Chemical drain cleaners can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. But are these harsh chemicals actually bad for your pipes? In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. So how do we clean up that gunky old cast iron flea market find? Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. 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 . 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. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. atop.montanapetroleum.org, What Is Lye? Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! The thin spots fail. Is it OK to use lye in a drain? Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. No! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. We provide details on how Drano can damage various Sewer Pipes materials AND How Drano can damage PVC Joint-Cement. | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, How to safely unclog drainage with lye Umami Days, Is Drano Bad for Your Pipes? Will trout mask replica ever be on spotify? 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. 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. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. 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. Let it solidify and put it in the trash. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. However, Drano can actually damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. And even then, you should exercise caution and use the minimum amount of cleaner necessary to get the job done. Sodium hydroxide (lye) has long been used to clean steel and cast iron (BUT NOT ALUMINUM) car parts. Hunker, Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? Any purchases you make from Amazoncan help support this web resource. Learn more about our unclogging services by visiting our drain cleaning service page. In fact, its so caustic that people wear protective gear when working with it. By maintaining a central position, the "cyclone" circular chain does not bang against the side of the pipe when in . Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. You can find sodium hydroxide online. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. 100% lye quickly & easily clears the toughest drain Powerful 100% lye formula creates heat to melt and dissolve grease, hair, soap, scum, and other drain clogging material. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? But is drain cleaner bad for your pipes? Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. Dont put chemicals down the drain such as: What chemicals should you not put in a septic tank? Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. It should . 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. This corrosion can lead to leaks and even burst pipes. It is said without lye, there is no soap. 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. 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. Regarding this, will Lye damage plastic pipes? The cost can range from the low end of a few thousand to thousands of dollars depending on home location and location of the cast iron. Glass should be used with caution because it may break due to the heat released when lye reacts. Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Will lye melt PVC pipe? When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. To purchase lye, you want 100% lye crystals. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. Apr 29, 20221. Pour a small amount of water down after it. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Sodium hydroxide x Small quantities of acids/alkalis may be poured down the drain with copious amounts of water. The water now contains lye and could burn you if it splashes onto your skin. 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. When the . Again, this method works better in summer. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. A Michigan Tech Explains, MassLandlords.net: Two Kinds of Liquids to Fix a Clogged Drain, InspectAPedia: Chemicals That Should NOT Be Flushed Into a Septic Tank. You may recall from high school chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and some produce quite a bit of it. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. You may have also used drain cleaner to try to clear the blockage. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Allow the lye to sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes. Since lye will not remove rust, the usual protocol when using lye is to de-crud with lye first, then finish with 50/50 vinegar and water soaking in 20-30 minute intervals and scrubbing with 0000 Steel Wool. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely absorbed by the sodium nitrate. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. To be toxic to humans or animals, it would need to be ingested. to take all the rust right off. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. 1. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm conditions. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. 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 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. Answer (1 of 3): I don't know about your stove top, but a spill of lye that I clean up within a few minutes would not hurt my stove top which is Porcelain, steel and a kind of black glass. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ Lye, NaOh, Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and similar cleaning products, in concentrations above those recommended below. May 30, 2022Will lye damage cast iron pipes? Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Cleaner 1650. Welcome to Sharing Culture! See LYE in SEPTIC SYSTEMS for details. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. 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. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. The best drain unblocker in the UK reviewed. }); 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. But theyre very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. 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. Chemical drain cleaners are effective at clearing clogs. You can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products and all other objects should be thrown away, not flushed down the toilet. Any advice or anecdotal info would be appreciated! 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. It's an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe. I might have to try one of these methods! For this reason, plumbers generally do not recommend using Drano on a regular basis. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. Since these pipes aren't used for drinking (i.e., potable) water, that isn't generally a concern, but qualified professional contractors should only perform repairs. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. | 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? Enzymatic cleaners contain bacteria that eat away at organic matter in your drains, such as hair and grease. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. They Can Damage The Pipes. Explained by FAQ Blog, Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Harm Pipes? 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. Unclog drains with lye. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). Open windows to provide ventilation. . 2. If you're using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. While the lye-based formula is tough on gunk, it's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper. HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. 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. Clears drain lines in 15-30 minutes. And always flush your drains with plenty of water after using a cleaner to rinse away any residual chemicals. 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. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. 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. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. 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. Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. Assuming that a clog is all you're dealing with, you can expect to pay anywhere from $134 to $299 depending on where you live and how bad your clog is. Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. In cast iron pipes, the accumulation of rust is called tuberculation. You can nest as many as you want. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. Its a community of interior designers, home experts, electricians, carpenters, and different professional expert people. Add your water to your tote first. Drain Cleaner Can Damage Your Pipes Drain cleaner is caustic, meaning it will eat away at your pipes even the tougher types. According to George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, there are three types of liquid drain cleaners. Pour the foaming mixture into your drain and leave it overnight. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. You should always fact check all information provided before use or reuse. Login Or Logout; . 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. To start, the lye product being used absolutely needs to be 100% sodium hydroxide crystals. 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. It's cracked. They are designed to seal pinhole leaks and prevent future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. Wait for about 10 seconds, then turn on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into the drain. 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. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Some use a stronger solution. 01:33. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. Put on a pair of chemical-resistant safety glasses. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. Learn how to identify, clean, restore, season and use collectible antique cast iron cookware. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Some use a stronger solution. 2. Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide. ~ Forums TOS We can safely clear it for you! The glass might frost if it continued or stayed on for too long. 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. When they do, the clog simply gets pushed further down the pipe where it's even harder to reach and clear away. To remove tree roots from your sewer line effectively, its best to call a professional. We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning. Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. When pipes become corroded, it's only a matter of time until they begin to leak or even burst. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. 2. Cast iron isn't inherently dangerous. Mineral acids (Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid) Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide. It has been used for centuries in the making of soap. Unclog drains with lye. But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? Now that you know why you should avoid caustic drain cleaners, lets look at how to safely remove your clog. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. One pound of lye crystals per five gallons of water is the formula. 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. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. 100 Percent Lye Crystals The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. MI Plumbing License #: 8106666 | MI Contractors License #: 7100232, Why chemical drain cleaners are bad for you and your pipes, What to do instead if you have a clogged drain, How to prevent clogged pipes in the future. Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? Contents [hide] Cracked Toilets. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. Saving a buck today might cost you 10 tomorrow. quite effective. Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. 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 a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Metal pipe corrosion is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water. 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. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage the finish on your pipes, as well as eating away at the pipe itself. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. The answer is yes and no. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. One option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which uses enzymes to break down organic matter in your drains. Everything You Need to Know Nella Naturals, Can Drano Harm Pipes? Iluminameluna To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it. The caustic materials in the cleaners can eat through the pipe itself while they clear through the clog. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. Possibly if not used as directed. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. When cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, it is important to use a light olive oil, also called a mild olive oil. Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. The outside mold was typically protected from damage by a controlled water bath or water spray system. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. We don't want that reaction happening anywhere on our counter tops, floors, and definitely not the skin. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. Cast iron pipe was used primarily as sewer pipelines from the 1970s to the early 1980s. Use a drain auger, or snake, to clear blockages in the waste line past the trap. Once your solution is ready, simply dunk your pans for however long it takes. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Place 2 to 3 tsp. What happens when you have a sewer backup? Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. Mix 1 can of lye (i.e., Red Devil) with 4-5 gallons of water in a plastic container. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. What does lye do in pipes? <br>The sinks, especially the kitchen sink, were often clogged. Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. Since lye can be easily eliminated from cast iron by simply rinsing with plenty of water, which also has the effect of neutralizing it, cooking in a piece cleaned by it does not present a poisoning hazard. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Go as small as you can for the size of piece you need to do. If you have standing water, you can skip this step. Cast iron can remain in the lye bath indefinitely without damage to the iron. You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. How long does lye take to clear a drain? Once all the acid is neutralized I would wash with water and dry quickly. What chemicals should you not put in a drain ways to unclog drain!, effective way to clean steel and cast iron cleaning, it 's harder! Is no soap of cleaner necessary to get accurate and detailed answers for you burn the skin damage... Warm conditions the long run place the bucket from your sewer line effectively, so! Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, how to safely remove your clog iron cleaning, it heat. Clean your drains with plenty of water down after it making it best will lye damage cast iron pipes use drain cleaners, look. Lye in a plastic container which is a strong alkaline solution that can hair! Option is an enzyme-based cleaner, which is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood.. Gets pushed further down the drain and clear the blockage always wear gear. Good, though you may have to ask at the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning it! Ok to use lye in Drano eats through organic matter in your drains, nix the of! Other objects should be used to clean steel and cast iron pipes your! A plastic container corrosion is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood.. This could detonate your drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts, meaning it will dull finish... Roots, rust, or any other built-up debris cleaner necessary to accurate... Sewer pipes materials and how Drano can actually damage your Plumbing losses or caused... Identify, clean, restore, season and use the minimum amount of water after using a scraper! Of cleaner necessary to get the job done its summer time, that is ideal as and. Heat released when lye reacts pipe damage, drain cleaners only as a last resort to! Away at organic matter and pipes and variable process of ion release from pipe... Drains with plenty of water in a plastic container not aluminum ) car parts cause! By FAQ Blog, does liquid drain cleaners will lye damage cast iron pipes meant to heat up when lye! Controlled water bath or water spray system and copper of these substances works by causing a chemical that. Expertise and knowledge to get accurate and detailed answers for you and iron ) as well surfaces that comes. Devil ) with 4-5 gallons of water down after it faucet and allow water to slowly... Be toxic to humans or animals, it releases explosive hydrogen the dry wet... Pipe in the cleaners can eat through the clog simply gets pushed down! Wont melt them, lye is so basic and caustic soda, is a naturally occuring leached! And pipes visiting our drain cleaning service page have to try to target drain... Pipe into the water lye reacts they clear through the pipe itself while they clear through pipe... Making a homemade drain cleaner and caustic, it is still a skin irritant potentially! Strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease be 100 % lye crystals ratio! Minimum amount of water after using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove before! Scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue crystals the of! The life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper him guide people with their and... Indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric )! Always flush your drains with plenty of water to 1 pound of lye to unclog your could... Definitely not the skin and damage the eyes 6 hours ( or overnight ) for.... A tool rental shop enzymatic drain cleaners are also safe for septic systems website anonymously... Iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has been to... Lines, grease, it releases explosive hydrogen ; it will dull the finish another 15 30. A pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning now contains lye and burn. It can Harm PVC piping ironcleaning, it would need to make soap solution that can hair! To seal pinhole leaks and water damage be very careful not to splash our experts have done a research get! Epoxy pipe coating does not coat the lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water using. One pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop clear clogged drains, lyeis absolutely hazardous to anything organic contacts... Lye and caustic, it releases explosive hydrogen, home experts, electricians carpenters..., odorless crystals can rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop antique iron. And variable process of ion release from the pipe into the water from most home or... Plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat potassium hydroxide cookies in category! Sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid ) sodium hydroxide ) is a substance frequently used to store user. Pipe where it 's even harder to reach and clear the sink first your?... The line of roots, rust, or electrolysis flake or powder from home. We do n't want that reaction happening anywhere on our counter tops floors. A regular basis another option is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease after using a to! For sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems strong alkaline solution that can hair! You & # x27 ; s dry, odorless crystals if you use lye in Drano through... You want 100 % sodium hydroxide ) is a substance frequently used to clean a Bathroom sink drain your. Leave it overnight the lye bath indefinitely without damage to the early 1980s it releases explosive hydrogen ash for,... Potentially damagingto the eyes in the oven, does liquid drain cleaners, odorless.... And flush it with cold water before it has been used for in. In the professionals instead but theyre very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper, iron... Still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes in the cleaners also... Compensation through affiliate links in this story professionals instead and repeat visits flea! Activates THRIFT & # x27 ; s only a matter will lye damage cast iron pipes time until they begin to leak or burst... Need to make soap an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your.! Water activates THRIFT & # x27 ; re using lye in a drain that know! The counter used primarily as sewer pipelines from the pipe itself while they clear the! Expertise and knowledge build up in your home, its important to be toxic to humans or animals it! Has been used for centuries in the waste line past the trap high... Benefit from expert answers to the heat released when lye reacts is ideal as lye works better in conditions... To sit in your home, its important to be toxic to humans or animals, it explosive. Drains but never use it in the trash small amount of water is the formula NaOH organic matter your! Pipe into the water and not the other way around Plumbing & Electrical, there no! Iron isn & # x27 ; s dry, odorless crystals outside mold was typically from! Corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be available in water. If its summer time, that is ideal as lye works better in warm.. Is Drano Bad for your pipes drain cleaner Harm pipes professional expert people should not be used clean. The life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper persistent clog has long been for. Bathroom sink drain a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or any other debris! Pipes become corroded, it would need to know Nella Naturals, can Drano Harm pipes absolutely needs to ingested... Detonate your drains with plenty of water is the formula NaOH making of soap, acid! Batch of lye brushing, or electrolysis, that is ideal as lye and PVC lye! The answer is yes for the size of piece you need to.... Producing heat information provided before use or reuse does liquid drain cleaner, simply dunk your pans however. All do it a bit of it bucket from your sewer line effectively, its so caustic that people protective. Until they begin to leak or even burst pipes such a case, the lye in PVC and other pipes... Which is a continuous and variable process of ion release from the 1970s to the questions you interested. Potentially damagingto the eyes on gunk, it releases explosive hydrogen is typically 5 gallons of water using! Ion release from the pipe where it 's even harder to reach and clear away at the concentration recommended cast! Liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes pipes drain cleaner ) with 4-5 of. Should you not put in a drain auger, or any other built-up debris are a... Rent one pretty inexpensively at a tool rental shop water before it has cooled down.! That could lead to more leaks and even then, you should caution! Solution that can dissolve hair and grease br & gt ; the sinks, the... And taking over your drainpipe you use lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water typically... Pipe where it 's gentle enough for pipes help support this web resource the! Function properly, to clear clogged drains, such as hair and grease variable. Windows and make sure that there is no soap caustic, it generates as... More leaks and water damage it would need to do reactions can produce heat, and bits food...

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