The appearance of blockages in the drainage system is a fairly common problem.
You can solve this using several methods, using home recipes, household chemicals, or mechanical pipe cleaning. When starting work, you should determine the area where the traffic jam has occurred and, preferably, determine what exactly causes the difficulty in the passage of water.
We will tell you in this article how to remove a blockage in a sewer pipe, including a severe one.
Reasons for appearance
A clogged sewer is manifested by a violation of the rate of water flow, sometimes accompanied by the appearance of an unpleasant odor. The system becomes clogged for various reasons.
The most common include:
High water hardness, which causes limescale deposits to form on the inner surface of the pipes.- Accumulation of fat deposits. As they increase, the clearance in the drainage system narrows greatly over time, and may even disappear completely.
- Food waste, garbage, hair, etc. entering the drain.
- Incorrect installation of the drainage system.
- The siphon has not been cleaned for a long time.
- Damage (deformation) of pipes.
- Corrosion on the inner surface of pipes (typical of metal).
Most often, blockages form in cast iron pipes, which are prone to corrosion and do not have smooth internal walls.
At what sites do we perform sewer cleaning?
Enterprises
Sewage clogs in enterprises often occur due to improper use of public toilets, throwing cigarette butts, napkins, etc. into them.
Cafe
The most common cause of blockages is in toilets. Visitors do not particularly care about the sewage system, and therefore throw various prohibited items down the toilet.
Restaurants
Restaurants often flush cooking waste into the water supply. This leads to blockages and odors from the pipes.
Companies
In offices, blockages occur less frequently; people pay more attention to order and follow operating rules. However, in older buildings the service is often required due to the service life of the pipes.
Dining rooms
The cause of sewer clogs is completely similar to restaurants.
Network shops
If you have visited the toilets of chain stores, then the reasons for the blockages should be obvious to you. Visitors throw literally all the garbage down the toilet, not caring about subsequent problems.
gas station
Sewer cleaning at gas stations is usually carried out precisely for the purpose of prevention. Companies, especially large chains, enter into service agreements in advance.
Business centers
The number of toilets in large business centers reaches 100 or more. Therefore, all management companies, without exception, enter into contracts for preventive sewer cleaning
Shopping centers
The situation is similar to large chain stores. Preventative cleaning is not always advisable here, but our specialists visit regularly to remove blockages.
Car washes
Large network companies also enter into service contracts. Small car washes call our specialists as needed
SNT Moscow region
Residents of various SNT, cottage villages, owners of dachas and country houses are our most frequent clients. Many, having called our specialist for the second time, enter into a preventive maintenance agreement.
ONE HUNDRED
Almost everywhere where there are visitors and public toilets, sewer blockages occur several times more often.
Apartments
We talked a lot about the causes of sewer blockages, which mostly apply to apartments in multi-storey buildings.
Water parks
Drain cleaning at facilities such as water parks is also associated with high traffic in public toilets.
Fitness clubs
Most of these establishments are very concerned about their image and status, so the occurrence of a sewer blockage, with all the ensuing consequences, is unacceptable. In our experience, literally all companies enter into contracts for preventative cleaning.
Swimming pools
Swimming pools are also among our clients and operate on a similar principle to water parks.
Industrial zones
In industrial areas, attention is rarely paid to cleaning the sewer, and given the peculiarities, it gets clogged quite often.
Hotels
Most hotels also operate under a prevention agreement. The occurrence of a blockage can negatively affect the attitude of guests and subsequent reviews on the Internet
Factories
Manufacturing companies are also on our client list. The sewage system of large plants, factories and workshops is also susceptible to blockages.
Identifying the problem area
To effectively clean pipes, you must first determine the area where the blockage has formed. In most cases, the plug is associated with a clogged siphon - a structural element that is located directly under the sink. In this case, the water may not drain away at all.
If wastewater is flowing slowly, the problem may be related to the drainage system itself. This can be judged when water does not drain immediately from several pieces of plumbing, for example, from a sink and a bathtub.
Having determined approximately the area that does not allow drains to escape, you can begin to break through the blockage. Before you begin global sewer cleaning, you should make sure that the problem is not a clogged siphon, which can be cleaned quite simply.
Chemicals
Cleaning drains in a private home can be done using store-bought products. To remove persistent contaminants in the sewer system, experienced professionals recommend using:
- Mole. A domestically produced product containing caustic soda;
- Tiret. Suitable for pipes made of plastic, cast iron and other metals;
- Domestos. The product contains alkali, which helps clean pipes from plaque and blockages.
- Sodasan. Used to clean pipes from limescale.
How to clean mechanically?
Methods for removing blockages in the drainage system mechanically are among the most effective. To implement them you will need one of the tools:
- plumbing cable;
- powerful vacuum cleaner;
- plunger
Cable
A plumbing cable is a simple and yet very effective device that will help cope with even severe blockages. It is most often made of metal. There is a handle on one end of it, and a split end or a nozzle for cleaning the drain on the other.
Procedure:
Pull out the corrugation that comes from the siphon.- Disconnect and clean the siphon.
- Lower the working end of the cable into the drain and move it towards the blockage. At the same time, it is necessary to make rotational movements with the handle, helping to scroll the cable.
- As it moves along the pipe, the cable will clear the blockage. Periodically it is necessary to take it out and remove any debris clinging to the working end.
- Return the corrugation to its place.
- Pour hot water down the drain.
After use, the cable should be cleaned and dried, and only then sent for storage.
plunger
This is a tool for clearing minor blockages . Its use can be combined with the use of other methods of clearing blockages, for example, with household chemicals.
Using a plunger is simple. Place it in a sink or bathtub with standing water using a rubber nozzle on the drain and press on the handle. Then they suddenly lift him up.
To clean, you need to repeat the procedure several times. Completes the cleaning by flushing hot water (or boiling water) down the drain. A plunger may not help with a global blockage; in this case, you need to use other methods.
Vacuum cleaner
Using a vacuum cleaner is an extraordinary method that can only be adopted if the following conditions are met:
- the device has high power;
- the clog is concentrated in the sink;
- There is a function of blowing air in the vacuum cleaner.
If all points correspond, then the procedure is as follows:
The tube coming from the vacuum cleaner should be wrapped in cloth.- Insert the tube into the drain and secure it.
- Turn on the unit, setting the power to maximum. If the blockage that is blocking the flow of water is close to the drain, the vacuum cleaner will be able to push it out.
- Turn off the vacuum cleaner and remove the tube.
- Use a plunger.
- Run hot water.
It is worth paying attention to vacuum cleaners from Karcher.
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 blockages in your sewer system, wear and tear, damage from chemicals, and generally 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.
What method of drain cleaning 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.
How to remove using folk remedies?
The principle of operation of folk methods is to use the means that already exist. This will solve problems quickly enough.
If the blockage is severe, then traditional methods will be ineffective. Instead, it is better to use mechanical ones or infuse special preparations.
Boiling water
The most accessible cleaning method is to pour hot water down the drain. This method can be applied to various types of pipes, but with some limitations:
- for metal communications you can use boiling water;
- for plastic water supply, the water should not be higher than +70ºС.
For high-quality rinsing, there must be at least 2 liters of hot water.
Lemon acid
Citric acid can be used to clean drains. Application procedure:
- 70-100 grams of acid are poured into the drained drain hole.
- Pour a glass of boiling water (for metal pipes) or hot water (for plastic pipes).
- Leave for 20-30 minutes to act.
- Rinse with hot water.
Lemon juice is not an effective remedy for clearing clogs, so it is not advisable to use it.
Soda and vinegar solution
If the problem with difficult water passage is due to fatty deposits inside the pipes, then you can use a recipe based on soda and vinegar.
To do this, first remove water from the sink or bathtub, which is located in front of the section of pipe with the blockage. ½ pack of soda is poured into the drain . And a glass of table vinegar is poured on top.
Immediately after this, the drain hole is plugged with a plug. After 20 minutes, when the reaction is over, hot water is released. Additionally, you can use a plunger.
Removing plugs from fat deposits
There is an effective method for cleaning the sewer system in an apartment if its pipes are covered with fatty deposits:
- In case of complete absence of clearance, the plug must first be pierced with wire or cable.
- A fitting with a flushing hose is connected to the nearest hot water outlet.
- The hose is placed in the socket of the tee or revision above the blockage, closer to it.
- Hot water is supplied to the pipes, gradually increasing the pressure.
- When the indoor comb is clogged with grease, open the hot water tap. At a temperature of about 80 degrees, washing will take 30 - 60 minutes.
Use of household chemicals
Special household chemicals give good results in clearing clogs. They are available in dry and liquid form.
When choosing a specific product, you need to consider:
- price;
- exposure time;
- convenience of packaging;
- release form;
- compound.
Disposable sachets are convenient because you do not need to measure the amount of the drug - the contents of the entire sachet are poured into the drain.
Bagi Pothan
Bagi is a trademark of an Israeli company. The product is available in the form of granules . Use the drug by pouring the required amount (about 100 grams per drain hole). After this, hot water is poured in according to the instructions.
The Pothan product is effective and has an aggressive effect, dissolving not only food waste in pipes, but also hair and even diapers. Bagi is used to clear blockages in metal and plastic pipes. Exposure time – 3 minutes. It should not be exceeded.
The price for a container of 600 grams is about 700 rubles. Read reviews here, here and here.
Sanfor
The product in gel form is intended for effective cleaning of sewer pipes. Thick in consistency, the gel easily penetrates the clogged area, despite the presence of water. Sanfor eliminates unpleasant odors, dissolves food contaminants and hair in the drain.
For one application, 0.25 liters of product is enough. The exposure time averages up to a quarter of an hour; for complex blockages, it can be increased. If the drug does not help the first time, the treatment can be repeated.
A container with a volume of 0.75 liters costs up to 200 rubles. Read reviews here, here and here.
Synergetic
The anti-clog product, like all the company’s products, is biodegradable and hypoallergenic . During exposure, it disinfects and eliminates unpleasant odors.
It should be used in its pure form, poured into the drain. Exposure time is up to 20 minutes. The drug can be used as a prophylactic agent; in this case, 0.25 liters per use is sufficient.
Synergetic is suitable for all types of pipes and can be used in the presence of a septic tank. Price – up to 200 rubles per container. Read reviews here, here and here.
Types of reagents and features of their use
Chemicals for cleaning home drainage systems are available in the form of solution, gel and powder. Any of the proposed options has its own advantages:
- Dry products. They are sold in packages and are compact.
- Gel. This option is considered very economical. The density of the liquid structure leads to its slow spreading along the inner wall of the workpieces and the effective dissolution of layers on them.
- Liquid options. They are used for the most complex blockages, for example, for fat accumulation.
IMPORTANT! Chemicals for removing blockages are aggressive substances that corrode the organic structure. When working with them, you need to use protective gloves.
When using the preparation for plastic pipes, it is not recommended to overexpose the time interval specified in the instructions, because aggressive reagents can lead to destruction of pipelines.
And after using a chemical for pipes made of plastic materials, they will need to be thoroughly washed with plenty of running water.
If the product packaging says that this is a prophylactic agent, then with its help you can get rid of minor contamination of the pipeline.
Regular use of this reagent will make it possible to avoid an unexpected situation with a major blockage.
And only a product whose label states that it can cope with deposits in standing liquid can eliminate such contamination.
Call a plumber
In cases where there is no time or desire to clean the pipes, or the blockage is very serious, which you cannot break through on your own, you can call a plumber .
It is possible to seek the help of a specialist both in case of blockages and, if necessary, to replace components, for example, a cracked siphon. If additional parts are used, they will have to be paid for separately.
You can find a plumber in your city via the Internet. On average, the cost of cleaning work will cost from 700 rubles. If the problem is serious, even affecting the riser, eliminating the blockage will cost more.
What sewer systems do we service?
Our company has been providing sewer cleaning, prevention and follow-up services for many years. People turn to us not only in case of emergency situations, but also to prevent them.
We provide maintenance, repair and prevention of all types of sewers:
Internal
These systems include water supply systems located in multi-storey buildings, apartments, offices, shopping centers, restaurants, etc. It is designed to drain waste water.
Outdoor
This is a system located outside buildings. It carries wastewater from apartments and residential premises, factories and hotels into specialized drains.
Fecal
This toilet sewage system. It removes waste from buildings
Stormwater
This is a surface system that implies the presence of many special channels for draining storm and melt water. With its help, excess water is removed from park areas, open parking lots, sidewalks and many other objects, including industrial ones.
All our company’s technicians are equipped with modern equipment for cleaning drains of any of the types listed above. We will be glad to have fruitful cooperation.
Reviews ()
- Anna reply
I recently contacted this company regarding this problem. Thanks to the specialist for the quality work. The most important thing is that they arrived quickly and fixed the problem. Thank you very much, I’m very glad that I contacted you - Alexey reply
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- Sergey reply
Nice, professionally written article. A lot of useful information. One day I was looking on the Internet for how to unclog a toilet. Everyone gives advice about soda and vinegar and a plastic bottle. But I didn’t find any details about how after mixing soda and vinegar you need to plug the pipe and that there should be water in the bottle. But these details are very important. In general, there is much less “water” in this article than there is benefit.
- Anna reply
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- Bahan Kamilov reply
I had a very difficult case; the previous tenants of the apartment cleaned the sewerage themselves! Just a nightmare! I called an electrician from the company Plumbing, masters of their craft, and they were able to help us! Everything is neat, fast and high quality! Thanks a lot!
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thank you for your work) we haven’t encountered a problem for many years, I work in housing and communal services, but our employees at the sites couldn’t cope on their own) thanks to the guys
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The case was complicated, no means existing in nature helped. I had to call this organization. They treated me with understanding, a specialist arrived quickly, cleaned everything quickly and efficiently. Now we can again enjoy the benefits of civilization. Thank you!
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Once again, the sewage system was clogged and, unfortunately, other organizations did not have employees at that time. I quickly found your site on the Internet, everything was done on the same day, even cheaper than usual. 5 points!
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I encountered a classic situation: my husband is on a business trip, and the drain is clogged. I called the master. I am very grateful that I responded immediately and came. He completed the cleaning job very quickly without any fuss. I paid according to the general price list for services, as agreed.
- Victor reply
Very useful article, I found a solution to my problem. Experience and competence in your field is visible. Good specialists, this inspires trust. Thank you.
- Igor reply
The article is written competently and to the point. Useful for both home and business. You can try to make it yourself at home. It is better for the enterprise to make a call.
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I work as the chairman of the HOA. When a sewer pipe in our yard became clogged, it was pierced with just such a cable with an electric machine at the end as in the photo. Although not the first time, it turned out well.
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You only need to clean the sewer with hydrodynamic equipment!!! My opinion is no matter what anyone says.
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I would like to thank the professionals in this company, especially Fedor. All work in my apartment was completed with lightning speed, and the payment is much lower than in other similar ones.
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I used this site and called a team to clear a blockage in the pipes in my apartment. Specialists quickly identified and eliminated the cause of the blockage. On their advice, I signed a service contract so as not to really waste my nerves and would be cheaper in cost if preventive maintenance was carried out on time.
- Victor reply
The article describes in detail preventive measures to prevent blockages. If you follow the recommendations, no blockages will appear. Well, if a blockage still forms and none of our actions help, you need to invite the experts. They will do everything quickly, efficiently and at reasonable prices.
- Victor reply
I thank this company for the speed and quality. The prices are better than other companies.
- Alexander reply
I am familiar with this problem firsthand. It’s good that the article covers all cleaning methods. It’s interesting that I, an experienced plumber, read some of them for the first time. It is quite informative to learn that lithium acid battery fluid is used for cleaning, but does not harm plastic pipes. I will definitely use some of the methods.
- Olga Zakharova reply
They do their job well, they called for new wiring, and we are happy with the result.
- Alexander reply
I have been looking for an article like this for a long time to better understand all the methods of cleaning drains and use them. But I still came to the conclusion that if you do it well, you need to turn to specialists. Which is what I did. Experienced professionals did everything quickly and efficiently. And the price suited me quite well.
- Kaluga reply
Good article. It is especially useful for those whose hands grow in the wrong place, such as myself. Now I know exactly what is needed to reduce blockages to a minimum. Now I'm thinking about signing a service contract with them.
- Victor reply
I periodically go to your site and read your articles, I get a lot of information. Thanks for the detailed examples.
- Anna reply
Interesting ways to clean drains at home. But I would use them as prevention. If it really gets clogged, it’s better to call specialists, you never know...
- Regina reply
In everyday life, you often have to deal with blockages in the kitchen. The family is large, we cook a lot and tastefully. Now I will use these simple methods to troubleshoot problems. Thanks for the valuable information.
- Sergey P. reply
This is the first time I have contacted the company, although this is not the first sewer blockage in my memory. I somehow used different means, did the punching with my own means and strength. I can’t say that there was any point, maybe even somewhere it only made it worse. And finally, once again faced with a problem, I decided not to tempt fate and turn to specialists. Guys, the difference is significant. The specialists got through everything right away, without any problems, and also showed and talked about vulnerable spots. Thank you. Well, I advise people to trust the specialists.
- Veronica reply
An excellent site for finding real professionals in their field. Thank you very much, we recently called a specialist to clean the sewer, he did an excellent job, we are happy with everything
- Konstantin reply
A very useful and necessary site, the video comes in handy!
- Konstantin reply
I read a lot of necessary and useful information on the site and watched the video. Such information is always useful!
- Valentina reply
After the drain in my apartment became clogged, I wanted to find ways to clear it as quickly as possible. Your website describes in great detail many methods that I didn’t even know about, such as cleaning drains with electrolyte. I was afraid to do the cleaning myself and called a specialist. The job was done perfectly, not a trace of the blockage remained. I am very grateful to your organization.
Prohibitions when cleaning
When cleaning the drain system, the following restrictions must be observed:
- You should not try to break through the blockage using chemicals that are not intended for this purpose. As a result, the drainage system may be damaged.
- Do not use household chemicals that are not intended for a specific type of pipe. Information about this can be read on the packaging.
- Do not start cleaning without personal protective equipment.
- Do not mix several clog clearing products at once. When combined together, they can release very caustic fumes and even damage communications.
Water seal device for toilet and bidet
When connecting the toilet to the home sewer network, installing a siphon is not required, since a water seal is already provided inside the toilet.
The operating principle of the toilet flush system is shown in the diagram. The path of water is shown by blue arrows. After pressing the button or lever located on the toilet cistern, a large amount of water is immediately supplied to its bowl. After flushing the sewage, the water is directed into the drain pipe and, making a turn, goes into the sewer riser. Due to the presence of a loop in the drain pipe, some of the water is retained, thereby forming a water seal that blocks the penetration of unpleasant odors. In a bidet, the water seal is designed in a similar way.
Prevention measures
In order to encounter the problem of blockages as rarely as possible, you should remember about preventive measures. These include:
- installing strainers on drain holes;
- periodically cleaning the drainage system using home or purchased products;
- high-quality installation of the sewerage system and plumbing fixtures;
- preventing garbage, cat litter, food debris, small toys, etc. from entering drains.
Cleaning pipes from construction debris and fillers
There is a certain sequence of how to clean the sewer from cat litter and construction debris:
- First, the blockage is destroyed with wire or cable.
- Residues are washed off with plenty of water.
To obtain a better result when cleaning a horizontal pipe, use a wire or cable with a brush that will replace the hook.
Recommendations
When clearing blockages, plumbers advise listening to the following recommendations:
- Any wastewater system requires compliance with preventive measures.
- When working, it is necessary to organize good ventilation. This is necessary for several reasons. First, clogged drains have an unpleasant odor. Secondly, household drain cleaners are not only aggressive in their effects, but also release caustic substances into the air.
- If you are planning a renovation with the installation of plumbing, you need to choose responsible specialists.
- When replacing pipes, plastic ones are preferable to cast iron ones, as they have a smoother surface and are not prone to corrosion.
If you are interested in how to clear a clog in a pipe, sink or toilet, take a look at this section.
Cleaning sewer pipes from rags
To clear a drain in an apartment that is clogged with rags, use a plumbing cable. If rags get into a bed or riser, use a special rigid wire with a cross-section of 5–6 millimeters and equipped with a handle and a hook.
Its use has much in common with the use of a cable, but with some features:
- Rigid wire has difficulty negotiating pipe bends, especially at 90-degree angles. If there is no revision or tee at the bend, it is advisable to undock the connection or make a hole in the pipe. After you have succeeded in cleaning the sewer pipe, you can wrap the hole with a rubber bandage or a bicycle inner tube, which is cut lengthwise. A clamp made of knitting wire is placed over the bondage.
- The blockage in the riser must be cleared from top to bottom, exclusively along the slope of the pipe.
- To remove the wire, it continues to be rotated in the same direction as when feeding. Rotation prevents the rag from coming off the hook.
