- Why do pipe clogs occur?
- How to detect clogging in pipes?
- How to remove clogging?
- Common means for eliminating blockages
- Clearing of sewerage clogs using a plunger
- Cleaning pipes with a plumbing cable
- Chemicals from blockages in pipes
- Preventing plugs in the sewage system
Piping system is an integral part of any house, and the most indispensable is the sewage system. All people use a bathroom, a shower, a bathtub, washing machines, which means that sooner or later pipes can form sediments and require the removal of blockages. To reduce such an unpleasant duty to a minimum of time and effort, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most effective and simple ways to solve such a problem.
to Contents ↑Why do pipe clogs occur?
Typical causes of blockage are:
- Defects - created both during the installation of the system and dependent on the initial quality of materials and sanitaryware.
- Waste that is not designed for its dimensions for the risers.
- Hair.
- Fat.
- Soap residue.
- Dirt.
The debris that accumulates on the pipes and forms deposits. And a mixture of all of the above creates a traffic jam that is not blocked by the usual pressure of water. That's why, as soon as you notice the first signs that there are clogs in the sewers, hastily eliminate it. Otherwise, the situation will get worse and without a complete dismantling of the system it will not be possible to fix it.
to content ↑How to determine clogging in pipes?
Periodically, pipe clogging can occur even in ideally designed and installed sewers. This may be due to improper operation of both the owners of the apartment and the residents of the whole house. The optimal solution to the problem is to call plumbing, but the "quickness" of such services leads to a long wait and the inability to operate the sewage system. Therefore, by analogy to the rescue of drowning people, the elimination of clogging is the work of the owners themselves.
Signs of a problem are:
- Reducing the rate of outflow from the sink, bathtub or toilet bowl.
Important! If the water does not leave the pipeline at all, this is an indication of an emergency situation, which requires prompt intervention, and all means of sewage sludge that are just there at hand are already needed.
- A musty, unpleasant odor from the drain, which intensifies with time.
- In the lower holes after the source of the drain is turned on, turbid, stale water appears. Most often this problem is observed in bathrooms and showers. Also, a clear example of the formation of congestion is considered to be a drain of a washing machine, if it appears in the bathroom at the time of the outflow of water from the stylalk, then a wort is formed in the pipeline.
Important! The above example is relevant in cases where the washing machine is connected to a common sewer.
to the contents ↑How to remove blockage?
After monitoring the piping systems and determining the presence of clogging, as well as its approximate location, proceed to troubleshooting the problem.
It is necessary to begin with classical folk remedies( that is, sparing), first of all - with hot water. Since often the cause of the problem are fatty accumulations, hot water can help to cope with the task. In case of a negative result, proceed to the use of special tools and proven means.
How to eliminate blockage?
To remove the formed clog you will need an inexpensive tool and the following ingredients:
- Vantuz.
- Salt.
- Soda.
- Water.
- Rubber gloves( long to the elbow).
- Rag.
- Wine stone.
- Sanitary rod.
With these tools and tools, it is possible to remove blockage in the pipeline without causing plumbing, and most importantly - without using corrosive chemicals.
Important! Chemical purifiers of drain pipes should be used only in the most extreme cases, as these products can damage some types of pipes. In addition, chemicals can be hazardous to humans through exposure to harmful fumes.
to the contents ↑Popular tools for removing blockages
Before fixing the problem, protect your hands with dense rubber gloves and remove hair, soap residue and other small debris from the drain hole.
Method No. 1
Use a proven folk remedy to remove blockages from the pipes, proceeding as follows:
- Boil the water kettle.
- Allow to cool slightly and drain water into the drain.
- After 15 minutes, use the plunger:
- Place the plunger cup over the drain hole.
- Pour a little water( above the cup of the plunger).
Important! If the cleaning process takes place in the bathroom, be sure to close the hole, designed for outflow of excess water, so that there is no air sucking.
- Carry out a few intense movements with the handle of the plunger up and down to create a vacuum under the cup.
- Sharply pull out the plunger.
Method No. 2
- Pour one glass of baking soda into the drain hole.
- Pour three glasses of hot water into the sink( preferably boiling water).An alkaline mixture will be created, which will dissolve the blockage.
- Repeat the procedure if necessary.
Important! Soda is an excellent remedy for blockages, as it not only removes deposits, but also deodorizes the shell.
Method number 3
- Half a cup of baking soda pour into the sink.
- Pour into the drain hole half a cup of distilled vinegar.
- Close the drain hole with a stopper( a chemical reaction with foaming occurs between soda and vinegar).
- After a few minutes( for weak blockages) or several hours( for strong blockages), pour 1 liter of boiling water into the sink. All deposits will be removed from the surface of the pipes.
Method # 4
If the cause of poor drainage is fat deposits, use the following method for removing blockage:
- Pour half a cup of salt and half a cup of baking soda into the drain pipe.
- Pour the kettle of boiling water into the mixture.
- Leave the sink overnight.
Method number 5
- Boil 3 liters of water.
- In the hot water, pour 2 bags( 20 grams) of citric acid.
- Pour hot liquid into the drain.
Useful advices
Weekly preventive maintenance and cleaning of pipes will allow to avoid the big blockages of pipes and appearance of unpleasant smells. Use for prevention the following mixture: a glass of salt, a glass of soda and ¼ cup of tartar mixed and place in a jar with a lid.
Use the mixture as follows:
- ¼ cup cooked product from the blockages pour into the sewer and immediately add a glass of boiling water.
- Leave solution for one minute.
- Rinse with cool water.
Removing the sewer obstructions with the
plunger A simple plunger tool helps to eliminate blockages in the sink, pipes, bathroom, and toilet bowl.
If the sewer is blocked, use the following items:
- Pour a large amount of water into the toilet.
- Hose the plunger into the toilet so that the rubber edges fit snugly against the surface.
- With force intensely and sharply start pressing on the plunger. Under the influence of pressure, as well as the flow of water, a hydraulic shock will be created, which will remove the blockage.
- If the water level began to drop, the blockage is removed. If nothing has happened after the work, then repeat the process several more times.
Important! The edges of the cuff must be snug against the surface of the toilet bowl, otherwise - the hydraulic shock will be weak.
Tips & Tricks:
- For more tight fit to the surface of the toilet bowl, cover the ends of the plunger with vaseline.
- The Vantuz is good in case the blockage is not too serious. If the device does not help, go to more radical measures and use a plumbing cable.
Important! On sale there are pneumatic vantuzy, which greatly facilitate the process of inflation. In addition, these devices are equipped with a set of attachments and in appearance resemble a conventional bicycle pump. The principle of operation of such a device is simple: you need to draw water into the cylinder( as in a syringe), and then forcefully push the piston.
to the table of contents ↑Pipe cleaning with
plumbing cable If the "sparing" methods did not lead to the expected result, then use a plumbing cable. This is a special object for pipe cleaning. It represents a steel wire on which several layers of the same steel wire with a brush on one end and a handle for control on the other are wound in different directions.
Important! Use this kind of technology only when the blockage is in the immediate vicinity of the drain or, at least, the length of the cable.
The use of mechanical devices takes a long time, as it is necessary to disassemble the siphon, move the cable through the pipe and directly remove the blockage. But another option to punch the cork has not yet been invented, and an analog cable can be found in almost every home.
Use a cable to clean the cable as follows:
- Remove the siphon, remove it and allow access to the sewer pipe.
- Take the cable and enter it into the hole in the pipe.
- Advance the tool by turning clockwise until you come across the plug.
Important! To facilitate the movement of the cable through the pipe, pour warm water in small quantities( if possible).
- After reaching the plug, destroy the blockage by successive movement of the cable.
- Gently pull out the tool and remove dirt from it.
- Rinse the pipe with hot water and rinse the remaining deposits from the walls.
Useful advices:
- Plumbing cables come in different diameters: from 8 mm to 16 mm. Since the cable is cut along the length, then buy in the store a suitable option for you, based on the section of installed pipes and the place of removal of the clog.
- If the drainage of the bath gets clogged, it is easy to get to the mash with a cable through the overflow.
- Use the cable not only for cleaning the sewer pipes, but also for cleaning the water pipe, boilers, boilers or storm sewage.
- If you have a clogged siphon wash, use a long hose: put it on the mixer and put the other end of the hose into the siphon. Turn on the hot water and rinse the cork.
- If you have plastic pipes, then for draining the water should not be hot( no more than 50 C), otherwise - you will damage the pipe material.
Chemical agent from blockages in pipes
Sewage cleaning with chemical agents from blockages is always a "double-edged sword":
- on the one hand - chemical methods actively destroy undesirable plugs;
- on the other hand - these same tools, which are not used in accordance with instructions, as well as safety rules, can damage the piping system itself, which in turn can lead to irreversible consequences.
Types of household chemicals from blockages
All chemical agents from the obstructions of sewage pipes can be divided into 3 groups:
- Preparations of preventive action. These agents contain a minimum amount of active substances and are used periodically to prevent the formation of stoppers. Drugs of active action. These preparations contain acids and alkalis, which react and dissolve the formed deposits. These tools are used if the water in the sink goes slower than usual.
- Drugs of emergency - contain the maximum amount of active substances. They are used to eliminate the most serious blockages.
Chemicals are used in the form of powder, liquid or gel. The drug poured into the drain hole, acts for some time on the plug( the time is indicated in the instructions), and then the system is washed with a large amount of water.
Important! Work with preparations for pipe cleaning should be in protective gloves.
Usage rules
Applying chemical control methods, adhere to the following rules:
- Use only industrial products.
- Strictly follow the instructions for use and dosage of products.
- Do not mix chemicals yourself and never use several products at the same time.
Important! It is not recommended to use known non-native chemical means: kerosene, copper vitriol, various concentrated acids, since they are not only not effective for removing plugs, but they can lead to breakage of the entire pipe system.
Popular chemistry from
blockages Among industrial chemical agents, the most popular and effective are:
- "Tiret" - removes the strongest clogs in pipes, it is safe for all kinds of plumbing: metal, metal-plastic pipes. Also available is a product under this brand to prevent blockages. The product is produced in Poland.
- "Mr. Muscle" has in its composition an active ingredient that allows to dissolve food remnants, hair lumps, destroy bacteria and neutralize odors. You can use the tool for all types of pipes. Sold in the form of a gel or foam. Foam is more effective for removing plugs. Produced in Italy.
- "The Mole".This liquid agent, which is an alkaline solution. It is used for all kinds of pipes, it corrodes very well compounds of organic origin, including hair, and even threads. In order to prevent "Mole" use once a week or every 2 weeks. Suitable for both washbasins, bathtubs and toilets.
Prevention of plugs in the sewage system
The best way to eliminate problems with blockages is to prevent their occurrence. Do not need to resort to special special tools, just stick to the following simple rules:
- Place a filter net on the drain hole. The size of the grid cells should be as small as possible so that solid particles do not enter the drain manifold.
- Periodically conduct blockage prevention using special chemicals.
- After carrying out hygienic procedures, remove the remains of hair from the surface of the shells and the bathroom.
- Do not dispose of garbage and food residues in the drain and toilet
We hope that the information obtained has helped you to get rid of blockages in the pipeline system. What is the best way to prevent traffic jams - everyone determines himself based on life experience and preferences. But to the possible occurrence of blockages, everyone should be constantly ready, so in the house must necessarily be a plunger and other, even simple folk or chemical remedies in case of emergency.