Clogged drains are a fairly common problem that homeowners face at the most inopportune times. In some cases, blockages can be de alt with on their own, using available tools such as a cable, a plunger, as well as all kinds of cleaning products for pouring into pipes. If you do not have the appropriate skills and knowledge, then it is best to take the help of a specialist who will help you cope with a more serious situation. Otherwise, you may aggravate the situation, causing damage to plumbing fixtures and flooding neighbors.
Types of blockage in the sewerage system
Sewage blockage can occur for several reasons, among them man-made, mechanical and operational. The first case occurs when one pipe or part of the system deviates orare destroyed. Mechanical blockage is caused by large objects entering the sewer. Operational blockage occurs at a time when drains cannot perform their functions due to the buildup of deposits on the inner surfaces of pipes.
Causes of blockages
Clogged drains may occur due to incorrect application of the system. People face such problems when various wastes such as crusts, as well as cleanings, are dumped into plumbing fixtures. Waste water cannot penetrate through the sewer pipes. Among other things, elements contained in water can build up on the walls of metal and cast iron products over time. The formed roughness clings to toilet paper, hair, buttons and threads. Little by little, the clearance is reduced, which causes the sewer system to stop working.
Under the influence of low temperatures, fat from kitchen sinks and dishwashers freezes, it grows and blocks the entire drain gap. Sometimes sewer clogging occurs due to an error made during installation. If the toilet has a special design or is not compatible with the system, then the drain line may have the wrong slope. Public problems lead to blockage of the riser, which can be initiated by residents of apartments on any floor.
Clogging with a plunger
Cleaning sewer blockages can be done by different methods, most oftenplunger is used. Alternative solutions may be the use of chemical or improvised means, as well as pouring the system with boiling water. Every home should have a plunger, which is the simplest plumbing fixture. Its main purpose is to clear the system of blockages. To use, you need to close the drain, as well as additional holes that are necessary to protect against overflow. Fill the sink with enough water to cover the bowl of the plunger. In order to ensure a snug fit of the rubber part to the surface, the edges can be smeared with Vaseline.
If the sewage system is not working, you can clean the blockages yourself. For this, the plunger is pressed tightly against the drain hole, and after that it is necessary to make rocking movements up and down. The bowl should not be torn off the surface. In order for the siphon not to fail, it is not necessary to apply great physical effort. Otherwise, the air pressure will be excessively high. At the end of the procedure, the plunger must be pulled up. If you notice that the water is leaving the drain rather slowly, the procedure can be repeated until the cleaning is completed. It is not always possible to eliminate sewer blockage in this way. This is the main drawback of the method, which is the inability to get rid of old blockages.
Cleaning the siphon
As practice shows, most often the blockage is concentrated in the siphon, which is represented by a curved pipe segment. To clean itit is necessary to unscrew the removable part, and then remove debris and dirt. Some craftsmen additionally perform a degreasing treatment. You can get rid of fat deposits with boiling water, which in the volume of one pan must be poured into the sink. To prevent the described problem, each time after washing the dishes, it is necessary to skip boiling water for 20 seconds.
Using hot water and chemicals for cleaning
The easiest way to clear sewer blockages is with hot water. It will fix the problem by dissolving the fat. But in most cases, this method does not give the expected result, so it is advisable to combine it with others. On sale today you can find special chemicals based on alkalis and acids, which are presented in the form of liquids, powders and gels. When choosing, you must make sure that the products will be harmless to the pipes. The most popular is the "Mole" for sewer cleaning. For the bath, it is recommended to use compounds that can dissolve hair, for the kitchen - fat. Experts advise choosing a gel-like product that spreads over the entire surface of the system, dissolving deposits.
Using vinegar and baking soda
If the sewerage clog at home occurred in the evening, and it is not possible to go out to purchase other products, it is recommended to use vinegar and soda, which can be found in any home. A pack of soda is poured into the drain, followed bya glass of vinegar is poured. After half an hour, boiling water must be poured into the system. Under no circumstances should battery electrolyte or sulfuric acid be used, as these can damage the sewage system.
Using a plumbing cable
You may well be able to clean the sewers yourself. Removing blockages, according to users, is most effective when a plumbing cable is used. If the obstruction is localized in a place that is sufficiently distant from the drain hole, then the problem can only be de alt with in this way. The item is represented by a metal flexible string, the length of which can reach 10 meters. There is a handle on one end. For cleaning, a cable is installed in the siphon, which must be positioned in the right direction. Next, the master begins to rotate the handle, for convenience, you can use the help of another person. When the string hits an obstacle, it must be pushed back and forth until the plug is removed. During the cleaning process, debris will stick to the cable, which is why during the work it is necessary to remove it from the pipe. After completing the work, you need to screw the siphon and drain the hot water. By the formation of a funnel, it can be judged that the procedure was carried out correctly.
Cleaning with a rope and a washcloth
If it is necessary to eliminate the blockage of sewer pipes that are made of cast iron or plastic, you can use a nylon 4 mm cord andwashcloth for washing dishes. The size of the latter must be selected so that it can pass through the pipes, but does not get stuck in them. Before starting, clean and rinse the pipes by passing the end of the cable through them. You should try to bring him to the toilet. After that, a nylon cord is tied to it, the length of which should be two lengths of the pipe. After that, the cable, together with the cord, is pulled outward, the elements are untied from each other. In this case, the main part will be in the pipe, and the cable will no longer be needed. A metal washcloth is tied onto the cord so that it is located in the center. The cord is pulled out at one end, then at the other end, the washcloth is pulled along the pipe. The operation should be repeated at least 3 times, each of which is accompanied by flushing the pipes with boiling water.
Hydrodynamic cleaning
This method is used when all of the above methods did not achieve a positive result. Hydrodynamic cleaning involves the use of special machines that can have different sizes and power. They are equipped with special nozzles and eliminate blockages in pipes of different diameters, the latter can vary from 5 to 150 centimeters. If we are talking about an intra-house sewer system, then you can use a compact device that fights the most difficult blockages. This method has many advantages, which are expressed in the guarantee of a positive result, as well as the safety of pipes with a simple technology. The water jet will remove not onlydeposits, but also debris, and will also extend the life of the pipeline. During operation, there is no emission of dust and dirt, there is no harmful effect on the environment and the surface of the pipes. No matter how difficult the wiring is, a variety of nozzles will allow you to cope with arbitrarily serious blockages. You will have to pay for such a procedure.
