will lye damage cast iron pipes

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. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. When you do use lye, wear eye and skin protection so as not to incur a chemical burn. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. If you've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. Another benefit is you can clean pieces according to your own convenience, leaving them in the bath as little or as long as necessary, or even longer. You can nest as many as you want. 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. It can be, under various circumstances, if mishandled. First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain pipes. Can lye damage pipes? Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. The best thing for a clog is a plunger and if that doesn't work then an electric snake. When using lye to open a drain, always read the directions on the product label first. Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Pipes Chemical drain cleaners are caustic or oxidizing. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. If you use drain cleaners regularly, or if they dont seem to be working as well as they used to, its time to call a plumber. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Add your water to your tote first. Craft stores carry lye for soapmaking. You can leave a cast iron pan in the lye bath virtually indefinitely without concern; the high pH of the solution actually works as a rust inhibitor. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. To purchase lye, you want 100% lye crystals. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. 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. We can safely clear it for you! Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. It comes in liquid form, flakes, or crystals. What happens if you add lye to standing water? When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. 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. Can lye damage pipes? to take all the rust right off. How do you get lye? 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. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Apr 29, 20221. That's because household water (especially water from a private well) contains the chemically similar minerals manganese and iron. 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 . Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. But the problem is theyre a little too effective. 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. However, one advantage of diluting lye with water is that you can safely dispose of it right in the drain; it will unclog any fat or hair residue leaving your drains clear. 4 What happens when you mix lye and water? To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. Let it solidify and put it in the trash. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. 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. Rooto Household Drain Opener and Roebic Crystal Drain Opener, however, still sold at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, respectively, are 100% lye. There is also food-grade sodium hydroxide, sold in some specialty cooking stores. 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. It will save you time and money in the long run. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. Any purchases you make from Amazoncan help support this web resource. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. Go! What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? I use one by Enerzen and it works well. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Will It Damage My Pipes? However, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which has known health concerns when consumed. All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. Salt speeds up the corrosion process. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. Explained by FAQ Blog, Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Harm Pipes? Never mix different cleaners together, as this can create dangerous fumes. In his professional life, hes a real-estate businessman. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Lye and bleach are corrosive. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Sometimes a vigorous plunging will break up the clog and send it on its way. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. FREE duct cleaning with the purchase of a full HVAC system. Lye quickly kills . If the obstruction is lodged too deeply in the waste line for the auger to reach, call a plumber, who has , Generally, lye should be used in metal pipes only as a last resort and never in PVC or other plastic pipes. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They are designed to seal pinhole leaks and prevent future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. 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. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? 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. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. As the amount of rust builds up, it impairs the free flow of water, which can also increase the risk of corrosion. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Lye: Lye is typically used as a disinfectant and in soap-making, but you can also use it to unclog a drain. Welcome to Livings Cented! Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. 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. Home Advisor: How Much Does It Cost To Snake A Drain? When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. 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. Theme Kourtier Blog by. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. One method involves lye (sodium hydroxide) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. 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. It can cause damage if left on these surfaces. Using lye products will cause the septic tank to be pumped several times yearly to prevent solids from entering the leach field. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. For use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. 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. George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. You can find sodium hydroxide online. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate.

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