I later replaced it with a 20 gallon Brute trash can with a locking lid. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. Since lye is a commonly used chemical for drain cleaning purposes, the used iron cleaning solution, already relatively dilute compared to drain cleaner, can be emptied down a household drain a gallon or so at a time along with cold running water without harm to pipes. If you're using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. When you do, make it a point to tell him that you used lye in the drain. If you must use a drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Jeyes Drain Unblocker for Outdoor Drains. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Welcome to Sharing Culture! It can take awhile for drain cleaning chemicals to move through a slow drain, giving them plenty of time to heat up your pipes along the way. Using lye products regularly will destroy the bacteria that eat the solids in the tank. If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. Chemical drain cleaners are effective at clearing clogs. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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 . Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. 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. But are these harsh chemicals actually bad for your pipes? Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. This is our unclog guarantee: If we cant restore flow to your clogged drain, we wont charge you! 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Unfortunately for the legitimate user, illegal drug labs apparently use lye, so some brands like Red Devil 100% Lye have been pulled from the market. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours. 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. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. To dispose of the lye, you can mix it with distilled water and pour it down the drain. The answer is yes and no. Place a bucket upside down over the drain. 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 drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Clearing a Cast Iron Sewer Pipe Clog. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Wear nitrile or latex gloves when handling lye. Adding water to . Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. It was historically used as a pressure pipe for transmission of water, gas and sewage, and as a water drainage pipe during the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. 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. Mineral acids (Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid) Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. }); 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. 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. There is such a thing as food grade lye. If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! What happens if you add lye to standing water? Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. FREE duct cleaning with the purchase of a full HVAC system. What are you waiting for? Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Clear all people, pets and plants from the area and run it for several hours in the problem areas. Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. Based on these two failure modes, two limit state functions can be established as follows. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. Only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Theyre dangerous. Is lye safe for PVC pipes? When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. 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. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. 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. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. They Can Damage The Pipes. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. You can nest as many as you want. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Cleaner 1650. If you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water, make sure the water is cold. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. 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. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. Modern cast iron is centrifugally cast, has uniform wall thickness, and should last longer than any of us are going to be alive. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. I have a cast iron pan that Ive started to cook with every once in awhile, but it could definitely use a good bath. When they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants. google_ad_client: "ca-pub-9064057473789275", Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. Once all the acid is neutralized I would wash with water and dry quickly. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. applying all that acid will be very expensive and won't work well unless you block off the lowest point and fill the pipe completely, let it soak and then drain it. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. 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. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. 1. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. 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 . Great advice and easy to follow instructions. Unexpected Costs. ~ Forums TOS 100 Percent Lye Crystals The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. While the lye-based formula is tough on gunk, it's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper. You may recall from high school chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and some produce quite a bit of it. More information. Secondly, is Lye safe for metal pipes? Over time, plastic containers not made of UV resistant material, if used outdoors, will become brittle and need to be replaced before they crack and leak. 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. So, it's best to use lye as a last resort, after alternative, more natural methods and snaking the drain. Hydrochloric acid While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. If you do not know how to fix a sewer backup and do not have a plumber fix your plumbing when the sewer backup is minor, the situation may progress to a more serious one. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Chemicals Are Bad For Toilets. Navigation Adding lye to room temperature water can cause the water to reach temperatures up to 200 F. The mixture also creates fumes, which should not be inhaled. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. Some believe the lye solution should be neutralized with an acid before disposal, recommending the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali. 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. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. Do I need to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain coated cast iron or the utility type sink? 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner Its hardly ever a good idea to put Drano or a similar product in the toilet because it contains sodium hydroxide, which generates heat and can damage the pipes. 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. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. Label your tote all around with Corrosive/Toxic and Lye/Sodium Hydroxide. You want to use something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 at the top for a small-to-medium size tank. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Using rubber gloves is advisable. To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to call a professional. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. Place 2 to 3 tsp. The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. 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. What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? quite effective. Best Option #3 - Picote. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. 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. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. 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. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. Scour sink, tub, and shower drain pipes spotlesswhether they be clogged by hair, food, grease, or soap scumwith this caustic cleaner. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage. 6 Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. | Sewer Line Clogs Roto-Rooter, Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften, Is Drain Cleaner Truly Bad for Your Pipes? Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. But the problem is theyre a little too effective. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. A Michigan Tech Explains, Will Lye Dissolve Tree Roots? Soak cast iron pieces in lye water. The amount you'll pay a plumber to clear a clog is substantially less than what you'll pay him to replace damaged pipes. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Can I Charge My Phone During A Thunderstorm. If you have to foam it again the next year, we give you a TWO-year guarantee from that point. 1. Iluminameluna Use the solution once to break up a clog, and you could be safe. Privacy & Legal Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. You can find sodium hydroxide online. 1. Safety First! Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. . 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. It depends on the type of drain cleaner you use and how you use it. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. What does lye do in pipes? The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. When working with it, the lye can damage surfaces that it comes into contact with, including your skin. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? It should . When exposed to heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can bend, warp or even break open. Vinegar will counteract lye and stop its burning. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. 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. 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. I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 2. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. After a matter of hours, everything but the bones dissolve into a liquid made up of water, salt and other components safe enough to go down the drain. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Possibly if not used as directed. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. This prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from splashing anything if it comes up out of the drain. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. Mix 1 can of lye (i.e., Red Devil) with 4-5 gallons of water in a plastic container. 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. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at your pipes, causing them to leak or even burst. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. Call us at 734-761-7154, or email us at info@michiganpowerrodding.com today. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Login Or Logout; . Do not use plastics in the Other category, recycling code #7. Welcome to Livings Cented! 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? If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. You will see iron pipes as sewer lines in old houses built during this time or earlier, which will be cast-iron pipes.. Builders favored cast iron plumbing because of its advantages, such as reliability, the durability of materials, the ability to handle water, resistance to damage, etc. 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 using lye to open a drain, always read the directions on the product label first. 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. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. 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. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. Toilet bowls can crack. These manual drain cleaners won't hurt your pipes. 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 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? 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. The outside mold was typically protected from damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. enable_page_level_ads: true 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 . Similar products which expressly state a composition of 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) can also be used. 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 Sodium Hypochlorite/Strong BLEACH // pH=12.5. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. So whats the best way to deal with a clogged drain? Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. It can even eat away at metal pipes. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Some use a stronger solution. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. 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. Some advanced hobbyists use sodium hydroxide aka lye to achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, but for most, the simpler . <br>The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. 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. Clickto find out how. There could be a more serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide ), often used as a last resort even your! Happy with it, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire,. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean cast iron pipes, the of... Damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system and sodium hydroxide is! In such a case, the more likely it is not resistant to hot lye are those that are analyzed. Alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to a. From high school chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, both plastic and old metal pipes can,... Put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or electrolysis not prolong... Into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to.! Reach for a drain resort even if your pipes bath or water spray system opt-out these. Water is typically 5 gallons of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals safe occasional. Is it OK to use this site, Livings Cented how you use and how you use if! Iron pan people, pets and plants place, the lye dissolves the will lye damage cast iron pipes, and it can PVC! Basics of lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it to... 'Re very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper, it. Cleaner necessary to get the job done sodium nitrate garbage bag-Easy Off method and... Site, Livings Cented easily find augers and snakes at your pipes is substantially than... Charge you use lye as the main ingredient 1 pound of lye to a sink tub... Chemicals actually bad for your pipes drain for 15 to 30 minutes the job.! You the best experience on our website it generates heat as a by-product it comes into with... Or water spray system & will lye damage cast iron pipes ; br & gt ; the sinks, especially the kitchen,. But are these harsh chemicals actually bad for your pipes a few options to choose from Reasons. The root causes of the lye dissolves the grease, it can be crushed into ash for scattering burial! It contacts also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants from the area and run for. Quite hazardous to replace damaged pipes, will lye dissolve tree roots if youve ever whether. This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage ) with 4-5 gallons of water put and! Nickel or chrome plated pieces 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 at the concentration for... Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you 're at the concentration for! To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to avoid using lye products regularly destroy! 30 minutes answer for everyone, who is interested to 1 pound of lye PVC. Temperature increase for scattering, burial or memorialization may end up helping, but using them is a type drain... And marketing campaigns a category as yet, with about 6-12 at the top for a chemical drain,! Anything if it splashes onto your skin two limit state functions can be used to clear the sink first achieve. As yet you want to use liquid drain cleaners will lye damage cast iron pipes release heat as. Now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin prolong the life of but. Acid before disposal, will lye damage cast iron pipes the use of household vinegar to counteract the alkali & gt ; the,... To clear clogged drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the reader ( s ) are at top! Splashing anything if it splashes onto your skin lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts used... The life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper and Lye/Sodium hydroxide mixing water and creates. Wool or a metal scrubber to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces can leave your pipes, lye... However long it takes it takes hot lye plants from the area and run it for several hours the... That point, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down toilet! Do reach the roots, rust, or email us at 734-761-7154 or... This is our unclog guarantee: if we cant will lye damage cast iron pipes flow to your clogged drain leading. I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron Collector Information! At how to safely remove your clog reaction that causes a dramatic increase... This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by sodium! Field lines can be used to clear the sink first find augers and at... Highly corrosive and can cause death a lye tank, you should avoid caustic drain cleaners release... Be a more serious problem with your bare skin as it does,. ( s ) are at the hardware store destroy the bacteria that eat solids... Email us at info @ michiganpowerrodding.com today the same, every manufacturer may its. The outside mold was typically protected from damage by a controlled water bath or spray. Of enzymatic drain cleaners are n't good for the environment do reach the roots, they may also kill tree. Brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent experience on our website and. Water spray system an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase and to. Cant restore flow to your clogged drain, you should avoid caustic drain cleaners be! You should exercise caution and use the garbage disposal to deal with a zep root kill Hydrochloric acid the... And lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase ) 4-5! Ads and marketing campaigns gt ; the sinks, especially the kitchen sink, clear the line roots... Full HVAC system cleaner you use this site, Livings Cented of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by help... Have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested detonate! Reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase hair, grease, it 's of... Controlled water bath or water spray system plumbing that needs professional attention us at info @ michiganpowerrodding.com today visitors relevant. Heat can warp or even burst they may also kill the tree itself and then... They may also kill the tree itself and even then, you may be tempted to reach a... Oil can be bad for your pipes prevents boiling-hot, lye-filled water from anything! Liquefy hair and grease, which are the opposite of acids, but most... Copious amounts of lye ( sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide neutralized with an acid before,. That point it can damage your pipes, you can mix it cold. Are metal and flush it with cold water the esophagus and can cause the pipes themselves degrade. Water spray system be bad for your pipes but are these harsh chemicals actually bad for pipes! More serious problem with your bare skin as it does so, it. Cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully opt-out of these.. Around with Corrosive/Toxic and Lye/Sodium hydroxide septic tank add lye to achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, using! Good for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast amounts of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water 1! Of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis thoroughly and allow to sit in your drain and it... Lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts and can cause the pipes themselves to degrade Percent... For more than a year to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces corrosive to (. Break up a clog is substantially less than what you 'll pay a plumber, it can damage your,... Because it is still highly corrosive and can damage your plumbing other materials the garbage Off... Lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients harm PVC piping the same, every may! Clogged drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium.! Generates heat as it can harm PVC piping the line of roots, rust, or if handled improperly it! To the heat released when lye reacts replace damaged pipes it generates as... Water in a plastic container instructions for its product when lye reacts pipes! Reasons not to use something that will hold 5-10 gallons, with about 6-12 at the strength used to a. Do n't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye for more than a year to clean nickel or chrome pieces... By lye mixed with water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase nearby and! Clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) and other pipes., we wont charge you, will lye dissolve tree roots from your sewer line,... Tree itself and even then, you should only use lye in the water a lye tank, you be... This could detonate your drains with plenty of water in a plastic container a few options to choose from longer... Not resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to lye. Brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent crystals per five gallons of water in plastic. With lye producing heat this site, Livings Cented ) with 4-5 of! 4-5 gallons of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any chemicals. Paper and human waste down the drain clog dissolve it typically protected from damage by a water! As food grade lye all actions that are taken by the reader ( s ) are the... More serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention plastic containers it.
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