Cleaning sewer pipes at home. Cleaning sewer pipes with chemicals. Chemicals for removing blockages
Our company offers professional services for removing blockages and cleaning sewers for legal entities.
All you have to do is call us and describe your problem. An engineer’s visit to calculate the cost of work is free of charge.
Cost of one-time sewer cleaning (Emergency removal of sewer blockage)
| Name and cost set of works |
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Removing blockages from internal network building drainage. from 6500 rub |
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Elimination of blockages in the external (yard) drainage network of the building to the receiving well without pumping. from 12,000 rub. |
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Removing blockages in the external (yard) drainage network with pumping out the receiving well. from 18,000 rub. |
Cost of scheduled sewer cleaning (under service agreement)
Blockages, traffic jams and low permeability of sewer pipes are a fairly common problem, as in commercial organizations, and from private individuals. This situation arises due to irregular maintenance of sewer systems. Deposits form on the inside of pipes, which over time reduce their permeability, and even a very small object that gets there can completely clog the pipe. Failure to clean pipes for a long time can lead to emergency situations, including a pipe burst, with subsequent large repair costs.
The best way to prevent emergency situations is regular preventative cleaning and flushing of the sewer system. We offer annual maintenance services for the sewerage system based on a contract and work schedule. Planned maintenance is cheaper than one-time visits and ultimately turns out to be a more profitable and reliable solution.
What is included in the list of works in a sewer cleaning contract?
The text of the contract for sewer cleaning must include regulations and a list of activities to be carried out. We can offer you how standard options a list of activities, as well as their flexible configuration to suit the needs of a specific facility.
The cost of the sewer cleaning contract includes:
It is better to order drain cleaning services regularly. Depending on the type of object, the load on the sewerage system and the specific requirements of the Customer, the recommended period for performing cleaning work ranges from 1 to 6 months. The recommended cleaning period is declared by us based on the results of the initial inspection of the system. For the convenience of customers, scheduled maintenance and sewer cleaning are provided with a guarantee.
What guarantees do you get?
The guarantee for cleaning activities ranges from 1 week to 1 year, depending on the type and characteristics of the object and the type of contract concluded. Throughout warranty period All emergency visits to the site are free.
An engineer’s visit to calculate the cost of work is free of charge.
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How does sewer cleaning work?
For preliminary diagnostics of sewerage, television inspection is used. Teleinspection and video diagnostics of pipes and pipelines accurately determines the type of blockage and detects the presence of foreign objects in the sewer. Also, television inspection helps to detect pipeline defects, its technical condition and is therefore successfully used as a preventative control measure.
Teleinspection of sewer pipes is performed using special devices, which are a device with a display that displays an image from a miniature video camera connected to it via a long cord.
During a television inspection of pipelines, a video camera, through revisions provided for by SNiP 2.04.01-85 (Internal water supply and sewerage of buildings), is directed into the pipe and transmits the video image to the display. There is also a function for taking photographs and recording material into the internal memory of the device. After carrying out this diagnosis, the most effective method of cleaning the sewer is selected.
Effective cleaning of sewer pipes is only possible with modern equipment. During the work we use professional equipment Rothenberger and other reliable manufacturers, which we have tested many times and have proven themselves well.
For cleaning sewer systems, two types are most in demand - mechanical and hydrodynamic.
Mechanical sewer cleaning
The mechanical sewer cleaning method is used to remove complex blockages in pipes. The purpose of cleaning is to break up the plug or debris to facilitate its passage through the sewer system. This procedure uses universal machines, providing jointing and cutting hard materials, food debris, and other waste that often ends up in the sewer. This equipment is suitable for cleaning sewer pipes, both internal and external networks.
TO mechanical methods Sewer cleaning also includes cables and pushed machines. The cable is pushed into the drain hole and, rotating, enters the blockage, destroying it.
Hydrodynamic sewer cleaning
Hydrodynamic cleaning is one of the most effective methods flushing all types of sewers. High-pressure machines are used for hydrodynamic sewer cleaning. Compact hydrodynamic machines are used to clean the internal sewerage system, and to clean the external fecal and storm sewer more powerful car-based units are used.
Hydrodynamic sewer cleaning involves breaking through blockages and washing away dirt from the pipe walls with water supplied under high pressure through nozzles with many small holes. This jet of water is generated by a high-pressure machine. The outlet water pressure ranges from 100 to 600 atm, and its speed can exceed 300 m/s (more than 1000 km/h). This pressure removes any deposits on the pipe walls.
To enhance the effect, special reagents can be added to the water to increase the effectiveness of cleaning, especially when it comes to fatty and oily deposits.
Catering enterprises, as well as food production enterprises such as meat processing plants, dairy plants, fat-and-oil plants and the like have in their wastewater high concentration of fats. Insufficient wastewater treatment leads to the formation of fatty deposits on sewer pipes. To avoid emergency situations, such enterprises are required to be equipped with grease traps. This design helps filter out the grease, after which it enters a chamber where it is stored until it is removed.
A grease trap, just like a sewer, requires regular maintenance, in the absence of which there is an increased risk that the water will simply stop going down the drain, which will make the facility impossible to operate. Sanitary control services may impose penalties for this.
Pumping out and disposal of fat is impossible without the necessary license and documentation. Ecolife Group of Companies offers a wide range of services, including cleaning grease traps and disposal of fat deposits.
Pumping out containers, septic tanks, sewerage, removal of reinforced waste materials
For complete cleaning of containers, septic tanks and wells, pumping, removal and disposal of sludge and liquids is periodically necessary. household waste. This service is especially relevant for industrial enterprises, where the removal of reinforced waste products is regulated by legislation and environmental regulations.
Ecolife Group of Companies offers the services of a special sludge sucker capable of pumping thick sediments from the bottom of tanks, septic tanks, cesspools or sewer wells. We work on the basis of a contract and are ready to carry out the removal of reinforced waste in strict accordance with a pre-drawn schedule.
A blockage in pipes and its removal at home is an everyday matter, but in the process of cleaning the system, certain difficulties may arise. In this article we will look at many ways to solve this problem and how to avoid such a situation in the future.
In a modern private home it is impossible to imagine life without high-quality sewerage. It is best, of course, to install sewerage during the construction stage.
It is not difficult to install it, even on your own, without calling specialists. But there are points that you should pay attention to first. For example, not making the correct slope of the sewer system will lead to the fact that your pipeline will often become clogged.
Causes and signs of clogged sewer pipes
One of the big troubles that you can often encounter is when the sewer system becomes clogged. Of course, this problem is not critical and to solve it there is no need to call a specialist - a plumber. Anyone can clean pipes at home without any special knowledge or tools.
You can understand that your system has become unusable due to the fact that it is clogged by the following factors.
- There is a bad smell coming from the bathtub, sink or toilet.
- The water began to drain much more slowly.
- Under the drain grate too high level liquids.
To prevent sewer blockages, special screens and filters are widely used. But they cannot guarantee the occurrence of blockages.
Fats and oils that end up in drains with water and other waste often contribute to this problem. They accumulate on the walls, which leads to a decrease in the throughput of the system.
As a result of the formation of such deposits, drainage becomes difficult and may eventually stop completely. Blockages in a private home can also occur as a result of foreign objects entering the pipeline.
However, a common cause is organic waste. Cleaning in a private home can be done in the following ways:
- dry cleaning - carried out using products that have a caustic base;
- mechanical - using special tools;
- hydrodynamic cleaning under high pressure.
Regardless of the design and materials used, cleaning at home begins with disassembling the siphon. There are several siphons in the house.
Every sink and bathtub has this device. With its help, you can prevent unpleasant odors from coming from the sewer.
It is better to clean the siphon at home using various products. If the siphon is clogged, you can use boiling water and soda. This mixture allows you to eliminate the fat layer.
To make it, you need to add four tablespoons of baking soda to three liters of boiling water. You can increase the effectiveness of the solution by adding vinegar.
If you understand why this occurs, you can eliminate it quickly and without unnecessary complications. Knowing all the causes of blockages, you can prevent troubles. To do this, it is necessary to identify weak points in the sewer structure and carry out preventive measures in these areas of the drainage system. It is best not to delay and clean everything on time.
If this does happen, then the methods of elimination vary, depending on the sewer system. Also, to understand how best to clean pipes, you need to know what material they are made of.
Differences in clogs
In buildings of the Soviet and post-Soviet period, cast iron pipes were mainly used. They have both pros and cons. The main disadvantage is that during operation they are subject to corrosion. Often, inside cast iron pipelines, the walls become uneven due to build-ups that form from rust and plaque.
Since a cast iron pipe can become too narrow in any part of the structure due to corrosion, it is very difficult to determine the location of the problem. Due to this, cleaning will be difficult.
Most often, cast iron products clog in the area coming out of the sink inside the kitchen, or the area coming out of the toilet. In a cottage, the sewer can become clogged in almost any area, but it can be cleaned hard to reach place not so easy.
In plastic sewer systems this may be due to incorrect installation. For example, the required angle of inclination was not taken into account. In this case, plaque forms inside, which needs to be cleaned to avoid further clogging.
Fatty plaque - removal at home
Most main reason clogging of the sewer system, fatty deposits have formed. It appears inside while washing dishes. Due to its high viscosity, fat retains small particles of debris, such as hairs, pieces of food, grains of sand and the like.
Subsequently, a precipitate forms thick layer, which reduces throughput. In a private home, fatty deposits are the worst enemy.
In order to prevent frequent blockages due to grease deposits, it is necessary to install grease traps. These devices will prevent blockages from occurring and you will save significantly on your purchase. household chemicals.
These devices consist of special sections that retain fat and debris inside them. If a grease trap is installed, then you will not have a question about how to clean the drainage system in a private house.
But if grease deposits have nevertheless overtaken your sewer system, then with a quick response you can quickly eliminate everything. To do this, dry the sink completely with a dry cloth.
Then immediately pour boiling water inside the kitchen sink drain. If she starts to leave, then you need to continue the process. After the blockage is cleared, flush the drain pipe hot water.
You can clean a sewer pipe at home using regular soda and vinegar. In order to carry out this procedure, you need to follow it step by step.
- The kitchen sink is wiped dry.
- Pour one spoon of soda into the drain.
- Prepare a sink drain plug or an old rag.
- Pour half a cup of vinegar into the drain.
- Immediately close the sink opening.
Video - removing blockages at home using baking soda
Thus, you can remove a clogged sink or bathtub at home.
Clearing clogs with home remedies is done first after identifying the problem. It's not difficult to make them yourself.
And the ingredients for this are on hand in every home.
Cleaning with home methods is absolutely harmless to the human body and does not cause negative consequences that occur as a result of the use of chemical reagents.
Here are some of the solutions to fix it at home.
"Wine vinegar and clean sewer"
- 0.5 liters of boiling water;
- 1/3 cup wine vinegar;
- 200 g salt;
- 200 g soda.
Elimination process.
- Soda and wine vinegar are mixed in plastic container.
- The mixture is poured into the clogged drain, poured with boiling water and left for half an hour.
- After this time, the water is turned on and the drain hole is washed for ten minutes.
"Vinegar and Cleaning"
To eliminate it you need:
- 200 g soda;
- 0.5 liters of boiling water;
- 200 g vinegar.
Work process.
- The sink is cleared of water.
- Soda is poured into the drain and filled with vinegar.
- To improve the results, it is recommended to close the drain with a tight stopper.
- After 30 minutes, pour boiling water into the drain outlet.
This is the most simple recipes homemade mixtures. You should not wait until the pipes become clogged; they need to be cleaned regularly.
For preventive cleansing, it is recommended to stir 4 tablespoons of baking soda with hot water. This mixture is poured into the drain and left for 15 minutes. The drainage network is then flushed with hot water. Such measures will help avoid blockages.
Chemical reagents for elimination
If the methods described above do not bring the desired result, then “heavy artillery” is used - chemical agents.
Video: using a plumbing cable to fix the problem
When removing serious household blockages inside the home sewer, special hydrodynamic machines and high-pressure pumps are often used. These devices are used by ordinary motorists to wash their cars.
This device is suitable for cleaning sewer systems with a diameter of at least 50 mm. This device is capable of clearing any blockage, regardless of whether it is a private house or a high-rise building. Sewage cleaning specialists use attachments for hydrodynamic apparatus different types, which can be useful in eliminating even the most complex problem.
For example, a spiral nozzle that can remove a very serious plug inside a pipe.
If this is not the first time you have encountered such a situation, you most likely have household special plumbing cable (a long rod of twisted wire, several millimeters thick). It should be used with caution if your drain consists of plastic pipes rentals.
- First remove the siphon.
- Grasp the cable handle. If not available, it can be made in the form of a curved ring.
- Its end is inserted inside the pipe. Then you need to start rotating the cable, pushing it deeper. This way you will thoroughly clean the entire system.
- At regular intervals, take it out and clean it of dirt, sediment and dirt elements.
- Now you can install the siphon back.
- Rinse the drain with boiling water.
Video about the principle of operation of a plumbing cable, an example of use
Hydrodynamic cleaning
If all the means and devices do not bring the desired result, then the only way out of the current situation is to use a special device. This device is used to inject water pressure.
First you need to insert the end of the hose into the drain hole. Let's connect its other end to the compressor. Water is supplied at the same time when the compressor is running.
Under pressure, the blockage is broken and removed from the pipe. This method of resolving the issue is effective and is used in difficult situations.
Pressure cleaning equipment is quite expensive. Therefore, not everyone can clean it at home using this method.
But even this problem can be solved. Each owner in his home has a hose and pump used to water the area.
These garden accessories can be used for hydrodynamic drain cleaning at home. The main thing is that a lot of pressure is created.
Cleaning of sewer wells
Cleaning sewer wells is a regular, mandatory activity. It is recommended to do it after completion winter period or every 6 months.
Technical capabilities today make it possible to carry out this event in a private home quickly, without large financial costs.
The price for this is small if you compare it with the price that will have to be spent on repairing an emergency sewer pipeline.
On this moment The following well cleaning methods are used:
- cleaning the well using a suction pump;
- vacuum pumping;
- hydrodynamic view;
- washing with chemical reagents;
- thermal rinsing.
The required number of actions to clean the well is determined taking into account the local conditions. Sometimes they need to be done once a year, and in other cases they are resorted to two or three times a year.
Recommendations for frequent cleaning of wells in a private home are dictated by a practical approach.
The collected debris not only clogs, but also significantly interferes with the normal functioning of the pipe network. When the waste is rarely cleaned out, all kinds of microbes accumulate in the well.
If they are not removed in time, they provoke the appearance of mold and rot in the middle of the engineering structure. This also leads to the appearance of all kinds of infections in a private home.
IMPORTANT! Often, due to lack of finances, many people ignore prevention, and as a result, emergency situations. Over time, the pipe line loses its throughput properties and may even become completely inoperative. For the stable functioning of the sewer network in the house, it is necessary to regularly clean the sewer wells.
Prevention
Cleaning sewerage in a private house is very labor-intensive process, which can take a very long time to complete. To prevent such situations from occurring in the future, here are some tips to follow:
- carefully monitor what goes down the drain;
- use gratings and special filters;
- regularly clean the sewer pipeline from plaque;
- for construction.
These recommendations will help protect the sewer system in a private home from frequent blockages. If you find that the water flows poorly, then you need to think about carrying out cleaning work.
This will prevent the formation of a plug that completely blocks the waste flow. To solve this problem at home, various means are used.
If serious blockages occur, you should consider seeking professional help. Today, many companies provide sewer cleaning services in a private home.
Professionals will quickly resolve problems of any complexity. This will save your time and effort. Of course, you will need to pay a certain price for such a service.
If you decide to start cleaning sewer pipes in a private house on your own, then you should start by using chemical substances. They have high efficiency and are optimally suited for use at home.
Cables and other devices are also widely used. Cleaning at home is easy to do with your own hands.
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Sewage is an integral and very important part of any modern house both multi-apartment and private. Due to constant use, there is always a risk of clogging.
Of course, the occurrence of an unpleasant situation can be prevented, but there is no absolute methods and guarantees. Therefore, it is always important to know how to clean sewer pipes in a private home and what tools are required for this.
Preventing a problem is always easier, and often cheaper, than eliminating it, this is clear to many. And problems with sewerage in a private house are no exception. Preventative measures will minimize the likelihood of pipe clogging if carried out regularly and systematically.
A significant problem can often be created by the very search for the place where the trouble occurred. This may turn out to be not an easy task for the layman.
Typically, pipes do not clog immediately, but debris accumulates gradually. It accumulates in the pipe, preventing the free passage of water. Respectively The main sign of a blockage is poor water drainage.
Method No. 3 - chemicals
Method chemical cleaning It is rather preventive or final after cleaning in another way to consolidate the result.
However, for health safety and to prevent any damage, a number of rules and precautions must be observed:
- Due to the specific composition, different products can harm the communications themselves. This must be taken into account when choosing a product for a specific type of pipe.
- Be sure to follow the necessary precautions when working, usually they are written directly on the packaging of chemicals, because many of them may have toxic fumes.
- Clear blockages in a well-ventilated area.
When you buy plumbing chemicals in a store, be sure to carefully read the instructions: the prescribed dosage volume of the product is poured into the drain.
Then, after the time specified in the instructions, the drain is washed with a strong stream of water. It can be either cold or warm, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Under no circumstances should you mix different ones with each other, since the consequences of this can be completely unpredictable.
Method No. 4 – hydrodynamic cleaning
If you cannot cope with the blockage of a sewer pipe using any method, you can only resort to the last, more radical method - hydrodynamic. It involves removing the blockage with a jet of water under high pressure.
If all means have been tried, but there is still no result, then all that remains is to resort to hydrodynamic cleaning of clogged pipes. Just keep in mind that this procedure is not cheap, and only specialists can perform it
Prevention and prevention of blockages
Currently, there are many different methods for effective fight with garbage plugs. But it’s more important not to let the situation get worse and not let the sewer system become clogged.
Any Technical equipment and any communications need care and timely prevention, sewer pipes are no exception.
It is enough to follow the usual and accessible, but effective rules:
- Do not dispose of substances that do not dissolve easily down the drain. They belong in the trash can, not in the pipes.
- When installing sewer pipes, it is necessary to install them under a small area, and should also avoid large angles, since blockages can accumulate in them.
- At least once a week, and preferably more often, you need to rinse sewer drains boiling water for several minutes.
- Special grates must be installed in the drains to prevent debris from entering the pipeline and clogging it. It is easier to clean the grate itself than to remove waste from the pipe.
- Never leave small objects, bags or rags in the immediate vicinity of the drain - they can easily end up in the pipe and cause serious problems for you.
When carrying out repairs or construction work, pay double attention to drainage issues.
It is necessary to regularly clean the walls of the pipes from the accumulated layer of fat and other dirt. It is important to monitor very carefully so that foreign objects do not get into them and household waste. For example, peeling vegetables, plastic bags, textile
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
You can learn how to properly use a plumbing cable from the following video:
Following simple rules and precautions will minimize the risk of blockage in your sewer system, its wear and tear, damage by chemicals, and in general will extend its service life.
By preventing blockages and avoiding labor-intensive operations to remove them, you can save not only a lot of time, but also money.
Which one do you use? Please tell us about it in the comments section. There you also have the opportunity to ask questions about the topic of the article, and we will try to answer them promptly.
Clogged drains in the private sector are a common occurrence. There is no point in turning to a plumber for help every time. You can clean pipes at home with your own hands using mechanical devices or folk methods.
Causes of blockage
Pipes in the kitchen can become clogged for the following reasons:
- Cast iron pipes become clogged more often due to the fact that their inner surface is lumpy. This is due to the constantly occurring process of corrosion. The section between the bathtub and the kitchen sink can become clogged especially often;
- Plastic pipes are less susceptible to clogging. This happens if their installation is carried out with an incorrect slope;
- Fat deposited on the walls of the sewer causes debris to stick to it. Over time, a thick layer forms and the pipe loses its permeability;
- Water impurities contain limescale, deposited on the walls of the pipes;
- The source of pollution is soil and sand that gets in while washing shoes;
- If the pipes are clogged with large objects, then you need to call a specialist. The work will be carried out using a hydrodynamic method. This often happens in high-rise buildings;
- The cause of the blockage may be detergents containing active substances. They, like fats, lie on inner surface pipes
Whatever material the pipes are made of, the question constantly arises of how to clean the sewer in the private sector.
Cleaning methods
When answering the question of how to clean sewer pipes at home, you need to accurately determine the location and cause of water obstruction.
Basic methods for cleaning kitchen drains:
- Carry out cleaning with improvised means;
- Mechanical cleaning;
- Using chemicals.
If there is a blockage in the pipes, then removal at home can be done using any of these methods. In the private sector the task is easier. Here it is possible to carry out work in the yard.
Sewer cleaning
Generally, drain cleaning is often done in the kitchen. There is more fat, hair or food waste present here. Work in these premises is carried out constantly. You need to adhere to four points:
- When laying cast iron pipes, you need to regularly pass 1 liter of boiling water through them. If there is a plastic sewer, it is enough to run hot water for 20 minutes. Make the stream small. If a piece of soap is stuck, it will quickly dissolve;
- The same amount of soda and half a glass of salt are poured into a glass of water. This mixture is poured into the sewer pipe for 15 minutes. Then you need to release water from the water supply, flush the system and at the same time carry out cleaning work with a plunger;
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a blowing function. If you use a rag to reduce the diameter of the vacuum cleaner pipe, the sharpness of the air flow will increase. If you direct a stream of air into the drain, it will push the plug;
- If you need to wash a clogged siphon in the kitchen, remove it, remove all debris and rinse under running water.
In cases where such methods do not lead to success, more serious measures are taken. However, first they find out the location of the blockage. They clarify that it is the pipe that is clogged, not the siphon.
To do this, fill all plumbing fixtures with water and observe:
- If stagnation occurs in only one unit, for example, in a sink, then only local networks;
- If water has established itself in all plumbing places, then the blockage is complete, and the issue needs to be resolved with the involvement of specialists.
Local sewer cleaning is carried out on our own. To do this, the siphon is removed, the corrugation is removed, and washing is carried out using chemicals or a cable.
Mechanical methods
To know how to clean a drain at home if there is a serious blockage, it is important to understand which tool to use to break the blockage into small components. Then simply rinse off its components with a stream of water. This method is often used in the kitchen, where food debris often causes clogs.
You can clean the pipes in the sewer using a plunger, which works on the principle of creating hydraulic pressure due to the formation of a vacuum.
Instructions for use:
- The sink fills with water;
- The base of the plunger is pressed against the drain and pressed sharply;
- Translational movements up and down are carried out several times. With the last upward movement, the device abruptly breaks away from the plane. It is important to do this carefully so that the sink parts do not break;
- This work is carried out up to 4 times.
If you have a double sink, it needs to be cleaned with two plungers at the same time. For this you need an assistant. If this is not the case, then one drain is covered with a rag.
Plumbing cable
It is a wire with a handle, at the end of which there is a brush.
Cleaning instructions:
- The cable is inserted with the brush down into the drain;
- The wire is twisted using the handle. In this case, pressure is applied downwards and then upwards. You need to punch the cork until it comes out;
- Water is supplied from time to time to wash away small debris.
Knowing how to break through traffic jams, you can clear them in this way metal pipes. At the same time, with inside rust is removed. If the pipes are plastic, then instead of a brush, use a cable with twisted wire so as not to damage the material.
Other mechanical means
How to clean the sewer if there is no cable at home? Then homemade devices come into play:
- Covered with tape from top to bottom in a spiral plastic bottle. A line is drawn along the border of the tape on the bottle;
- A cut is made on the bottle along the lines;
- The bottom of the bottle is used as a handle;
- Notches are made at an angle of 45 degrees in the form of a spiral;
- The device is inserted into the drain hole and then removed. The spiral pulls out the debris.
Chemical methods
The industry provides a wide selection of anti-clogging products that help clean the sewer.
- In liquid form. “Tiret” and “Mr. Muscle” products with an ammonia odor;
- In powder form. For example, "Comet". If there is no cross-country ability at all, then the use of such a means is pointless;
- Acidic. "Mole". Before use, you need to pour boiling water into the system. After using the drug, rinse well with running water;
- Alkaline. "Domestos", "Whiteness".
How to clean the drain using these products is indicated on the packaging. You need to familiarize yourself with it in detail.
Traditional methods
Sewer cleaning folk remedies used when there is concern about the use of chemicals. In a private home, salt and vinegar are often used. This method has tangible advantages in the form of low cost and ease of use.
Salt, being an alkali, interacts with the acid-vinegar. Heating occurs and carbon dioxide is released. This mixture acts on the walls and removes plaque from them.
Half a pack of soda and half a bottle of vinegar are poured into the drain hole, which is slightly heated. The hole is closed with a plug. Waiting time – 2 hours. After this, the sewer is flushed with 3 liters of boiling water. All dissolved debris will go away with the water.
If you don’t have soda on hand, but have Alka-Seltzer, then it can act as a replacement.
Two tablets are thrown into the drain hole, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar is added. Then the system is washed with boiling water.
Cleaning the bathroom
Flushing with a shower hose:
- C shower hose the watering can and seal are removed;
- A hose is applied to the hole and water is released under maximum pressure;
- The procedure lasts for 8-10 minutes;
- If there are several holes, the rest must be closed;
- This procedure is carried out with the remaining holes in turn.
Siphon cleaning
With local contamination, the sink siphon usually becomes clogged. To clean it, you need:
- Unscrew the plastic nut;
- The removed siphon is placed in a container;
- A mixture of vinegar and soda is poured into the open hole of the pipe;
- As soon as the reaction comes to an end, another glass of vinegar is added.
- Once the fizzing process begins, you need to continue adding vinegar until the reaction stops;
- After 20 minutes of waiting, 3 liters of heated water are poured;
- The siphon is put back by tightening the plastic nut.
If, when removing the siphon, the system is not clogged, then the use of the mixture is not required.
Eliminating odor from drains
First comes the removal of the traffic jam. The following activities are carried out:
- Dry mustard is poured into the drain hole. Then it is washed off;
- You can use a bleach solution. It eliminates all odors, but establishes its own;
- The problem can be solved with an air freshener, but not for long.
If the instructions for installing the siphon are violated, there will be no water seal, which prevents the smell from escaping. You need to check the siphon for correct installation:
- In a bottle siphon, the drain pipe is located lower than the water level. Otherwise, the evaporation will pass over the water seal;
- The pipe may have changed position or was installed incorrectly. It needs to be corrected and fixed.
Other causes of stagnant water in the sink
Sometimes the reason is not a clogged system, but may be:
- The siphon itself is clogged. It needs to be cleaned;
- The corrugation between the siphon and the sewer is clogged or incorrectly bent. It is necessary to correct its position;
- Plugs have formed at the joints where the silicone seals are located. The traffic jams need to be removed.
Prevention
It is carried out to reduce clogging:
- Do not pour greasy waste into the sink;
- Try not to get any leftover food into it; it’s better to throw them in a bucket;
- Place a mesh on the drain so that small waste is retained in it;
- Hair should not fall into the sink;
Any inhabitant of apartments has already developed a strong habit of using the benefits of civilization: electricity, water supply, heat and gas. Therefore, when the tap is opened or the plug is removed from the bathtub, no one thinks about what kind of communications drain this water and where it goes later. You don’t think about it until the moment when even a small stream from the tap suddenly does not leave the sink, but fills it to the brim, and the filled bath remains intact and, at best, drains “a teaspoon per hour.” In other words, when sewer pipes become clogged, the house seems to be paralyzed: you can’t wash the dishes, you can’t wash your hands, you can’t use the washing machine or toilet. Numerous services providing services to the population operate around the clock; you can wait for a plumber from the housing office, or you can take everything into your own hands. In the article we'll talk about how to clean sewer pipes.
It is possible to defeat a blockage on your own, if you understand a little about its origin, have some simple means at hand, products from the household chemical industry, or a simple set of ingredients for making them yourself.
Sewage pipes photo
Causes and consequences of clogged sewer pipes
No matter how neat the housewife or all the household members are, no matter how preventive measures no matter what they used, there are two main groups of reasons that will inevitably sooner or later lead to a blockage in a single sewer system.
To operational factors clogged pipes for sewerage include:
- fat deposits (the risk zone is mainly the kitchen);
- hair or animal fur (if a particularly furry pet is bathed in the bath quite often);
- small pieces of fabric or small accessories from clothing (they will definitely end up in the sewer when washing machine drains water, settles on the walls of pipes and accumulates over time);
- poor quality of water in the apartment, excessive content of lime and iron in it (they settle in the pipes first as a thin coating, then grow in size, reducing the diameter of the pipe and leading to blockage);
- siltation of communication.
Technological reasons that are responsible for blockages are:
- initially incorrect design of the entire drainage system. This is when incorrect calculations were used during installation and pipes of too small a diameter were installed. They are simply not able to cope with the total amount of water removed or are not designed for the fact that quite large debris, such as food waste, can get into them. One more common mistake designers or installers is not a simple and understandable drain system, but more reminiscent of the Minotaur’s labyrinth. In the abundance of turns and bends of pipes, human waste is easily deposited and the result of poor water purification is rust and lime deposits;
- general wear and tear of communications is absolutely not a rare cause of blockage. Residents of “houses with history” are well aware of this “feature” of the sewage system in their apartments;
- If, in order to combat a blockage that has arisen for a number of reasons classified as operational, it is enough to destroy it (punch through, dissolve) and sometimes carry out preventive cleaning, then to eliminate factors from the second group, you will have to undertake a large-scale rework.
Causes of clogged sewer pipes
Before choosing any method of eliminating the misfortune, you need to think about the possible root causes, then the result will be quick and guaranteed.
- Chemicals can deal with grease in kitchen sewer pipes, and the blockage itself can be removed with a plunger. With pet hair and hair, things are a little more complicated. They are not so easy to dissolve. This will take time, and if you don’t have it, then a plumbing cable will be the best solution.
- Mistakes by designers and installers are best addressed before problems arise. If the confusing drainage system is initially scary, you should consult with professionals and simplify it before you begin active use. It is better to replace old cast iron sewer pipes with more modern analogues. Expensive? Yes, but the nerves and money spent on endless vials with “magic” chemistry will cost even more.
Sewage pipe sizes
An attentive housewife or owner should first of all be alert to:
- bad smell from pipes and drains;
- extraneous sounds during draining of water - squelching and “slurping”;
- slowly receding water. This may be a feature of the system, but if this has not been observed before, then there is a reason to carry out prevention.
Removing clogged sewer pipes
Since the causes of blockages are different, then you need to have at hand the entire arsenal to combat them, from light weapons to serious equipment.
- Household chemicals. Sold everywhere. They are widely advertised and promise miraculous effects in a short period of time. At the prevention stage, they usually help quite well.
- Plunger. The simplest device available in most apartments. An effective remedy for blockages that are not located deep in the pipe. To “bring it into action”, you need to install it above the water drain hole, press it tightly and pump the air in the pipe several times with vigorous forward movements of the handle.
- If necessary, the operation is repeated two or three times. Due to such actions, the blockage begins to move, disintegrates and passes further along the pipe into the sewer. To facilitate this process, after working with the plunger, you need to use the maximum possible pressure of water (preferably hot), it will wash away the remaining debris. As preliminary action It is necessary to close the overflow hole tightly. If there is no special lid, you can make a “gag” from an ordinary rag. This measure will ensure high pressure air, which will destroy the blockage.
- Otherwise, you will have to work with a plunger for a long time, make too much effort, and you may not achieve any effect at all.
- No matter how tightly the plunger is pressed to the drain hole, and no matter how intensely it is acted upon, if the blockage has formed deep in the pipe, then this device turns out to be useless.
- Plumbing cable. This does not happen to everyone, but many craftsmen quite adapt for these purposes a fairly long, moderately stiff, but flexible wire or hose with a large cross section(which, in fact, this device is). But a purchased copy often comes complete with various attachments that increase cleaning efficiency and a convenient handle for rotation.
- A plumbing cable or a device that replaces it will allow you to reach the blockage that is “sitting” quite deep in the communications. Its length (several meters), flexible and robust design allow you to carry it through the entire system and break through a “plug” of any nature.
- The cable is lowered into the sewer hole and pushed until an obstacle is encountered in its path. As soon as it hits it, you need to start rotating the device until the blockage is completely removed. For maximum effect It is better to rotate clockwise. This requirement is mandatory if a steel product twisted into a spring is used. When rotating in reverse side(counterclockwise) it can be easily damaged.
- Manual parsing. A somewhat dirty and unpleasant method, but accessible and effective. Water from the drain holes first passes through a siphon, which, thanks to its design features creates a water seal. It prevents the unpleasant smell from the sewer from entering the apartment. Some types of siphons are especially susceptible to dirt accumulating on their walls. For lack of the best way you can carefully disconnect it and rinse it properly (or replace it with a new, more technologically advanced option).
- Soda. A common baking ingredient is the basis of many “recipes” that help actively combat clogged pipes.
Cleaning sewer pipes with chemicals
- Chemical methods of attacking blockages are most effective as preventive measures. But they fight some types of contaminants in pipes quite adequately. Every housewife probably has in stock a package with a life-saving remedy that was found experimentally. The release form of such drugs can be gel-like, liquid or granular (powdery).
- Regardless of this, it is worth remembering that the composition contains caustic substances that, if they get on the skin and mucous membranes, cause severe irritation and burns. Otherwise, such a product will not be able to dissolve either fat or other organic matter. Therefore, following certain rules will protect your health:
- Storing such drugs out of the reach of children and animals and using gloves when working with them are mandatory requirements.
- Since the vapors of these compounds are also harmful to the respiratory system, you should not bend low over the drain during treatment and stay close to the cleaning object the entire time the product is working.
- You need to carefully study the label on which the composition is indicated. Basic active ingredients is an acid or alkali. Depending on their concentration, the product will be more or less effective. All manufacturer's recommendations must be followed exactly. It also indicates for what types of blockages this product can be used.
- Do not use the drug for those pipes that are not permitted by the instructions for use. It is forbidden to leave the product to “work” longer than the recommended period. Such a desire to enhance the effect of application threatens to destroy the pipes.
- After use, you need to flush the system big amount water.
For those who have not yet found their ideal solution for removing blockages, we can give the following: practical advice by searching for it:
- the drug, which needs to be left for several minutes, has a high concentration active substances than the one that needs to be kept for half an hour;
- preventative agents can only remove small and minor blockages, even if used in increased dosages;
- Not all means are capable of breaking through clogged pipes in standing water. Such information must be present on the label;
- It is believed that imported analogues are distinguished by components that are more gentle on the sewage system. That is, they do not have such a detrimental effect on the condition of the pipes themselves. Therefore, they are recommended for cleaning plastic sewer pipes;
- If the waiting time specified by the manufacturer has expired and the water has not drained, you can try using a plunger. The product nevertheless softened the blockage to some extent, and it can succumb to the proven method.
Clearing clogged sewer pipes using folk remedies
Traditional methods of cleaning sewer pipes are considered very effective. The compositions are easy to make, and the necessary components are always available in the kitchen or at the nearest store.
- The first thing you can try is intensive rinsing of the clogged pipe with several liters of boiling water. This method is only suitable for combating accumulated fat. It is also good to use as a preventive measure, especially after particularly dirty dishes, such as a baking tray, have been washed. The fat that gets from it into the sewer pipe will be immediately washed away and will not settle on the walls.
The usual baking soda will cope no less effectively with the breakdown of fats and small deposits. It is customary to combine it with other “aggressive” cleaning components stored in kitchen cabinets.
- Soda + hot water . The above-described preventive method is enhanced by the action of sodium bicarbonate. First of all, a liter of boiling water is poured into the sewer hole. If after fifteen minutes the blockage cannot be removed using a plunger, then a glass of soda is poured into the drain. Immediately after this, you need to pour in 0.6 liters. boiling water These steps may not help the first time. But such a sequence, repeated twice or three times, will not only remove the blockage, but will also thoroughly disinfect the entire system due to the formation of an active alkaline environment.
- Sodium bicarbonate + salt. This method is not fast. Both components must be mixed in equal proportions in any quantity, for example, half a glass. The prepared mixture is poured into the drain and filled with hot water in a volume of one liter. You will have to wait from 8 to 12 hours for the result. The sewer system cannot be used during this time.
- Sodium bicarbonate + vinegar. To begin with, pour 100 g of soda (half a glass) and the same amount of bite into the drain hole. You have to take it acetic acid 70%. The drain needs to be plugged and left alone for a couple of hours. When these components combine, a chemical reaction begins, which is accompanied by the release carbon dioxide and abundant foaming, so you need to plug the hole quickly. After the time has passed, you should pour a liter of boiling water down the drain.
Calling specialists
If you don’t have any of the above tools and chemicals at hand, or they turn out to be ineffective, and you don’t have the desire or time to set up a laboratory at home, you’ll have to call professional “rescuers.”
- In addition to the cable and plunger, modern plumbers can even diagnose the system using a mini-camera, the so-called pipe and sewer cleaning hose. Such an assessment of the condition of the entire sewer system is also useful in that any emerging problems will become apparent.
The following will be used against particularly stubborn blockages:
- hydrodynamic cleaning of sewer pipes (the system is washed with a stream of water supplied under high pressure);
- thermochemical cleaning (special compositions and solutions are preheated to the required temperatures, and they become most effective);
- Pipes can also be flushed with short pulses of water under high pressure.
In any case, preliminary diagnosis will tell specialists the most suitable method.
In order not to bring the situation to such a serious and expensive intervention, it is better to remember about prevention, then you will not have to experience any inconvenience from clogged sewer pipes.
