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How to unclog a sewer at home. Sewerage cleaning in a private house - how to break through the blockage on your own? Flushing the drain with boiling water and home remedies

Clogged sewers in the private sector are common. It makes no sense to seek help from a plumber every time. You can clean the pipes at home with your own hands, using mechanical devices or folk methods.

The causes of blockage

Pipes in the kitchen can become clogged for reasons:

  • Cast iron pipes become clogged more often due to the fact that their inner surface is bumpy. This is due to the constant corrosion process. Especially often the section between the bathroom and the kitchen sink can become clogged;
  • Plastic pipes are less prone to clogging. This happens if their installation is performed with incorrect observance of the slope;
  • Sediment on the walls of the grease sewer leads to the fact that debris sticks to it. Over time, a thick layer forms, and the pipe loses its permeability;
  • Water impurities contain limescale that settles on the pipe walls;
  • The source of contamination is soil and sand that comes in during shoe washing;
  • If the pipes are clogged with large objects, then you need to call a specialist. The work will be carried out in a hydrodynamic way. This often happens in high-rise buildings;
  • Clogging can be caused by detergents containing active ingredients. They, like fats, lie on the inner surface of the pipes.

Whatever material the pipes are made of, the question constantly arises of how to clean the sewer in the private sector.

Cleaning methods

Answering the question of how to clean the sewer pipes at home, you need to accurately establish the place and cause of the water obstruction.

The main methods of cleaning the sewer in the kitchen:

  • Carry out cleaning with improvised means;
  • Mechanical cleaning;
  • Using chemicals.

If there is a blockage in the pipes, then elimination at home is carried out in any of these ways. In the private sector, the task is easier. There is an opportunity to carry out work here and in the yard.

Sewer cleaning

Cleaning of sewer pipes is usually done in the kitchen. There is more fat, hair, or food waste. Work in these premises is ongoing. You need to adhere to four points:

  1. In the case of laying cast-iron pipes, 1 liter of boiling water must be regularly passed through them. If there is a plastic sewage system, it is enough to pass hot water with a duration of 20 minutes. Make a small jet. If a bar of soap is stuck, it will quickly dissolve;
  2. 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 start up water from the water supply system, flush the system and, in parallel, carry out cleaning work with a plunger;
  3. Use a vacuum cleaner with a blowing function. If you reduce the diameter of the vacuum cleaner pipe with a rag, then the sharpness of the air flow will increase. If you send an air stream into the drain, it will push the plug;
  4. If you need to rinse a clogged siphon in the kitchen, then remove it, remove all debris and rinse under running water.

In the event that such methods do not lead to success, more serious measures are taken. However, first they find out the place of the blockage. Clarify that it is the pipe that is clogged, not the siphon.

For this, all plumbing devices are filled with water and monitored:

  • If stagnation occurs only in one node, for example, in a car wash, then only local networks are clogged;
  • If the water is established in all plumbing places, then the blockage is complete, and the issue must be resolved with the involvement of masters.

Local cleaning of the sewage system is carried out on its own. For this, the siphon is removed, the corrugation is removed, and the flushing is carried out using chemicals or a cable.

Mechanical methods

In order to know how to clean the sewer system at home, if a serious blockage has occurred, it is important to understand which tool to use to break the plug into small components. Then simply wash off its components with a stream of water. This method is often used in the kitchen, where food debris is often the cause of blockages.

You can clean the pipes in the sewer with a plunger, which works on the principle of creating hydraulic pressure due to the formation of a vacuum.

Instructions for use:

  • The sink is filled with water;
  • The base of the plunger is pressed against the drain and pressed sharply;
  • Up and down translational movements 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 parts of the sink do not break;
  • This work is carried out up to 4 times.

In the case of a double sink, it must be cleaned with two plungers at the same time. This requires an assistant. If this is not the case, then one drain is closed 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 into the drain with a brush down;
  • With the help of the handle, the wire is scrolled. In this case, pressure is made down, and then up. You need to punch the cork until it comes out;
  • Water is supplied from time to time so that small debris is washed off.

Knowing how to break through the plugs, you can clean metal pipes in this way. At the same time, rust is removed from the inside. If the pipes are plastic, then instead of a brush, a cable with twisted wire is taken 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 are used:

  • A plastic bottle is glued with tape from top to bottom in a spiral. A line is drawn along the border of the adhesive tape on the bottle;
  • A cut is made along the lines on the bottle;
  • 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 tool is inserted into the drain hole and then removed. The spiral pulls out debris on itself.

Chemical methods

The industry provides an extensive selection of blockage products that help cleanse the sewage system.

  • In liquid form. Means "Tiret" and "Mister Muscle" with the presence of ammonia odor;
  • Powder. For example "Comet". If there is no passability at all, then the use of such a tool is meaningless;
  • 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 sewer using these products is indicated on the package. You need to familiarize yourself with it in detail.

Folk ways

Sewer cleaning with folk remedies is used when there is a fear of using chemistry. In a private house, 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 acid-vinegar. Heating occurs and carbon dioxide is released. Such a mixture acts on the walls, removes plaque from them.

Soda is poured into the drain hole in the amount of half a pack and half a bottle of vinegar, which is slightly warmed up. The hole is closed with a plug. Waiting time is 2 hours. After that, the sewage system is flushed with 3 liters of boiling water. All dissolved debris will go away with the water.

If there is no soda at hand, but there is an Alka-Seltzer remedy, then it can act as a substitute.

Two tablets are thrown into the drain hole and 1 tablespoon of vinegar is added. Then the system is flushed with boiling water.

Cleaning the bathroom

Rinsing with a shower hose:

  • The watering can and the sealant are removed from the shower hose;
  • A hose is applied to the hole, and water is started up 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.

Cleaning the siphon

With local contamination, the sink siphon is usually 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 is over, another glass of vinegar is added.
  • After the fizzing process starts, 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.

Removing odor from plums

To begin with, there is the elimination of the plug. 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. He removes all odors, but sets his own;
  • The problem can be solved with an air freshener, but not for long.

In case of violation of the instructions for installing the siphon, there will be a lack of a water seal, which prevents the smell from escaping. You need to check the siphon for correct installation:

  • In the bottle siphon, the drain is located lower than the water level. Otherwise, the vapors will pass over the water seal;
  • The pipe may have changed its position or was installed incorrectly. It is required to correct and fix it.

Other causes of stagnant water in the sink

Sometimes the reason is not a clogged system, it may be:

  • Clogging of the siphon itself. It needs to be cleaned;
  • Clogged or incorrectly bent corrugation between the siphon and the drain. It is required to correct her position;
  • Plugs have formed at the joints where the silicone seals are located. It is necessary to remove the plugs.

Prevention

It is carried out in order to reduce clogging:

  • Do not pour greasy waste into the sink;
  • Try not to get food debris into it, it is better to throw them in a bucket;
  • Put a mesh on the drain so that small waste is retained in it;
  • Hair should not fall into the sink;

Not every homeowner knows how to unclog a sewer pipe at home. Not everyone knows how to do the specified work quickly and efficiently, especially if you had to face this problem for the first time. Any problems with the sewage system are stressful for the owners, especially the persistent congestion, right?

We will help you with this task. The article presented by us describes in detail the methods for determining the location of the traffic jam and the methods of getting rid of it that have been proven in practice. To help independent plumbers, there are photos and video recommendations for cleaning pipes using available tools.

If you find that the water does not drain well and an unpleasant odor appears, then the resulting blockage is to blame. The smaller the problem, the easier and easier it is to get rid of it. Therefore, first you need to determine the cause of the debris plug.

Problem # 1 - accumulated fat

Grease from dishes settling on the pipe walls causes the majority (about 70%) of traffic jams. Most often, such a blockage appears in the kitchen: the sink, the drain from the dishwasher are the most problematic areas.

Such accumulations are formed slowly: their inner layer is jelly-like, and the outer one, adjacent to the pipes, is more knocked down. They are formed, in addition to fat, food particles, threads, etc.

The most common cause of clogged sewers is grease that settles on the pipe walls after washing dishes. It is enough to shine a flashlight, and you can see the place of the blockage.

Problem # 2 - heavy waste

Particles, heavy in weight, provoke the appearance of man-made blockages. Of the total number of reasons, they make up no more than 10% and appear most often in apartment buildings.

The following are considered heavy: sand, garbage from repairs, poorly washed solutions, filler of a toilet for animals, hygiene products, rags, wet wipes, toilet paper and newspapers that enter the sewer through the toilet.

In addition, a mechanical plug in pipes can be "organized" by organic waste - vegetable peelings, onion husks, food particles. Often, blockages can be caused by children's toys - Lego elements, beads and any small objects that accidentally fell into the sewer.

Clogged siphon is often a key cause of blockages, both in the kitchen and in the toilet. It needs to be cleaned about once every 2-3 months.

Problem # 3 - hitting hard objects

Damage to the pipe can form a plug due to the ingress of solid particles of different sizes into the system. For example, a piece of wood, plastic, which can get stuck somewhere in the middle of the pipe.

There, other debris and grease will be layered on this item. It is they who will provoke the growth of a large traffic jam, which is not so easy to break through. In a private house, the reason may be a deformation of the pipe adjacent to the main sewer, or the external pressure of a large object.

Problem # 4 - unprofessional editing

Unprofessional installation of sewer pipes in an apartment or house can create big problems for the owners in the form of frequent blockages.

Folk remedies for quick cleaning

Try pouring 2 to 3 liters of boiling water into the sink if the only problem is a stuck bar of soap. Different soda mixtures can be used to quickly clean more difficult blockages but not compressed grease or dirt. Before using such a mixture, first clean the surface of the drain and wipe it dry.

Soda and salt. A dry mixture of salt and soda (1/2 cup each) should be poured into the drain and left for at least 10 hours, or better - overnight.

Soda and vinegar... Mix half a cup of vinegar and the same amount of baking soda, the resulting mixture should be carefully poured into the drain, blocked with a stopper and left for at least 40 minutes, a maximum of several hours.

When you pour the vinegar, immediately close it with a cap. If you cannot achieve maximum tightness, then the result will be zero. After cleaning in this way, be sure to use plenty of hot water.

Soda and boiling water. Dilute 1 cup of baking soda in 3 cups of boiling water and fill the drain hole with this solution.

Calcined soda... 150 g of baking soda needs to be warmed up for 15 minutes in a cast-iron pan. Then cool and dilute with cold water, pour the resulting mixture over the drain. After 2 hours, rinse with boiling water.

A mixture of baking soda and vinegar. It is an ideal gentle prophylactic agent that will not damage pipes. The only drawback is that to achieve the result, you need a lot of consumption and compliance with ideal conditions.

Also, ordinary washing powder can cope with small blockages. Pour 2-3 scoops or 1 cup of powder into the drain and let the hot water run for 5 minutes, or you can simply pour in 2 buckets of hot water. If all else fails, then use purchased funds.

Fast acting chemicals

If you need a quick result, use it. On store shelves, there is a large assortment of things that can be used to clean the sewer in the house. . Such drugs can be: acidic and alkaline, dry or in granules, gels and liquids.

Carefully study the instructions before buying, because different means are used for different types of pipes and blockages. Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations - if this is a remedy for prophylaxis or only against fat plugs, then do not use it in other cases. Otherwise, you risk damaging or completely ruining the sewer or plumbing.

Alkaline products will help get rid of fatty blockages in the kitchen, and acidic substances are more used for garbage jams in the bathroom. After all, here the cause of clogged sewers, as a rule, is soap or hair.

Whichever you choose, be sure to follow the precautions: use gloves, do not bend over the drain when pouring the drug. Never use acidic and alkaline products at the same time.

Here are some of the best-selling drugs for different types of traffic jams:

  • Mole and its variations - turbo or professional, gel or prohok. A universal remedy that is perfect for both prevention and elimination of blockages that have appeared. You can fill or fall asleep all night, leaving the window open.
  • Tiret Turbo- according to customer reviews, it copes best with fat plugs in the kitchen. Has a pungent odor.
  • Domestos- this "universal soldier" is familiar to every mistress. It can be left on overnight. Suitable for all pipes and sinks, besides plugs, it kills germs and plaque.
  • Mister Muscle- universal preparation, copes with any traffic jams. Its active substances act quickly enough - about 1-2 hours, although experts recommend pouring it overnight. No smell and no hazardous vapors.
  • Bugi Pothan is a powerful chemical that will cope even with old corks. It must be used as carefully as possible because of the active reaction and pungent odor: pour in on an outstretched hand in a glove, turn your head away, put on a mask. If you have allergies, then it is better not to use such a drug.

When using any of the described means, be sure to arm yourself with rubber gloves and, if possible, a protective mask. Also, do not overexpose the drug beyond the specified time, because this will only harm the pipes.

After working with any chemistry, be sure to ventilate the room. If, after using such preparations, the water still does not come off, then use plumbing products.

Overview of technical methods

If neither folk methods nor chemical means helped to cope with traffic jams in the sewer, then it remains to test the technical methods. These tools include plumbing tools that will help to cope with blockages of any complexity.

Method number 1 - use a plunger

This simple device consists of a rubber bowl and a wooden handle. If two sinks are installed, then two plungers must be used at the same time. When there is no second plunger, close the other drain tightly with a damp cloth.

For cleaning, install the plunger so that it completely covers the drain, pour some water into the sink. Then you should vigorously move the handle up / down, at least 10-15 times. After that, the water should completely merge with a characteristic sound. If this does not happen, then repeat your actions.

The plunger cannot be used on wall-mounted washbasins - they will not withstand the pressure, in addition, the device will not break through an old compressed blockage. You will learn how to delete it from the article we recommend.

The plunger is suitable for cleaning the toilet bowl from fecal plugs, as well as for cleaning the pipe in the bathroom, but in cases with old plugs it is ineffective

Please note that after such cleaning, the pipes must be cleaned with a cable or chemical means and rinsed with plenty of warm water.

Method number 2 - clean the siphon

A standard bottle siphon has a diameter of 30-45 mm - the smaller it is, the faster it clogs. The removable part, which is shaped like a bowl, is easy to unscrew.

Before cleaning the siphon, place a basin of water under the sink, put on gloves. Then carefully unscrew it, remove all excess with a special cable or wire. Wash the siphon, dry it and screw it back into place. Check your work: you should pour water into the sink and if it goes away quickly, then there is no more blockage.

By cleaning the siphon, you should start fighting blockages in the kitchen. If after that the plug remains, then use other additional methods.

If you have a different type of siphon installed, for example, pipe, corrugated or triple, then go to the next method.

Method number 3 - we take a plumbing cable

If you have plastic pipes installed, then any should be used as carefully as possible.

In other cases, follow these instructions:

  1. Place a basin or bucket under the sink.
  2. Separately collect water in any container - to clean the cable.
  3. Then unscrew the siphon. Rinse and clean it.
  4. Take hold of the cable handle, if it is not there, then make it from a bent ring.
  5. Insert the end of the device into the pipe. Then begin to slowly rotate it, pushing it deep - to do this, rotate the handle. Do this as carefully as possible so as not to damage the pipe.
  6. Take it out at regular intervals and clean it from dirt in a previously prepared container. If you come across a seal, then this is a jam.
  7. Screw in a clean, dry siphon. Check all the details.
  8. Flush the pipeline with boiling water.

Such simple, repeatable actions will help to cope even with compressed blockages.

If there is no wire rope, alternatively a thick wire can be used by forming a hook at the end.

With the help of a plumbing cable, you can break through any blockage. The main thing is to act carefully and not to punch the dirt further down the pipe, but to get it out and throw it into the trash

Sometimes a cable can be constructed from a metal hanger: using a tool, for example, wire cutters, you need to cut its ends so that you get a hook to remove dirt.

Method number 4 - we resort to hydrodynamics

This is the most effective method for "hard" cases. Only professionals use it. For example, for working with solid plugs in the middle of a pipe, for cleaning sewers in private houses or main sewers. A professional hydrodynamic device is used to clean pipes with a diameter of 5 to 150 mm.

Cleaning is carried out thanks to a tube with several types of nozzles for spraying water under high pressure - up to 200 atmospheres. Both hot and cold water are used.

The hydrodynamic cleaning should be entrusted to professionals. With its help, the main sewerage system, old cast-iron pipes and sewerage system in a private cottage are cleared.

Which of the technical methods of dealing with sewage waste to use is up to you. If the blockage is old or the pipes are very old, use the all-in-1 method.

Method number 5 - we solve the problem radically

A universal or prefabricated method will help in the fight against even the most "harmful" blockage. The method consists of several steps.

If the first one did not help, then proceed to the next, and so on, until there is not a trace of the cork:

  • preparation - drain the water, remove food and debris, dry the drain;
  • pour soda with boiling water into a dry drain;
  • use a plunger, then a cable;
  • fill overnight with a chemical, for example, Mister Muscle or Mole;
  • pour a large amount of boiling water into the drain, about 1 bucket, or turn on the tap for a few minutes.

This method will almost certainly save you from the annoying problem.

How to protect the sewage system from blockages?

Below are some tips that will help you avoid trash jams in the future:

  1. Once every 2-3 months, do a light pipe cleaning with folk remedies or run boiling water through the pipes every day at the end of the day.
  2. Before washing dishes, remove food debris from plates, wipe off excess fat, and throw it in the trash.
  3. Do not throw hygiene products, wet or paper towels, cat litter, sand, or inorganic waste into the toilet.
  4. Never clean your shoes in the sink. Try to remove the dirt above the bin as much as possible.
  5. After cleaning floors and very dirty surfaces, pour the water down the toilet, not the sink.
  6. Put a bucket for paper in the toilet, do not save water for flushing, do not throw technical and construction waste into the toilet - glue, sand, cement, as well as large organic waste. Use a special anti-plaque cleaner to clean the toilet.

Pay your attention to the technical means that will protect the pipes from garbage jams.

A garbage or waste shredder is an expensive modern device that will extend the life of your pipes and save you time. In addition, it will save you from the problem of blockages.

Special nets should be installed on each drain: kitchen sink, shower, bath. They will retain organic waste, partly grease, hair, sand, threads and other small items.

To prevent the formation of fatty deposits, use a special device:. The device is produced for industrial and domestic use and consists of two sections. Principle of operation: the drains passing through the filter system in the first container are cleared of coarse debris. In the second, special filters remove grease from the water.

For shredding organic waste, they are installed under the sink. It is mounted under the sink, connected to the sewer and connected to the mains. The device can work instead of a siphon. It is recommended to place the socket not under the sink in order to insure it against getting wet.

The compact garbage chipper will cope with all waste, from vegetable scraps, seeds, to bones from poultry, fish. Do not throw hair, pieces of fabric, wool into it, otherwise the device will simply break.

All described technical devices - nets, grease trap, garbage disposal, should be thoroughly washed after use and kept clean.

A clogged sewer system is one of the most significant troubles that threaten residents of private houses.

I am humanly jealous of people who have never encountered a clogged sewer pipe. Little pleasant, at first you do not understand what is happening, why is there still water in the sink? Then he realizes that something went wrong. And it turns out that the sewage system is clogged, but where and what needs to be clarified. And then remove the blockage.

Helpful information:

A sewer system is understood as a pipeline running from water intakes to a storage tank (sewer pit, septic tank). There are several ways to clear the blockage. This is not very difficult to do. But it is still better to prevent blockage than to deal with it later.

Basic preventive measures to combat blockages

Special plugs with a built-in filter help fight well. This option is relevant for households with a fully equipped drainage system. Such plugs are installed at the points of water drainage. The purpose of installing these plugs is to prevent particles that can cause blockages from entering the sewer system. Such particles include food debris, hair, animal hair. If there is no opportunity to put such plugs, then sooner or later, homeowners are faced with blockages. In this case, the question arises: how to clean the sewerage system in a private house?

How to find a blockage in sewer pipes

In order to understand exactly where the trouble happened, it is necessary, in turn, to fill each plumbing fixture with water and start draining the water. The best option is if the blockage is found on a particular device. Then, through the revision-cleaning installed at its siphon, and these cleanings are recommended to be installed on each device without fail,
you will be able to remove the blockage of the sewer pipes.

But if each device weakly releases wastewater into the sewer, then the problem is systemic and is of a general nature.

Ways to clear the blockage

The easiest way is to use special cleaning agents, ranging from soda ash and a large amount of warm water, ending with various newfangled products. If such actions do not bring results, proceed to the mechanical method.

First, don't get upset. Even the timely installation of plugs with filters is not a complete guarantee of preventing blockages. After all, these devices trap garbage, but fatty substances that enter the drains from the dishes are deposited on the pipes, first creating a film, and then, as the lumen narrows, a real obstacle. Even ordinary gray drains cannot pass through the small hole in the fat plug with the proper speed. And the slightest dirt will lead to a complete overlap of the gap in the pipe.

Next, you can try using the self-cleaning feature. It will work if fat deposits are the cause of the blockage. This method will require large quantities of hot water. It is advisable to use a bucket of recently boiled water, it will go into the drainage system, dissolve the fat and, accordingly, push through all the accumulations that prevent normal drainage. Most often, such actions are enough to return the full functioning of the sewer system.

This method can be used both in a city apartment and in a private house. Residents of private households have more opportunities to clean the sewage system. If you know the plan of the sewer system, you can pinpoint the location of the blockage. All other options for cleaning drains are similar to those used in apartments.

Chemical cleaning of sewer pipes

There are many ways to clear sewer blockages; in stores, shelves from them sag. But you have an equally effective remedy on hand - baking soda. Dissolve it in hot water, in a ratio of 1 packet to 3 liters of water, and pour into the siphons of all devices connected to the clogged sewer.

Cleaning pipes with vinegar and soda

A solution of soda with water, it corrodes organic matter very well. Hair, food debris, fabrics, everything that could accidentally get into the sewer system.

A combination of baking soda and vinegar works well for blockages. To achieve what you want, you must first pour ½ cup soda into the drain hole, and then pour vinegar there. Immediately after that, plug the hole and leave everything for 2 hours. After this time, 4 - 5 liters of boiling water is poured into the drain. This will remove the sediment formed from the soda, push through the particles that caused the blockage. If the blockage is small, and there is no penetrating chemistry at home, then it will be the only option available to all.

Then fill all the appliances with water and drain them at the same time. If the reason was really organic, then it is damaged by soda, under pressure should go into
the main riser and the sewer will be cleaned.

If all else fails, and the blockage still prevents proper drainage, you need to resort to another method.

Chemical cleaning

Special chemicals allow you to quickly deal with blockages. They are sold in a wide range in stores. They can be in various forms: liquid, granular, gel, powder. The common property of these substances is the presence of such a component as caustic soda. There is a separate article about. All of these products can break down fats, small pieces of organic waste.

These chemicals help to quickly remove blockages. Their action is based on the ability to spread through pipes, enveloping all surfaces, breaking down organic matter. Therefore, it is more advisable to use liquid and gel products. Loose substances fall into a certain area and can only partially destroy the blockage and fatty plaques. When buying such a product, you should not pay close attention to the manufacturer. After all, caustic soda is produced in all countries using the same technologies. And its amount in different products is the same. Price is also not a significant indicator here. It is only the client's desire: to overpay or not to overpay for the brand. But it is imperative to pay attention to the consistency of the substance. After all, liquid preparations are more effective.

Before applying the chemical method, it must be borne in mind that not all pipes can withstand such contact with a chemical. Various types of preparations have been developed for plastic pipes and metal pipes. Caustic soda is a dangerous substance. It can not only destroy the pipe, but also harm human health. Therefore, be sure to be careful, observe safety measures.

Among the main security features are the following:

  • use gloves to prevent chemical burns;
  • use a respirator to protect the respiratory system from negative effects.

Home sewer cleaning video

Chemicals are used in two cases: when blockages occur and for prevention. If you use special products once every 7 to 10 days, you can completely avoid blockages. After all, fats cannot be deposited on the inner surface of the pipes, which means that debris particles will not linger when moving along the pipes.

Cleaning with a plunger

We know how to clean the sewer system mechanically, almost from childhood. For this we have a simple device - a plunger. It creates a kind of vacuum. Let's go through all the instrument drains and pump vigorously with pressure. If the blockage has accumulated for a long time, overgrown gradually, then these manipulations should bear fruit.

Most often, when dealing with blockages in the sewers of private houses, they use a mechanical method based on the use of a cable and a plunger. This method has been used for many years, but it is still considered very effective and reliable. Before starting work, you need to remove the dampers, filters. After that, you can get to work.

The main stages of cleaning the sewage system mechanically:

  1. The plunger is placed on the drain hole to exclude the ingress of air.
  2. Water is collected in the sink, it should hide the plunger bowl.
  3. The plunger should be positioned so that water does not seep under it. If the water runs out, you need to move the plunger, having achieved good contact with the surface of the sink.
  4. Further, vertical jolts are performed, slightly shifting the plunger handle to the side. In total, at least 10 jerks should be done. Then you need to sharply pull out the plunger and see if the water started to drain quickly enough. If she rushed down the pipe with a noise, then everything is fine, the cleaning is over.

However, there are spontaneous blockages. You can accidentally wash off the rag with dirty water. It is reckless to flush food debris down the toilet. Then the plunger can pass.

If you did not immediately succeed in achieving a positive result, you must try again, but if repeated repetition does not work. We must turn to a different method.

Cleaning with a plumbing cable

If it was not possible to achieve results without radical intervention, they turn to cables, loops, spirals and other special means for cleaning sewer pipes. This tool will remove everything that has accumulated in the pipe. This is achieved by pushing the accumulated dirt further down the pipe, allowing the water to drain freely. Regardless of the type of tool, its main function is always the same - to destroy the resulting blockage. Anyone can buy such a device. All of these tools are reasonably priced.

Price, in this case, is also not a criterion for the quality of the instrument. If you need to save money, you can safely purchase the cheapest device and use it with success for many years. The hooks are slightly different from other tools. They are needed when removing a large object stuck in the drainage system. Spirals and cables, on the contrary, are taken to push the debris further. During the use of such devices, rotational movements are performed in a clockwise direction, which help to wind the particles of debris on the cable.

Further, the wire is removed, and particles of debris come out of the pipe after it. The tension of the cable and the translational movements destroy the accumulation of dirt directly in the pipe, then the debris is not removed outside, but goes further along the pipe. can be of different types with a variety of attachments. Before proceeding with the self-cleaning of drains, you need to prepare. First, put on work clothes so you don't get upset about splashing dirty water. Secondly, spread an oilcloth in the place of work to prevent dirt from getting on the floor.

This type of cleaning, at the household level, began to be used relatively recently. Previously, hydrodynamic vehicles were huge water carriers, with a compressor instead of a trailer. They were used exclusively at industrial enterprises and large construction sites, where, before the commissioning of the facility, the finishers managed to clog the entire sewage system with their solution.

Now hydrodynamic cleaning is available to everyone. The compact version fits in the trunk of a car.

The principle of cleaning in this way is as follows. The compressor delivers water to the hose at high pressure (about 150 atmospheres). A special punching nozzle is attached to the end of the hose. Holes are made in the nozzle, breaking out of them, the jets are twisted into spirals and envelop the walls of the pipe. With these jets, the nozzle not only cleans
the walls of the pipes, but also repels from them, and begins a translational movement forward.

Considering how much pressure is created in the pipe, any type of blockage is guaranteed to be eliminated. And the pipes get a new life, because their walls are perfectly cleaned from clogging.

Video - How to clean a sewer?

Advice! For severe blockages, it is better to use the hydrodynamic method. Unlike a cable, it does not destroy pipeline elements. After all, the water hose is devoid of sharp fragments that can damage the knee.

If there is no special installation, you can use a hose and a garden pump. The hose is connected to the pump and the other end is lowered into the sewer pipe. A strong jet of water will destroy the plug, remove the obstacle to the passage of wastewater. To improve the result, before this, you can use a chemical containing caustic soda. And then clean the drain with a strong jet.

Advice! It is better to clean the autonomous sewage system mechanically, avoiding caustic soda.

The first two methods do not require the intervention of unauthorized persons, you can do it yourself. But you can also hydrodynamically clear the blockage yourself! If you plan to purchase a compact car wash, then almost all manufacturers offer a set of nozzles for cleaning the sewage system. You will help yourself and help your neighbors.

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Sewerage, like other plumbing systems, tends to sometimes present "surprises" to its owners. This time we will focus on the causes of blockages in sewer systems, on how how to clean a sewer pipe , methods of dealing with blockages and ways to help avoid problems in the future.

Causes of blockages

There are several both objective reasons and those that depend on the correct operation of the sewage system. First of all, it is worth noting the reasons that do not depend on the owners:

  • material of pipes from which the drainage system is made. As a rule, cast iron pipes are most susceptible to blockages. This is due to the rough inner surface of the cast iron pipes. First, they trap dirt and grease on their walls, and then the blockage begins to build up like a snowball.
  • an improperly installed sewer system, with large cornering angles and incorrectly calculated hydrodynamic characteristics and slopes is the second no less frequent cause of blockages.
  • in private houses, a shallow drain pipe can freeze during the cold season or move under the influence of ground pressure.

Equally often, the cause of the blockage is a low culture when using a sewage system. Food particles, garbage, rags - all this can quickly disable any drain system. If you don't want to do the unpleasant waste pipe cleaning routine often, teach your family members how to properly use the drain system.

Pipe material has the most direct influence on the frequency of blockages.

Methods for cleaning sewer pipes

Before deciding on the method of removing debris from the drain pipe, you need to find out where the blockage occurred. To do this, it is necessary to check the entire drain, starting from the drain hole of the installed equipment. Most often, the following areas are clogged:

  • kitchen sink drain;
  • sewerage section from kitchen to bathroom;
  • flushing the toilet;
  • the section of the connection between the pipes of the toilet bowl and the sewer riser.

All sewage cleaning methods can be divided into mechanical methods, thermal and chemical cleaning methods, as well as hydrodynamic drain cleaning. When choosing a cleaning method, be guided by the strength of the blockage, the place of contamination, as well as the material of the pipes from which your drain system is made.

Plastic pipes are less likely to clog, however, when they become clogged with dirt, it is not always possible to use all available cleaning methods. So, some types of plastic pipes do not allow increased heating during thermal cleaning. Others, thin-walled, are afraid of cleaning with metal tools. The most successful solution to this type of wastewater problem is the use of chemical methods of purification.

The simplest devices for cleaning the drain in the kitchen and bathroom

Learning to clean the sewer by mechanical methods

If we are dealing with a rather shallow blockage, you can use a plunger or a brush. In this case, the plunger bowl should overlap the drain hole with a margin. To carry out work using a plunger, it is necessary that the water layer is at least 3 centimeters. It is necessary to install the sole of the device on the drain and let the air out from under it. Pressing the plunger should be done abruptly, but not very often, waiting for the full restoration of its shape. The pressure of the water under the plunger bowl lifts the layers of grease and dirt from the pipe walls, thus cleaning them. After removing contamination, rinse the drain with hot water.

Plumbing cable

For deeper blockages, a plumbing cable or long wire is used. A large number of cables are available for cleaning sewers, short and longer. The best results can be expected from a plumbing cable with a wire brush at the end. In order to properly clean the clogged area, the edge of the cable is passed into the pipe. Pushing the cable in depth with one hand, with the other, make its rotational movements. The rotation will allow the cable to pass through bends and dirty areas. When pushing the plumbing cable with great force, rotate it only clockwise, otherwise the wire turns will begin to unwind and the cable will become unusable.

Advice: when passing bends inside the pipes, rotate the cable in the direction of the turn, i.e. if the pipe turns to the right, it is necessary to rotate the device clockwise, and if to the left, vice versa.

When pushing the cable deep into the pipe, do not forget to add hot water there. This will additionally soften debris and facilitate the sliding of the device. After cleaning, open the water, and, pulling the cable, rotate it in the opposite direction, wiping as needed with a rag. After use, wash the fixture with warm water and detergent and dry thoroughly.

Chemistry in the fight against sewer blockages

A huge number of chemicals have been developed to carry out chemical cleaning of the inner surface of pipes. These are all kinds of powders, gels, granules, liquids, etc. To use these drugs, you should use the instructions for their use. In some cases, it is enough to pour the agent into a clogged pipe, in others it is necessary to dilute it in a certain amount of hot water. Then the drain is rinsed abundantly with plenty of water.

When using chemicals, it is necessary to remember about safety precautions, work with gloves and avoid contact of poisonous substances on exposed skin and eyes.

Important: never mix chemicals that contain alkali with acidic substances. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Thermal method and other folk methods

The method of removing the blockage using boiling water is one of the simplest, however, very effective in the fight against body fat. It consists in gradually pouring boiling water into the sink drain. When the boiling water starts to drain, an even larger volume of hot liquid is added. This will help to warm up the fat deposits well and remove them from the pipe walls. In this case, you can use a plunger that will create the necessary pressure.

Caution: When using boiling water as a blockage cleaner, make sure the heat resistance of the pipes from which your drain system is made. Remember that some types of plastics can be damaged by heat.

Before spilling the sewage system with boiling water, you can use another folk method. To do this, you need to dissolve one pack of soda in a liter of warm water and pour it into the sink. Then add 100 ml of vinegar there. A reaction will take place inside the blockage with the release of a large amount of foam. This chemical reaction eats away well the fatty deposits on the pipe walls. After all the soda has been "quenched" with acid, pour additional boiling water over the drain. This will most likely return your drain system to full functionality.

Hydrodynamic cleaning of the sewerage system

Hydrodynamic methods of removing blockages from sewer systems are the most effective, but their implementation is impossible without the presence of special equipment. All methods of this type are based on the supply of high pressure water to the site of the blockage. The professional equipment of public utilities is based on just such a principle.

Good equipment for home use is produced by the German company "Körcher". The installation of this manufacturer is equipped with a long sleeve, which is inserted into the pipe. The hose is supplied with water under pressure up to 150 atmospheres. Under the influence of such a powerful water flow, debris particles are gradually washed out and the cork is destroyed.

To insert the sleeve, you don't even need to make significant efforts, it easily passes into the pipe due to the reverse outflow of water.

The complete set of such a system includes additional nozzles that combine the hydrodynamic and mechanical cleaning method. The cost of this type of equipment is quite high, however, if you periodically use it for preventive purposes, then we can confidently say that the system will never get clogged.

In order for the sewage system to work without failures and never bother with problems, it is necessary to adhere to the simplest rules during its operation.

First, make sure that there are fine nets on the drain holes of sinks and sinks for mechanical filtration of the drained water. Secondly, do not throw greasy waste, food leftovers, rags and other debris into the drain. For this there is a trash can. Try to make it a rule to rinse the drain of sinks and sinks with boiling water while cleaning. Use special chemical cleaning methods at least a couple of times a season to prevent future blockages.

According to statistics, 100% of residents are faced with the problem of sewage blockages. This fact sometimes entails serious problems, such as flooding of neighbors, damage to property and the presence of an unpleasant odor, which is very difficult to eliminate.

In this article, we'll talk about how to clean sewer pipes at home.

Types of blockages

Let's take a look at what types of blockages exist.

  • Operational blockage - formed as a result of the accumulation of fat on the walls of the pipes, to which all sorts of particles adhere.
  • Mechanical blockage - it turns out due to the ingress of large non-decomposable debris into the pipe.
  • Blockage a siphon is the most common type of blockage. It is formed due to the fault of the same fat, which leads to the accumulation of small particles and the formation of a blockage.
  • Technogenic a blockage is the worst option. It is impossible to eliminate it yourself, as it is formed due to improper design.

Pipe cleaning methods

There are several ways to clean sewer pipes: chemical, mechanical.

Ventuz


The easiest and most affordable way for everyone to remove a blockage is a plunger. It is applied to the hole with a blockage and several forward movements are made. The plunger creates a little pressure with a vacuum and removes the blockage.

Chemistry

Chemicals that can be easily purchased at a household chemicals store. They are available in liquid and powder form.

  1. Tiret
  2. Sterilized
  3. Domestos
  4. Sanfor

How to use?

All liquid preparations dissolve adherent fat deposits well. They are simply poured into the drain hole, left for a certain time (indicated on the package), then the sewer pipes are washed with water.

The powder is filled in for 8-10 hours. It is better to carry out this procedure at night.

Check the result in the morning. If it does not help, the procedure can be repeated or a different cleaning method can be used.

Sunfot and Tiret are very aggressive, capable of eating away even large debris.

But not always chemical reagents are ready to remove the blockage.

Plumbing cable

In such cases, a steel plumbing cable will come to the rescue.

The cable is, as it were, screwed into the pipe, moving it to the place of blockage, periodically making reverse movements. In 90% of cases, this method works flawlessly.

Folk remedies for blockages

There are also folk methods of getting rid of blockages.

  1. Baking soda and vinegar... These two products are in the home. It is enough to pour half a pack of soda into the drain and pour 250 grams of vinegar into it. Vinegar and soda will create a heating reaction with the release of carbon dioxide, which is an excellent solvent for grease and dirt in the pipe.

Attention! Using this method, after pouring vinegar, the hole should be sealed with a rag and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. The procedure can be repeated several times.

  1. Mixed clogging method.
  • Clear drain
  • Pour 1-1.5 liters of boiling water into it
  • Wait 10-15 minutes
  • Use a plunger
  • After that, pour a glass of soda and pour three glasses of boiling water.

  • Mix a glass of soda and a glass of salt in a container
  • Add two glasses of water, bring to a homogeneous mass
  • Pour the mixture into the drain
  • Wait 15-20 minutes
  • Rinse with water

Soda is a good disinfectant and does a good job at eliminating sewer odor.

  1. Soda. Pour two tablespoons of detergent into the hole and rinse with plenty of hot water.

Attention! The method works only for small blockages.

How to clean the siphon?

This device is installed under sinks and bathtubs to prevent unpleasant odors and pipe clogging. You can clean the siphon yourself. Unscrew the nuts securing the product. If possible, remove the corrugated pipe from the system. Remove all dirt. Rinse with a degreasing agent, dishwashing liquid is suitable. Reassemble.

Recommendation!
Before cleaning the siphon, prepare a water container and rags to avoid spilling any residual waste water on the floor. After assembly, check for leaks, if any, tighten the nuts as well or fix with tow, fum - tape.

Outcomes

You can clear the blockage in the sewer pipe using simple methods yourself.

If there is no result after applying all of the above methods of cleaning the sewage system, it is reasonable to call a specialist and carry out a hydrodynamic cleaning of the system.