How to clear a clog in the sewer pipe: an overview of methods and their effectiveness

The first sign of a clog in the sewer pipes is a slow drainage of water from the sink. The liquid goes away more and more slowly, until its course is not completely blocked. The most common causes of sewer clogs are grease, food residue, grains of sand, threads and hair, and foreign objects that have gotten into the sewer. Let's look at the main ways how to clear a sewer clog.

Flush the pipes with boiling water

Hot water dissolves grease, and it flows down the drain with the water. Boiling water can handle a small clog. You need to pour about 3 liters of boiling water into the sink and do not use it for about 15 minutes. It is important to take into account that this method can spoil plastic pipes. Therefore, it is better to pour hot water of an acceptable temperature into polymer pipes, which is indicated at the manufacturer or in the documents to the products.

Apply baking soda and vinegar

The caustic acid and saturated alkali enter into an active reaction. In the process, the composition corrodes the fat. In the sink drain pour a glass of baking soda and then pour a glass of vinegar. The hole can be plugged with a rag, so that caustic vapors do not come out. The reaction lasts about half an hour. Then it is necessary to abundantly pour hot water through the pipes to completely remove the remains of soda and grease. This method can also be dangerous for plastic pipes.

Use special means

For cleaning pipes, special liquids and gels are developed. If the pipes are plastic, choose a means suitable for them. It is used strictly in accordance with the instructions. Gel or liquid is better to pour through the watering can, so that they do not get to the bottom of the sink.

Alkaline means are used to remove a clog in the kitchen, where there is a lot of grease. Acidic compositions are more suitable for bathroom sinks. Caustic substances dissolve soap residues, hair.

Mechanical methods

If chemical means do not help to eliminate the clog, or a rag got into the pipes, it will be necessary to use mechanical impact. Apply such devices:

• Vantuz, which consists of a rubber bowl and a handle. It is used when the clog is not far from the drain. The rubber bowl is placed so that the drain is under it in the center and pour a little water. The handle of the plunger is moved up and down alternately about 15 times. If the water began to leave the sink, it means that the clog is eliminated.
• A plumbing cable is a thick metal wire with a handle on the opposite end. It is inserted into the pipe through the drain and the handle is turned. A rag, hair and other debris is twisted on the rope and removed with it.
• The hydrodynamic method of eliminating a clog in the sewer is the most effective. He copes with plugs of any complexity. Special equipment under high pressure feeds water into the pipes, and it washes out debris and fat deposits. Such apparatuses are used by professional sewer cleaning services.

The clog is better to eliminate at the first signs, when water begins to slowly leave the sink. Then it may be enough to pour boiling water or work with a plunger. A plumber's cable helps if the clog is large. It is desirable to use it with two people. One person twists the handle, the other adjusts the movement of the cable. If you can not remove the plug in the pipes yourself, it is better to call a specialist with hydrodynamic equipment to remove clogs in the sewer system.