Clogged Sewer Line Sewer blockage is another adventure. Fortunately, in some cases the problem can be solved on its own: modern household chemicals are able to quickly and effectively break through a strong pipe blockage. And with a minor problem, simple folk recipes will do.
The right method helps to quickly restore the system and save money. Let’s consider the main ones.
Causes of a Clogged Sewer Line
The internal communications of an apartment or house are designed to discharge domestic wastewater in normal mode. Common causes of clogged pipes include:
- Foreign objects;
- Soap “cork”;
- Organic deposits, etc.
As a result – the appearance of an unpleasant odor, a violation of the integrity of communications, and even flooding of the premises. Agree, the situation, at first glance, is a stalemate. But the problem is always easier to prevent with regular prevention. Sometimes various improvised means work great as an alternative method.
Clogged pipes in an apartment and a private house: differences
Problems with internal networks in an apartment and a house are about the same. Except the flood in the apartment entails problems for residents on neighboring floors. And this multiplies the check several times.
In case of poor patency of the pipe in the apartment, it is necessary to determine the localization of the problem. If water does not drain from several plumbing fixtures or you need to clean the riser, it is better not to be heroic and immediately contact the specialists. If one drain is clogged, in most cases it is really possible to cope on your own.
Solutions:
- Use a plunger at the first sign of blockage.
- Dismantling, cleaning, and flushing the siphon can also help.
- Another effective method is the use of a plumbing cable.
- To deal with complex blockages, a combined method is suitable: mechanical cleaning with the addition of a chemical agent and rinsing with hot water.
- The most difficult cases are solved with the help of hydrodynamic cleaning when water is supplied under strong pressure.
A feature of private households is the need to maintain networks outside the home. An autonomous system requires constant monitoring by the owner. To protect your wallet from expensive repairs, take care of prevention. And when the first signs of a “jam” appear, take care of restoring the system.
A blockage in the sewer pipe of a private house can be associated with freezing of the soil, overgrowth of trees, or displacement of the soil. Improperly designed sewers can also become a source of constant headaches. Especially if the error is due to the insufficient slope of the pipeline. In this case, cleaning the area is only a temporary solution to the problem. Such a highway in a private house requires adjustment by specialists. But a blockage in a water pipe is usually associated with the accumulation of rust and lime deposits.
How to Clear Pipes from Blockages
Before cleaning at home, determine the material from which the pipe is made. Pig-iron pipelines differ in their high durability and wear resistance. And less demanding on the means and methods of cleaning. But already in many residential complexes, they were replaced by metal-plastic communications. Plastic pipes are more susceptible to chemicals and high temperatures.
You can also get 10 Effective Strategies for Eliminating Mold in Your Home
Aggressive products can quickly damage their inner surface. Therefore, if a “cork” has formed in a plastic pipe, it is better not to pour boiling water into it. And when choosing “chemical assistants”, you must carefully read the instructions. For example, the Tiret gel formula is completely safe for both metal and plastic communications.
Fast and reliable ways to clean pipes
Kitchen
A common drain problem in the kitchen is the accumulation of grease and food waste. Hence – and the appearance of an unpleasant smell in the room. To break through the “cork” in the sink, try using a plunger. You can first pour hot water into the sink and pour soda. A win-win option is to use household chemicals. If there is a blockage in the drain hose in the dishwasher, there is a possibility that the filter mesh is clogged.
Thorough cleaning of dishes from food particles before washing, the presence of a household waste grinder, and periodic prevention with special means will help prevent the appearance of a “cork”.
Clogged Sewer Line Toilet
If, when flushing, the water in the toilet rises above normal, you need to clean the blockage that has formed. The outlet pipe in the toilet can become clogged from improper disposal of hygiene products, food waste, and foreign objects. Especially if small households like to experiment)) In addition, the water of increased hardness leaves lime deposits. This significantly reduces the clearance of the pipeline.
The standard “ambulance” in such a case is a plunger. The device works on the principle of pressure difference, “sucking in” the accumulated contaminants and removing them to the outside. An ordinary plastic bottle of 1.5–2 liters can replace the missing plunger. It is necessary to cut off the bottom of the container and forcefully push the water with the cut part into the drain hole several times. In this case, the cork must remain tightly screwed.
If the patency of the pipe has not improved, you can try to remove the foreign object with a wire with a bent end. Or use a plumbing cable, push it into the pipe, and periodically clean it of trapped contaminants. At the end of the procedure, the remaining impurities should be washed with plenty of water. It is better not to use boiling water because sudden temperature changes harm the toilet bowl.
Clogged Sewer Line Shower cabin
If water does not drain from the sump, a drain pipe with low flow capacity or insufficient slope may be installed. If the problem occurs after normal operation of the system, the likely cause is a blockage.
To open the drain of the shower cabin, you need to select water from the pan. Remove the decorative panel from the communications and dismantle the siphon, after substituting a container to collect water. Carefully remove all dirt from the siphon, rinse with running water, and reinstall.
With more serious pollution, a plunger, a cable, and high-quality household chemicals will help to cope.
Bath
Bathroom drains are usually plagued by the hair, animal dander, and other contaminants. To restore the normal operation of the system, you can use the mechanical method to eliminate the “plug”. And here the branch of the championship is again at the plunger or cable. Further, special preparations or home remedies may be used. In difficult cases, you will have to turn to the hydrodynamic method – the supply of water under pressure.
Due to their high efficiency and ease of use, quality household chemicals are number one for those who are looking for a simple solution to complex problems. You will not have time to enjoy a series of your favorite series, as its capacity will be returned to the water drain. Glory and praise to the chemists who develop formulas to quickly dissolve blockages!
Before using any product, carefully read the instructions. As a rule, it is filled up or poured into the drain, and after a certain time, it is washed with water.
Life hacks for cleaning pipes at home
In some cases, improvised means allow you to clean the sewer quickly, easily, and without a plunger. They are designed for simple cases. A popular alternative to household chemicals is baking soda and table vinegar. A mixture of alkali and acid causes a reaction with the release of heat and carbon dioxide. As a result, the “cork” dissolves and is washed out with water.
We fall asleep with half a pack of soda, add half a bottle of 9% vinegar to the drain hole, and close it with a rag. We leave for a couple of hours. Then rinse the drain with a large volume of hot water.
Preventing Future Blockages
Regular preventive maintenance is the key to the reliable operation of the sewerage system at home. If the problem could not be avoided, you always know where there is a large selection of effective household chemicals for pipes !
