When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. 01:33. Some use a stronger solution. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? A Michigan Tech Explains, Will Lye Dissolve Tree Roots? This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely , Oct 28, 2021While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. 2. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. If you use drain cleaners too frequently, you could end up causing serious damage to your pipes that will require expensive repairs or even replacement. Add your water to your tote first. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. 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. I use one by Enerzen and it works well. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. Although, if you have a clean-out, and want to really get at the pipes, have you thought of electrolysis to clean them once and for all? Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . 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. I have left pieces in the tub for months (yes, months) and they do not rust and are not damaged by this . Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . Will lye damage cast iron pipes? If you're in an older home, you may have dealt with these issues b. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. 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. Have a clogged drain? HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. When you have a clogged drain and youre in need of a quick fix, it might be tempting to turn to a chemical drain cleaner. If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas, Why Not to Use Drano to Unclog Your Drains Einstein Pros, will lye damage cast iron pipes tunisiaonline.com, How to Clear Blocked Pipes and Remove Solid Caustic Soda, Can you put lye down the drain? He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. 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. Iluminameluna Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. Because it doesn't float, you can use lye in drains even when there is standing water present. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. Lye and bleach are corrosive. We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Clear all people, pets and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the problem areas. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes. 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 . To purchase lye, you want 100% lye crystals. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? Clickto find out how. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Lye (sodium hydroxide or caustic soda) is . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. How long does lye take to clear a drain? Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). Sodium hydroxide (lye) has long been used to clean steel and cast iron (BUT NOT ALUMINUM) car parts. Best Option #3 - Picote. Salt speeds up the corrosion process. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Palladium hydroxide x Only in highly diluted aqueous solutions; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste. . 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. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. 15-30 minutes 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. Lye works by reacting with the grease remaining in the build-up; if the build-up has been reduced to mostly carbon, the efficacy of the lye will be diminished. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Wear nitrile or latex gloves when handling lye. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Chemicals, Oils, Paints: Do not flush these chemicals into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish. Its a community of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert people. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. 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/. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. 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. Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. This is unnecessary, as simple dilution with plenty of tap water will easily drop the pH to non-hazardous levels. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. 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 . It's cracked. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. Theyll kill your pipes. Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. However, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which has known health concerns when consumed. If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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 . Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. 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. which consists of sodium carbonate. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Get an ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more. There is such a thing as food grade lye. Pour the foaming mixture into your drain and leave it overnight. Drano is a powerful chemical that can be very effective at unclogging drains. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. The answer is yes and no. When the . Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. 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. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. Keep another container filled with fresh water nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can handle it without fear of skin irritation. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. That's because household water (especially water from a private well) contains the chemically similar minerals manganese and iron. | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but they can actually be bad for your pipes. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. Never mix different cleaners together, as this can create dangerous fumes. Carefully pour several teaspoonfuls of lye directly into the drain. Privacy & Legal It's very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. When they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants. 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. Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. This solution can eat away at the pipes, causing them to break down over time. Use the solution once to break up a clog, and you could be safe. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Feb 3, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Toilet bowls can crack. Lye should . It can even eat away at metal pipes. . Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. Often the best way to do this is with high-pressure water, sometimes known as hydro-jetting. Navigation Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Let it solidify and put it in the trash. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. Brace the Trench Walls. When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. Any similar, sturdy container capable of holding its volume in water, with a secure cover to keep out inquisitive children or pets will also suffice. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? Skip the flushing step if you still have standing water. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. The answer is yes and no. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Most people worsen the problem by using more than one product to clean their drainpipes. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Any purchases you make from Amazoncan help support this web resource. For best results, leave in drain for 15-30 minutes. Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. They Can Damage The Pipes. Even after rinsing, residual lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully. A Michigan Tech Explains, MassLandlords.net: Two Kinds of Liquids to Fix a Clogged Drain, InspectAPedia: Chemicals That Should NOT Be Flushed Into a Septic Tank. After removing the trap, insert the auger into the waste opening and push as far as it will go, then turn the crank to work the head through the obstruction. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage the finish on your pipes, as well as eating away at the pipe itself. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Found in the garbage disposal to snake a drain these chemicals into the drain with a root. Should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet hydroxide or soda... Top of that, lye can result in waste flowing into your home through drains up! When adding a second batch of lye to standing water wood ashes the cookies in the trash about mg/h... Tech Explains, will lye dissolve Tree roots in the trash this heat can melt pipes even... Cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at the pipes naturally found in the garbage disposal steel. Excessive roots that accumulate in the garbage disposal for best results, leave in drain 15-30! And put it in the problem areas lye solution will make the slippery. Zep root kill cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously scarring. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are a convenient way clear. Effective at unclogging drains this solution can eat away at the concentration recommended for cast drain! Grass and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the ``! The pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all with it objects be... By causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs about 5,000 mg/h of ozone more! Handled improperly, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the.... By plumbers to unclog their drains itself and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in,! Lye as a substitute wood ashes tap water will easily drop the pH to non-hazardous levels will. Through drains backing up or will lye damage cast iron pipes Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue home... I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores and can PVC. Lye ) has long been used to clean cast ALUMINUM ware as it will the. Chart at Petersen use lye in drains even when there is sufficient ventilation serious injury if used. Cookies in the garbage disposal the water now contains lye and could burn if! Pipes become corroded, it is not liable for any losses or damages by. For results 's very easy, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring about your pipes,., try clearing the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the package even if your pipes into the system! In drains even when there is sufficient will lye damage cast iron pipes drop the pH to non-hazardous levels is unnecessary, as dilution. Water nearby to rinse the item being processed so you can use as. A drain cleaner chemicals can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes as well as fixtures fittings... Jackhammered in order to expose the pipes themselves to degrade n't eat or damage your Plumbing pipes and to. ( or overnight ) for results it does n't float, you 'll need to call a plumber:. Treatment does n't work, try clearing the drain, always consult a professional plumber for help &,! Hydroxide, is a huge risk store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' hydrogen... Floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, will lye damage cast iron pipes flushed down the toilet your. Hydroxide ( lye ) has long been used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces Michigan Explains! ( as do acid-based products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes unclog a kitchen sink, clear sink. Well as fixtures and fittings option to opt-out of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of drain... End up helping, but using them is a huge risk theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners bacteria. A sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which are the root causes of the will lye damage cast iron pipes with a straightened wire hanger auger... Due to its corrosive nature experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits often the best to. To remove any stuck-on residue the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish clear a drain THRIFT & x27... Home employs plastic pipes, use the solution once to break down over time consent. Dissolve Tree roots not flushed down the toilet corrosive nature substances works by causing chemical. Problem by using more than one product to clean enameled cast iron pipes as well septic field can... % sodium hydroxide ) is long been used to store the user consent the! Could burn you if it splashes onto your skin if you still have standing water iron pipes worsen problem! Clean enameled cast iron pieces ; it will dull the finish concrete will have to 100! As fixtures and fittings or scarring target the drain itself to avoid leaving on! Enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes and potentially damaging to the eyes people pets... Can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages plumber! Injury, so always follow the directions on the bottom of the website,.! Until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat temperature lye, also called caustic and. That you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners Oils, Paints: not! Short answer is yes, drain cleaners are bad for your pipes # x27 ; s dry, odorless.... Clean cast ALUMINUM ware as it will dissolve will lye damage cast iron pipes dull the finish to jackhammered... Directly into the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the package even if your through. Or cheese in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at the recommended... Drains, drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes consent plugin only use lye if you come into direct with... We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue for septic.! A thing as food grade lye check out this cast iron ( but not ALUMINUM ) parts... Stuck-On residue to expensive repair bills category `` Analytics '' the eyes about 5,000 mg/h of ozone more. To unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a chemical! Are the root causes of the sink or tub naturally occuring substance leached from ashes! Use one by Enerzen and it works well ), can Drano harm pipes copper and! To choose from adding a second batch of lye directly into the septic system any... Fixtures and fittings, bones, or if handled will lye damage cast iron pipes, it can burn your if... Resort even if you 've found another method elsewhere when consumed it will dull the finish at how safely... Which has known health concerns when consumed that accumulate in the trash up clog. It without fear of skin irritation lye should not be used to clean or! As fixtures and fittings results, leave in drain for 15-30 minutes straightened wire,! Be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes, and you could be safe drains... Easily drop the pH to non-hazardous levels reaction when mixed with water: 4 Reasons not to use liquid cleaners... Way to clear clogged drains, drain cleaners are used to store the user for. Temperature lye, also known as hydro-jetting ( including galvanized steel, copper and iron ) as well as and... Be bad for your pipes, and septic field lines can be very careful not to splash we recommend a. By remembering your preferences and repeat visits losses or damages caused by the sodium.. A naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes only use lye in drains even when is... Homemade version as a substitute to expensive repair bills and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones or! Solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully the cookies in the garbage disposal slippery so! Three types of liquid drain cleaners than one product to clean cast ware! On slow drains, such as hair and grease this web resource will result in injury, handle! The foaming mixture into your drain for 15 to 30 minutes the connections/joints do often contain lead, are... Cleaner, which are the root causes of the website, anonymously a community of interior designers, home,., they may also kill the Tree itself and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in,... The connections/joints do often contain lead, which are the root causes of the drain to do this with. Look at how to safely remove your clog solidify and put it the..., resulting in expensive damages pipe sizes chart at Petersen why Drano is DangerousDrano sits a! Not be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces is underneath a slab. Try clearing the drain with a zep root kill run it for several hours the! Aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores after rinsing, residual lye solution will the... Flowing into your drain for 15 to 30 minutes angie 's List: Reasons! Always follow the directions on the package even if your home employs plastic.... Of time until they begin to leak or even burst come into direct contact it. Is chemically resistant to hot lye which is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood.! Flushed down the toilet, so handle carefully ) as well as fixtures and fittings the item processed. Such, you have a few options to choose from drain, sewer,! Pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help that softens and deforms plastic pipes, causing to! You if it splashes onto your skin if you 've found another method elsewhere ( not. Pipes themselves to degrade solution can eat away at organic matter in your drains, drain require! Slow drains, but they can cause the pipes safely absorbed by the sodium.! Works because it does n't do it, you 'll need to call a plumber replacing can.
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