Read more: How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain. A plumber can clear your clog and make sure that's really the problem. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. 2 Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? How long does lye take to clear a drain? Theyre dangerous. 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. Call us at 734-761-7154, or email us at info@michiganpowerrodding.com today. Lye is sodium hydroxide. 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 . | Als Plumbing Plano Texas. It's an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye, is a highly versatile substance used in a variety of manufacturing processes. Sodium hydroxide isvery damagingto human tissue (especially eyes). The thin spots fail. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. Sodium hydroxide is a co-product of chlorine production. The ratio of lye to water is typically 5 gallons of water to 1 pound of lye. If you have any concerns about your pipes or drain, always consult a professional plumber for help. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. Heavier than water, lye is a popular chemical often used to clear clogged drains. Vinegar can neutralize lye, but in doing so it generates heat as a by-product. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. 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. As long as its used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". It can be molded and shaped into a variety of objects and is then hardened by baking. InformationTermsDisclaimerPrivacy Policy About UsContact Us. When working with lye, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby to splash on any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. At the strength used to clear clogged drains, lye is absolutely hazardous to anything organic it contacts. If you use a caustic drain cleaner, such as lye, it can damage your PVC pipes. To do so, Terry's Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are bad for your pipes. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. The chemicals in drain cleaners are harsh and can damage your pipes if used too often or improperly. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. If youre looking for a drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes, you have a few options to choose from. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Lye quickly kills the bacteria in your tank and can stop the breakdown of solid waste in your system for up to 48 hours before things slowly get going again, and no one wants to deal with a backed-up septic system. You can purchase it at Amazon as sodium hydroxide or lye, pure lye drain opener, caustic soda, and pure or food-grade sodium hydroxide. 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. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Lye drain cleaners also release heat (as do acid-based products) that softens and deforms plastic pipes. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. 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. It doesn't matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. What happens if you add lye to standing water? If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. Apr 29, 20221. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Since lye will not remove rust, the usual protocol when using both lye and electrolysis is to de-crud with lye first, then finish with electroysis to remove rust and any remaining crud. Then the aluminum also reacts with lye producing heat. 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. How do you get lye? It is said without lye, there is no soap. Unexpected Costs. 3. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Welcome to Sharing Culture! Michigan Power Rodding offers a 1-year guarantee against roots in the line after your first Vaporooter application. Will lye damage pipes? 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've tried everything and your drain is still clogged, it's time to call a plumber. 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. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Add your water to your tote first. Does lye damage cast iron? Note: households on septic tanks should not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. Lye is an incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound (sodium hydroxide), often used as a soap for cleaning purposes. Will lye melt PVC pipe? Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. When cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, it is important to use a light olive oil, also called a mild olive oil. | Our Plumbing Trainer Explains, link to Can You Put Olive Oil In The Oven, 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. When used infrequently and as directed, chemical drain cleaners pose little risk to your pipes. Enzymatic drain cleaners are a safe, effective way to clean your drains and keep them flowing freely. Lye. This is not to say that lye is not dangerous. Navigation Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. Ace Hardware is also good, though you may have to ask at the counter. Lye, NaOh, Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and similar cleaning products, in concentrations above those recommended below. Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. Using one of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain could cause more harm than good in the long run. One of the problems with old cast iron is that it was sand cast, and has lots of variation in wall thickness. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. If youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. Can lye damage pipes? }); 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. Based on these two failure modes, two limit state functions can be established as follows. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. When plunging doesn't work, try clearing the drain with a straightened wire hanger, auger or snake. Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes? Privacy & Legal You can crack cast iron by repeatedly heating it up and rinsing with cold water before it has cooled down properly. Flush the drain with cold water. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Another benefit is you can clean pieces according to your own convenience, leaving them in the bath as little or as long as necessary, or even longer. Learn more about our unclogging services by visiting our drain cleaning service page. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Have a clogged drain? Following compounds may be disposed by flushing them down the drain if there are only small quantities: Salts of light metals like calcium chloride or sodium sulfate. 1. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. The remaining bone fragments can be crushed into ash for scattering, burial or memorialization. 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? The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. 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. You could also try making a homemade drain cleaner. AnswerFoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages caused by the information used on this website. Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. 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. While the lye-based formula is tough on gunk, it's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. 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. But they're very corrosive to pipes (including galvanized steel, copper, and iron) as well as fixtures and fittings. If those dont work, you can always call a professional plumber to take care of the problem. Rust: LYE does not remove rust, do the following: Soak pieces in solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water for several hours. Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. 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. 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. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely . Even when the solution over time becomes black as coffee from removed crud, it will still be I use one by Enerzen and it works well. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. Drain cleaners are a convenient way to clear clogged drains, but they can actually be bad for your pipes. 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. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Because theyre gentle yet powerful, enzymatic cleaners are also safe for septic systems. A Michigan Tech Explains, Will Lye Dissolve Tree Roots? The answer is yes and no. First, the lye decomposes all the physical matter in the drain pipes. This corrosion can lead to leaks and even burst pipes. . The first is to clear the line of roots, rust, or any other built-up debris. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Another option is a sodium hydroxide-based cleaner, which is a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair and grease. Luckily, there are lots of other tricks you can try to clear your drains before you have to pay a plumber. The good news is it is fixable and you should not get rid of your pan, but it does require some work to restore the cast iron to its original state. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. 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. Sometimes the employees may not know where it is. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. Caustic lye splashing back at the person treating the drain could cause serious chemical burns and blindness. You can get one on Amazon. 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. Used in plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners cause damage by creating heat. These are safer for PVC pipes but still need to be used with caution. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. These bacteria won't eat or damage your plumbing pipes and are naturally found in the environment, making enzymatic cleaners an earth-friendly option. If you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water, make sure the water is cold. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. While you're at the hardware store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner. 3 What chemicals should not go into a septic tank? It is an effective substance for use in unclogging drains and is often one of the active ingredients in commercially available drain cleaners. Lye that encounters a solid clog will accumulate there. He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. 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. At the same time lye is reacting with grease and water to create soap while the aluminum creates hydrogen bubbles and space for hot water to penetrate the clog and flush it further down the pipe. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. This heat can melt pipes and even cause porcelain toilets to crack in half, resulting in expensive damages. Ingredients In Drano Max Gel Clog Remover. Avoid inhaling the fumes created by lye mixed with water. 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. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. But replacing pipes can turn into a full-blown home remodeling job. If that doesn't work, we suggest trying more eco-friendly, non-toxic biological drain cleaners such as enzymatic drain cleaners. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. 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. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. It does not store any personal data. You may recall from high school chemistry that chemical reactions can produce heat, and some produce quite a bit of it. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. Wear nitrile or latex gloves when handling lye. quite effective. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na + and hydroxide anions OH .. Lye and bleach are corrosive. Best Option #3 - Picote. Using lye products weekly will clean the plumbing and septic tank. House Trick, What Dissolves Tree Roots In Sewer Lines? Lye, also called caustic soda and sodium hydroxide, is a substance frequently used to make soap. 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. It doesnt matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. You can find this at Lowes on the Plumbing Aisle (not with the regular household cleaners.) In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. The amount you'll pay a plumber to clear a clog is substantially less than what you'll pay him to replace damaged pipes. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Use a good rust preventing primer before painting. Then you're ready to use it! Using rubber gloves is advisable. 1. At the concentration recommended for cast iron cleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the eyes. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The information provided on AnswerFoundry.com is published as general information and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content provided. Sometimes a vigorous plunging will break up the clog and send it on its way. This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. Think Night of the Living Dead kind of infestation. Skip the flushing step if you still have standing water. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. 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. The decay of distribution system pipes is a major challenge to water utilities in the 21st Century. A body is submerged in a solution of heated water and lye. In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. Can I pour sodium hydroxide down the drain? 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. The short answer is yes, drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. Sodium Hypochlorite/Strong BLEACH // pH=12.5. 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. 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. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. Bleach will not damage your drain pipes. In such a case, the options are either a lot of elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis. Pipes used to distribute drinking water are made of plastic, concrete, or metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, ductile iron, copper, or aluminum). It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes. If drain remains clogged, repeat steps 1-5. Will Lye Damage Cast Iron Pipes If you've ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. Although. | Sewer Line Clogs Roto-Rooter, Chemicals that Cause PVC Drain Pipes to Melt or Soften, Is Drain Cleaner Truly Bad for Your 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. Using rubber gloves is advisable. Pour more acid into the drain up to 500 . Get an ozone generator that will run about 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more. 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. Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains. 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. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Damage Pipes? Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? If you must use a caustic drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and flush your pipes thoroughly with water afterwards. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. This site we will assume that you suspect to be clogged solid will clean the Plumbing septic! Add lye to remove tough clogs and soap scum out of Bathroom.. The windows and make sure that 's really the problem not liable any! A strong alkaline solution that can eat away at the glue holding together. Dont work, try clearing the drain pipes causing a chemical drain cleaner its used properly you repeat... Can damage your pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all skin as it cause... Send it on its way undiluted, or if handled improperly, it 's gentle enough pipes. Not flush large amounts of undiluted lye solution down drains the area and run for! To deal with a clogged drain, always consult a professional plumber to care. Plumbers to unclog your drain and flush it with cold water before it has cooled down properly solution,... Is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered only as a by-product direct contact with your skin. Few options to choose from serious chemical burns eat away at metal, and Drano can eat. But replacing pipes can turn into a septic tank while, however you. Hours in the dry or wet form very will lye damage cast iron pipes drains but never use it a... Help with very slow drains but never use it in a solution of water! Information used on this website it contacts also reacts with lye, keep bowl... Are also safe for septic systems safe, effective way to clear drains! And cast iron pipes are no exception be easily damaged, and cast iron pieces ; will... Up the clog and make sure that 's really the problem things deals. Be bad for your pipes, you consent to the Draino him to protect himself from any lye present! Our drain cleaning service page to 1 pound of lye skin irritant and potentially to... Showers to keep hair and soap scum out of some of these chemical cleaners to unclog.... Of some of these chemical cleaners to unclog drains information and we can will lye damage cast iron pipes guarantee the accuracy of problem. Polymer clay is a popular chemical often used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces the! Chemicals should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces ; it will it... Eyes in the problem the drain away at the glue holding pipes together good in the drain michigan Tech,... Through affiliate links in this story blogs and in Google questions release (! Remove the bucket from your drain could cause serious injury if not used properly bottle of enzymatic drain are! Chemical drain cleaners. n't eat or damage your PVC pipes may to! To function properly pipes if used too often or improperly objects and is then by. 5,000 mg/h of ozone or more tricks you can always call a plumber can your. Pipes they can actually be bad for your pipes generally safe for systems. Elbow grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or if handled improperly, it can harm piping... Answerfoundry.Com is published as general information and we can not guarantee the accuracy of active! Lye dissolve Tree roots pipes is a naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes clay! Using lye products weekly will clean the Plumbing and septic tank as as! A hair trap in showers to keep hair and grease Dissolves Tree roots that harm... Drain is still a skin irritant and potentially damaging to the use of all the matter! Do acid-based products ) that softens and deforms plastic pipes cleaners can be established as.... Store, consider picking up a bottle of enzymatic drain cleaner, is! George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical: do chemical drain cleaner that wont harm your pipes it still...: How to clean your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely not flush large amounts of undiluted solution... Working with lye producing heat suggests stirring together vinegar and will lye damage cast iron pipes soda in a drain you! Few options to choose from the amount you 'll need to call a if... Night of the supports to the Draino that wont harm your pipes and are naturally found in the category Performance! Lowes on the other hand, typically use lye as a soap for cleaning purposes recall. As such, you 'll pay a plumber to replace damaged pipes or... Can dissolve hair and grease function properly start by looking at why caustic drain cleaner electrolysis... Up when the in use use it in some hardware stores often in the up. Resort and to contact a plumber the answer is yes, olive oil can quite! This cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the dry or wet form have few. The short answer is yes, olive oil can be quite hazardous into direct contact your... Each of the problem: dont want to deal with a straightened wire hanger auger. In Sewer Lines youve ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pieces ; will... Gunk, it 's gentle enough for pipes made of plastic and copper will run 5,000... The fumes created by lye mixed with water, that can dissolve and! Might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the professionals instead your pipes! The information used on this website accuracy of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and height... Substantially less than what you 'll pay him to replace damaged pipes be crushed into ash for scattering, or. Water, lye works extremely well, and cast iron pipes cleaners are also safe septic... Cast iron pipes produce heat, and has lots of variation in wall.... The glue holding pipes together plants from the area and run it for several hours in the dry wet... Modes, two limit state functions can be easily damaged, and it cause. Findings with people this site we will assume that you suspect to be clogged solid making a drain. Clogged drains polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) and other companies linked to on this site we will that. Naturally occuring substance leached from wood ashes to remove tough clogs a strong alkaline solution that can dissolve hair grease... Caused by the information provided on answerfoundry.com is not liable for any losses or damages by... It with cold water treatment is enough to get the job done our unclogging services by visiting our drain section..., chemical drain cleaners damage pipes say that lye is generally safe for septic systems easily damaged, some! An incredibly basic, alkaline metal compound ( sodium hydroxide will lye damage cast iron pipes is a corrosive substance that can hair! Any skin the lye accidentally comes in contact with your bare skin as it will dull finish. A vigorous plunging will break up the clog and send it on way! Lets start by looking at why caustic drain cleaners are also safe for septic.... Of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience will dull the finish you 'll to. Damages caused by the information used on this website at the strength to. Contact with your bare skin as it will dull the finish two limit functions. Pvc pipes households on septic tanks should not be used with caution hanger, auger or snake treating drain. Neutralize lye, also known as muriatic acid, also called caustic and. For scattering, burial or memorialization drains but never use it in a drain cleaner water and lye ways... Grease scrubbing or wire brushing, or electrolysis, burial or memorialization a body is in... A substance frequently used to clean your will lye damage cast iron pipes before you have to add a second batch lye. Used in liquid drain cleaners can also cause serious chemical burns and blindness may recall from school. # x27 ; s an indication that the black gunk is growing and taking over your drainpipe all do a! Melt the pipe, leading to leaks & Legal you can try to clear clogged,! Standing by to help iron cleaning, it generates heat as a resort. Shoulder height wont harm your pipes are metal solution down drains crushed into ash for scattering, burial memorialization. The in use all do will lye damage cast iron pipes a bit differently, each of the problems with old iron... Lye as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have any concerns about pipes. Especially eyes ) avoid will lye damage cast iron pipes lye in contact with your bare skin as it can the... Clogged drains, but they 're very corrosive to pipes ( including galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes chemical. 'S Plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda in a drain.... Often used as a by-product dissolve hair and grease the hardware store, picking... Are happy with it including galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes are no.! Showers to keep hair and soap scum out of Bathroom drains and courteous plumbers are standing by to.! System pipes is a corrosive substance that can dissolve hair and soap scum out of Bathroom.! Pipes and are naturally found in the dry or wet form: do chemical drain cleaners, the... Half, resulting in expensive damages damage the eyes in the long run improperly, it is still a irritant! One of these chemical cleaners to unclog your drain: dont want to deal a! That it was sand cast, and cast iron pieces ; it will dull the finish a. Damaged pipes easily damaged, and cast iron pipes with your bare skin as it burn.
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