When starting work, you should determine the area where the traffic jam has occurred and, preferably, determine what exactly causes the difficulty in the passage of water.
We will tell you in this article how to remove a blockage in a sewer pipe, including a severe one.
Reasons for appearance
A clogged sewer is manifested by a violation of the rate of water flow, sometimes accompanied by the appearance of an unpleasant odor. The system becomes clogged for various reasons.
The most common include:
High water hardness, which causes limescale deposits to form on the inner surface of the pipes.- Accumulation of fat deposits. As they increase, the clearance in the drainage system narrows greatly over time, and may even disappear completely.
- Food waste, garbage, hair, etc. entering the drain.
- Incorrect installation of the drainage system.
- The siphon has not been cleaned for a long time.
- Damage (deformation) of pipes.
- Corrosion on the inner surface of pipes (typical of metal).
Most often, blockages form in cast iron pipes, which are prone to corrosion and do not have smooth internal walls.
Identifying the problem area
To effectively clean pipes, you must first determine the area where the blockage has formed. In most cases, the plug is associated with a clogged siphon - a structural element that is located directly under the sink. In this case, the water may not drain away at all.
If wastewater is flowing slowly, the problem may be related to the drainage system itself. This can be judged when water does not drain immediately from several pieces of plumbing, for example, from a sink and a bathtub.
Having determined approximately the area that does not allow drains to escape, you can begin to break through the blockage. Before you begin global sewer cleaning, you should make sure that the problem is not a clogged siphon, which can be cleaned quite simply.
Chemicals
Cleaning drains in a private home can be done using store-bought products. To remove persistent contaminants in the sewer system, experienced professionals recommend using:
- Mole. A domestically produced product containing caustic soda;
- Tiret. Suitable for pipes made of plastic, cast iron and other metals;
- Domestos. The product contains alkali, which helps clean pipes from plaque and blockages.
- Sodasan. Used to clean pipes from limescale.
How to clean mechanically?
Methods for removing blockages in the drainage system mechanically are among the most effective. To implement them you will need one of the tools:
- plumbing cable;
- powerful vacuum cleaner;
- plunger
Cable
A plumbing cable is a simple and yet very effective device that will help cope with even severe blockages. It is most often made of metal. There is a handle on one end of it, and a split end or a nozzle for cleaning the drain on the other.
Procedure:
Pull out the corrugation that comes from the siphon.- Disconnect and clean the siphon.
- Lower the working end of the cable into the drain and move it towards the blockage. At the same time, it is necessary to make rotational movements with the handle, helping to scroll the cable.
- As it moves along the pipe, the cable will clear the blockage. Periodically it is necessary to take it out and remove any debris clinging to the working end.
- Return the corrugation to its place.
- Pour hot water down the drain.
After use, the cable should be cleaned and dried, and only then sent for storage.
plunger
This is a tool for clearing minor blockages . Its use can be combined with the use of other methods of clearing blockages, for example, with household chemicals.
Using a plunger is simple. Place it in a sink or bathtub with standing water using a rubber nozzle on the drain and press on the handle. Then they suddenly lift him up.
To clean, you need to repeat the procedure several times. Completes the cleaning by flushing hot water (or boiling water) down the drain. A plunger may not help with a global blockage; in this case, you need to use other methods.
Vacuum cleaner
Using a vacuum cleaner is an extraordinary method that can only be adopted if the following conditions are met:
- the device has high power;
- the clog is concentrated in the sink;
- There is a function of blowing air in the vacuum cleaner.
If all points correspond, then the procedure is as follows:
The tube coming from the vacuum cleaner should be wrapped in cloth.- Insert the tube into the drain and secure it.
- Turn on the unit, setting the power to maximum. If the blockage that is blocking the flow of water is close to the drain, the vacuum cleaner will be able to push it out.
- Turn off the vacuum cleaner and remove the tube.
- Use a plunger.
- Run hot water.
It is worth paying attention to vacuum cleaners from Karcher.
How to remove using folk remedies?
The principle of operation of folk methods is to use the means that already exist. This will solve problems quickly enough.
If the blockage is severe, then traditional methods will be ineffective. Instead, it is better to use mechanical ones or infuse special preparations.
Boiling water
The most accessible cleaning method is to pour hot water down the drain. This method can be applied to various types of pipes, but with some limitations:
- for metal communications you can use boiling water;
- for plastic water supply, the water should not be higher than +70ºС.
For high-quality rinsing, there must be at least 2 liters of hot water.
Lemon acid
Citric acid can be used to clean drains. Application procedure:
- 70-100 grams of acid are poured into the drained drain hole.
- Pour a glass of boiling water (for metal pipes) or hot water (for plastic pipes).
- Leave for 20-30 minutes to act.
- Rinse with hot water.
Lemon juice is not an effective remedy for clearing clogs, so it is not advisable to use it.
Soda and vinegar solution
If the problem with difficult water passage is due to fatty deposits inside the pipes, then you can use a recipe based on soda and vinegar.
To do this, first remove water from the sink or bathtub, which is located in front of the section of pipe with the blockage. ½ pack of soda is poured into the drain . And a glass of table vinegar is poured on top.
Immediately after this, the drain hole is plugged with a plug. After 20 minutes, when the reaction is over, hot water is released. Additionally, you can use a plunger.
Chemical sewer cleaning
Organic blockages can be removed not only mechanically, but also using chemical compounds. It is important to remove the water in front of the plug; a higher concentration of the drug increases its effectiveness.
A common product for cleaning sewer pipes is Mole. This is sodium hypochlorite dissolved in water. It is poured into the clogged pipe and left for 4-8 hours, then the drain is washed with water.
If there is no Mole, then you can remove the blockage with alkali or acid. The chemical composition of Mole is similar to the bleach Belizna. But other substances can also be used:
- Electrolyte;
- Caustic soda;
- Vinegar;
- Lemon acid;
- Cleaning preparations (for example, Sillit or Dometos);
- Oxalic acid.
A sewer system clogged with a rag can be cleaned with a plumbing cable, but only indoors. If the ladder or the main riser, where the cable folds into loops, is clogged, use stiff wire.
Use of household chemicals
Special household chemicals give good results in clearing clogs. They are available in dry and liquid form.
When choosing a specific product, you need to consider:
- price;
- exposure time;
- convenience of packaging;
- release form;
- compound.
Disposable sachets are convenient because you do not need to measure the amount of the drug - the contents of the entire sachet are poured into the drain.
Bagi Pothan
Bagi is a trademark of an Israeli company. The product is available in the form of granules . Use the drug by pouring the required amount (about 100 grams per drain hole). After this, hot water is poured in according to the instructions.
The Pothan product is effective and has an aggressive effect, dissolving not only food waste in pipes, but also hair and even diapers. Bagi is used to clear blockages in metal and plastic pipes. Exposure time – 3 minutes. It should not be exceeded.
The price for a container of 600 grams is about 700 rubles. Read reviews here, here and here.
Sanfor
The product in gel form is intended for effective cleaning of sewer pipes. Thick in consistency, the gel easily penetrates the clogged area, despite the presence of water. Sanfor eliminates unpleasant odors, dissolves food contaminants and hair in the drain.
For one application, 0.25 liters of product is enough. The exposure time averages up to a quarter of an hour; for complex blockages, it can be increased. If the drug does not help the first time, the treatment can be repeated.
A container with a volume of 0.75 liters costs up to 200 rubles. Read reviews here, here and here.
Synergetic
The anti-clog product, like all the company’s products, is biodegradable and hypoallergenic . During exposure, it disinfects and eliminates unpleasant odors.
It should be used in its pure form, poured into the drain. Exposure time is up to 20 minutes. The drug can be used as a prophylactic agent; in this case, 0.25 liters per use is sufficient.
Synergetic is suitable for all types of pipes and can be used in the presence of a septic tank. Price – up to 200 rubles per container. Read reviews here, here and here.
Types of reagents and features of their use
Chemicals for cleaning home drainage systems are available in the form of solution, gel and powder. Any of the proposed options has its own advantages:
- Dry products. They are sold in packages and are compact.
- Gel. This option is considered very economical. The density of the liquid structure leads to its slow spreading along the inner wall of the workpieces and the effective dissolution of layers on them.
- Liquid options. They are used for the most complex blockages, for example, for fat accumulation.
IMPORTANT! Chemicals for removing blockages are aggressive substances that corrode the organic structure. When working with them, you need to use protective gloves.
When using the preparation for plastic pipes, it is not recommended to overexpose the time interval specified in the instructions, because aggressive reagents can lead to destruction of pipelines.
And after using a chemical for pipes made of plastic materials, they will need to be thoroughly washed with plenty of running water.
If the product packaging says that this is a prophylactic agent, then with its help you can get rid of minor contamination of the pipeline.
Regular use of this reagent will make it possible to avoid an unexpected situation with a major blockage.
And only a product whose label states that it can cope with deposits in standing liquid can eliminate such contamination.
Call a plumber
In cases where there is no time or desire to clean the pipes, or the blockage is very serious, which you cannot break through on your own, you can call a plumber .
It is possible to seek the help of a specialist both in case of blockages and, if necessary, to replace components, for example, a cracked siphon. If additional parts are used, they will have to be paid for separately.
You can find a plumber in your city via the Internet. On average, the cost of cleaning work will cost from 700 rubles. If the problem is serious, even affecting the riser, eliminating the blockage will cost more.
Where did the blockage occur?
To quickly and effectively remove dirt accumulations at home, it is important to find the location of the blockage. It is recommended to drain the water at each point in the apartment one by one. If the liquid does not drain in one area, then the problem is in the siphon.
If the liquid does not drain or overflows between devices (for example, when you turn on the water in the kitchen, liquid begins to flow in the toilet), this indicates that the common sewer outlet is clogged.
Prohibitions when cleaning
When cleaning the drain system, the following restrictions must be observed:
- You should not try to break through the blockage using chemicals that are not intended for this purpose. As a result, the drainage system may be damaged.
- Do not use household chemicals that are not intended for a specific type of pipe. Information about this can be read on the packaging.
- Do not start cleaning without personal protective equipment.
- Do not mix several clog clearing products at once. When combined together, they can release very caustic fumes and even damage communications.
Prevention measures
In order to encounter the problem of blockages as rarely as possible, you should remember about preventive measures. These include:
- installing strainers on drain holes;
- periodically cleaning the drainage system using home or purchased products;
- high-quality installation of the sewerage system and plumbing fixtures;
- preventing garbage, cat litter, food debris, small toys, etc. from entering drains.
Recommendations
When clearing blockages, plumbers advise listening to the following recommendations:
- Any wastewater system requires compliance with preventive measures.
- When working, it is necessary to organize good ventilation. This is necessary for several reasons. First, clogged drains have an unpleasant odor. Secondly, household drain cleaners are not only aggressive in their effects, but also release caustic substances into the air.
- If you are planning a renovation with the installation of plumbing, you need to choose responsible specialists.
- When replacing pipes, plastic ones are preferable to cast iron ones, as they have a smoother surface and are not prone to corrosion.
If you are interested in how to clear a clog in a pipe, sink or toilet, take a look at this section.
Professional help
If you can’t clear the blockage yourself or you simply don’t want to do it, you can turn to the Dez Group SES for help. Sewage cleaning services in an apartment or house can be preventive, affect an already formed blockage, or be provided urgently in emergency conditions. In any case, cleaning is carried out by experts with specialized specialization in working with utility networks and communications, so the service will not only be effective, but also safe for pipes. You will see the result instantly after processing.
