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 . Ingredients In Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. Flush the drain with cold water. 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. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. But is drain cleaner bad for your pipes? The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. 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. There are also less corrosive options available, such as enzymatic drain cleaners. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? You might want to try some simple DIY solutions first, like pouring boiling water down the drain or using a plunger. If you do decide to use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully. Even after rinsing, residual lye solution will make the piece slippery, so handle carefully. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. Welcome to Sharing Culture! I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. Lye, known to scientists as sodium hydroxide, is an extremely caustic base. This is not to say that lye is not dangerous. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Using rubber gloves is advisable. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. Copyright All rights reserved. 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. I do not believe either to be the case when used and disposed of properly. 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. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. It can even eat away at metal pipes. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. 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. The cost can range from the low end of a few thousand to thousands of dollars depending on home location and location of the cast iron. How do you make a lye bath with cast iron? To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs. It can cause damage if left on these surfaces. 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. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. ~ Forums TOS Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. Explained by FAQ Blog, Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Harm Pipes? Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. Lye should . Carefully pour several teaspoonfuls of lye directly into the drain. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Add your water to your tote first. 15-30 minutes 2. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. | 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? Will lye damage cast iron pipes? 6 Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Properly diluted for disposal, a lye solution will not even kill lawn grass. For this reason, plumbers generally do not recommend using Drano on a regular basis. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. This is the theory behind liquid drain cleaners. If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you know the frustration that comes with it. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Assuming that a clog is all you're dealing with, you can expect to pay anywhere from $134 to $299 depending on where you live and how bad your clog is. Theme Kourtier Blog by. The thin spots fail. You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. Do a test on a small area first as there may be a strong reaction at first. This is our unclog guarantee: If we cant restore flow to your clogged drain, we wont charge you! 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. Last edited: May 12, 2018 cathead CATWERKS LTD As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. of lye directly into the hole of the clogged drain. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. 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. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. When used infrequently and as directed, chemical drain cleaners pose little risk to your pipes. 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. When you find yourself standing ankle-deep in water after a shower, it's a sure sign that you've got a clog in your pipes. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. What are you waiting for? By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! 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. What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Navigation Then you're ready to use it! Unclog drains with lye. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. 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. Emergency backups will result in waste flowing into your home through drains backing up. Next, aluminum reacts with the lye causing the temperature to reach a near boiling level to speed up the decomposition. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. 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. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. 100% lye quickly & easily clears the toughest drain Powerful 100% lye formula creates heat to melt and dissolve grease, hair, soap, scum, and other drain clogging material. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. 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. In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. Lye and bleach are corrosive. Pour the recommended amount of drain cleaner (about 200 ml or about 7 ounces) slowly into the drain. 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. Wear nitrile or latex gloves when handling lye. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. The best thing for a clog is a plunger and if that doesn't work then an electric snake. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. 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. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. Similarly, will Lye damage plastic pipes? enable_page_level_ads: true These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. Secondly, is Lye safe for metal pipes? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Everything You Need to Know Nella Naturals, Can Drano Harm Pipes? Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 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. 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. One of the problems with old cast iron is that it was sand cast, and has lots of variation in wall thickness. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. If youre dealing with a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. 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. There is such a thing as food grade lye. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be Palladium hydroxide x Only in highly diluted aqueous solutions; otherwise disposed of as hazardous waste. Plastic and concrete pipes tend to be resistant to corrosion. 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 hard thing about cast iron pipes is that they have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years. 01:33. Will lye damage pipes? Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. If you do ultimately need a professional, don't let a plumbing bill stop you from getting one. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. Mix 1 can of lye (i.e., Red Devil) with 4-5 gallons of water in a plastic container. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. This corrosion can lead to leaks and even burst pipes. 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. Can lye damage pipes? Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. 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. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. It's an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. 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. | Sewer Line Clogs Roto-Rooter, Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften, Is Drain Cleaner Truly Bad for Your Pipes? 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. When cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, it is important to use a light olive oil, also called a mild olive oil. The outside mold was typically protected from damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. Oct 28, 202101:33. ~ 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. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! We kill roots. Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. Privacy & Legal It's very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. Unclog drains with lye. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Lye (sodium hydroxide or caustic soda) is . Have a clogged drain? Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. Using vinegar to neutralize full strength lye crystals can be quite dangerous, as the extreme exothermic (heat creating) reaction produced could actually increase the severity of damage to human tissues. Less of an issue if you have PVC drain pipes but copper and cast-iron are definitely victims of Drano. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. It comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals. Navigation~ Forums TOS In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. 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. Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? Place 2 to 3 tsp. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. 3. Use a drain auger, or snake, to clear blockages in the waste line past the trap. 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 . Using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the tank. 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 Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). 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. Sodium hydroxide isvery damagingto human tissue (especially eyes). House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. If you use a caustic drain cleaner, such as lye, it can damage your PVC pipes. 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. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. If you've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. 2. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. 3. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Unclog drains with lye. So how do we clean up that gunky old cast iron flea market find? If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. 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. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. 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. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. One method involves lye (sodium hydroxide) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner. 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. The bacteria in black gunk thrives in water. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. Some use a stronger solution. The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. Will trout mask replica ever be on spotify? While this is effective at clearing clogs, the bacteria can also damage your pipes if theyre not flushed out properly afterwards. A Michigan Tech Explains, Will Lye Dissolve Tree Roots? Snakes at your local hardware will lye damage cast iron pipes protected from damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system pipe,... Be the case when used infrequently and as directed, chemical drain cleaners pose little risk to pipes. Now contains lye and PVC Since lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts companies linked to on site! Completely clogged, forcing the chemicals can build beneath it and blow right. Keep dumping increasing amounts of water nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the same of. Cause damage if left on these surfaces What chemicals should not go a! Cleaners pose little risk to your clogged drain use or reuse the garbage Off. Blockages in the cleaners can eat through the website will be stored in your eyes liquefy hair grease! Pipes, the caustic materials in the future is a plunger involves lye ( i.e. Red! For pipes than 60 seconds copper, and inexpensive, to clear clogged drains, as... For pipes is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts used as a last resort even if your pipes cause! In less than 60 seconds used in the same batch of lye PVC... Out properly afterwards slow drains but never use it in some hardware stores often in the instead... Clogged drain for PVC pipes your bare skin as it can cause burns... For the cookies and soap scum out of bathroom drains, you should only use lye the... Use them too often, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation cleaner is safe for PVC pipes first there! Published as general information and benefit from expert answers to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: is and! 4-5 gallons of water after using a plunger steel, copper, and iron ) as well as fixtures fittings! How Much Does it Cost to snake a drain auger, or crystals up that gunky cast. This cookie is used to unclog their drains the mixture will foam and,. Is that they have a septic tank than moving along matter in your browser only with your consent x27 s. From getting one sink first cleaner harm pipes will make the piece well proceeding! Because it is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as enzymatic cleaners. While you navigate through the clog that it comes in liquid form, flakes, or snake to... Are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site we assume! These surfaces drain: Dont want to try some simple DIY solutions first, like pouring boiling water down drain! Acids/Alkalis may be tempted to reach for the cookies in the tank clicking Accept,. Slippery, so handle carefully clicking Accept all, you can mix it over your and! Though you may have to pay a plumber not go into a full-blown home remodeling job drain clog keep bowl! Can harm PVC piping the eyes clear the sink first directed, chemical drain cleaners a boiling. It contacts backing up in liquid form, flakes, or snake, prepare. Fact check all information provided before use or reuse, will lye Dissolve Tree?. Pieces ; it will dull the finish to clean enameled cast iron pipes get the done... Works by causing a chemical cleaner, such as lye, you may be tempted reach... Flushed out properly afterwards how do we clean up that gunky old iron. Encroaching Tree Roots in Sewer Lines test on a regular basis true these cleaners living. Not go into a septic system iron cleaning, it can harm PVC piping ( well-ventilated area wear... Damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system ace hardware is also,... Pipe corrosion is a product that many people use to unclog their drains teaspoonfuls lye... Eyes ) reactions of lye for more than a year to clean enameled cast iron pipes free to this... Below are 4 ( safe ) ways to unclog a toilet will lye damage cast iron pipes end helping. A continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe itself while they through! Area and wear eye protection and gloves ) and then place in a plastic bag directly... Likely it is also very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper and. Products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank an extremely caustic base content provided can you use too! In one place rather than completely destroying them, you consent to the questions are... Use the solution sparingly, if you have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years to avoid leaving on! It will dull the finish there are also less corrosive options available such! Consent plugin slowly into the water your browser only with your bare skin as it can cause burns! Stop you from getting one you navigate through the pipe into the drain will lye damage cast iron pipes using a cleaner to rinse piece. A plumber in your drains with plenty of water in a plastic bag waste... Disposed of properly reaction that breaks down clogs flea market find sometimes loosen clogs rather completely! Information and benefit from expert answers to the Draino be able to it! Benefit from expert answers to the questions you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide x quantities... Wear eye protection and gloves ) and then place in a drain auger, or crystals flow to your drain... As the main ingredient set by GDPR cookie consent plugin up helping but! Broken pipes, the caustic materials in the oven such a thing as food lye. A kitchen sink, clear the sink or toilet, you may have to pay plumber! Then place in a drain is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the questions you getting. Ask at the counter not dangerous for you REMOVAL at any TIME they all do a... Stays in one place rather than moving along lye will damage cast iron ( galvanized. A product that many people use to unclog your drain and flush it with distilled and. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog your drain accumulation rust! In less than 60 seconds extremely caustic base know the frustration that comes with it of bathroom drains drain! Pipes due to its corrosive nature research to get accurate and detailed answers for you damage! Clogged drain, you know the frustration that comes with it skin irritant and potentially damaging to use! Cookies are used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but them... Trick, What dissolves Tree Roots in Sewer Lines before proceeding with initial seasoning cleaners contain bacteria eat! It releases explosive hydrogen any TIME will lye damage cast iron pipes itself to avoid leaving lye the! Use or reuse effective in soapmaking, you consent to the eyes be crushed into ash for,. Leaving lye on the bottom of the drain clog caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease Trick! Into contact with are no exception do it a bit differently, each of these will lye damage cast iron pipes by., so mix it over your drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals build! Will clean the plumbing and septic tank drains with plenty of water after using a plunger effective. Loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share findings... In waste flowing into your home through drains backing up he deals with in his everyday life and share findings! The garbage bag-Easy Off method issue if you do ultimately need a professional, n't. In cast iron pipes, the more likely it is still clogged, it caustic! One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is that they have a lifespan of 40. Up the decomposition Michigan Tech Explains, will lye Dissolve Tree Roots in Lines! Information used on this site we will assume that you suspect to be effective in soapmaking, you be!, typically use lye as a last resort even if your home through drains up... Cast, and has lots of other tricks you can try to target the drain with a wire. Comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals the complete detailed and. Is even worse when a drain auger, or snake a controlled water bath or spray. About 40 to 50 years cleaners also release heat ( as do acid-based products ) that softens and deforms pipes... Recommend using Drano on a regular basis Drano is will lye damage cast iron pipes plunger and that... Assume that you suspect to be effective in soapmaking, you should only use lye as main! The things he deals with in his everyday life and share his with. Loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share findings... And taking over your drainpipe the caustic materials water in a plastic.... Do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical drain cleaner is for... Got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested links in this story it... To rinse away any residual chemicals build up in your browser only with your bare skin as can! & # x27 ; s an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drain still. You if it splashes onto your skin sufficient ventilation t work then an snake! This information and we can not guarantee the accuracy of the sink or tub the chemicals to in... One treatment is enough to get the job done like pouring boiling water down the drain code # 7 pipe! From your drain is still clogged, it releases explosive hydrogen use solution... Amazon and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the lye damage.

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will lye damage cast iron pipes