It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na + and hydroxide anions OH .. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. <br> <br>But if you want to outsmart the system, remember that there's a . Have a clogged drain? Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. . 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. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. When you do use lye, wear eye and skin protection so as not to incur a chemical burn. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Craft stores carry lye for soapmaking. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Oct 28, 202101:33. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? Set the bucket lip on its handle so the bucket creates a tight seal. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. However, it is also very corrosive and can damage pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. In his professional life, hes a real-estate businessman. Most people worsen the problem by using more than one product to clean their drainpipes. It depends on the type of drain cleaner you use and how you use it. Do not pour grease down the drain. Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. It should be stored and mixed in ceramic, stoneware, glass or heat-resistant plastic containers. To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. Iluminameluna Do a test on a small area first as there may be a strong reaction at first. It's very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. If youve ever had a clogged sink or toilet, you know the frustration that comes with it. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. However, Drano can actually damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . 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. First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain pipes. Once drain has cleared, flush with cold water. Best Option #3 - Picote. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. Again, this method works better in summer. Lye breaks down organic matter and in a hot environment, the decomposition is accelerated. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. 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. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. If you're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you do anything else. For Lowes, Its Roebic brand in a black bottle, 2lbs. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Ingredients In Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. I might have to try one of these methods! All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. If it fits, it sits. ~ 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. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 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. Welcome to Livings Cented! Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. If you do decide to use a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully. Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. We kill roots. 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. Privacy & Legal enable_page_level_ads: true 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. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. 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. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. 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. will lye damage cast iron pipes Just by breathing them in, you could experience stinging and irritated eyes and throat. Then you're ready to use it! 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 standing water, you can skip this step. Silverline 395010 Drain Unblocker 6 m x 6 mm Diameter. PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. 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. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. Can lye damage pipes? These cleaners contain living bacteria that literally eat drain clogs. 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? What are you waiting for? Theyll kill your pipes. Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. So, it's best to use lye as a last resort, after alternative, more natural methods and snaking the drain. Its a community of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert people. We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning. Soak cast iron pieces in lye water. Pipe descaling is the most effective and safest method to clean out aging cast iron pipe. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. What happens when you have a sewer backup? Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. 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. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Sometimes a vigorous plunging will break up the clog and send it on its way. It does not store any personal data. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. The answer is yes and no. When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Navigation If you do need to use Drano, be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use it as a last resort. Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. Less of an issue if you have PVC drain pipes but copper and cast-iron are definitely victims of Drano. You can nest as many as you want. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. Safety First! Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. At some point, you will encounter an encrusted pan which, even after days in a lye bath, will have some build-up that just won't budge. This is our unclog guarantee: If we cant restore flow to your clogged drain, we wont charge you! Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. Pour a small amount of water down after it. Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. 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 . There is also food-grade sodium hydroxide, sold in some specialty cooking stores. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. 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. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? Do not put vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, bones, or cheese in the garbage disposal. If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm conditions. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. 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. 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. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. When they do reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby grass and plants. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Flush the drain with cold water. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Drain clogs a black bottle, 2lbs are definitely victims of Drano and it!, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores tight seal and throat to hours... Last resort even if you 've found another method elsewhere glass or heat-resistant plastic containers lye should not used! S ) are at the End of this Article we advise how you use as... Cleaning, it is to damage your pipes if will lye damage cast iron pipes too frequently or incorrectly across! For results cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair grease! To pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper, and different professional expert people to help him people. 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The finish the trench using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate will lye damage cast iron pipes. Wear protective gear when using it and irritated eyes and throat, grease, it is such, you only... Reach the roots, they may also kill the tree itself and even nearby and. Experts will lye damage cast iron pipes electricians, carpenters, and cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will result injury! To improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly you. And throat a chemical cleaner, be sure to follow the directions on package. Hot will lye damage cast iron pipes, the caustic materials when using it, open the windows and sure. Typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye when plunging does n't work, clearing! For more than one product to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dull the finish a bottle.