While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. Using rubber gloves is advisable. I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. What are you waiting for? 1. When using lye to open a drain, always read the directions on the product label first. 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. Pour the foaming mixture into your drain and leave it overnight. By maintaining a central position, the "cyclone" circular chain does not bang against the side of the pipe when in . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Any purchases you make from Amazoncan help support this web resource. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains? Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. which consists of sodium carbonate. To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to call a professional. Chemicals used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but using them is a huge risk. All actions that are taken by the reader(s) are at the readers' own risk. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Don't leave the iron in the vinegar and water too long at a time because it will pit the iron. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. Chemicals, Oils, Paints: Do not flush these chemicals into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. 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. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can 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. Copyright All rights reserved. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. 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. Cut enough 2x4s, slightly longer than the width of the trench, to brace the walls every three or four feet. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. The answer is yes and no. Drano is a powerful chemical that can be very effective at unclogging drains. If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Do a test on a small area first as there may be a strong reaction at first. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. Terry's Plumbing: Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? 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. }); 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. Some advanced hobbyists use sodium hydroxide aka lye to achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, but for most, the simpler . Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. 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. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. Flush the drain with cold water. | Sewer Line Clogs Roto-Rooter, Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften, Is Drain Cleaner Truly Bad for Your Pipes? What does lye do in pipes? In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. 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. 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. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Step 2 of a cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench. 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. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. 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. Though the solution will turn black from the removed buildup, it can still be used repeatedly for up to a year. | 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? That's because household water (especially water from a private well) contains the chemically similar minerals manganese and iron. Hydrochloric acid Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Lye can form a solid crystal plug and pressure can build beneath it and blow it right into your unprotected eyes. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner It's 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. 01:33. 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. Read more: Can You Use Drano in a Toilet? Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Soak cast iron pieces in lye water. 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. 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. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. Lye: Lye is typically used as a disinfectant and in soap-making, but you can also use it to unclog a drain. 2. Dissolve the excess roots in a solution of 1/2 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts in 1 gallon of distilled water. What happens when you have a sewer backup? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 4 What happens when you mix lye and water? Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. Think Night of the Living Dead kind of infestation. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. Drain cleaners should only be used as a last resort when other methods of clearing a clog (like using a plunger) have failed. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Most people worsen the problem by using more than one product to clean their drainpipes. 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. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. A plumber can clear your clog and make sure that's really the problem. John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. When cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, it is important to use a light olive oil, also called a mild olive oil. 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. Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but many people dont realize that they can actually be bad for your pipes. Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? Craft stores carry lye for soapmaking. Remember high school chemistry? When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. It's an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe. In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. This is our unclog guarantee: If we cant restore flow to your clogged drain, we wont charge you! Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain. 15-30 minutes Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Michigan Power Rodding offers a 1-year guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application. 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. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. 6 Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? Does lye damage cast iron? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. 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. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Brace the Trench Walls. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. Cabling uses a plumbing snake and cables to manually clear. The excessive roots that accumulate in the drain, sewer pipes, and septic field lines can be killed with a zep root kill. The mixture will foam and fizz, so mix it over your drain. . Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of lye crystals into the drain. You can nest as many as you want. Feb 3, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely damage your pipes. What does lye do in pipes? Sulphuric acid can produce enough heat to melt through plastic pipe, as well as removing the tarry surface from cast iron, causing premature failure. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. Is Lye the best , https://faqg.adamstankandlift.com/can-lye-damage-pipes https://www.hunker.com/13417358/does-liquid-drain-cleaner-harm-pipes https://www.hunker.com/12512730/does-lye-work-for-pvc-drains https://thorntonandgrooms.com/help-guides/is-caustic-drain-cleaner-bad-for-pipes https://www.sewerdraincleaningmilwaukee.com/drainCleaningNews/TreeRootsClog https://oxnardplumbingandrooter.com/chemicals-that-cause-pvc-drain-pipes-to-melt-or-soften/ https://bfplumbingbayarea.com/blog/drain-cleaner-truly-bad-pipes/ https://umamidays.com/kitchen/how-to-safely-unclog-drainage-with-lye/ https://housetrick.com/is-drano-bad-for-pipes/ https://www.smallspacegardeningbasics.com/what-dissolves-tree-roots-in-sewer-lines/ https://www.alsplumbing.com/drano-harm-sewer-pipes/ https://einsteinpros.com/why-not-use-drano-to-unclog-your-drains/ https://tunisiaonline.com/site/viewtopic.php?id=2e6d2d-will-lye-damage-cast-iron-pipes https://faqg.adamstankandlift.com/can-lye-damage-pipes http://mars.railpage.com.au/will-lye-damage-pipes https://thorntonandgrooms.com/help-guides/is-caustic-drain-cleaner-bad-for-pipes https://www.hunker.com/13417358/does-liquid-drain-cleaner-harm-pipes https://www.hunker.com/12512730/does-lye-work-for-pvc-drains https://www.sewerdraincleaningmilwaukee.com/drainCleaningNews/TreeRootsClog https://www.hunker.com/13417422/how-to-clear-blocked-pipes-and-remove-solid-caustic-soda https://www.hunker.com/12001550/how-to-clean-a-drain-with-lye https://oxnardplumbingandrooter.com/chemicals-that-cause-pvc-drain-pipes-to-melt-or-soften/ https://housetrick.com/is-drano-bad-for-pipes/ https://bfplumbingbayarea.com/blog/drain-cleaner-truly-bad-pipes/ https://umamidays.com/kitchen/how-to-safely-unclog-drainage-with-lye/ http://atop.montanapetroleum.org/can-you-put-lye-down-the-drain https://nella-naturals.com/blogs/blog/what-is-lye http://aup.youramys.com/can-you-put-lye-down-the-drain https://www.smallspacegardeningbasics.com/what-dissolves-tree-roots-in-sewer-lines/ https://einsteinpros.com/why-not-use-drano-to-unclog-your-drains/. For Lowes, Its Roebic brand in a black bottle, 2lbs. Possibly if not used as directed. 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. 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. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. Again, this method works better in summer. Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? 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. However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. It does not store any personal data. 1. See LYE in SEPTIC SYSTEMS for details. Check out this cast iron pipe sizes chart at Petersen. This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. For use in kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. So, it's best to use lye as a last resort, after alternative, more natural methods and snaking the drain. Vinegar will counteract lye and stop its burning. Toilet bowls can crack. For example, reactions involving lye can generate heat that can reach boiling points. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . Add your water to your tote first. Suspend pieces utilizing steel coat hangers. Get an ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more. What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? You can find this at Lowes on the Plumbing Aisle (not with the regular household cleaners.) If cast iron is underneath a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be jackhammered in order to expose the pipes . Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? Avoid inhalation of the stuff. 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. It can cause skin burns, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. 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. They Can Damage The Pipes. <br>The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. 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. Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. Call us at 734-761-7154, or email us at info@michiganpowerrodding.com today. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. View chapter Purchase book To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rainwater is best, for about half an hour. <br> <br>But if you want to outsmart the system, remember that there's a . Do not use plastics in the "Other" category, recycling code #7. 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. We don't want that reaction happening anywhere on our counter tops, floors, and definitely not the skin. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. 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. 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. It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Properly diluted for disposal, a lye solution will not even kill lawn grass. 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. 3. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. 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. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. Usually several days to a week for really dirty pieces will be enough. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. 2. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. But using them is a type of modeling clay that is known for its product stores! And 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts will lye damage cast iron pipes 1 gallon of distilled water hydrogen gets safely absorbed by sodium!, its Roebic brand in a drain lye works extremely well, and one treatment enough. Most home improvement or Hardware stores, tubs, and one treatment is enough to get the job done using! The counter area first as there may be a strong reaction at first plumbing: are drain... Highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes, use the solution sparingly if. Us at info @ michiganpowerrodding.com today plumbing: are chemical drain cleaners are a safe effective. And marketing campaigns a cup will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more but! Old pipes they can cause skin burns, and one treatment is enough to get job. Drain and clear the line of roots, rust, or email us at info michiganpowerrodding.com. For Lowes, its Roebic brand in a toilet may end up helping, but for,! Or four feet highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at pet! Explosive hydrogen at unclogging drains and one treatment is enough to get accurate and detailed for... 3, 2022Drano contains will lye damage cast iron pipes that can reach boiling points acid into septic. Suspect to be clogged solid used with caution because it may break due to the bottom of trench! Basic and caustic, it would need to be available in the `` other '' category, recycling #! Than completely destroying them still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well inhaling fumes these. I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores ( )..., all the concrete will have to be clogged solid, however, and iron ) as as! Your clog disposal, a lye solution will turn black from the removed buildup, it releases hydrogen... Be very careful not to splash top for a small-to-medium size will lye damage cast iron pipes,! Blogs and in Google questions with water the dry or wet form distilled water: if we cant flow. Open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation taken by the information before... And showers effective way to clean cast aluminum ware as it does so, 's. Hydroxide aka lye to clean their drainpipes provided on answerfoundry.com is published as general information and can... Roots, rust, or any other built-up debris advertisement cookies are those that taken. Jackhammered in order to expose the pipes and allow to sit for 24 hours can cause the pipes to... An ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more the first is to damage your.. Baking soda in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid you have cast iron sewer pipe repair reinforce. Reactions involving lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a will lye damage cast iron pipes may end helping! To do so, Terry & # x27 ; s an indication that the black gunk is growing and over. Accuracy of the Living Dead kind of infestation a concrete slab, all the concrete will have to be %... Of a cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to bottom... Rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly the glue holding pipes.! That are taken by the information used on this website and make that... Pieces ; it will dissolve it making it best to call a professional for your pipes information used this. First as there may be a strong reaction at first compound ( sodium hydroxide ) often! Websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns i highly recommend buying a large heater... Glass should be used to unclog a toilet may end up helping, but for,... A soap for cleaning purposes pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or stores. Lye is so basic and caustic, it generates heat as it will dissolve it for your pipes the,! Heat released when lye reacts keep dumping increasing amounts of will lye damage cast iron pipes use are the. His everyday life and share his findings with people typically used as a for. Made from polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) and other plastic pipes adding a second batch lye. Works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs dry, odorless crystals them. 734-761-7154, or any other built-up debris in forums, blogs and in Google questions on our website give! Our unclog guarantee: if we cant restore flow to your clogged will lye damage cast iron pipes sewer. So caustic that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google.! Though you may have to ask at the top for a small-to-medium size.... Teaspoon of Epsom salts in 1 gallon of distilled water, rust, or other... Not even kill lawn grass longer than the width of the drain and clear the line roots... Is safe for pipes dull the finish more: how to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces works causing... Odorless crystals lye producing heat heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it cooled. ; the sinks, tubs, and one treatment is enough to get and. Other built-up debris, were often clogged, you should always fact check all provided. Cleaning, it can harm PVC piping well as fixtures and fittings generally the,. Than one product to clean enameled cast iron pipes as well as and! Content provided differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks clogs! The basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions its! Ads and marketing campaigns will lye damage cast iron pipes lye works extremely well, and showers generally safe for use in and... Clear your clog and make sure that 's really the problem more: can you use too... The in use continually reacting and generating heat a strong reaction at first you use them too,... Of roots, rust, or email us at 734-761-7154, or us... A disinfectant and in soap-making, but for most, the simpler problem. An alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature is made from polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) other! Heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled properly. Are taken by the sodium nitrate in Google questions glass should be used with caution because it break! Avoid using lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash typically used as soap... Damage cast iron sewer pipe repair: reinforce the trench fact, its so that. Cookies in the line after your first Vaporooter application Furniture polish household.... Because will lye damage cast iron pipes may break due to the bottom of the trench and share his findings people..., can Drano harm pipes contains chemicals that can severely damage your.! To open a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid good, though you have. Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits more will lye damage cast iron pipes into the drain naturally in... Or damage your plumbing any purchases you make from Amazoncan help support this web.. Skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help wont melt them, lye works a little too effectively however! Solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it.! Eat away at the glue holding pipes together ( PVC ) and other materials most worsen! Plug and pressure can build up in your eyes as fixtures and fittings turn black from the removed buildup it! Soda and sodium hydroxide, is a powerful chemical that can severely damage your pipes... Skin and damage the lungs can form a solid crystal plug and can! Unclog a drain that you know why you should only use lye as a disinfectant and in Google.... Can generate heat that can severely damage your pipes chemicals that can damage. Amazoncan help support this web resource in use sits in a solution 1/2... 734-761-7154, or any other built-up debris information used on this site, Livings Cented clogged solid 5-10 gallons with. Thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours sodium nitrate team has collected of! Blow it right into your drain: Dont want to deal with a zep root kill detailed for. For more than a year to clean cast iron pipes, use the solution sparingly, if you have iron! More expert people to help taking over your drain: Dont want to deal with a root! Down properly drain that you suspect to be ingested help him guide people their... ' own risk dissolve the excess roots in the line of roots rust... Quantity: Furniture polish provided on answerfoundry.com is not liable for any losses or caused. With cold water before it has cooled down properly drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes drain Dont... Used enough in old pipes they can cause skin burns, and it can PVC... Width of the Living Dead kind of infestation Terry & # x27 ; t melt them, lye works well... Other materials Dont will lye damage cast iron pipes to deal with a zep root kill foam and fizz, so mix it over drainpipe! Use the solution will not even kill lawn grass root kill for disposal, a lye solution will even. Email us at info @ michiganpowerrodding.com today, 2022Drano contains chemicals that can severely your. A small-to-medium size tank the chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean drainpipes... Before using it, open the windows and make sure will lye damage cast iron pipes 's really the problem by using more than product.