Sink, toilet, bathtub, shower - are mandatory attributes in almost every home. All plumbing has a drain, which is periodically clogged. This is due to the fact that in the sewer pipes both food debris, grease or garbage, and hair are accumulated, which ultimately leads to serious blockage of the sewer. How to clean the pipes on your own?
How to determine the blockage
Before cleaning, it is important to determine the exact place where the cork formed. The way to remove the blockage will depend on this.
It is necessary to empty water in the entire system (in the sink in the kitchen, in the bath, in the toilet) and see:
- if water accumulates in several devices at once, this means that the blockage is common and is localized at one of the points where plumbing is connected to the sewer;
- if the water does not leave in only one device, this means that the blockage is local and has formed in a siphon or water lock. The easiest way to get rid of it;
- if water stagnation occurred immediately in the entire system, a plumbing call will be required to eliminate it.
You can solve the problem yourself with local and general blockages. There are several methods for this.
Methods for cleaning non-serious blockages
Most often, plums in the kitchen sink are prone to blockages. This is due to frequent use: washing dishes, washing fruits and vegetables, hygiene procedures, etc. There are several simple ways to get rid of loose blockage in the sink:
- For metal pipes, pour boiling water into the system. For plastic sewage, it is necessary to let hot water into the drain for 20 minutes. Loose blockage should disappear.
- A mixture of 200 ml of water, 100 g of soda and salt will effectively eliminate blockage. All ingredients must be mixed and poured into the pipe. Leave the solution for exposure for 15 minutes, then use a plunger. To complete the procedure, let the water run for a while to wash off any residual contamination.
- A good solution for cleaning pipes is to use a vacuum cleaner with a back-blow function. The pipe of the device is wrapped with a cloth so that it fits snugly into the drain hole. A strong flow of air will help push through the cork.
- Another way to clean the sink is to use a mixture of vinegar and soda in 1k1 proportions. The tool is poured into the pipe and the hole is closed with a stopper. The caustic foam formed during the chemical reaction will effectively eradicate the blockage.
If the above methods did not bring the desired result, this means that the clogging in the pipes is serious enough and more aggressive methods will be required to remove it.
Mechanical cleaning method
To clean dense deposits, you can use a plunger, a cable or a special hook:
- When using a plunger, the tool should be tightly pressed to the drain and press several times. The hydraulic column created by these actions will destroy the resulting seals in the pipes. The cork will collapse into smaller fragments that leak into the sewer with a stream of water. IMPORTANT! If the sink has two cups at once, it is better to use two plungers for them at the same time. This will increase the suction power and allow faster pipe cleaning. If there is no second plunger, you can close the drain on the second bowl with your palm.
- The method of cleaning with the help of special hooks made of plastic, which easily removes complex blockages, is gaining great popularity. The hook gently lowers into the pipe as deep as possible, and then the rail rotates in different directions several times.Thanks to the scrolling, the hooks wind the hair and other dirt that remains on the device. After the procedure, the bar is carefully removed along with collected dirt. If necessary, the procedure is repeated.
- Strong clogging in metal pipes can be removed with a plumbing cable made of steel, one end of which has a handle and the other a brush. The cable should be lowered into the pipe as deep as possible and rolled, then pull the garbage out. It is recommended that warm water be released periodically during the procedure - this will allow most of the dirt to be washed off into the sewer. This method is not suitable for cleaning plastic pipes, since the cable can seriously damage them. For plastic sewage, it is recommended to use a plunger or special household chemicals from blockages.
Chemical method
The use of this method is recommended in the presence of biological contaminants: to remove hair, residual fat or food in the pipes.
The stores offer a wide range of alkali and acid-based products that, thanks to their high reactivity, easily break up blockages. Gels, granules and liquids are available.
IMPORTANT! Frequent use of this method is not recommended, since the components of chemicals have a negative effect on the inner surfaces of the pipes.
Prevention
The best way to get rid of all the upcoming problems associated with sewage blockages is a preventive package of measures to maintain the internal cleanliness of the system.
Recommendations:
- Clean pipes regardless of blockages.
- Once every few days, let in hot water and flush the system with it - this will eliminate excessive deposits of fat on the surfaces.
- Use for draining nets that reliably protect structures from debris.
- Do not throw garbage and food waste into the sewer.
Compliance with these simple tips will help to avoid a set of procedures for cleaning the sewer system.
The formation of technical blockages can cause a lot of problems to the owner of the premises. Emergencies are not ruled out. The best way to deal with blockages, of course, is to prevent their occurrence and timely care of the drainage system. If a plug is nevertheless formed in the pipe, the easiest and most harmless way to get rid of it is to clean it with a plunger. Use store tools very carefully so as not to spoil the internal surfaces.
