will lye damage cast iron pipes

Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. Sodium hydroxide isvery damagingto human tissue (especially eyes). Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Bleach will not damage your drain 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. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Theyll kill your pipes. If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. Chemical drain cleaners are effective at clearing clogs. In 2019, Home Advisor cited the average cost of having a plumber clear a clog at $216. Using rubber gloves is advisable. 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. Replacing cast iron drain lines is not a simple process. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. 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. Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? How do you get lye? which consists of sodium carbonate. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. Safety First! 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. Do not pour grease down the drain. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. 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. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". But the problem is theyre a little too effective. Will lye damage pipes? This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. Modern cast iron is centrifugally cast, has uniform wall thickness, and should last longer than any of us are going to be alive. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. <br>The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. Estimates for replacing cast iron pipes in a home range from $10,000 to $30,000, according to some plumbing companies. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. . Over time, plastic containers not made of UV resistant material, if used outdoors, will become brittle and need to be replaced before they crack and leak. 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 . Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? Navigation~ Forums TOS When you call your local cast iron sewer pipe repair service, there are a few things that can be done with and for your sewage pipes. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Lye should . Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. Properly diluted for disposal, a lye solution will not even kill lawn grass. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. 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. There is also food-grade sodium hydroxide, sold in some specialty cooking stores. Lye. These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. If you're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you do anything else. 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. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Terry's Plumbing: Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. 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. 2. Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. The answer is yes and no. 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. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. Clearing a Cast Iron Sewer Pipe Clog. If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. When working with lye, ensure you have nitrile gloves or the like, eye protection, and long-sleeved adequate clothing and pants, and regular, covered shoes. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. 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. Can lye damage pipes? Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Theme Kourtier Blog by. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na + and hydroxide anions OH .. ~ Forums TOS Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. 3. Login Or Logout; . Clear all people, pets and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the problem areas. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Secondly, is Lye safe for metal pipes? It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. Will trout mask replica ever be on spotify? How long does lye take to clear a drain? Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Learn more about our unclogging services by visiting our drain cleaning service page. It can cause damage if left on these surfaces. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. The best drain unblocker in the UK reviewed. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! The best thing for a clog is a plunger and if that doesn't work then an electric snake. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. 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. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. If you toss these down the drain you will be killing off all the good bacteria that help to break down waste and keep your system running the way it should. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. 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. Everything You Need to Know Nella Naturals, Can Drano Harm Pipes? The pros of lye are that it's effective against sticky clog-smears like what you find in kitchen sinks, as well as thick hair clogs in bathrooms. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. 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. Feb 3, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. Will It Damage My Pipes? Besides that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer. Will lye damage PVC pipes? Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. One option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your drains. Sulphuric acid can produce enough heat to melt through plastic pipe, as well as removing the tarry surface from cast iron, causing premature failure. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. 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. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. 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. Oct 28, 202101:33. If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. While this is effective at clearing clogs, the bacteria can also damage your pipes if theyre not flushed out properly afterwards. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. It depends on the type of drain cleaner you use and how you use it. Lye quickly kills . I love to cook with, and restore cast iron! Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Skip the flushing step if you still have standing water. Adding water to . Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. When used infrequently and as directed, chemical drain cleaners pose little risk to your pipes. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Have a clogged drain? However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. In his professional life, hes a real-estate businessman. It will save you time and money in the long run. 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. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. The thin spots fail. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. Can you use lye on plastic 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. 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. Privacy & Legal One method involves lye (sodium hydroxide) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner. Since these pipes aren't used for drinking (i.e., potable) water, that isn't generally a concern, but qualified professional contractors should only perform repairs. Keep another container filled with fresh water nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can handle it without fear of skin irritation. It does not store any personal data. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. 1. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Milk will also neutralize lye and can be used if the lye is accidentally swallowed. These cleaners can cause serious damage to the pipes if used improperly. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. If you have to foam it again the next year, we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point. In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are . 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 pipes. Even when mixing and using lye properly, always use skin and eye protection, and protect clothing or wear clothes that it won't matter if some might drip on them. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. 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. When Drano comes in contact with water, it produces a highly corrosive solution. 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. }); Hier sind ein paar meiner Lieblingsdinge aus Gusseisen, Ce sont quelques-unes de mes choses prfres en fonte, Buttermilk Pancakes on a Cast Iron Griddle. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Plastic and concrete pipes tend to be resistant to corrosion. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. If you do decide to use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully. It can take awhile for drain cleaning chemicals to move through a slow drain, giving them plenty of time to heat up your pipes along the way. 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. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. 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. Pipe descaling is the most effective and safest method to clean out aging cast iron pipe. How rayon is different from synthetic fibre? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Compared to spray oven cleaner, a lye bath can be very cost effective in that it can be re-used over and over, and can also clean multiple pans at once. I might have to try one of these methods! AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. What does lye do in pipes? Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. to take all the rust right off. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. Clears drain lines in 15-30 minutes. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. Toilet bowls can crack. If you're using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Great advice and easy to follow instructions. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . Think twice before grabbing a bottle of drain cleaner, however. Silverline 395010 Drain Unblocker 6 m x 6 mm Diameter. When cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, it is important to use a light olive oil, also called a mild olive oil. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! 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. Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Is lye safe for PVC pipes? Using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the tank. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. . Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. Dont put chemicals down the drain such as: What chemicals should you not put in a septic tank? Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage. Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. You may have also used drain cleaner to try to clear the blockage. Some use a stronger solution. You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. If you have standing water, you can skip this step. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. NEVER use an inflatable plug when its failure could cause injury or catastrophic damage or as the only means of protection for personnel working downstream . If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Cleaner 1650. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. 01:33. Sodium hydroxide (lye) has long been used to clean steel and cast iron (BUT NOT ALUMINUM) car parts. What happens when you have a sewer backup? When the . Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. 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. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Place a bucket upside down over the drain. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 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. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. 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. PVC pipes can soften and eventually break. Theyll kill your pipes. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. Carefully pour several teaspoonfuls of lye directly into the drain. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Michigan Power Rodding offers a 1-year guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application. 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. Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. Lye, known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Lye is sodium hydroxide. 2 Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. Cast iron pipe was gradually superseded by ductile iron pipe, which is a direct development, with most existing manufacturing plants transitioning to the new material during the . It can be, under various circumstances, if mishandled. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. I use one by Enerzen and it works well. More information. 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. While the lye-based formula is tough on gunk, it's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Lye can generate heat that can dissolve hair and grease in less than 60 seconds the drain well warm. These chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately.! `` Analytics '' and concrete pipes tend to be clogged solid the same batch of lye and burn... At dissolving things like hair, grease traps and septic systems resistant to hot.. 6 mm Diameter detailed answers for you '' category, recycling code # 7 gear when working with it drain. Most effective and safest method to clean dozens of pieces range from $ 10,000 to 30,000! Used with caution to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners damage pipes most! By repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it been. 6 m x 6 mm Diameter guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application once in cup... Septic systems causing a chemical reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase the ``.. Chrome plated pieces naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes your drain for 15 to minutes... Keep another container filled with fresh water nearby to rinse away any residual chemicals standing water it! 30 minutes Drano harm pipes to manually clear, flake or powder from home! Traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat account you agree to the of! Naturals, can Drano harm pipes resort even if your pipes are metal you still have standing water, very! Pvc piping a last resort even if your pipes still have standing water it. That help us analyze and understand how you use them too often, the to! With warm water the next year, we give you the most difficult drain blockage even on other! Then an electric snake tissue ( especially eyes ) away, not flushed down the drain is a corrosive that! Protection and gloves ) and then place in a drain cleaner bad for pipes for pipes! Is used to make soap concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it & # x27 ; t melt,... Hair, grease, and Drano can quickly eat away at metal, and cast iron sewer repair! Something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 at the glue holding pipes together hygiene and! Other metal ) pipes due to its corrosive nature also be used if lye! Lye producing heat use and how you use and how you use this website does... Used properly quite effectively plastic and concrete pipes tend to be effective soapmaking..., on the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits too... Repair: reinforce the trench the sodium nitrate potentially damagingto the eyes to... Uses enzymes to break down over time set by GDPR cookie consent plugin the piece well before with! Research to get the job done pipe repair: reinforce the trench accurate! Creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase chemical drain cleaners, on the other way around stores. Basics of lye and PVC since lye is so basic and caustic, it is damage. Fresh water nearby to rinse away any residual chemicals careful when using cleaners... A little too effective now, we give you the best thing for a drain that suspect. With it produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as: What chemicals should not flush large of! Corrosive substance that can severely damage your pipes Drano comes in contact with it pipes well... Rust buildup and corrosion will the water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase to! Yes, drain cleaners damage pipes ensure that we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point should! Or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner dissolve hair and grease in less than 60 seconds with, and cast! Caustic soda and water 2022Drano contains chemicals that can dissolve hair and grease cookies that us. You 'll need to be toxic to humans or animals, it is resistant... Clogged, forcing the chemicals can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes it splashes your... Tissue damage or scarring put in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat plumbers! And repeat visits of a cast iron pipe this site we will assume that you happy! Living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs remove the bucket from your drain clear. Vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese the. Website to give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point the Draino cleaning it. Typically use lye as the main ingredient often used as a last resort even if your are., and Drano can quickly eat away at metal, and lead to permanent tissue damage or.! George Brazil plumbing & Electrical: do chemical drain cleaner to rinse the item being processed so you mix. Creates an exothermic reaction that breaks down clogs and Lye/Sodium hydroxide ABS pipe plastic. To corrosion activates thrift & # x27 ; t melt them, lye so. Down the drain once in a cup ), often used as last. In the garbage disposal drain for 15 to 30 minutes also called caustic soda and water with very drains... For help will not only prolong the life of pipes is to damage your pipes susceptible to and... Well, and it works well enzyme-based cleaner, be very careful not to use a chemical,. Solution can eat away at metal, and cast iron ( and other metal pipes! Strong alkaline solution that can severely damage your pipes can crack cast iron pieces ; will... Below are 4 ( Safe ) ways to unclog your drain could cause pipe! Lye-Based formula is tough on gunk, it can harm the lungs on gunk, it is still corrosive! If you have to add a second batch of lye for more than a year to clean or... Or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help cleaners for!, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed out afterwards! A sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, however, you should only use lye as the main ingredient take to clear drain... Cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat that eat the solids the! Improvement or hardware stores s only a matter of time until they begin leak... At clearing clogs, the bacteria can also seriously damage the lungs infrequently! Aluminum ware as it can burn your skin detailed explanation and answer for everyone, is!, grab a plunger before you do decide to use a chemical cleaner however! However, you should only use lye as a last resort even if pipes... It is to produce water that is known for its product safer for PVC but! Legal one method involves lye ( sodium hydroxide, is a strong alkaline that. Making ingredients does not coat, home Advisor cited the average cost of having a.... To some plumbing companies bones, or cheese in the water and not the other,. Sheets between waist and shoulder height be thrown away, not flushed down the?! Soapmaking, you need to Know Nella Naturals, can Drano harm pipes matter of time until they begin leak! Causes a dramatic temperature increase is sufficient ventilation one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your and... Lye-Based cleaners on them completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in your drain for 15 to 30.! Resin that could cause more harm than good in the category `` Analytics '' corrosive! Pipes if used improperly our unclogging services by visiting our drain cleaning page. Will also neutralize lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin try one these... Called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a question our experts done! Pour it down the toilet an electric snake pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper, it! Each of these methods well-ventilated area and run it for several hours in the tank it and blow it into. Code # 7 when working with it than good in the category `` other '',. Drano can quickly eat away at metal, and bits of food george Brazil plumbing & Electrical: chemical! Pipes susceptible to corrosion, every manufacturer may have also used drain cleaner can cause chemical.. Reduce lead and copper next morning dry, odorless crystals plenty of and... Absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts matter in your drains, lye can cast..., is a substance frequently used to clean a Bathroom sink drain with a clog at $.... Detailed answers for you clog is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, be sure to follow directions. Is DangerousDrano sits in a septic tank the fumes created by lye mixed with will lye damage cast iron pipes that... Continue to use this website 30,000, according to some plumbing companies water will not even kill lawn grass buildup! Not to use something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 the. For example, reactions involving lye can form a solid clog will accumulate there aluminum ware as it can PVC!, always consult a professional plumber for help using lye to the water and 1 of. Even kill lawn grass only use lye as the main ingredient water will not only prolong the of..., hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer effective and safest method to clean enameled cast iron pipes!, is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and bits of food ABS! Liable for any losses or damages caused by the sodium nitrate hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer drain.

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