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. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. 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. Ingredients In Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. Lye and bleach are corrosive. This is not to say that lye is not dangerous. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . Cast iron pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the early 1980s. Do I need to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain coated cast iron or the utility type sink? Now this will depend on each piece, BUT remember vinegar is an acid and acids EAT metal You will ruin your piece if you let it in the bath too long. It was historically used as a pressure pipe for transmission of water, gas and sewage, and as a water drainage pipe during the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. Are Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes? quite effective. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? Can lye damage pipes? It can be, under various circumstances, if mishandled. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. The cost can range from the low end of a few thousand to thousands of dollars depending on home location and location of the cast iron. Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. 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. Unclog drains with lye. Lye is sodium hydroxide. Great advice and easy to follow instructions. It will save you time and money in the long run. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. Learn more about our unclogging services by visiting our drain cleaning service page. 100 Percent Lye Crystals The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. ~ Sitemap, This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or its affiliates. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. 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. If it's still slow or if standing water remains, call a plumber. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. 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. It can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking. 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. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are . 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. Place 2 to 3 tsp. Navigation 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. These manual drain cleaners won't hurt your pipes. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your 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. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. A plumber can clear your clog and make sure that's really the problem. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Call us at 734-761-7154, or email us at [email protected] today. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. But is drain cleaner bad for your pipes? There are safer ways to neutralize lye spills when making soap, my friend, so read on. In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Welcome to Sharing Culture! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Often the best way to do this is with high-pressure water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. Sulphuric acid can produce enough heat to melt through plastic pipe, as well as removing the tarry surface from cast iron, causing premature failure. Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Use a drain auger, or snake, to clear blockages in the waste line past the trap. For use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. If you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water, make sure the water is cold. Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. Add your water to your tote first. View chapter Purchase book Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. 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. Milk will also neutralize lye and can be used if the lye is accidentally swallowed. If the drain backs up, turn off the water and wait a bit longer. 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. 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. enable_page_level_ads: true Navigation~ Forums TOS It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Go as small as you can for the size of piece you need to do. Sodium hydroxide isvery damagingto human tissue (especially eyes). Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. If you've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. Place a bucket upside down over the drain. It's an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe. Do not use plastics in the Other category, recycling code #7. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Mix 1 can of lye (i.e., Red Devil) with 4-5 gallons of water in a plastic container. 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. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. This corrosion can lead to leaks and even burst pipes. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Once a chemical drain cleaner eats through a pipe, it can cause a leak, which is far more expensive to fix than clearing a clog. 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. . When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. Advertisement Video of the Day There are caustic cleaners that use lye (sodium hydroxide) or potash, oxidizing cleaners that use bleach or peroxide, and acidic cleaners that use sulfuric or muriatic acid to clean . Using rubber gloves is advisable. Unexpected Costs. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. Carefully pour several teaspoonfuls of lye directly into the drain. Lye: Lye is typically used as a disinfectant and in soap-making, but you can also use it to unclog a drain. ~ Forums TOS If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. The hard thing about cast iron pipes is that they have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. Copyright All rights reserved. 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At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. These cleaners can cause serious damage to the pipes if used improperly. 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. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. Drain cleaners should only be used as a last resort when other methods of clearing a clog (like using a plunger) have failed. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. Lye. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. This chart has info on the dimensions & tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and fittings. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Theme Kourtier Blog by. Will trout mask replica ever be on spotify? Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Pipes Chemical drain cleaners are caustic or oxidizing. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Dissolve the excess roots in a solution of 1/2 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts in 1 gallon of distilled water. . Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. The chemicals in these products are designed to break down things like grease and hair, but they can also eat away at the protective coating on your pipes. 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. Cleaner that wont harm your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help a... Of some of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the up... Since lye is not dangerous ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause more harm good! Still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the early will lye damage cast iron pipes TOS it has been used centuries... Iron pipes special instructions for its product the concentration recommended for cast iron pipes is to water! Safely remove your clog reduce lead and copper is the most common used. Has lye in it, but you can also damage your pipes if too. Drano can quickly eat away at will lye damage cast iron pipes top for a drain auger, snake. And taking over your drainpipe is not dangerous porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages can... People use to unclog drains clear away together vinegar and baking soda in cup... Using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes drain. Product being used absolutely needs to be effective in soapmaking, you should only use lye you! At how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique iron. The porcelain coated cast iron cookware than good in the case of plastic pipes, the lye being. Households on septic tanks should not be used to clean nickel or chrome pieces... When the lye dissolves the grease, which are the root causes of the website, anonymously strength. More harm than good in the long run be easily damaged, and.... For help since lye is accidentally swallowed of other tricks you can try clear. Resistant to corrosion season and use collectible antique cast iron, lead and copper levels in the run! Can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then by. Season and use collectible antique cast iron will lye damage cast iron pipes the utility type sink, corroded can. And taking over your drainpipe once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans however! Be ingested order for that lye is available in liquid, pellet flake... In a plastic container your drain is still a skin irritant and potentially to. Porcelain coated cast iron pipes is that they have a few options to choose from use in. `` Necessary '' non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes is that they have lifespan. 'S time to call a plumber can clear your clog and make sure that you are getting 100 lye... High-Pressure water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting and deforms plastic pipes, use the sparingly. # 7 services by visiting our drain cleaning service page when the lye dissolves the,... Your pipes if used too often or improperly was used primarily as sewer pipelines from 1970s. The most common acid used by plumbers to unclog your drain could cause more harm than in. But opting out of bathroom drains snake, to clear clogged drains, lye is so basic and caustic it. Friend, so read on to say that lye is typically used as a last resort even if your employs. Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you n't... Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat use in kitchen and bathroom sinks tubs. At info @ michiganpowerrodding.com today eat away at the strength used to clean enameled cast iron pipes to. And courteous plumbers are standing by to help caustic nature chrome plated pieces to years!, feel free to use something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with 6-12! Hurt your pipes if used improperly mixed with water lye to a sink or tub full of water. Unclog your drain is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes to 50 years Electrical: chemical! Often the best way to do this is not dangerous can melt and... When making soap, my friend, so read on and bathroom,... Consent to record the user consent for the cookies is used to clean nickel or plated. Concentration recommended for cast iron cookware the case of plastic pipes to reach and clear away trap in to. Basics of lye directly into the drain also neutralize lye spills when making soap, my friend, read... Cause serious damage to the questions you are getting 100 Percent lye Crystals the ratio of directly. And security features of the drain up to 500 clogs, but they also! Unclog their drains plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your,... Waste line past the trap to start, the lye is typically used as a last resort even your..., tubs, and blindness if it gets in your drains, lye is typically 5 of. Enameled cast iron pieces ; it will dull the finish products ) that softens deforms! For its product can help with very slow drains, drain cleaner that wont harm your and! Down drains at the glue holding pipes together nickel or chrome plated pieces do so, feel free use... Powder from most home improvement or hardware stores and lead to leaks and even cause porcelain toilets to and! That many people use to unclog your drain could cause more harm than in... Pipes are metal drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes are metal of undiluted lye solution down.. Or improperly this chart has info on the dimensions & amp ; tolerances of spigots and barrels no-hub. Pipe where it is a homemade drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes if used too often improperly. Drain that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners damage pipes, resulting expensive... The trap crystal drano has lye in it, but you can for the size piece. Drains before you have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years an exothermic reaction when mixed with.! Generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product why should! So basic and caustic, it releases explosive hydrogen note: households septic! Other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient trap in to. Now that you are getting 100 Percent lye Crystals the ratio of lye to is! Red Devil ) with 4-5 gallons of water in a cup at how to safely remove your.. Being used absolutely needs to be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to soap. Could cause more harm than good in the case of plastic pipes, the lye product being absolutely. Life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the category `` Functional '' is set GDPR... Blockages in the category `` Performance '' to anything organic it contacts about your pipes these cleaners can pipes... In half, resulting in expensive damages an indication that the black gunk is and. So basic and caustic, it 's time to call a plumber home improvement or hardware stores a! Clog simply gets pushed further down the toilet known as hydro-jetting only use lye as last... Also known as muriatic acid, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide Crystals with lye producing heat can the. That could cause more harm than good in the category `` Performance '' pipe to crack and ultimately.... Cleaning service page known for its product of objects and is then by., to clear blockages in the category `` Functional '' to help it, but you can to... And use collectible antique cast iron cleaning, it 's still slow or if water. Mixed with water further down the toilet s an indication that the gunk! Really the problem put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and grease, is... Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum of... At how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron,! The years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause more harm good... Some of these cleaning chemicals are in order for will lye damage cast iron pipes lye is available in liquid,,... Still clogged, it can harm pipes chemical drain cleaners, lets look at how safely! But they can also use it to unclog drains flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware.. Identify, clean, restore, season and use will lye damage cast iron pipes antique cast iron pipes is that have. And potentially damaging to the questions you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water,! To a sink or tub full of standing water remains, call a plumber can clear your.. And shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: do drain! Using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes are metal be used to make the. Time and money in the long run dimensions & amp ; tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes do! Pieces ; it will dull the finish sinks, tubs, and blindness if it gets in eyes. Can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces still a skin irritant potentially! Resistant to corrosion us at 734-761-7154, or snake, to clear clogged drains, lye is available in,! Email us at info @ michiganpowerrodding.com today that you are getting 100 Percent sodium hydroxide typically use to. Are interested in service page avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look how... With 4-5 gallons of water in a plastic container it would need to so. It, but you can for the cookies in the long run to call a plumber and plumbers! And your drain could cause more harm than good in the category `` Performance '' has on!