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How to remove the most difficult blockage in pipes

Everyone is familiar with the situation when the sewer is clogged. This causes a lot of inconvenience: the water in the sink does not leave, but accumulates outside, it is impossible to wash the dishes or use the washing machine, besides, a disgusting smell spreads through the apartment.

When a blockage occurs inside the pipes, many try to first cope with the problem on their own, and only in case of failure they call a specialist.

How to clean the blockage in the pipe correctly and not aggravate the situation? What to do for this? Before moving on to the answers to these questions, you need to figure out why blockages occur in the sewer pipes.

Reasons for clogging of sewer pipes

When the pipe is clogged, the water slowly goes into the drain hole or does not go away at all, and a sharp unpleasant odor appears in the room. This may be due to:

  • corks from fatty deposits, which are formed as a result of washing dishes;
  • corrosion products have accumulated (if there is a blockage in metal elements);
  • the drain is clogged with solids in the running water.

In these cases, you can do without the help of a specialist if you know how to clean the water pipe correctly and what methods and means to use.

However, the pipes become clogged for other reasons:

  • the siphon is clogged due to the ingress of a foreign solid object;
  • the pipes are installed incorrectly and the system malfunctioned;
  • the formation of a dense layer of rust on metal pipes.

If the siphon is clogged, it is enough to wash it at home (it is possible with soda), having previously disassembled it. In cases where there has been a blockage of pipes, it is necessary to use more labor-intensive methods.

Mechanical ways to clean pipes

You can ensure the normal drainage of water by pushing the plug. For this, there are mechanical cleaning methods. How to remove the blockage in the pipe by such an impact? Let's take a closer look:

  • In the process of removing the blockage, you can use a plunger, having previously poured boiling water into the hole, which will dissolve the remaining fat. After that, you can begin to act with the plunger, evenly pressing it to the surface, and then flush the system with plenty of running water.
  • You can use a vacuum cleaner, which is equipped with a blowing system, not only in order to put things in order in the apartment or car, but also to eliminate blockage problems. Wrap the rags around the unit pipe so that it is firmly pressed against the edges of the drain and turn on the vacuum cleaner. It is possible to move medium-density blockages with an air flow.
  • In pipe cleaning, a hydrodynamic unit for washing cars can be useful, with its help it is possible to remove blockages in pipes with a diameter of 50 to 300 mm. You just need to install the device near the toilet or sink, depending on where the blockage has formed, and turn it on. In this way, even a large blockage can be “broken through”.
  • If the pipes are metal, it is allowed to use a plumbing cable to remove the blockage. The cable is inserted into the drain hole and scrolled, directing its movement first from itself, and then towards itself. This is necessary to "stir up" the cork and make it less dense and elastic. In the process of work, it is necessary to turn on water for a short time from time to time in order to wash off parts of the blockage.

Be careful not to damage the elements of the sewerage system.

How to clean pipes using available tools

There are many ways to clean pipes and remove blockages. But whichever one you choose, you first need to prepare the system for cleaning.

If the pipes are metal, pour a few liters of boiling water into the drain hole. If the system is made of plastic, open up hot water and let it run for 15–20 minutes. When the blockage is not too dense, the problem may disappear already at this stage - you will see that the water leaves freely. If it doesn't, use one of the methods below.

Saline solution

If not everyone has money to buy chemical products, then a pack of salt can be found in every kitchen.

Prepare high concentration saline solution and pour into drain hole. After 10-15 minutes, use a plunger, and after removing the plug, flush the pipes with hot running water.

Lemon juice

How to unclog a lemon blockage at home? In order to clean the pipes using this method, you need 3-4 lemons. Squeeze the juice out of the citrus fruits and pour into the drain hole. After 1–1.5 hours, flush the system with plenty of water. This method is also suitable as a prophylaxis; these manipulations need to be carried out every 3-4 months.

Soda and salt

These products are perfect for cleaning pipes if the cause of the blockage is the formation of fat plugs.
Dissolve 1⁄2 cup salt and 1 cup baking soda in 1 glass of water, and pour the resulting product down the drain. Wait 10-15 minutes and act with a plunger.

When the problem is eliminated, flush the pipes with running water for 5-10 minutes.

Vinegar and soda

This method will help remove blockages in pipes, and it can also be used for preventive purposes, it is absolutely safe, and in this way you can clean both metal and polypropylene structures.

Take the ingredients in a 1: 1 ratio, for example, 1 cup of baking soda and vinegar. First pour soda into the drain hole, and then pour the vinegar, and leave for 2-3 hours. It is better if the drain is plugged for this time with a cork or a tightly rolled piece of soft cloth.

After a few hours, flush the system with large quantities of hot water.

Alka-Seltzer

Strange as it may seem, a hangover cure can also help with sewage problems. With its help, you can not only eliminate the blockage, but also get rid of the unpleasant odor.

You will need to throw 3-4 Alka-Seltzer tablets into the drain and fill the hole with vinegar (1 glass is enough). After 3-5 minutes, start up a stream of hot water and rinse the pipes for 10-15 minutes.

Removing blockages in pipes at home using chemicals

To eliminate the problem, you can use special chemicals for blockages in pipes, for example, "Mole" and the like. Their mechanism of action is to convert solid substances that prevent the normal operation of the system into a liquid state. This happens quickly, thanks to the alkaline compounds that make up such products.

However, you should be aware that this cleaning method is suitable for plastic pipes, but it is better not to use it for metal. How to remove blockage using Mole or other chemical at home? Cleaning with these products is carried out in the following order:

  • Pour the chemical into the pipe.
  • Wait for the time specified in the instructions.
  • Fill the system with plenty of hot water.

An agent for dealing with blockages can be in the form of:

  • powder, which must be poured into the drain hole and filled with hot water;
  • liquid that does not need preparation and is poured directly into the pipe;
  • gel, the way of using which is the same as for liquid products.

In most cases, even a strong blockage in the sewer system can be easily removed in this way. In the case when none of the above methods helped, it is better to contact a specialist.

Blockage prevention methods

  • Clean dishes from food debris before washing.
  • Do not pour leftover broth or other liquids containing vegetable or animal fat into the sink.
  • Do not wash greasy dishes with cold water, use as hot as possible.
  • Protect the drain hole with a special mesh to prevent large food debris from entering the pipes.
  • Prevent blockages at least once a week.