The blockage in the pipes most often catches us at the most unexpected moment, in the process of washing dishes or taking a bath. This greatly complicates the process of homework, so more often than not, an immediate decision is required. You can clean the blockage in the sewer yourself, you will learn from this article.
How to understand that there is a blockage in the pipes
As soon as you notice that after using the sink or bath, the water leaves for a long time, you can talk about the clogging of the pipe. If the water does not go away at all, then the clogging situation has reached a critical point, or some large foreign object has got into the pipe.
In addition, an unpleasant odor can become a clear sign of future clogging, which indicates that dirt and residual fat has accumulated on the inside of the pipe.
The main causes and places of clogging
To understand where the blockage is, you need to draw a little water into the sink or bathroom, and see how it will drain:
- Water decreases very poorly, and it takes a lot of time. Most likely, the blockage is located further than 100 centimeters from the drain;
- Water "leaves" a little, and remains in this position. The pipe clogged from the siphon to the first bend;
- Water does not leave at all. Most often, a contaminated siphon is to blame.
Now we will analyze what may cause the pipe to become dirty:
- Dirt and grease adhering to the pipe from the inside. When particles of garbage begin to cling to them, this leads to a serious blockage;
- Means for washing dishes, which include surfactants. These components pose the same problem as grease and dirt;
- Limescale coating. It appears due to impurities in the water;
- Earth and sand. A common problem that appears in the bathroom if street shoes are washed there;
- Foreign objects accidentally dropped into the drain;
- Pipes made of cast iron become clogged due to the formation of rust tubercles inside them. Most often, such a coating appears in the pipe from the sink in the kitchen to the bath;
- Plastic pipes may become clogged due to improper installation. For example, with an incorrectly made angle of inclination, the likelihood of clogging increases several times.
You can clean a clogged pipe on your own. There are many different ways to do this.
Household cleaning options
Baking soda and vinegar
Pour 200 g into the drain. baking soda and add 200 ml to it. vinegar. After that, close the hole tightly and wait 10-15 minutes. This time is enough for the components to react and dissolve the fat formed on the pipe walls.
Caustic soda
To prepare a cleanser, you need 2-3 kg. caustic soda (you can buy it at a hardware store), a plastic scoop and a metal bucket.
Pour the powder into a bucket and add 10 liters of cold water. Stir the soda for at least half an hour until the powder is completely dissolved. Try to keep the solution away from the skin. Then heat the solution on the stove to a temperature of 70 degrees. Do not let the soda boil, otherwise it will lose its properties.
Pour half of the solution into the pipe and leave it for 2 hours. After the indicated time, pour in the rest of the soda and wait another two hours. After that, rinse the pipes thoroughly with hot water.
Baking Soda with Vinegar and Chlorine
Pour into a pipe 100 gr. soda, and after half an hour pour 150 ml there. vinegar and chlorine. Close the hole tight. After half an hour, you can wash off the remaining substances with hot water.
Coarse salt and vinegar
Pour into a pipe 300 gr.salt, add to it 2 liters of boiling water and 100 ml. 70% vinegar. After half an hour, check the result. If the blockage does not go away, repeat the procedure.
Lemon acid
Pour 100 gr into the pipe. citric acid, and fill it with 250 ml. hot water. After 20 minutes, flush the pipe with plenty of hot water.
Alka-Seltzer Pills
This recipe replaces the use of soda, and greatly simplifies the process. Place a school desk of tablets in a drain, and then fill them with 250 ml. vinegar and 50 ml. water. Leave the product for only a couple of minutes, and rinse the pipe with hot water.
Special chemicals
Mr. Muscle
The powder copes well with clogging and disinfects the surface of the pipe. Pour the contents of the bag into the tube, and carefully pour the powder with a glass of warm water. After half an hour, rinse the drain thoroughly. One bag is enough to cope with a blockage, and it costs no more than 100 rubles.
Mole
This is a very inexpensive domestic remedy that can eliminate completely different blockages. Pour 200-250 ml. in the drain and leave the product for 2 hours. After the specified time, flush the pipe with a strong pressure of water. If the blockage could not be removed the first time, use the product again. A mole costs much cheaper than imported analogues, not more than 70 rubles.
Pothan
Before use, lower the water level in the drain by 5 cm. Then pour 100 ml. funds and 100 ml. boiling water. After 5 minutes, rinse the drain with warm water. The tool is suitable for all blockages in cast iron and plastic pipes.
Flup
Pour the product into the drain and add hot water. The required proportions are indicated on the package. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water. The product is very corrosive, so wear a respirator and protective apron or a special suit before using gloves.
Mechanical methods to clear the blockage
Plunger
This tool is in every home, but not everyone knows how to use it correctly. Follow these tips:
- Drain the water from the sink, leaving a little liquid at the drain;
- Lubricate the edges of the plunger with solid oil or petroleum jelly, this will help to tighten it to the bottom of the sink;
- If there are several sinks or bathtubs in the house, fix their drain holes;
- Install the plunger directly on the drain hole, and make several active pressing movements;
- If the blockage persists, repeat the procedure. If all goes well, rinse the drain with hot water.
Plumbing cable
You can buy a special cable or use the usual unannealed flexible wire.
Instructions for use plumbing cable:
- Remove the siphon;
- Run one end of the cable into the pipe;
- Push the cable through. At the same time rotating it in one direction;
- If the cable is stuck, pull it back without stopping to rotate;
- Try to push the cable a couple more times, and pull it out;
- We clean the end of the cable. And again we run it into the pipe until it is completely cleaned.
Siphon disassembly
- Place a small basin under the pipe to be disassembled;
- Unscrew the lock nut that holds the siphon tube;
- Clean the contaminated siphon with a brush and hot water;
- At this time, you can already pour into the pipe any remedy for blockages. Do everything as stated in the instructions;
- Return the siphon to its place.
Which cleaning method to choose in which case
For fresh blockages formed by mucus and dirt, it is worth choosing all recipes using baking soda and Mole. If clogging occurs due to stuck hair, use Floop.
For old traffic jams, Mr. Muscle, Pothan, Alco-Seltzer and caustic soda are suitable. In addition, such a blockage can be eliminated by a plunger who will simply break it.
Citric acid removes the lime plug. For cast iron pipes, a recipe with coarse salt is suitable. For plastic pipes, you can use Krot or Potkhan.
If you need to remove a foreign object, use a plumbing cable or disassemble the siphon.
How to prevent future problems
The most common cause of clogging is fat, which settles on the walls of the pipe if you wash the dishes with cold water or a poor-quality product. To avoid unpleasant consequences, try to remove the remnants of food from dirty dishes before washing them. Once a week, spill the pipe with hot water for 30-40 minutes.
