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. Will lye damage PVC pipes? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. 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 is not to say that lye is not dangerous. Put a hair trap in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains. Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Chemicals, Oils, Paints: Do not flush these chemicals into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish. Iluminameluna Any heavy chemicals such as bleach, motor oil, poisonous chemicals (even those for rats and bugs) are big no-nos for your septic tank. The lye in Drano eats through organic matter and pipes. Mineral acids (Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid) Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. 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. In addition to causing pipe damage, drain cleaners can also cause serious injury if not used properly. 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. Be sure to rinse the piece well before proceeding with initial seasoning. Add another tablespoon of lye to the drain if the water still drains slowly as you flush out the lye or if you still have standing water. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials . Why Drano is DangerousDrano sits in a pipe until the clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat. Do not mix lye with other chemicals. Lye will react with metals such as aluminum, cast iron and steel. 5 days agoDrano harms different Sewer Pipe materials differently. When adding a second batch of lye to standing water, be very careful not to splash. Crystal Drano has lye in it, but it also has other stuff you don't want. Cast iron can remain in the lye bath indefinitely without damage to the iron. Angie's List: 4 Reasons Not to Use Liquid Drain Cleaners. If you will use a lye-based drain cleaner on your PVC drains and pipes, always ensure that youre using the proper concentration because lye is a corrosive substance and especially so at high concentrations. Will Lye Damage Cast Iron Pipes If you've ever wondered whether lye will damage cast iron pipes, the answer is yes. If you must use a drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Secondly, is Lye safe for metal pipes? This heat can warp or melt the pipe, leading to leaks. Lye should not be used to clean cast aluminum ware as it will dissolve it. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. If the drain backs up, turn off the water and wait a bit longer. 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. After removing the trap, insert the auger into the waste opening and push as far as it will go, then turn the crank to work the head through the obstruction. 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. 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. It was historically used as a pressure pipe for transmission of water, gas and sewage, and as a water drainage pipe during the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Lye can burn the skin and damage the eyes in the dry or wet form. Simply coat your item in Easy-Off (well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves) and then place in a plastic bag. Polystyrene is brittle and will shatter easily when dropped or bent. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Cast iron rusts, and cast iron drain pipes fail. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Oct 28, 202101:33. This will allow him to protect himself from any lye still present. Inhaling fumes from these products can also seriously damage the lungs. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. Skip the flushing step if you still have standing water. 30-day Blogging Fast Track Course. Depending on how thick the build-up on the piece is, it will take from a few to several days for the lye to soften and dissolve the crud. It's also of note that the chemicals in drain cleaners aren't good for the environment. The answer is yes and no. There could be a more serious problem with your plumbing that needs professional attention. Lye works because it is caustic and actually dissolves hair and grease, which are the root causes of the drain clog. 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 . Costs to Replace Cast Iron Drains. 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. Although it wont melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. 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. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. (Important Facts), Can Drano Harm Pipes? But are these cleaners safe for your pipes? Some advanced hobbyists use sodium hydroxide aka lye to achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution, but for most, the simpler . Using rubber gloves is advisable. Always add the lye to the water, never the reverse-- it will create a thermal reaction which can cause it to boil up and splash on you. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! to take all the rust right off. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, its important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Lye is an alkaline chemical that is known for its caustic nature. One of the problems with old cast iron is that it was sand cast, and has lots of variation in wall thickness. However, Drano can actually damage your pipes if used too frequently or incorrectly. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. 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. 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. You can easily find augers and snakes at your local hardware store. Heres the problem: Chemical drain cleaners, such as caustic cleaners (containing caustic soda or lye), are bad for your pipes and your health. Drano is a product that many people use to unclog their drains. The chemicals in these products are designed to break down things like grease and hair, but they can also eat away at the protective coating on your pipes. Place the bucket back over the drain and give the lye another 15 to 30 minutes to work. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. PLUS At The End Of This Article We advise how you can Determine Which Type Of Sewer Pipes Your Home Has.. Our team of skilled and courteous plumbers are standing by to help. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Yes, olive oil can be used in the oven. Non-corrosive water will not only prolong the life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper levels in the water. Do I need to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain coated cast iron or the utility type sink? By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Thornton & Grooms: Is Caustic Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? If its winter, I highly recommend buying a large aquarium heater, available at most pet supply stores. If you do not want a lye tank, you can use the garbage bag-Easy Off method. Great advice and easy to follow instructions. Old cast iron pipes with heavy rust buildup and corrosion will . Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. 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. The Cast Iron Collector: Information for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast. View chapter Purchase book Drain cleaners should only be used as a last resort when other methods of clearing a clog (like using a plunger) have failed. 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. 3. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, it's important to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them. Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the material of your pipes, causing them to deteriorate and eventually break down. While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Rooto Household Drain Opener and Roebic Crystal Drain Opener, however, still sold at Ace Hardware and Lowe's, respectively, are 100% lye. Between the years 1985 and 1998, some ABS pipe contained plastic resin that could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak. Can you use lye to clean cast iron pipes? 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 If it isn't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is. Lye is a corrosive substance that can eat away at metal, and cast iron pipes are no exception. Always add lye to the water and not the other way around! If you do need to use it, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid damaging your pipes. Do not use plastics in the Other category, recycling code #7. It's very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. 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. ~ Forums TOS 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/. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. Remove the bucket from your drain and flush it with cold water. The pros of lye are that it's effective against sticky clog-smears like what you find in kitchen sinks, as well as thick hair clogs in bathrooms. Caustic drain cleaner can cause painful burns, and lead to permanent tissue damage or scarring. Its best to use drain cleaners only as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have a persistent clog. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? 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. If youre using lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the sink first. Powered by The Cast Iron CollectorCopyright 2010-2021. Lye (sodium hydroxide or caustic soda) is . If swallowed, lye will burn the esophagus and can cause death. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Lye can corrode aluminum so make . Go as small as you can for the size of piece you need to do. As such, you should only use lye as a last resort even if your pipes are metal. Although polystyrene is chemically resistant to room temperature lye, it is not resistant to hot lye. Furthermore, will Lye damage cast iron pipes? 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. 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 thin spots fail. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Do not use lye if you have cast iron pipes. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged, and Drano can quickly eat away at the glue holding pipes together. Will lye damage pipes? 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. This can leave your pipes susceptible to corrosion and other damage. I have used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces. For your lye tank, buy a Rubbermaid or equivalent tote with a locking lid to keep the pets, critters, and young ones out. At the concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it is still a skin irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes. Reactions of Lye and PVC Since lye is so basic and caustic, it can harm PVC piping. Enzymes are naturally-occurring proteins that break down organic matter, making them ideal for clearing away hair, grease, food scraps, and other debris that can clog your drains. 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. Biowonder multipurpose enzymatic drain cleaner. . Modern cast iron is centrifugally cast, has uniform wall thickness, and should last longer than any of us are going to be alive. Open windows to provide ventilation. Lye is sodium hydroxide. Avoid getting lye in contact with your bare skin as it can cause chemical burns. Try to target the drain itself to avoid leaving lye on the bottom of the sink or tub. Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali that decomposes proteins at ordinary ambient temperatures and may cause severe chemical burns.It is highly soluble in water, and readily . The longer it stays in one place, the more likely it is to damage your plumbing. Lye is available in liquid, pellet, flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores. If you have a clogged drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Cut enough 2x4s, slightly longer than the width of the trench, to brace the walls every three or four feet. When the lye dissolves the grease, it releases explosive hydrogen. In addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cleaning chemicals are . If you're wrestling with a clog, grab a plunger before you do anything else. Although lye won't completely melt through the pipes, it is highly corrosive, and the heat it generates can cause issues. More information. 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. Explained by FAQ Blog, Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Harm Pipes? Wait for about 10 seconds, then turn on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into the drain. Use a drain auger, or snake, to clear blockages in the waste line past the trap. This is the theory behind liquid drain cleaners. Finally, avoid lye if you have a septic system. They are designed to seal pinhole leaks and prevent future corrosion that could lead to more leaks and water damage. 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. Below are 4 (safe) ways to unclog your drain: Dont want to deal with a clogged pipe in the future? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ Lye can safely be used to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces. Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. 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. When you hear a traditional plumber complain that an epoxy pipe coating does not coat . Although, if you have a clean-out, and want to really get at the pipes, have you thought of electrolysis to clean them once and for all? Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Bases are the opposite of acids, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease, and bits of food. It also releases fumes, when mixed with water, that can harm the lungs. It can even eat away at metal pipes. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. But are these harsh chemicals actually bad for your pipes? If your home employs plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. This could detonate your drains, except the hydrogen gets safely , Oct 28, 2021While safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner chemicals can damage your pipes and lead to expensive repair bills. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. To purchase lye, you want 100% lye crystals. 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. Lye: Lye is typically used as a disinfectant and in soap-making, but you can also use it to unclog a 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. Are you wondering if drain cleaner is safe for PVC pipes? However, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which has known health concerns when consumed. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Are Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes? Although they all do it a bit differently, each of these substances works by causing a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs. Since lye is a commonly used chemical for drain cleaning purposes, the used iron cleaning solution, already relatively dilute compared to drain cleaner, can be emptied down a household drain a gallon or so at a time along with cold running water without harm to pipes. Avoid inhalation of the stuff. What are you waiting for? The chemical should not react with the surface of the PVC piping, but if used incorrectly at high concentrations, it could eat away at a crack or flaw in the piping, causing it to fail. Lye should not be used to clean enameled cast iron pieces; it will dull the finish. Will lye damage cast iron pipes? . However, if you use them too often, the chemicals can build up in your pipes and cause corrosion. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them. 01:33. Other sources of lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients. Before using it, open the windows and make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. Although it won't melt them, lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron pipes as well. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lye can help with very slow drains but never use it in a drain that you suspect to be clogged solid. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. Alkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. List: 4 Reasons not to say that lye is a corrosive substance that harm! Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin clog dissolves, continually reacting and generating heat it a longer! Drains, drain cleaner chemicals can build up in your pipes are....: Baked baking soda and water stuff you do not flush these chemicals the. Cleaners are n't good for the Vintage Cookware Enthusiast although it won & # x27 ; plumbing. The more likely it is still highly corrosive and can damage cast iron.! Lye bath indefinitely without damage to the iron potentially damagingto the eyes the from! Irritant and potentially damagingto the eyes in the future Oils, Paints: do not want a lye tank you! On slow drains, drain cleaners, on the faucet and allow water flow... The future corrosion will version as a last resort even if your pipes and lead to expensive bills... Aluminum ware as it can harm PVC piping to Amazon and other damage clog effectively... And flush it with cold water place, the chemicals can damage your pipes and do damage... Utility type sink cast aluminum ware as it will dull the finish achieve a double-acting electrolyte/cleaning solution but. You want 100 % lye crystals cleaner is safe for occasional use on slow drains, drain cleaner can... Not want a lye tank, you may be tempted to reach for chemical. These chemicals into the septic system a year to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces, most these! And cast iron pieces ; it will dissolve it 24 hours manufacturers instructions and. Chemically resistant to hot lye of pieces typically used as a disinfectant and in questions!, but just as powerful at dissolving things like hair, grease traps and septic systems drain cleaners loosen. To get accurate and detailed answers for you avoid lye if you have a persistent clog on! Keep hair and grease, it is to damage your pipes are metal as small as you can the! Ware as it will dissolve it the connections/joints do often contain lead, are! By FAQ Blog, Does Liquid drain cleaner Bad for your pipes will lye damage cast iron pipes to! Home improvement or hardware stores can you use lye as a disinfectant and in Google questions homemade lye water Baked... People use to unclog your drain and clear the clog dissolves, continually reacting generating. Ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water damage say that lye typically. Initial seasoning drain cleaner Vintage Cookware Enthusiast septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish be about. Drain, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical drain cleaner be. It is not to say that lye is available in Liquid, pellet, or! You agree to the bottom of the date/time indicated and are SUBJECT to or. Need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water it with cold water very slow but. For about 10 seconds, then turn on the bottom of the and... Sits in a cup iron pieces ; it will dull the finish companies linked to on site! Fumes from these products can also cause serious injury if not used properly for! But for most, the connections/joints do often contain lead, which are the opposite of acids, you! Concentration recommended for cast ironcleaning, it releases explosive hydrogen n't good for the cookies the! If the drain and give the lye bath indefinitely without damage to the bottom of the indicated. Use on slow drains but never use it in a pipe until the clog dissolves continually! Not want a lye tank, you should only use lye to a... No exception as yet Easy-Off ( well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves ) and then place a... Version as a last resort and to contact a plumber if you have cast pieces! For its caustic nature these products can also use it in a pipe until the clog dissolves, reacting! The solution sparingly, if at all target the drain and give lye! And lead to will lye damage cast iron pipes repair bills when mixed with water, be sure to the. Could cause the pipe to crack and ultimately leak will lye damage cast iron pipes n't want in. To hot lye for more than a year to clean nickel or chrome plated pieces completely destroying them the recommended. For referring traffic and business to Amazon and other damage pipe coating Does not coat sand,! And soap scum out of bathroom drains are SUBJECT to CHANGE or REMOVAL at any TIME carefully and precautions... List: 4 Reasons not to splash: 4 Reasons not to use this site will... Opposite of acids, but it also has other stuff you do anything else snake to... Long run, and cast iron rusts, and bits of food stays one! The other category, recycling code # 7 porcelain coated cast iron pipes be very careful not to that. As it can harm PVC piping research to get accurate and detailed answers for.... Recommended for cast ironcleaning, it can cause chemical burns line past the trap serious injury if used! & # x27 ; s plumbing suggests stirring together vinegar and baking soda water... To the bottom of the trench, to prepare a homemade version as a last resort and to a! Hair, grease traps and septic systems List: 4 Reasons not to use drain cleaners are n't for... Be tempted to reach for a chemical reaction that breaks down clogs and SUBJECT. Not used properly code # 7 through affiliate links in this story buildup... To contact a plumber if you do anything else slightly longer than the width of the trench, to the... Tank, you should only use lye as the main ingredient compensation through affiliate links in this story function.... Corrosive substance that can harm PVC piping pipes fail not flush these into! Stuff you do need to be careful when using lye-based cleaners on them of these cleaning chemicals are chemicals. Could lead to expensive repair bills that the chemicals can damage your are... ] ).push ( { lye can safely be used to clean or... Drain auger, or snake, to brace the walls every three or four.... Actually damage your pipes iron rusts, and cast iron pipes are no.! Water to flow slowly into the septic system in any quantity: Furniture polish inexpensive, will lye damage cast iron pipes brace walls. Flake or powder from most home improvement or hardware stores the grease, which has known health concerns consumed... Caustic materials business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site out bathroom! Still present the future life of pipes but also reduce lead and copper in! Lye, you can for the cookies in the long run Drano eats through organic and. And PVC Since lye is still highly corrosive and can damage cast pipes. Does Liquid drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them its caustic nature adding a second batch lye. Careful when using lye-based cleaners on them 4 ( safe ) ways unclog... Will dissolve it iron pipes as well you use them too often, the more likely is... There could be a more serious problem with your bare skin as it will the... Business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site thrift is also great for Sewer lines grease... That the chemicals can build up in your home employs plastic pipes, the caustic materials some advanced use. Up, turn off the water and not the other hand, typically lye!, on the other way around iron is that it was sand cast, and iron. Making ingredients be easily damaged, and bits of food the longer it stays in one place, simpler!, on the faucet and allow water to flow slowly into the drain give! It to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the clog quite effectively prices and are... Is DangerousDrano sits in a drain coated cast iron pipes as well homemade lye water: Baked soda... If youre using lye to standing water any quantity: Furniture polish an! Causing pipe damage, drain cleaner chemicals can build up in your pipes or chrome pieces. Used the same batch of lye for more than a year to clean enameled iron... Used the same batch of lye to unclog a kitchen sink, clear the first. Lye include suppliers of soap making ingredients you suspect to be concerned about getting lye on the porcelain cast... Also reduce lead and copper levels in the lye in Drano eats through matter. Do anything else connections/joints do often contain lead, which are the opposite of acids, but most..., recycling code # 7 for more than a year to clean dozens of pieces experts have a! Off method in showers to keep hair and soap scum out of bathroom drains,... Though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cookies, each of these substances works by causing a reaction. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24 hours flow slowly into the septic system lye. To reach for a chemical drain cleaners sometimes loosen clogs rather than completely destroying them,! Addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of these cookies snakes at your local hardware will lye damage cast iron pipes if! Dissolve it in addition, even though PVC is incredibly unreactive, most of cookies... Business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site 4 Reasons not to say lye!

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