One of the malfunctions that occur in the water supply system is a clogged pipe. A symptom of a problem is a decrease in pressure. A thin stream of water flows from the tap, there is not enough pressure for the shower to work. With prolonged use in communications accumulates plaque. Cleaning water pipes from deposits occurs mechanically and chemically. For highways with hot water, the use of ultrasound is recommended.
The main causes of pipe clogging
In old multi-storey buildings, water supply systems have been operating for decades. During this period, deposits appear on the inner walls of the pipes. Plaque covers not only them, but also parts of mixers, valves. Common causes of blockage:
- Errors of installers when installing the pipeline.
- High content of salts, minerals, slag, scale in the feed water.
- Long-term operation of the system without prevention, lack of filters.
The amount of deposits depends on the material of the pipeline and the chemical composition of the supplied fluid. Metal pipes are most prone to deposits. Corrosion products consisting of iron oxides appear on their inner surface. The growths can fill up to 50-70% of the diameter of the highway. Plastic trunks are smooth, but over time they become covered with limescale.
What appears on the walls of the pipeline and mixers:
- rust;
- deposits of mineral particles;
- dissolved metal salts;
- biological fouling.
Signs of sediment
Rust deposits alter the color and taste of water. The liquid becomes reddish, an aftertaste of iron appears. Precipitation with a mineral or biological structure also leads to turbidity. The main sign of plaque formation is a decrease in water pressure. Residents of the apartment should ask their neighbors about the state of their water supply. If the rest of the system is working properly, a blockage has occurred on the main section.
Cons of overgrowing water supply:
- reduced head and estimated water consumption;
- a suspension of small particles appears in the water;
- the surface of the highway is destroyed;
- chlorine quickly disappears, the degree of disinfection decreases;
- shutoff valves are disrupted.
With significant sedimentation in the old line, it is best to replace the pipes. After long operation, their surface is severely damaged by corrosion, deposits will appear very quickly. In new pipelines, it is enough to clean the cold water pipe in the apartment without replacement.
Effective cleaning methods
Clogging requires removal as soon as possible. Cleaning the water pipes from the inside at home is usually easy. Rinsing periodically requires pipelines of cold and hot water. Most often, plaque appears in the following areas:
- Filters - grids for collecting large particles are installed at the entrance to the apartment, in front of counters, mixers. Depending on the quality of the liquid, they become clogged at different speeds. Filters are easy to clean by simply rinsing under the pressure of water. Complex deposits and rust are removed with an acid solution.
- Bent pipe sections where foreign matter settles.
- Faucets and mixers - layering appear on the inside of the structure.
- Joints - rust particles or sand cling to roughness.
Lime sediment on the elements of the hot water supply system leads to a drop in the temperature of the coolant.Increases energy consumption for heating. Lime deposits are extremely durable and difficult to remove. Hot water pipes are cleaned with chemicals and mechanical devices. He considers the action of ultrasound and electromagnetic waves to be the most effective.
Cleaning methods vary in speed and effectiveness. They are selected based on the degree and nature of the blockage.
Mechanical
The growths and blockages inside the pipes are removed using mechanical devices. One of them is a plumbing cable. The device is made of metal wire, has a handle for rotation. It is used to clean water pipes from stones, sand, and lime deposits. The nozzle of the device is selected according to the diameter of the line. Before starting work, block the water. Access to the inside of the pipeline is through a removed tap. The cable is advanced by rotational movements. The removed layers are washed after opening the valves. You can make the device yourself. A flexible, durable wire is required. A loop is built at one end and a handle for rotation at the other.
An easy way to clean water pipes from rust is to tap them with a hammer. Before tapping fully open the tap. The oxide will exit the system with a stream of water. Impacts must be careful not to damage the metal.
The effective method is hydraulic flushing. This is a laborious process requiring the dismantling of a clogged area. The pipe is cleaned with a stream of water flowing under pressure. In an apartment, it will be difficult to independently carry out the procedure.
Chemical
Solid calcareous deposits from hard water are dissolved with acid. In everyday life, acetic or citric acid is used. Sludge on water pipes is cleaned with special cleaning agents. They are sold in hardware stores. The drug is poured into the system, blocking access to household appliances. The solution is left for 1-2 hours, according to the instructions for use. Then the pipeline is washed with water, opening the taps. To protect yourself from the remnants of chemistry, you need to flush water for 30-40 minutes. The method is costly and risky. When choosing chemicals, pipe material is taken into account. Strong acid (hydrochloric, phosphoric) can corrode plastic. When working with chemicals, safety is important.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonic waves destructively affect any deposits. They are more effective than chemicals to remove scale. Under the influence of devices re-deposition of calcium salts is prevented. Ultrasound causes structural changes in chemical compounds in a liquid.
If the tenants of the apartment do not rely on their own forces in the performance of plumbing, they should contact a special service. In each city there are companies involved in the cleaning of water supply and sewerage.
Preventative measures
Without regular maintenance, the pipeline wears out quickly. Lime deposits not only reduce the pressure of the water, but also adversely affect the metal. It under the plaque rusts faster, a leak appears. Preventive measures include the installation of a coarse filter. It is placed at the entrance to the counter.
The item is a fine mesh cylinder. The filter material is stainless steel. The mesh traps large debris and rust particles. It is screwed into the cork flange. With low water quality, the cylinder quickly clogs. Regular filter cleaning is required, otherwise the pressure will decrease. To prevent the formation of limescale, the use of softening filters is recommended.
