How to clean a bathroom pipe at home?

A bath in our time is one of the prerequisites for comfort. But even if you use the plumbing as carefully as possible, you still sometimes have to deal with a situation where the water does not go down the drain. You shouldn't look for someone to blame and find out who was the last in the bathroom, you just need to roll up your sleeves and break through the blockage. Today we will tell you how to clean the pipe in the bathroom at home as quickly as possible.

The main causes of blockages

Before proceeding with the cleaning of the pipe, you need to make sure that this is not a general, but a local blockage. In cases of clogging of the central sewerage of the house, the workers of the housing office are engaged in cleaning the pipes.

Important! To make sure that the problem exists only in your apartment, turn on the water in the bathroom and in the kitchen, if water flows out in the kitchen without hindrance, but there is water in the bathroom, then you need to start cleaning the pipes in the bathroom.

The main causes of blockage include the following factors:

• Fat deposits on the pipes. The best way to eliminate the problem is to use special chemical compositions.
• Constructive error of the sewer system. Even when laying pipes, the craftsmen could arrange them at the wrong angle. In this case, the cause of the blockage can be completely eliminated only by correcting a constructive error and redoing the problematic section of the sewer pipe.
• Deterioration of the sewer system.
• Neglect of elementary preventive measures and rules for the care of the sewer system.
• Debris entering the drain: animal hair, hair, rags, threads, etc.

Important! All these reasons lead not only to the fact that the water stops leaving normally, but also to the appearance of an unpleasant odor, which is a consequence of the decomposition of debris stuck in the drain. Therefore, the problem must be solved in any case in order to ensure comfort in the house, especially since you can clean the pipe in the bathroom at home quickly enough if you know how.

How to remove a blockage in the bathroom at home?

If the water does not pass well into the drain, it is necessary to urgently take measures to remove the blockage. Alternatively, you can use the services of a specialist, but we propose to solve the problem on our own, using one of the methods described below.

Mechanical method

The most common and simple way that even a woman can use is to clear the blockage in the bathroom with a plunger. This method can even be used as a prophylaxis. The more often you use the plunger, the less often the blockage problem will appear.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Thoroughly lubricate the rubber part of the plunger with petroleum jelly so that it fits tightly to the drain.
2. Fill the tub with a little water (halfway up the rubber bowl of the device).
3. Install the plunger so that the rubber nozzle completely covers the drain hole.
4. Raise and lower the plunger with sharp, intense movements. Air will suddenly enter the drain and push through the resulting blockage.
5. With the last swing, pull the plunger out of the water sharply.
6. Turn on hot water to flush out debris.
7. If the blockage could not be eliminated the first time, repeat the procedure several times.

Important! You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove a problem if it has the function of blowing back air and is very powerful. Proceed as follows:

• Cut the rubber ball in half so that one half is smaller than the other. The size of the ball must be larger than the drain hole.
• Fold the halves into each other, and in the middle make a hole equal to the diameter of the vacuum cleaner pipe.
• Insert the vacuum cleaner pipe into the hole and secure the structure with electrical tape or clamps.
• Connect the hose to the outlet of the vacuum cleaner.
• While pressing the homemade plunger, turn on the device. The cleaning process can be compared to the work of a plunger, with the addition of a powerful stream of air.

How to break through a blockage in a bathroom with a plumbing cable?

Of course, only small blockages can be removed with a plunger. For more serious problems, if the blockage is far in the pipe or the lump of debris is strongly compressed, you can only clean the pipe in the bathroom at home using a plumbing cable.

The essence of this method is as follows: with the help of a cable, the debris is pulled out or pushed into a wider highway.

Important! The plumbing wire should not be used to clean plastic and chrome-plated pipes, as they can damage the inner surface.

This procedure is carried out in this way:

1. Put gloves on your hands.
2. Disassemble the siphon under the sink.
3. Carefully straighten the end of the cable so that it can catch on debris.
4. Insert the straightened end into the drain hole.
5. Push the debris along the pipe with gentle rotating movements.
6. After the main obstacle has been removed, give a few hard jolts along the pipe.
7. Pull out the cable together with the dirt.
8. Run hot water into the drain hole.

Important! To make it convenient for you to clean the pipe in the bathroom at home, take note of the following nuances:

• Plumbing cable can be purchased at the store, or you can make it yourself: take a piece of sufficiently flexible metal cable, bend the end and fluff the tip. The cable will move well along the bends of the pipe and will not be able to rest on the knee. For ease of use and grip on the cable, wrap it with something rigid to create a kind of handle.
• For efficiency and convenience, work with the rope with two people. An assistant will monitor the tension in the cable. Push the sharp tip into the drain hole, and the assistant will simultaneously rotate. Turn on the water and continue to operate the cable, water and cable movement inside the pipe will clear the blockage.

Using a tight hose:

1. Put the rubber tight hose on the hot water tap and fasten it securely.
2. Plunge the other end of the hose into the drain hole as deep as possible.
3. Turn on the water.
4. Move the hose forward.
5. Hot water pressure and pushing movements will act on the blockage and remove it.
6. Fill a tub full of hot water and quickly open the drain cover. At the same time, work with a plunger so that the water, due to pressure, flushes out the rest of the blockage.

Cleaning the siphon

The siphon must be cleaned not only during a blockage, but also for preventive measures in order to get rid of an unpleasant odor.

Proceed as follows:

1. Place a soft cloth under the siphon on the floor.
2. Place a basin or bowl.
3. Unscrew the fasteners carefully.
4. Remove the flask.
5. Wait for all the water to drain into the prepared container.
6. Clean out debris from the siphon.
7. Rinse the siphon under running water.
8. Replace the device. Pay attention that the drain pipe does not rest on the flask, otherwise the water seal may be broken.
9. Without removing the basin, turn on the water and make sure that the tightness is not broken.

Chemicals are faithful helpers

You can clean the blockage in the bathroom at home without a plunger, a plumbing cable, but with the help of modern cleaning agents. Today, there are a large number of chemicals on sale that can clean sewer pipes. Some contain acids, others alkalis. But it is necessary to approach the choice of drugs with all responsibility and compliance with safety rules.

Important! A good cleaner will clear a blockage in your bathroom in minutes and effortlessly. Chemicals are especially effective in dealing with operational clogging that is of organic origin.

Types of drugs for blockages

Preparations are produced in various forms:

Popular pipe cleaners:

• "Mole" is an effective remedy, but it cannot be used for plastic pipes.
• “Mister Muscle” - suitable for all types of pipes. Available in gel and foam form. Cleans pipes from dirt, kills bacteria and helps to eliminate odors.
• "Potkhan" - quickly and without residue dissolves various impurities. It has a pungent odor, but it breaks through the most severe blockages. This is an Israeli product that must be filled in portions of 100 grams. This amount is enough to instantly fix the problem. The main disadvantage is the high price.
• "Tiret" - perfectly copes with its task, removes blockages quickly and efficiently. Has no ammonia odor.

Mode of application

To break through the blockage in the bathroom, these funds must be used according to the instructions:

1. Pour or pour the product into the sewer hole.
2. Leave it on for a while.
3. Rinse thoroughly with running water.

Important! Use chemical agents correctly, since even the safest drugs deform the pipe material with prolonged use. Always remember to use safety precautions when using blockage cleaners: wear rubber gloves, special clothing and safety glasses. A constant movement of air must be created in the bathroom so as not to inhale harmful vapors.

1. When choosing a chemical directly to remove a blockage in the bathroom, opt for a product that can dissolve hair. When choosing a product for the kitchen - for products that can dissolve fat.
2. For plastic pipes, use a gel or granular chemical (the latter is preferred).
3. When buying household chemicals, pay attention to the purpose of the products. They are of two types:
   • preventive - can cope with minor blockages;
   • more powerful, capable of working even in stagnant water.

The latter remedies are necessary when the drain hole is completely blocked.

Folk remedies for blockages

Previously, every housewife knew how to unclog a sewer pipe with baking soda and vinegar. Today, the use of folk remedies is used less and less. However, using the tools at hand is very simple:

1. Take equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar (one glass is enough).
2. Put baking soda in the drain first, then pour in the vinegar.
3. Close the drain plug.
4. Leave the ingredients to react chemically for 2-3 hours.
5. Rinse the drain with boiling water.

Important! Using baking soda is one of the safest and most effective ways. Soda is excellent at removing blockages and does not harm the inner surfaces of the pipes. Use baking soda for clogging and prevention.

Other home remedy options:

1. Use lemon to remove body fat. Squeeze a few fresh lemons into the drain and let sit for an hour. Fresh lemons can be replaced with lemon juice concentrate.
2. If you do not want to use modern products, then prepare a cleanser from the available products. You will need: a glass of salt, a glass of baking soda, ¼ glass of tartar (crystallized sediment during wine production). Stir the ingredients and place in a clean jar. Close the lid tightly. If necessary, use the prepared product as follows: ¼ pour the contents of the jar into the drain hole, and pour 300 ml of boiling water on top. After a minute, turn on cold water and rinse off the remaining product. Perform the cleaning procedure for prevention weekly.