Any, even a well-thought-out sewer system, is periodically clogged. In the kitchen, fat accumulates in pipes, hair in the bathroom, and you can mistakenly throw something large into the toilet that will block the flow of water. For such cases, there are several simple ways that allow you not to call a plumber, but to cope on your own.
The main causes of sewer blockages
Service deposits build up gradually inside, resulting in obstructed water flow. In the kitchen, these are grease, food residues and powder detergents. The temperature of the water is not enough for these substances to dissolve and go into the sump. Hair is most often collected in the bathroom. The drain from the washing machine contains lint and wool.
Mechanical blockages appear suddenly. It could be toilet paper that has strayed from the toilet, or a piece of hard material caught in the pipe. More often than not, residents know what they have thrown down the drain. There have been cases when plumbers took out used diapers or clothes from the pipe.
The most difficult are technical blockages. They are caused by improper installation of the sewage system or its damage during operation, for example, when the foundation shrinks. In such cases, it is better to carry out repair work, since blockages will occur regularly and this will entail constant financial costs.
Determination of the location of the blockage
Before starting work, experts try to accurately determine the location of the traffic jam, find out what it consists of, in order to communicate information to the residents. Determining the location of the blockage allows you to better choose a tool or method for cleaning the pipe - chemical or mechanical.
First, check the places where the blockage is most likely:
- Points where internal sewerage flows into external. In a newly built house, soil shrinkage is possible and concrete structures deform the plastic pipe, which leads to a decrease in its performance.
- Areas located close to the drain - siphons, elbows. Solid heavy particles usually settle in such places and block the drain.
- The site that is located in front of the tie-in to the common highway. Blocks appear 50-60 cm before the joint.
Professional plumbers locate the blockage using a rope with a small camera at the end. The device is especially useful if the plug is far in the pipes.
You can independently determine the place where water does not pass by turning on the water. If the overflow begins immediately or after 2 - 4 seconds, then the plug is located in the upper part of the sewer, immediately after the siphon or in it. In this case, an unpleasant odor will be heard, since the siphon is clogged and does not fulfill its function.
If the water runs off normally for some time, and then the overflow begins, then the plug is located further. To remove the blockage in the sewer pipe at home, you will need a plumbing cable.
Methods for cleaning sewer pipes at home
Methods for cleaning sewer pipes are selected after the location of the plug and its composition have been determined. In some cases, the help of professional craftsmen with special equipment may be required. If the blockage is small, you can remove it with folk or purchased remedies.The material of the pipe is taken into account. For example, cast iron has a rough surface on the inside, so sticking of the sludge layer will occur more often. In plastic lines, the surface is smooth, blockages occur less often, provided that the system is correctly designed.
Chemical
The chemical industry produces several drugs that help break through the sewer at home. They are easy to use, but require compliance with safety regulations. Concentrated liquid or powdery substances are acidic and can cause damage to the skin or respiratory tract.
The most famous:
- "Mole". To use the drug, you need to cut off the tip of the bag and pour the contents into the hole in the sink, then add a glass of water and wait for a while. It is noticed that cold water dissolves the granules poorly, and they boil into a large lump. Better to pour hot liquid. Then you need to wash off the remnants of the dissolved cork with boiling water. Repeat the procedure several times if necessary. Considering the concentration of acid, "Mole" is recommended to be used for metal or metal-plastic pipes. The substance can damage the plastic by making it rough on the inside.
- "Tiret" is a cleaning agent that comes in the form of a gel. It can be used in any pipe. The disadvantage of the drug is uneconomical consumption. Sometimes it is necessary to empty the entire container to achieve the effect. At the same time, "Tiret" does not belong to cheap funds.
- "Mister Muscle" is a more expensive analogue of "Mole". Available in granules. The manufacturer claims that the powder effectively penetrates the water layer, affecting the blockage, but according to the reviews of housewives, it is necessary to remove, if possible, all the dirty water from the sink and only then fill the granules.
After using the above-described products, it is imperative to flush the drain with hot water in order to wash off the remaining fat.
Mechanical
Mechanical means include:
- plunger;
- cable.
The first device helps if the blockage has recently appeared. The principle of operation is to pull out what has fallen into the sewer. To do this, fill a sink or bathtub with water. It is advisable to create a complete vacuum in the system by covering the drain holes of other plumbing devices with lids. As the plunger pumps the debris to the surface, it is collected and discarded. Once the blockage has been removed, you can use chemicals to be sure, then rinse with clean hot water.
The plumbing cable is used in cases where the plug is in a hard-to-reach place or a large object that has fallen into the sewer. The plunger will not cope with such a blockage. The task of the master is to push the plug into the wider pipe with a cable or hook it and pull it out. If there is something like a brush at the end, then the cable is scrolled with a handle and the blockage is removed layer by layer.
Hydrodynamic
The hydrodynamic unit is designed to remove stubborn blockages. The principle of operation - with the help of high pressure water pressure, the blockage is broken into small particles and goes into the sewer. Pure water without chemical additives is used.
Depending on the type of sewerage - a private house, apartment, industrial facility - they regulate the pressure. The hydrodynamic installation does not violate the tightness of the pipes, therefore the method is safe.
To restore the functions of the sewerage system, it may be necessary to work in an open area where it is impossible to connect to the power supply network. The installation works autonomously, so there are no problems.
You can work with all types of pipes, with any diameter - from 35 to 350 mm. Cleaning is carried out in difficult conditions, as well as at subzero temperatures. There is no dirt and dust when working with the device.
You can use any nozzle - rotating in a circle and removing layers of pollution, punching. The jets of water are directed in the direction of travel and against the direction of travel.
You do not need to buy a special device for hydrodynamic cleaning of your sewage system. This is an expensive device that is designed for professional use. Persistent blockages rarely occur, so it is cheaper to call a specialized team every few years to carry out a preventive cleaning of all pipes.
Folk remedies
The most popular method is soda and vinegar. If an obstruction occurs, the water is removed from the sink, a glass of soda is poured into the hole and poured with a glass of vinegar. When the foam starts to rise, you need to close the hole with a lid and leave it for a couple of hours. Then the drain is washed with boiling water. If the water does not leave well, the procedure is repeated.
Soda and salt is a versatile product that can also be used to remove blockages in the sink. The components are mixed in equal amounts and poured into the hole. A little water is added from above so that it delivers the mixture to the place of blockage. For the next 10 to 12 hours, nothing should be poured into the sink. After a while, the drains are washed with hot water until the water begins to form a vortex when it descends into the pipe.
You can clean the sewer system with folk remedies from fat with soda and boiling water. The powder is mixed with water and poured into the hole or dry soda is poured and poured with hot water. This method will not eliminate a persistent blockage, but it is suitable for regular prevention.
How to choose a method
At home, the method is chosen incrementally: if folk remedies have not helped, use chemical ones; if chemistry does not help, they call plumbers with equipment.
If small children accidentally threw a large object into the toilet, it is better to call professionals right away, until a blockage has formed in the depths of the sewer and the system has not been dismantled. The same is best done if the blockage has arisen suddenly and the reasons for the blockage are unknown. It is quite possible for a sewer breakthrough, which can be determined by lowering a cable with a camera into the pipe.
Preventive measures
To extend the uptime of the sewer system, it is recommended:
- install grease traps under the kitchen drain;
- put a grate for collecting hair in the bathroom;
- use vinegar regularly to remove plaque inside the pipes;
- do not throw large objects and food waste into the toilet;
It is recommended to pour liquid chemicals into the drain once a month to prevent blockages.
