How To Clear A Blockage In A Bathroom: Ways To Clean A Bath Drain, A Siphon, A Mixer, A Pipe With A Cable And Other Means + Photo And Video

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

How and what to clean the blockage in the bathroom

During the operation of plumbing, each owner is faced with the need to clear the blockage. Plums in the bathtub are more often clogged. If the water slowly flows into the sewer pipe or is standing still, do not rush to look for plumbing. You will cope with this problem on your own using improvised tools, household chemicals and proven pipe cleaning methods.

Content

• 1 What causes the blockage

• 2 Methods for mechanical cleaning of drain or pipes

  • 2.1 Reliable assistant - plunger

    2.1.1 Video: how to remove a blockage with a plunger

  • 2.2 For the cable, the blockage is not an obstacle

    2.2.1 Video: clearing a blockage with a cable

  • 2.3 If you have a vacuum cleaner at hand

  • 2.4 Chemicals

    • 2.4.1 Table: Chemicals for cleaning sewer pipes
    • 2.4.2 Photo gallery of pipe cleaners

  • 2.5 Folk remedies

    2.5.1 Video: how to unclog a blockage with soda and vinegar

  • 2.6 Special equipment for pipe cleaning
  • 2.7 Hydrodynamic method
• 3 How to clean the siphon
• 4 How to eliminate the smell from the drain

• 5 How to clean an old tap (mixer)

  • 5.1 Cleaning the aerator
  • 5.2 Cleaning the single-lever mixer
• 6 Preventing blockages in the bath

What causes the blockage

In most cases, small debris, thread from clothes, hair, pet hair and even bits of soap get into the drain pipe.

The accumulation of hair and other small debris gradually clogs the drain

When first encountering problems with the bath drain system, remember that there are three categories of blockages:

• Mechanical - caused by the accumulation of debris.
• Operational - formed due to the lack of regular prevention.
• Man-made - associated with improper installation of the system, wear and tear of equipment and all kinds of gusts, accidents, leaks, etc.

If there is no blockage and the outflow of water is weak, check the pipes. Perhaps the reason lies in the insufficient slope of the outlet pipe or in the small size of its section. Increasing the slope of the drain pipe will eliminate the problem. Lower the flare of the riser or raise the tub.

Without a proper slope, the pipe will quickly clog

If clogging is required, use a comprehensive method to unclog all pipes, including the riser.

Methods for mechanical cleaning of drain or pipes

Mechanical blockages are removed manually (with a plunger and a plumbing cable), as well as using improvised means and household chemicals.

Reliable assistant - plunger

A plunger is a design consisting of a handle and a rubber tip in the form of a suction cup.

1. Before using the plunger, fill the bath with water (it should cover the rubber tip of the device).
2. Place the rubber plunger over the drain hole.
3. Press down on the handle of the fixture quickly and vigorously while pushing the plug in the outlet pipe.

What the plunger consists of

Video: how to remove a blockage with a plunger

The blockage is not an obstacle for the cable

If with the help of a plunger it was not possible to achieve the desired result, use a special cable - a flexible steel product with a ribbed metal spiral or a brush at the end. The cable will quickly penetrate into hard-to-reach parts of the sewer pipe, removing blockages and dirt adhering to the walls.

1. To clean the tub drain, carefully insert the cable into the drain hole.
2. Combining the forward and rotational movements, direct it towards the intended blockage.
3. To achieve the desired effect, move the rope back and forth, remove it from the pipe and rinse thoroughly in clean water.
4. Flush the system with clean water.

When cleaning, remember that plastic structures are fragile and can be damaged due to powerful mechanical stress

A plumbing cable will allow you to get rid of blockages formed in hard-to-reach places

Video: clearing a blockage with a cable

If you have a vacuum cleaner at hand

You can clean the clogged drain with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a back blowing function.

1. Remove the rubber nozzle from the plunger handle, and install it on the vacuum cleaner pipe, securely fixing it with electrical tape.
2. Remove the dust bag from the vacuum cleaner.
3. Connect a hose with pipe and plunger to the blow hole.
4. Place the plunger tip over the drain and turn on the vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning the sink with a vacuum cleaner "width =" 500 "height =" 380 "/> Air under pressure flows from the vacuum cleaner into the drain of the sink and bathtub and pushes the resulting blockage

Chemicals

High concentration chemicals are used to solve the problem of removing blockages in the bathroom. When buying them, it is important to take into account the composition of the pipes.

The main indicator of the classification of pipes for sewage is the material from which they are made. By this parameter, pipes are divided into:

• Asbestos-cement (inexpensive, not afraid of corrosion, resistant to temperature extremes and exposure to chemicals, but fragile, rough inside. Made of a material with carcinogenic properties).
• Concrete and reinforced concrete (highly environmentally friendly, but heavy. Used for the arrangement of outdoor networks).
• Cast iron (heavy, complicate installation work, are prone to corrosion, the inner surface is rough).
• Ceramic (fragile, heavy, expensive, smooth on the inside, waterproof, resistant to chemical compounds).
• Polyethylene (made of high-strength polyethylene, some types bend without problems).
• Polyvinyl chloride (for outdoor and indoor installation, pipes easily tolerate low temperatures, but lose their physical properties at temperatures above +40 ⁰ С).
• Polypropylene (durable, not afraid of high temperatures).
• Fiberglass (identical in properties to the products discussed above, but more expensive).

When working with concentrated powders, gels, acids, protect your hands with tight rubber gloves and your eyes with goggles. After processing, ventilate the room. Alkaline cleaners will cope with fatty contaminants in plastic pipes, acid cleaners will cope with hair and soap deposits.

Do not mix acidic and alkaline cleaning agents.

When using chemical detergents, follow the rules:

1. Before starting to clean the drain, carefully read the instructions for the preparation.
2. For 20 minutes before using the product, treat plastic sewer pipes with hot water, steel ones with boiling water.
3. Pour the required amount of the product into the bath drain (according to the instructions).
4. After the specified time, flush the system with cold water.

To remove blockages in the bathroom, you can use the chemical compositions shown in the table.

Table: Chemicals for cleaning sewer pipes

Product name	Short description
Mole	Consists of modified acetic acid, surfactant, sodium hydroxide. Differs in a favorable price. The desired result comes after 1.5 hours.
Bagi Pothan	The composition includes caustic soda in combination with a surfactant. The product is toxic. Not suitable for use in old pipes. Eliminates blockage within minutes. For prevention purposes, it is better to use less caustic analogues.
Chirton - clean gutters	Granules contain caustic soda and sodium nitrate. Does not have a strong odor and works after 15 minutes.
Deboucher	The gel contains chlorine, active additives, sodium and potassium hydroxide. Differs in high efficiency, lasts for 1 hour. Can be used with plastic pipes, but not with aluminum pipes.
Sanox - clean runoff	Contains amphoteric surfactants in combination with sodium hydroxide. Does not have a strong odor, lasts for 1 hour. Suitable for all types of pipes.

Photo gallery of pipe cleaners

Mole dissolves and softens deposits

Sanox - clean drain does not spoil pipes, does not have a strong pungent odor

Deboucher contains alkali and chlorine, quickly removes blockages

Bagi Pothan effectively dissolves limescale, hair, food debris, grease, paper, etc.

Chirton dissolves soap deposits and other organic deposits

The presented methods and chemicals are also used to remove blockages in the shower stall. Be careful! Acids corrode the drain hose, gradually damage plastic components, and spoil the acrylic shower tray.

Folk remedies

A simple blockage is removed with folk remedies. If the sink or shower stall clogs up suddenly, it's night outside and you don't have a cable, the necessary equipment and chemicals for cleaning the sewer, don't despair, help is in the kitchen.

If the sewer pipes are made of metal, fill the resulting blockage with boiling water, from plastic - with hot water.

1. Pour boiling water or hot water into the drain hole, turning on the tap for 20 minutes.
2. After the specified time, check if the water drains normally.

Baking soda and vinegar can help clear up the blockage.

• 1 glass of baking soda;
• 0.5 cups of salt;
• 1 glass of water

First way to use:

1. Dissolve the indicated ingredients in water.
2. Pour the resulting composition into the drain hole.
3. After 10 minutes, clean the pipes with a plunger.
4. Flush the pipes with a stream of clean water.

Second way to use:

1. Pour 150 g of baking soda into the sink drain.
2. Pour in 150 g of vinegar 9% there.
3. Close the hole with the plug.
4. After 20 minutes, turn on hot water and rinse the pipes with a high pressure of water.

Using baking soda and vinegar, you can remove a simple blockage.

Folk remedies are effective against accumulation of fat and small deposits of food debris.

Video: how to unclog a blockage with soda and vinegar

Special equipment for pipe cleaning

Mechanical methods of eliminating blockages include the use of mechanized devices.

The principle of operation of the apparatus is the same as when using a cable

It differs from the manual method only in that the cable does not rotate by hand, but with the help of a motor in a special device.

Hydrodynamic method

Based on the use of a jet of water under pressure, the water temperature can reach +120 ° C (superheated steam).

Hot water, put into pipes under high pressure, will wash away any "plug"

Hydrodynamic and mechanical methods require the use of special equipment, therefore, as a rule, it is used only by professional teams of plumbers.

How to clean the siphon

A lot of dirt, which prevents the free outflow of water, accumulates in the siphon, as well as in the area where the outlet pipe is connected to the common sewer riser. This can cause an unpleasant odor in the bathroom.

To clean this device, carefully disassemble it using the following procedure.

1. Take a rag that will absorb liquid. Spread it under the siphon, as water will spill onto the floor during dismantling.
2. Place a basin under the siphon.
3. Slowly loosen the device lock nut.
4. Dismantle the siphon flask.
5. Rinse the device with clean water, removing plaque and debris accumulated on the walls.
6. Install the siphon in its original place so that the drain pipe does not rest on its flask. Otherwise, the water seal may be broken, and an unpleasant smell of sewage will appear in the bathroom.
7. Turn on the water to fill the water seal. Check how tight the connections are.

Disassembling and assembling the siphon is easy

It is recommended to clean the siphon every 2–3 months. This will reduce the risk of mechanical blockage.

How to remove odor from a drain

A persistent and unpleasant smell of sewage in the bathroom indicates clogged pipes and the growth of bacteria. The reason for their appearance lies in the violation of the integrity of the sealing rings, cracks in the pipes and the siphon, its clogging, evaporation of liquid from the water seal. To destroy such "aromas" it is necessary to eliminate the described defects, to clean the siphon or blockage in the pipes.

This diagram shows the location of the water seal that protects the room from unpleasant odors.

You can get rid of an unpleasant odor in the bathroom with the help of chemicals and folk methods.

Method one:

1. Pour 150 g of mustard powder into the drain hole.
2. Pour in hot water.

Method two:

1. Pour chlorine solution into the drain hole of the bath, protecting your hands with gloves beforehand.
2. After 10 minutes, flush the system with clean water.

How to clean an old tap (mixer)

The reason for a sharp decrease in the water pressure can be a plug, consisting of particles of rust and scale, or a clogged aerator.

Before clearing such a blockage, remember the safety measures:

• Be sure to turn off the water using the valves located at the inlet of pipes to the house or apartment.
• Open the taps, checking for water inflow.
• When tightening the valve elements, do not use too much force so as not to break the thread.
• To avoid scalding, be careful when using the hot water tap.

Cleaning the aerator

1. Dismantle it using an adjustable wrench.
2. Rinse the nozzles with high pressure water or clean the mesh with a needle.
3. Reinstall the aerator.

High-quality cleaning of the aerator will significantly improve the water pressure in the tap

Cleaning the single-lever mixer

If you want to increase the water pressure in a tap equipped with a single-lever mixer, do the following:

1. Remove the handle of the device, secured with a screw (it is hidden under a plastic cap, red and blue) on the front side.
2. Pull out the plug carefully.
3. Unscrew the screw and remove the handle.
4. Dismantle the housing cover of the device, under which the mechanism is hidden.
5. Unscrew the clamping nut using an open-end wrench.

Determine what type of mechanism is used in the crane

If the valve is equipped with a disc cartridge, pull the stem with a light and careful movement and remove the cylindrical mechanism. Such a cartridge cannot be repaired and requires a complete replacement.

Elements of a mixer equipped with a disc cartridge

When disassembling the ball mechanism, it is important not to lose small parts and springs. The body of the device itself should be thoroughly rinsed. If you find serious damage to the parts and when the ball loosely dangles in the socket, it is better to replace the mechanism. After cleaning, reassemble the mixer in the reverse order, carefully tightening the fixing screw.

Disassembly of a ball valve requires accuracy and care

Preventing blockages in the bath

Mechanical blockages can be prevented through preventive measures:

• Equip the drain hole of the bath or shower stall with a special mesh. This will prevent small debris from entering the siphon and into the sewer pipe, and, accordingly, prevent the occurrence of a blockage.

  

  Such a strainer will help protect the bath drain from small debris.

• For preventive purposes, clean the system twice a month with a plunger and hot water that can dissolve some of the dirt adhering to the pipe walls.
• Use household chemicals (taking into account the type of pipes used) or folk remedies to remove blockages every 2-3 months.

Using simple methods and means, you can independently cope with cleaning simple blockages of the sewer system. Do not forget the algorithm of actions: find out what material the pipes are made of, select the appropriate methods and means to remove the blockage, do not forget about safety and prevention. Let the water in the shower and bathtub bring you only pleasure in the future.