The most common piping clogging problems occur in narrow pipes that cannot pass a strong flow of water through them. Since it is not always possible to clean the sink with the help of specialists, all the work can be done by hand.
Mechanical impact
The most common cleaning tools used by home apprentices include:
- Cable (plumbing drill);
- Ventuz.
Depending on the pipeline in which the problem arose, the options for its elimination may vary. The kitchen sink is most often clogged due to the constant flow of water with grease and food debris. They accumulate on the walls of the system, which reduces the flow of water or even stops work. A clogged kitchen drain is easiest to clean using a special cable with nozzles.
Photo - using a plumbing drill
Now every plumbing store sells borax with changing tips. Depending on the type of problems encountered, you can find any attachment: with a hook, spiral, bayonet, etc. Please note that if the sewage system is made of plastic communications, then you need to act very carefully so as not to damage the entire system.
How to work with a cable:
- Carefully install the nozzle on the head of the cord, make sure that it does not come off during operation;
- With rotating movements, insert the drill into the sink and advance until it stops;
- If the cable has stopped, it means that it ran into the cause of the blockage;
- Depending on the situation, you need to either push the blockage out, or try to pull it out to unclog the sewer.
Often cotton pads or sponges get into the sink, which will be more correctly removed from the system. But if the reason lies in the remains of soap, grease or food waste, then you need to try to push them into a pipe with a wider working diameter.
Photo - cable cleaning
If you did not find a special cable at hand, then you can make a homemade one. It is necessary to take several wires of the same diameter, for example, copper. Twist them together to form a spiral twisted, it should look like in the photo. You do not need to put on attachments on such a device.
Photo - homemade rope
Photo - how to cut a spiral from a bottle
Sometimes craftsmen also cut cables from plastic bottles, but this is only for small contaminants.
Sometimes, to clean the sink in the kitchen, without plunger just not enough. This is a versatile device that helps to quickly and effectively get rid of the accumulation of food debris in the siphon, knee under the sink and directly, the mains. You need to follow these steps:
- Install the rubber plunger head opposite the drain hole. Many craftsmen say that for more efficient work, you need to fill the sink with water so that it covers two-thirds of the plunger head;
- After that, make several forward movements up and down. With such a sharp change in pressure inside the system, pieces of debris and food will change their position, which will allow them to be washed with a strong stream of water;
- After finishing the work, it is advisable to additionally clean the system with a cable in order to remove the remnants of food from the walls of the sewer.
Photo - how to use a plunger
If you have a clogged sink in the bathroom, then it can be quickly cleaned even with the usual hose... Your goal is to insert it into the pipe as close to the blockage as possible and try to flush it off with a strong stream of water. This principle is very similar to the treatment of an outdoor or main sewer by a hydraulic machine.
A clogged bathroom sink is much easier to clean with a cable hook than in the kitchen. The fact is that most of the clogging in the sink is hair, which can get into the drain from the head or after washing pets. They roll into a large ball that interferes with the normal passage of water, reducing the useful diameter of the shell. To eliminate it, you need to hook onto the edge of the blockage with a hook and carefully pull it out.
Photo - types of attachments
Some craftsmen also use the power of a vacuum cleaner to clean the sewer system. To clean the clogged sewer in the bathroom or sink in this way, you need to insert a flexible hose to the point of clogging. After that, turn on the vacuum cleaner at full power in reverse mode, so that it kind of blows out the blockage. This option is ideal for gravity sewerage in a private house.
Chemicals
It is almost always much faster and more convenient to independently unclog a clogged sewer and sink with chemical options. The most common folk remedy is considered alkaline baking soda solution... This substance has excellent properties, is used for different types of pipelines and eliminates many problems:
- Helps to remove mineral formations on the walls of the pipeline;
- Helps dissolve fat and food residues;
- Together with vinegar, it corrodes hair and threads, which helps very quickly cope with clogged sewers in the bathroom;
- Excellent odor elimination;
Photo - cleaning the sink
Step-by-step instructions on how to unclog a blockage in a bathroom and kitchen sink with soda and vinegar:
- It is advisable to use the most common baking soda. Calcined is also very effective, but its combination with vinegar can produce strong and corrosive fumes that will damage the mucous membranes;
- Half a pack of the product should be poured into the sink or knee, whichever is more convenient to do;
- Then pour a glass of ordinary table vinegar into the hole on top of the baking soda;
- It remains to wait 1.5 hours, in some cases, 2;
- To remove the alkaline film, a large amount of hot water must be spilled into the pipe. During work, be careful not to inhale the emitted vapors.
Very often, other household cleaning products are used to clean the sink. For example, " Domestos"Is an excellent option for eliminating germs, unpleasant odors and greasy layers on the pipe walls. You just need to turn off all the water in the main pipe and fill the drain with several caps of the product. It is recommended to leave it for several hours, be careful, the method cannot be used on ceramic pipes. After the time has elapsed, simply spill the entire piping with hot water. If, in addition to poor performance, an unpleasant odor comes from the system, Domestos can be left overnight - this will help eliminate the cause of the stench.
Photo - improvised cleaning products
Despite the effectiveness of home cleaners, professional products are still considered the most effective. Many plumbers use “ Mole»Is an alkaline composition that removes mineral deposits, grease and dirt from the walls. It is available in three types: gel, powder and liquid, but the form does not affect the result. It is necessary to pour or pour 250 grams of the product into the drain hole, and then leave it for a while.
Most often, metal and plastic pipes are cleaned within 2 hours. Then they are washed with plenty of water. It is very important not to overexpose the mixture, otherwise it can damage the surface of the walls. Depending on the blockage, you may need to repeat the procedure several times. For prophylaxis, we recommend using the Mole in the sink and toilet once every six months.
Video: how to choose a cleaning agent