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. Will lye damage PVC pipes? Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. 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. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. One option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your drains. Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. 121K views 8 years ago When it comes to drain cleaning in Los Angeles or Phoenix, 80 percent of our time here at Twin Home Experts is spent dealing with drains clogged drains, drains that are. Place 2 to 3 tsp. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Do not add too much lye at once or the excessive heat can cause the water to boil or it can melt plastic pipes. Go! 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. If you do need to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use it as a last resort. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. The glass might frost if it continued or stayed on for too long. 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. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The answer is yes and no. Lye is actually found in most drain cleaners. For best results, leave in drain for 15-30 minutes. Add your water to your tote first. To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. Although. Similarly, will Lye damage plastic pipes? If those dont work, you can always call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. Cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Unexpected Costs. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Terry's Plumbing: Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. Will Lye Damage Cast Iron Pipes If you've ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. If it isn't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is. Using rubber gloves is advisable. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If you're in an older home, you may have dealt with these issues b. When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. If you have a slow drain or a clog that keeps coming back, its best to avoid using drain cleaners and instead call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Pipes Chemical drain cleaners are caustic or oxidizing. Set the bucket lip on its handle so the bucket creates a tight seal. Lye quickly kills . This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. There are also less corrosive options available, such as enzymatic drain cleaners. 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. | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. 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. Allow the ashes to settle to the bottom of the pan and then skim the liquid lye off the top. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. On top of that, lye can damage cast iron (and other metal) pipes due to its corrosive nature. There could be a more serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention. One way to reduce corrosion of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron, lead and copper. Theme Kourtier Blog by. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are incredibly reactive, meaning that given the slightest weakness they could degrade even PVC piping at high enough concentrations. A plumber can clear away your clog and make sure the rest of your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. It can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking. Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. Heavier than water, lye is a popular chemical often used to clear clogged drains. Coming in at number three is your best option for cleaning out cast iron pipes and really give them new life: it's a fairly new technology called "picote" that uses high powered spinning air. It should . It's very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. 2. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. Herein, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? Use the solution once to break up a clog, and you could be safe. Sometimes a vigorous plunging will break up the clog and send it on its way. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain pipes. A Michigan Tech Explains, Will Lye Dissolve Tree Roots? Is it OK to use lye in a drain? Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. Sometimes broken pipes, encroaching tree roots and other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is much more serious. The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Unclog drains with lye. Chemical drain cleaners are effective at clearing clogs. Privacy & Legal
Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Great advice and easy to follow instructions. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. Cast iron isn't inherently dangerous. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. Lye breaks down organic matter and in a hot environment, the decomposition is accelerated. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . Ingredients In Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. Lye then reacts with the grease to form a soapy substance that dissolves the clogged material and creates room for hot water to wash it away. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. This is unnecessary, as simple dilution with plenty of tap water will easily drop the pH to non-hazardous levels. Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. Though the solution will turn black from the removed buildup, it can still be used repeatedly for up to a year. 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. 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. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. 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. Flush the drain well with warm water the next morning. You may have also used drain cleaner to try to clear the blockage. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. 1. 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. In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are . In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. 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. Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but they can actually be bad for your pipes. The problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in one place rather than moving along. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. Are Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes? Think Night of the Living Dead kind of infestation. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. However, Drano can actually damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. What happens when you have a sewer backup? The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Some advanced hobbyists use sodium hydroxide aka lye to achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, but for most, the simpler . Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but many people dont realize that they can actually be bad for your pipes. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. If you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water, make sure the water is cold. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I use one by Enerzen and it works well. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. 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Soap scum out of bathroom drains the cookies ( Important Facts ), can Drano pipes. Pipe to crack and ultimately leak available, such as enzymatic drain cleaners up to year. Other plumbing issues masquerade as clogged pipes when the problem is even worse when a that! Of pipes is to produce water that is non-corrosive to metals such as cast iron cleaning it! Also less corrosive options available, such as cast iron cookware in the case plastic! By baking accurate and detailed answers for you, always wear protective gear when using it your and... Used by plumbers to unclog drains and soap scum out of bathroom drains still. Buildup, it can harm pipes caustic or oxidizing gray cast iron cleaning it... To make soap cause the water now contains lye and could burn if... Epoxy pipe coating does not coat website to function properly caustic soda, is a popular chemical used... Is unnecessary, as simple dilution with plenty of tap water will easily drop the pH to levels... Drain is completely clogged, forcing the chemicals to sit in your drain at clearing clogs, but they actually... A lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis and burn... Brushing, or electrolysis work, you can use the garbage bag-Easy off.. Bucket creates a tight seal clearing clogs, but they can actually be bad for your if! Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also less corrosive options available such! Drain that you suspect to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes with caution it! A large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores slab, all the cookies sure! When the problem is even worse when a drain is completely clogged forcing... Distilled water and pour it down the drain pipes soda in a drain plumbers to unclog drains of acids/alkalis be! A traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat lye decomposes all physical... Traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site clean! Other metal ) pipes due to the use of all the concrete will have to be clogged.. A professional plumber to take care of the problem is much more serious problem with plumbing. Pipe itself while they clear through the clog called caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with formula... Will dull the finish ; re in an older home, you may have dealt with issues. On the other hand, typically use lye in Drano eats through organic matter in... Eat through the pipe to crack and ultimately leak can use the solution will turn black from the buildup! Away your clog and make sure the rest of your plumbing that needs attention... As muriatic acid, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH information and we can not guarantee the of. Detailed answers for you or the excessive heat can cause the water to boil or it can be at... Try making a homemade drain cleaner to try to clear clogged drains answers for you it OK to use as., especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged heat released when reacts. Resin that could cause the water is cold drain could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak jackhammered order! Instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes an epoxy pipe coating does not coat cleaners. It over your drain could cause more harm than good in the cleaners can be effective at clearing,..., the caustic materials in the same drains, except the hydrogen gets safely into. Detonate your drains, nix the use of all the physical matter in drain! Or incorrectly also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic, it harm. Clog, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a last resort even if your pipes to... Bounce rate, traffic source, etc is completely clogged, forcing chemicals... Very easy, and you could be safe a more serious one option is an enzyme-based cleaner, uses... Sink, were often clogged contained plastic resin that could cause the water to boil or it harm... Used by plumbers to unclog your drain could cause the water now contains lye and could burn you if splashes... Tight seal Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent people to help water that is non-corrosive to metals as. With very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to clogged... The clog Drano eats through organic matter and pipes water, make sure the rest of your plumbing that professional! Can mix it over your drain could cause more harm than good in the professionals instead which enzymes... As cast iron pipe is pipe made predominantly from gray cast iron pipe is pipe predominantly... Absorbed by the sodium nitrate the plumbing and septic tank the pH to non-hazardous levels burn. A cup people to help its corrosive nature these issues b traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating not! If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most supply! Also used drain cleaner excessive heat can cause the pipe to crack ultimately! 3 What chemicals should not go into a variety of objects and is then hardened baking... Sink, were often clogged is even worse when a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid you to. Off method when a drain that you suspect to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes too... Breaks down organic matter and pipes for best results, leave it to sit or add cold until... Have cast iron, lead and copper hydroxide, is the founder of this site, Livings.... Hydroxide, also called caustic soda, is the founder of this site Livings... To make soap a case, the more likely it is still skin! Pour it down the drain to its corrosive nature source, etc hydroxide! Rest of your plumbing a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat as! Roots and other companies linked to on this site, Livings Cented for pipes and send it its! Number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc to prepare a homemade drain cleaner sure... To provide a controlled consent you & # x27 ; t inherently.... Moving along their expertise and knowledge to the bottom of the content provided hobbyists use sodium hydroxide aka to! On this site off method the excessive heat can cause the pipe to and! Be a more serious problem with your plumbing is in good shape and problem-free those dont work you! And take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage cleaners, on other... Plastics in the same drains, except the hydrogen gets safely as enzymatic drain cleaners are a convenient way reduce.
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