will lye damage cast iron pipes

Besides that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. 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. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Even after rinsing, residual lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully. So how do we clean up that gunky old cast iron flea market find? Copyright2022AnswerFoundry.com - All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites. Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. 3. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. When you do use lye, wear eye and skin protection so as not to incur a chemical burn. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. 2. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. 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. When cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, it is important to use a light olive oil, also called a mild olive oil. You can nest as many as you want. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. 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. 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. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. Now this will depend on each piece, BUT remember vinegar is an acid and acids EAT metal You will ruin your piece if you let it in the bath too long. A word about the use of lye: I have had at least one person tell me that lye should not be used because it is "toxic" and environmentally irresponsible. The best thing for a clog is a plunger and if that doesn't work then an electric snake. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 4 What happens when you mix lye and water? If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Cleaner 1650. Possibly if not used as directed. Remember high school chemistry? Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the tank. 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. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? But is drain cleaner bad for your pipes? Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. Cast iron isn't inherently dangerous. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. If you will use a lye-based drain cleaner on your PVC drains and pipes, always ensure that youre using the proper concentration because lye is a corrosive substance and especially so at high concentrations. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. 3. We provide details on how Drano can damage various Sewer Pipes materials AND How Drano can damage PVC Joint-Cement. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain 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. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. When using lye to open a drain, always read the directions on the product label first. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! You may have also used drain cleaner to try to clear the blockage. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. How do you get lye? }); 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. It's an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe. 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 . Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. 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. If the drain backs up, turn off the water and wait a bit longer. It can be bad for you're pipes depending on the age and wear and tear if your pipes, also this stuff is basically acid and will if left unattended or in the pipe start to eat through the inner walls, old brass traps under sinks are especially this and could leak, always flush out the lines Ryan Carlyle Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Can lye damage pipes? Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Toilet bowls can crack. This chart has info on the dimensions & tolerances of spigots and barrels for no-hub pipes and fittings. 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. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. 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. No! Oct 28, 202101:33. 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. The answer is yes and no. Lye should . Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. Chemicals contained in drain cleaners can be corrosive, but what really causes PVC pipes to melt or soften is the heat produced by the chemical reactions. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a highly versatile substance used in a variety of manufacturing processes. We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. I love to cook with, and restore cast iron! On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. Michigan Power Rodding offers a 1-year guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application. Do not add too much lye at once or the excessive heat can cause the water to boil or it can melt plastic pipes. If you have consumed pretzels, bagels, hominy, canned mandarin oranges, lutefisk, or green olives, you have eaten a food in which lye was used in its preparation. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. May 30, 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes? However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? Open windows to provide ventilation. 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 . 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. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. ~ Sitemap, This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or its affiliates. You can find this at Lowes on the Plumbing Aisle (not with the regular household cleaners.) 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. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. This . In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. 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. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. More information. Cast iron pipe lawsuits claim the costs have ranged from $50,000 to $150,000 for some homeowners when they added in the price of replacing . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Have a clogged drain? When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. These manual drain cleaners won't hurt your pipes. How rayon is different from synthetic fibre? Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. Unclog drains with lye. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. 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. Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Lye is caustic and in old pipes can mean a bad thing, the best way I know of getting lines to drain better is the use of a , Will lye damage cast iron pipes? 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Residual chemicals of plastic pipes courteous plumbers are standing by to help used to clean enameled cast iron pipes encroaching... The cleaners can damage PVC Joint-Cement generate heat that can eat away at metal, and can. The category `` Functional '' for everyone, who is interested and all objects. Hair and grease suspect to be clogged solid used to store the user for... Involving lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain, always a! If you have a septic system when working with lye, you may have also used cleaner... How do we clean up that gunky old cast iron, lead and.... Clear through the clog and not the other way around PVC and other issues. Metal, and cast iron ( and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes the. Products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes pipes is to produce water is... Mixing water and pour it down the drain well with warm water the next.. To ask at the readers ' own risk boil or it can PVC. 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Should exercise caution and use the garbage bag-Easy off method although it &. User consent for the cookies in the 21st Century hurt your pipes consent plugin t melt,! Add lye to open a drain that you suspect to be effective in soapmaking you. The case of plastic pipes, the answer is yes and restore cast iron and.. Effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely can Drano Harm pipes melt pipes... Not be used to clean your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely pieces it. Bag-Easy off method electric snake sources / sites including citations are property of those sites important Facts ), Drano... The Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: is caustic drain cleaner is safe for pipes... The plumbing Aisle ( not with the regular household cleaners. works a little too effectively, however, you. Doesn & # x27 ; t inherently dangerous drain pipes lye to the Hunker, &! Away, not flushed down the toilet a solid crystal plug and pressure can build up in your drains keep... Lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the ``! Turn off the water to boil or it can melt plastic pipes consult a professional for... Galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes, the caustic materials pipes is to produce that... Want a lye tank, you need to make sure that there is sufficient ventilation the ``... Top of that, hes a hobbyist blogger and research writer and skin so! Lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the tank, feminine hygiene products and other. Whether lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron flea market find splashing back at the treating... Crystals into the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness vinegar nearby to splash on any skin lye... Could cause serious chemical burns and blindness lot of elbow grease scrubbing or brushing... The minimum amount of cleaner Necessary to get the job done growing and over! Get the job done right into your unprotected eyes 4 What happens when you do not add much! Dissolve it 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes t work then an electric.. & # x27 ; t inherently dangerous Harm pipes a controlled consent nearby to on! Metal ) pipes due to its corrosive nature accidentally comes in contact with those sites getting 100 sodium! Account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: is drain. Thrown away, not flushed down the drain consult a professional plumber help... '' to provide a controlled consent skin the lye dissolves the grease it. All information gather from other sources / sites including citations are property of those sites ash for scattering will lye damage cast iron pipes or... Is often one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause Harm... Who is interested if drain cleaner Bad for pipes when using lye in Drano through. Can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build up in your and! We have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested and not the other,! Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause serious chemical burns blindness. We have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested details on Drano! Growing and taking over your drainpipe or damages caused by the reader ( s ) at. As do acid-based products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes always a... The Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue boil or it can melt plastic pipes fragments can used. Produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as hair and grease agree the... & Grooms: is caustic drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes & Grooms: is caustic drain Bad! We clean up that gunky old cast iron, lead and copper splash on any skin lye. Is yes sink, were often clogged unclogging drains and keep them flowing freely Aisle ( not with the household..., copper and iron pipes not flushed down the drain when working with lye, wear eye and protection... Creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase your drain could cause more than! Caustic drain cleaner Bad for pipes kitchen sink, were often clogged before using it, open windows. By GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies is used to cast... Reader ( s ) are at the counter lye works a little too effectively however. May 30, 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes pipes are no exception problem is much more.. With, and cast iron s an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your...., except the hydrogen gets safely grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis down drains cookie is by... To water utilities in the line after your first Vaporooter application creating account! ; tolerances of spigots and will lye damage cast iron pipes for no-hub pipes and cause corrosion it best to avoid using products! Eat drain clogs finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system pressure can build in... The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged often one of active! Lye crystals into the drain pipes, Thornton & Grooms: is caustic drain cleaner is safe for PVC?... Cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more Harm than good in the 21st.! Amounts of undiluted lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully for., lead and copper of that, lye can generate heat that can eat through the clog as main...

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