How to clean the sewer in a private house?
A clogged sewer system is one of the most significant troubles that threaten residents of private homes. A sewer system is understood as a pipeline running from water inlets to a storage tank (sewage pit, septic tank). There are several ways to clear the blockage. It is not very difficult to do this. But still, it is better to prevent blockage than to deal with it later.
Basic preventive measures to combat blockages
Not bad help to fight special traffic jams with a built-in filter. This option is relevant for households with a fully equipped drainage system. Such plugs are installed in places where water is drained. The purpose of installing these plugs is to prevent particles from entering the sewer system that can cause blockages. These particles include food debris, hair, animal hair. If there is no opportunity to put such plugs, then sooner or later homeowners are faced with blockages. In this case, the question arises: how to clean the sewers in a private house?
Ways to eliminate blockage
The easiest way is to use special cleaning products, ranging from soda ash and a large volume of warm water, to various newfangled products. If such actions did not bring results, proceed to the mechanical method.
First, don't get upset. Even timely installation of plugs with filters is not a complete guarantee of blockage prevention. After all, these devices retain garbage, but the fatty substances that enter the drains from the dishes are deposited on the pipes, first creating a film, and then, as the clearance narrows, a real obstacle. Even ordinary gray drains cannot pass through a small hole in a cork made of fat at the proper speed. And the slightest dirt will lead to a complete blockage of the lumen in the pipe.
The most common cause of blockages are particles of human waste products, but large objects entering the sewer system are also common.
You can remove the blockage in the following ways:
- chemically using products containing caustic soda;
- mechanically using special tools;
- hydrodynamically using high pressure water.
The main stages of blockage removal
At the preliminary stage, it is necessary to disassemble the siphons. They are built into the pipe under the sink. All siphons are removed at once: both the one in the kitchen and the one in the bathroom. It is also necessary to disassemble the siphon located under the bathtub or shower. Siphons are installed under all water inlets to prevent odors from entering the sewer system into the room. The shape of the siphon contributes to the fact that mud deposits accumulate in it. After dismantling the siphon, it is washed, after cleaning it is put in its original place.
Next, you can try using the self-cleaning feature. It will work if the cause of the blockage is fatty deposits. For this method, hot water is required in large quantities. It is advisable to use a bucket of freshly boiled water, it will pass into the sewage system, dissolve the fat and, accordingly, push through all the accumulations that prevent normal flow. Most often, such actions are enough to restore the full functioning of the sewer system.
This method can be used both in a city apartment and a private house. Residents of private households have more options for cleaning sewers. If you know the plan of the sewer system, you can accurately determine the location of the blockage. All other possibilities for cleaning drains are similar to those used in apartments.
Cleaning pipes with vinegar and baking soda
The combination of baking soda and vinegar gives a good result in the fight against blockages. To achieve what you want, you must first pour soda into the drain hole in the amount of ½ cup, and then pour vinegar into it. Immediately after this, you need to plug the hole and leave everything for 2 hours. After this time, 4 - 5 liters of boiling water is poured into the drain. This will remove the sediment formed from the soda, push through the particles that caused the blockage.
If all else fails, and the blockage still prevents full flow, you need to resort to another method.
Chemical cleaning
Special chemicals allow you to quickly deal with blockages. They are sold in a wide range of stores. They can be in various forms: liquid, granular, gel, powder. A common property of these substances is the presence of such a component as caustic soda. All these products can break down fats, small pieces of organic waste.
These chemical preparations contribute to the rapid elimination of blockages. Their action is based on the ability to spread through pipes, enveloping all surfaces, splitting organic matter. Therefore, it is more expedient to use liquid and gel-like products. Bulk substances enter a certain area and can only partially destroy the blockage and fatty plaques. When buying such a product, you should not pay close attention to the manufacturer. After all, caustic soda is produced in all countries using the same technologies. And its quantity in different means is the same. The price here is also not a significant indicator. This is just the desire of the client: to overpay or not overpay for the brand. But it is necessary to pay attention to the consistency of the substance. After all, liquid preparations are more effective.
Before applying the chemical method, it must be taken into account that not all pipes can withstand such contact with a chemical. Different types of preparations have been developed for plastic pipes and metal pipes. Caustic soda is a dangerous substance. It can not only destroy the pipe, but also harm human health. Therefore, be sure to be careful, observe safety measures.
Key security features include:
- use gloves to prevent chemical burns;
- use a respirator to protect the respiratory system from negative effects.
House sewer cleaning video
Chemical agents are used in two cases: in the event of blockages and for prevention. If you use special equipment once every 7 to 10 days, you can completely avoid the occurrence of blockages. After all, fats cannot be deposited on the inner surface of the pipes, which means that particles of debris will not linger when moving through the pipes.
Cleaning with a plunger
Most often, when dealing with blockages in the sewers of private houses, they use a mechanical method based on the use of a cable and a plunger. This method has been used for many years, but it is still considered very effective and reliable. Before starting work, it is necessary to remove the dampers, filters. After that, you can get to work.
The main stages of cleaning the sewer mechanically:
- The plunger is placed on the drain hole to prevent air from entering.
- Water is drawn into the sink, it should hide the plunger bowl.
- The plunger should stand so that water does not seep under it. If the water leaves, it is necessary to move the plunger, achieving good contact with the surface of the sink.
- Next, vertical pushes are performed, slightly shifting the plunger handle to the side. In total, at least 10 pushes should be done. Then you need to sharply pull out the plunger and see if the water began to leave quickly enough. If she rushed noisily through the pipe, then everything is fine, the cleaning is over.
If it was not immediately possible to achieve a positive result, you must try again, but if repeated repetition does not work. We must turn to a different method.
Mechanical and hydrodynamic methods
If it was not possible to achieve results without cardinal intervention, they turn to cables, loops, spirals and other special equipment for cleaning sewer pipes. This tool will remove everything that has accumulated in the pipe. This is achieved by pushing the accumulated dirt further along the pipe, allowing the water to drain unhindered. Regardless of the type of tool, its main function is always the same - to destroy the resulting blockage. Anyone can buy this device. All of these tools are moderately priced.
The price in this case is also not a criterion for the quality of the tool. If you need to save money, you can safely purchase the cheapest device and successfully use it for many years. Hooks are slightly different from other tools. They are needed when removing a large object stuck in the drainage system. Spirals and cables, on the contrary, are taken to push the garbage further. During the use of such devices, rotational movements are made in a clockwise direction, which contribute to the winding of debris particles on the cable.
Next, the wire is removed, and the debris leaves the pipe after it. The tension of the cable and translational movements destroy the accumulation of dirt directly in the pipe, then the debris is not removed outside, but goes further along the pipe. Before you start cleaning drains yourself, you need to prepare. First, put on your work clothes so you don't get frustrated by splashing dirty water. Secondly, spread an oilcloth in the place of work to prevent dirt from getting on the floor.
For hydrodynamic cleaning, you need a special tool - an installation that runs on gasoline or electricity. Its function is based on the ability to pressurize the hose. First, the hose is connected to the sewer pipe. This hose is attached to the compressor at the other end. The equipment is turned on at the same time as the water supply. Water begins to flow under strong pressure, destroying the accumulated blockage. The broken plug will go further down the pipeline.
Video - How to clean the sewer?
Advice! For severe blockages, it is better to use the hydrodynamic method. Unlike a cable, it does not destroy pipeline elements. After all, the water hose is devoid of sharp fragments that can damage the knee.
If there is no special installation, you can use a hose and a garden pump. The hose is connected to the pump and the other end is lowered into the sewer pipe. A strong jet of water will destroy the cork, get rid of the obstacle for the passage of wastewater. To improve the result, before this, you can use a chemical agent containing caustic soda. And then clean the drain with a strong jet.
Advice! It is better to clean an autonomous sewerage mechanically, avoiding caustic soda.
These articles are usually viewed as well.