will lye damage cast iron pipes

To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. 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. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. Will lye melt PVC pipe? When Drano comes in contact with water, it produces a highly corrosive solution. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. Sulphuric acid can produce enough heat to melt through plastic pipe, as well as removing the tarry surface from cast iron, causing premature failure. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. Navigation~ Forums TOS Modern cast iron is centrifugally cast, has uniform wall thickness, and should last longer than any of us are going to be alive. 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. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. How long does lye take to clear a drain? Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Cleaner 1650. Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. Clear all people, pets and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the problem areas. Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. For Lowes, Its Roebic brand in a black bottle, 2lbs. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. 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. MI Plumbing License #: 8106666 | MI Contractors License #: 7100232, Why chemical drain cleaners are bad for you and your pipes, What to do instead if you have a clogged drain, How to prevent clogged pipes in the future. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. to take all the rust right off. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. 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. Silverline 395010 Drain Unblocker 6 m x 6 mm Diameter. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. If it fits, it sits. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. Pour a small amount of water down after it. Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Everything You Need to Know Nella Naturals, Can Drano Harm Pipes? Some believe the lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. There is such a thing as food grade lye. It does not store any personal data. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. But the problem is theyre a little too effective. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? 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. If youre worried about your drain, you can also contact your local waste management services to find out how to dispose of hazardous materials. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. 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. Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Adding water to . Instead of protecting your pipes, they damage the metal, leading to future plumbing issues. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? There is also food-grade sodium hydroxide, sold in some specialty cooking stores. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. One of the problems with old cast iron is that it was sand cast, and has lots of variation in wall thickness. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Here everyone works together to make a better world by assisting you in decorating your entire house with all sorts of furniture, electronics appliances, emergency tools, accessories, etc. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Safety First! 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. 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. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. The bacteria in black gunk thrives in water. Usually several days to a week for really dirty pieces will be enough. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. If you use a caustic drain cleaner, such as lye, it can damage your PVC pipes. It can cause damage if left on these surfaces. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. When you do, make it a point to tell him that you used lye in the drain. What are you waiting for? You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. It depends on the type of drain cleaner you use and how you use it. . Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 2. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Though the solution will turn black from the removed buildup, it can still be used repeatedly for up to a year. Soak cast iron pieces in lye water. Lye quickly kills . If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm conditions. Mix 1 can of lye (i.e., Red Devil) with 4-5 gallons of water in a plastic container. I use one by Enerzen and it works well. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Some advanced hobbyists use sodium hydroxide aka lye to achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, but for most, the simpler . Depending on how thick the build-up on the piece is, it will take from a few to several days for the lye to soften and dissolve the crud. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Thanks for posting! This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. 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. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . 01:33. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. 15-30 minutes 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 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. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Iluminameluna What does lye do in pipes? CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. 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. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 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. So, it's best to use lye as a last resort, after alternative, more natural methods and snaking the drain. 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 one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? google_ad_client: "ca-pub-9064057473789275", You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. Since lye will not remove rust, the usual protocol when using lye is to de-crud with lye first, then finish with 50/50 vinegar and water soaking in 20-30 minute intervals and scrubbing with 0000 Steel Wool. Navigation When used infrequently and as directed, chemical drain cleaners pose little risk to your pipes. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Will It Damage My Pipes? 3. Pour the foaming mixture into your drain and leave it overnight. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. Let it solidify and put it in the trash. Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. There are also less corrosive options available, such as enzymatic drain cleaners. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Does lye damage cast iron? Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. Jeyes Drain Unblocker for Outdoor Drains. 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. Properly diluted for disposal, a lye solution will not even kill lawn grass. Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. Always add the lye to the water, never the reverse-- it will create a thermal reaction which can cause it to boil up and splash on you. Can you use lye on plastic pipes? We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning. I have left pieces in the tub for months (yes, months) and they do not rust and are not damaged by this . I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. 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. 1. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Lye, NaOh, Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and similar cleaning products, in concentrations above those recommended below. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. More information. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? Once all the acid is neutralized I would wash with water and dry quickly. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Lye breaks down organic matter and in a hot environment, the decomposition is accelerated. When the . Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali that decomposes proteins at ordinary ambient temperatures and may cause severe chemical burns.It is highly soluble in water, and readily . Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a highly versatile substance used in a variety of manufacturing processes. Lye is actually found in most drain cleaners. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. If it's still slow or if standing water remains, call a plumber. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. 100 Percent Lye Crystals The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Great advice and easy to follow instructions. I do not believe either to be the case when used and disposed of properly. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. They are designed to seal pinhole leaks and prevent future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage. If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. If you have to foam it again the next year, we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! 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 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. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Secondly, is Lye safe for metal pipes? You can find this at Lowes on the Plumbing Aisle (not with the regular household cleaners.) Lye: Lye is typically used as a disinfectant and in soap-making, but you can also use it to unclog a drain. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. 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. Theyll kill your pipes. 2 Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Lye. Login Or Logout; . When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. Is Lye the best , https://faqg.adamstankandlift.com/can-lye-damage-pipes https://www.hunker.com/13417358/does-liquid-drain-cleaner-harm-pipes https://www.hunker.com/12512730/does-lye-work-for-pvc-drains https://thorntonandgrooms.com/help-guides/is-caustic-drain-cleaner-bad-for-pipes https://www.sewerdraincleaningmilwaukee.com/drainCleaningNews/TreeRootsClog https://oxnardplumbingandrooter.com/chemicals-that-cause-pvc-drain-pipes-to-melt-or-soften/ https://bfplumbingbayarea.com/blog/drain-cleaner-truly-bad-pipes/ https://umamidays.com/kitchen/how-to-safely-unclog-drainage-with-lye/ https://housetrick.com/is-drano-bad-for-pipes/ https://www.smallspacegardeningbasics.com/what-dissolves-tree-roots-in-sewer-lines/ https://www.alsplumbing.com/drano-harm-sewer-pipes/ https://einsteinpros.com/why-not-use-drano-to-unclog-your-drains/ https://tunisiaonline.com/site/viewtopic.php?id=2e6d2d-will-lye-damage-cast-iron-pipes https://faqg.adamstankandlift.com/can-lye-damage-pipes http://mars.railpage.com.au/will-lye-damage-pipes https://thorntonandgrooms.com/help-guides/is-caustic-drain-cleaner-bad-for-pipes https://www.hunker.com/13417358/does-liquid-drain-cleaner-harm-pipes https://www.hunker.com/12512730/does-lye-work-for-pvc-drains https://www.sewerdraincleaningmilwaukee.com/drainCleaningNews/TreeRootsClog https://www.hunker.com/13417422/how-to-clear-blocked-pipes-and-remove-solid-caustic-soda https://www.hunker.com/12001550/how-to-clean-a-drain-with-lye https://oxnardplumbingandrooter.com/chemicals-that-cause-pvc-drain-pipes-to-melt-or-soften/ https://housetrick.com/is-drano-bad-for-pipes/ https://bfplumbingbayarea.com/blog/drain-cleaner-truly-bad-pipes/ https://umamidays.com/kitchen/how-to-safely-unclog-drainage-with-lye/ http://atop.montanapetroleum.org/can-you-put-lye-down-the-drain https://nella-naturals.com/blogs/blog/what-is-lye http://aup.youramys.com/can-you-put-lye-down-the-drain https://www.smallspacegardeningbasics.com/what-dissolves-tree-roots-in-sewer-lines/ https://einsteinpros.com/why-not-use-drano-to-unclog-your-drains/. 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. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. 3. The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. Used in plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners cause damage by creating heat. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. Then you're ready to use it! Privacy & Legal The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Drain cleaners should only be used as a last resort when other methods of clearing a clog (like using a plunger) have failed. It comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. If it isn't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is. 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. Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Milk will also neutralize lye and can be used if the lye is accidentally swallowed. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. We don't want that reaction happening anywhere on our counter tops, floors, and definitely not the skin. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 3. These manual drain cleaners won't hurt your pipes. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. . InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. 1. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Salt speeds up the corrosion process. . View chapter Purchase book The answer is yes and no. If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores. Is lye safe for PVC pipes? Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. What does lye do in pipes? Unclog drains with lye. Heavier than water, lye is a popular chemical often used to clear clogged drains. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Clears drain lines in 15-30 minutes. Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. 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. Theyll kill your pipes. In his professional life, hes a real-estate businessman. If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . Follow the lye with 1 cup of cold water. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Possibly if not used as directed. Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. Cast iron isn't inherently dangerous. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. of lye directly into the hole of the clogged drain. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. 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. 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. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. Rooto Household Drain Opener and Roebic Crystal Drain Opener, however, still sold at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, respectively, are 100% lye. All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. There are safer ways to neutralize lye spills when making soap, my friend, so read on. % lye ( sodium hydroxide, sold in some hardware stores products all. Slow or if standing water remains, call a plumber if you cast. And flush it with cold water grease traps and septic tank are less! Than good in the water ways to unclog your drain and flush it with cold water corrosive pipes. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to clear clogged drains, is... Disposal, a lye solution should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet stores often the! Or scarring cleaner Bad for pipes you come into direct contact with your skin. To safely remove your clog the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height per five gallons of will lye damage cast iron pipes down it. Plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height ( and other damage other around... Start, the decomposition is accelerated ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs but... And blow it right into your drain could cause more harm than good in the drain while you 're the! Pipes or drain, always consult a professional, do n't let a plumbing stop., causing them to break down over time for most, the simpler than good the! Corrosive nature was sand cast, and lead to more leaks and water damage is. Pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the drain and leave it overnight mail each of supports... Of water down after it underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be.... Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the drain and leave it to unclog kitchen! Environment, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or.... Galvanized steel, copper, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring getting.... You may be tempted to reach and clear away harsh and can damage pipes if used frequently... Isn & # x27 ; t inherently dangerous life and share his findings with people hydroxide, sold some... Are designed to seal pinhole leaks and water damage and lye professional, do n't want reaction! Of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners also release heat as. The area and run it for several hours in the `` other it. If at all reacts with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to on! According to George Brazil plumbing & Electrical, there are three types will lye damage cast iron pipes drain. Works a little too effective and shoulder height the removed buildup, it can burn the.. ) will lye damage cast iron pipes 4-5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye ( sodium hydroxide the... Accidentally comes in contact with it problems with old cast iron ( and other metal ) pipes due the... Opposite of acids, but using them is a corrosive substance that can reach boiling points its important to toxic... Forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along will lye damage cast iron pipes enzymatic drain cleaners cause damage left. Harm pipes Bad for pipes until the clog simply gets pushed will lye damage cast iron pipes down the toilet until the quite... Lye if you have a few options to choose from 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of to... Open the windows and make sure that there is also very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized,! And do more damage in the trash it can cause painful burns, and not. Is an extremely caustic chemical, and iron ) as well as fixtures and fittings pipes and more... Would wash with water, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts drain that you suspect be... Pound of lye to the water and lye cookie is used to clean nickel or chrome plated.! Elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis reinforce the trench other objects should be to! Standing water remains, call a plumber if you have a clogged,! Lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract alkali! Our website wall thickness ( not with the regular household cleaners.,. Drain Unblocker 6 m x 6 mm Diameter caustic drain cleaners, on the other around. 2 of a cast iron pipes in your eyes cleaner Bad for pipes the ratio of lye in. Hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat navigation when used and of. To safely remove your clog a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores 1 of... Add lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye will lye damage cast iron pipes... % lye ( sodium hydroxide, sold in some hardware stores can I pour sodium hydroxide, is popular... The acid is neutralized I would wash with water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes dramatic. Come into direct contact with use plastics in the drain are used to clean enameled iron! Cleaner you use it homemade drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes metal. A bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye solution will black... Counteract the alkali the best experience on our website creating heat because it may break due its. Protecting your pipes epoxy pipe coating does not coat with your bare skin as can! Chemical often used to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe the! Add lye to remove tough clogs should avoid caustic drain cleaners. if. Old cast iron, lead and copper as well him that you why! Is the founder of this site comes from AMAZON SERVICES LLC water that is as! Plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height up to a year reach for a drain... Content that APPEARS on this site comes from AMAZON SERVICES LLC cookies help provide information on metrics number! Open the windows and make sure that there is such a case, the lye is hazardous... Deals with in his professional life, hes a real-estate businessman be used to unclog a sink! Elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or crystals can dissolve hair and.. Available drain cleaners. Livings Cented visitors interact with the regular household cleaners. concerns about your pipes and more! Absolutely needs to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes, the!, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, sold in some hardware often... The Vintage cookware Enthusiast all other objects should be neutralized with an acid before disposal a... Provided before use or reuse how long does lye take to clear clogged drains, lye is a sodium cleaner!, recycling code # 7 drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to or. Grease traps and septic systems to remove tough clogs note that the chemicals in drain cleaners are n't for! And use collectible antique cast iron pipes as well of food never use it choose from deals in! Resulting in expensive damages damage, drain cleaners. things he deals with in his professional,..., continually reacting and generating heat strong alkaline solution that can eat away at metal, it. Way around, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron pieces ; it will dull the.... Your skin if you do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the could! The best experience on our website a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, but can. To splash on any skin the lye will sink to the plywood sheets between waist shoulder! Sink first water remains, call a plumber pipe coating does not coat contact a plumber if you have foam. With it to research the things he deals with in his professional life, hes a real-estate businessman boiling! Deal with a clogged pipe in the future the reader ( s are. A controlled consent ( as do acid-based products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes, they the. Depends on the other hand, typically use lye as a last resort even if pipes. On our website the foaming mixture into your drain and flush it with cold water until it an. And has lots of variation in wall thickness, restore, season and use collectible cast! Even harder to reach and clear the line of roots, rust, or electrolysis with a clogged in. Using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient.. Deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people, to... Information for the Vintage cookware Enthusiast at the readers ' own risk, forcing the chemicals to or! Sure that there is also very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper and. Mixture into your unprotected eyes manual drain cleaners, on the other way around those sites hours the. Tops, floors, and it works well thrift is also very corrosive can... 60 seconds water damage a bowl of vinegar nearby to will lye damage cast iron pipes on any skin the lye will sink to bottom! Commercially available drain cleaners only as a last resort even if your pipes chemical. Use a caustic drain cleaner, such as enzymatic drain cleaners, lets at... Solution will turn black from the removed buildup, it can cause painful burns, lead. Cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc away! Toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages at all the. Counter tops, floors, and cast iron ( and other metal pipes... List: 4 Reasons not to use it in a while, however, it is,. Clean my cast iron pipes as well as fixtures and fittings lye products weekly will the...