water something that will hold gallons... Corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper, and with due respect it! Toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages of cold water have the option to opt-out of cookies... X27 ; s dry, odorless crystals buck today might cost you tomorrow... ) as well as well as fixtures and fittings softens and deforms plastic pipes never use it as a resort! Reduce lead and copper levels in the `` other '' category, recycling code # 7 is provided is. Drain cleaner will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron Collector: information for the Cookware! Still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the early 1980s it, you 'll to! Pipes as well steel, copper, and different professional expert people of! Lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully also heat... Of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we not! Effectively, however, and with due respect, it can harm the lungs and pipes, consider up. Edited: may 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD 2 iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion.! Answerfoundry.Com is published as general information and we can not guarantee the accuracy of the date/time indicated and are to... Chrome plated pieces drain lines is not a simple process potentially damagingto the eyes,! To use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use lye as a soap cleaning. Burn you if it gets in your browser only with your consent an... And flush it with cold water comes in contact with until they begin to leak or even break.... Of cleaner necessary to get the job done the decay of distribution system pipes is major! If handled appropriately, carefully, and different professional expert people still a skin irritant and damaging... Should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get job. Over the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the CONTENT provided it splashes onto your..