Sodium hydroxide produces an exothermic reaction when mixed with water. Do not add too much lye at once or the excessive heat can cause the water to boil or it can melt plastic pipes.
Does lye eat plastic?
Sodium hydroxide (lye) reacts with aluminum. Stick with stainless steel, heavy duty plastic and glass.
Is sodium hydroxide safe for PVC?
A: In general it is safe to use on PVC pipe. The active ingredient in Drano is sodium hydroxide (lye) and it doesn’t react chemically with the plastic pipe. However, when the drano is mixed with water you get an exothermic reaction that can melt some plastics from the heat released.
What can damage PVC pipe?
| Underground debris and rocks can lead to friction, which in turn can result in PVC pipe damage. That’s why it’s so important that contractors remove as much debris as possible before installing a plumbing system.
Can you mix lye in plastic?
Use an Appropriate Mixing Container: It’s important to mix your lye solution in a durable and safe container. The container should be a sturdy, heat-resistant plastic or glass. I don’t recommend mixing lye solution in a metal container. This is because the lye solution gets incredibly hot.
Can caustic soda damage PVC pipes?
It doesn’t matter what type of pipes you have, either: Chemical drain cleaners can damage PVC, galvanized steel, copper and iron pipes. In the case of plastic pipes, the caustic materials can cause a chemical reaction, which produces heat and can melt or warp the pipe.
Is it safe to use lye on PVC pipes?
If you will use a lye-based drain cleaner on your PVC drains and pipes, always ensure that you’re using the proper concentration because lye is a corrosive substance and especially so at high concentrations. As long as it’s used properly, lye is generally safe for use in PVC drains.
Can you use lye to unclog PVC drains?
Lye is very effective at unclogging drains, and PVC drains and pipes should have no problem tolerating the chemical as long as it’s used according to direction. However, you should always read the cleaner’s label to ensure that what you’re using won’t damage your pipes regardless of the material they’re made from.
What causes PVC pipes to soften and melt?
However, the chemicals in some drain cleaners can also cause PVC pipes to melt or grow soft. Three types of drain cleaners can cause PVC pipes to become soft: acids, caustics and oxidizers.
Can a PVC pipe or drain be damaged?
Fortunately, though, PVC drains and pipes are characterized by their low reactivity, which means they can stand up well to this caustic and corrosive base substance. However, given a high enough concentration, PVC can be damaged just as much as any other pipe or drain material if you exceed recommended strength levels.
