How To Clean Sewer Pipes At Home If There Is A Strong Blockage In An Apartment In The Bathroom

Severely clogged sewer pipes: how to clean your home without problems
January 18, 2024
  Reading time 7 minutes

Clogged sewer pipes are a common problem that anyone can encounter. When you are faced with the question: how to clear a clog in the bathroom at home using improvised means quickly and effectively, this material will offer you useful solutions. Clogging manifests itself as a slow outflow of water, the appearance of an unpleasant odor and possible overflow of water from plumbing fixtures. Here we will look at how to effectively and safely deal with severe blockages at home for your system.

Signs of clogged sewer pipes

You can understand that the time has come to take action by the characteristic signs: slow outflow of water, foul odors, gurgling in pipes. If you notice such signals in your apartment, this is a hint on how to get rid of a blockage in the bathroom at home quickly and effectively, preventing the system from becoming critical.

The importance of solving the problem in a timely manner

You should not ignore the first signs of blockage, as the slightest delay can result in serious problems and large repair costs. Thus, a prompt solution to the problem is not only a matter of comfort, but also of savings.

Home methods of dealing with blockages

Every owner wants to know how to clear a blockage in the bathroom sink at home conditions independently, without resorting to the expensive services of plumbers. Some approaches include using natural reagents and simple tools:

  1. Hot water and mechanical cleaning Regularly flushing your drains with hot water can help prevent and clear minor clogs. For more significant problems, you can use hot water in combination with mechanical cleaning, which could include, for example, cleaning the siphon.
  2. Using soda and vinegar Our answer to the question, blockage in how to eliminate bathroom problems at home using folk remedies – using baking soda and vinegar. This combination is traditionally considered a reliable home remedy for clearing blockages.

Table with the ratio of soda and vinegar for various degrees of clogged pipes: < th>Degree of clogging < td>1

Soda (in glasses)Vinegar 9% (in glasses)
Light1
Medium22
Strong33

Using baking soda with salt

A mixture of baking soda and table salt is an additional way to combat clogs. An equal amount of each component is poured into the pipe, after which you need to let the composition work for several hours, and finally rinse the system thoroughly with hot water. The salt here acts as an abrasive particle that helps the soda to more effectively corrode contaminants.

Chemical pipe cleaners

When milder home methods are ineffective, many owners resort to the use of chemicals. Such products are able to penetrate deep into the blockage, dissolving hair, paper and other organic deposits. However, they should be used carefully, strictly following the instructions, since they can be aggressive both to the skin of the hands and to the pipe material.

Features of chemical reagents

There is a wide selection of chemicals on the market cleaning products, each of which has its own characteristics. These products are divided into alkaline, acidic and chlorine-containing. The former work well with fatty deposits, the latter with limescale, and products with chlorine help eliminate bacteria and unpleasant odors.

How to safely use chemicals at home

When using any cleaning products It is important to remember the safety precautions:

  1. Wear protective rubber gloves and, if necessary, safety glasses.
  2. Read the instructions on the package carefully and follow them without deviation.

Professional methods and tools

For serious clogs, you should use professional cleaning methods. This could be using a plunger, a plumbing cable, or even hiring specialists for hydrodynamic pipe cleaning.

A plunger is a simple and effective tool

A plunger is a classic tool that creates pressure differences in a pipe, helping thereby dislodging the blockage. To be effective, use it as follows:

  1. Cover the overflow in the sink or bathtub with a wet rag.
  2. Rhythmically press the plunger on the drain hole, creating pressure in the pipe.
  3. Plumbing cable – when you need a “heavy gun” approach
  4. If things aren’t moving, you may need a plumbing cable. This tool can reach deep enough into the pipe to dislodge or break up the clog. When using a cable, you need to be careful not to damage the pipes.
  5. Hydrodynamic cleaning
  6. In special cases, when other methods are powerless, hydrodynamic cleaning comes to the rescue. Special equipment creates a powerful water flow that cleans pipes of all types of sediment without damaging the sewer system itself.
  7. Preventing clogging: useful tips
  8. Preventing a problem is much easier than eliminating it . So here are some tips to minimize the likelihood of clogs:
  9. Rinse your pipes regularly with hot water.
  10. Use drain strainers to prevent large particles from entering the drain.
  11. Results
  12. The choice of method for removing a blockage depends on its nature and degree of complexity. For mild blockages, home methods are suitable, while more complex cases will require a professional approach. In any case, it is important to act quickly and prevent the problem from escalating into an emergency.
  13. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
    • Can chemicals be used regularly? to prevent blockages?Regular use of aggressive chemicals is not recommended, as they can damage sewer pipes. It is better to give preference to preventive measures, such as flushing pipes with hot water.

    • What to do if none of the home methods help? If home methods do not help, you may need to resort to using a plumber’s rope or calling a professional to inspect the sewer system.

    • Is it safe to combine different chemicals when cleaning pipes? Combination various chemicals can be dangerous and lead to unpredictable chemical reactions. Always follow the instructions on the packaging and do not mix products.

    • How often should preventive cleaning of sewer pipes be carried out? Preventative cleaning is recommended every 3-4 months to prevent the accumulation of deposits and keep the system running smoothly.

    • Can a plunger be used on pipes with bends? It may not be possible to use a plunger on curved sections of pipes so effective yet safe. If the blockage is located behind a bend, it would be more appropriate to use a flexible plumbing cable.