Means for cleaning sewer pipes: a dozen of the best tools + tips for choosing the right drug

Gel-like pipe cleaners

Gel-like products are very popular today. In addition to the fact that they do an excellent job with their tasks, they also protect the sewer from imminent neoplasms. Such gel textures perfectly clean organic blockages in the sewer and additionally envelop the materials from the inside.So a certain film appears on the surface of the pipes, which prevents waste from accumulating. Gradually the film is washed out.

Anti-blockage gel

Gel bases help the substances in the product to quickly remove not only small blockages, but also old, deep ones. Most gel products contain the following components:

• potassium hydroxide, sodium;
• chlorine;
• active additives.

All these components act on the congestion, accelerating the reaction, after which the cork resolves and leaves.

Sanoks

Another great anti-cork drug is Sanox Pure Stock. It consists of 30% surfactants, the second largest in the composition is sodium hydroxide - all this indicates a mild effect against severe blockages.

The main difference is its pungent chemical smell, so it is not recommended to inhale the product (it is necessary to work in a respirator). But, despite this, you should not be afraid of the reaction of pipes to it: the product is absolutely safe for any material - this is what the manufacturer claims.

Sanox is the best gel product for blockages

It should be borne in mind that an excellent result with Sanoks may not work if the blockages are too deep. But as a preventive measure, it may be almost the best remedy. It is sold at a low price, convenient to use, and one tube is enough for two full uses.

pros

• suitable for pipes of any material;
• low cost;
• protection from children;
• eliminates odour.

Minuses

• fast consumption;
• long action.

The gel of this manufacturer was highly appreciated by users. But, it should be borne in mind that most people use it not only from blockages, but for preventive measures.

Stork Liquid Sanoks Net Stock

Deboucher

According to the instructions, the gel must be applied to the problem area, leaving it to “work” for about an hour. For light blockages, good products such as Deboucher can handle them in a few minutes. This product is in the middle price range, but works as well as any expensive advertised product. It is also often used to prevent clogged pipes.

Deboucher is a gel product that does the job well
pros

• high efficiency;
• low price;
• mild smell;
• ease of use;
• does not adversely affect plastic;
• the presence of a protective cover against opening by children;
• can be used to clean sinks;
• Effectively eliminates blockages and odors.

Minuses

• the tool ends quickly;
• the composition contains chlorine, so the product is not suitable for aluminum materials.

Consumers love this product and use it quite often, because, despite the disadvantages, the pros far outweigh them.

Aqualon liquid to remove blockages Active

Effective remedies

Increasingly, universal preparations appear on the market that eliminate any type of blockage, disinfect the inner surface of pipes, and are saturated with special fragrances with pleasant aromas from the smell.

Granular and powder products are made in small packages, the volume of which is designed for one application. This allows the required amount of chemical to be used without subsequent storage of the opened bag.

Each manufacturer has a different time of action of the drug. Products that clean pipes in 5-10 minutes reduce the duration of work, but such reagents are dangerous for the sewer system.Gradual dissolution of deposits occurs within 20-90 minutes. A long process guarantees high-quality cleaning while maintaining the integrity of the pipe surface.

To choose the best means for cleaning sewer pipes, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics and purpose of the drugs.

Mole

The manufacturer produces a large number of funds designed to restore the operation of sewer networks. Preparations are divided into liquid and effervescent. Sold in containers of various sizes. The mole effectively liquefies blockages from protein compounds, fatty layers of plant and animal origin that have fallen into drains after washing dishes. Softened debris in a jelly-like state is washed away with a stream of water. Preventive treatment is carried out 2 times a month.

The tool has several advantages:

1. Ease of use. Mole is poured for cleaning into the drain hole, and after a specified time, the pipe is washed with plenty of water.
2. It acts slowly, but is safe for plastic and cast iron pipes. The average exposure time until complete dissolution is 50-90 minutes.
3. Masks odors from decaying sewage.
4. Low cost. Cheapness does not affect the working effect.

Mister Muscle

Products are available in the form of gel, granules and foam. Bulk preparations contain a strong alkali, liquid formulations include active reagents based on chlorine. The tool is suitable for cleaning the walls of sticky deposits, for the destruction of bacteria, the removal of blockages formed from food residues and hair. The liquid is filled even if there is water left in the pipeline. On average, garbage is removed in 25-40 minutes.

Active foam helps to prevent and fight blockages. The package is divided into two sections.The contents of each part are alternately poured into the drain. As a result of the reaction, a lush foam is obtained.

Granular mixes Mister Muskul perfectly cope with small blockages. However, the drug does not possess disinfectant and caring properties. Before use, the water is removed from the drain, then the contents of the package are poured. To form foam, 200 ml of water is added. The appearance of air bubbles indicates the action of the chemical. For the best effect, the granules are left overnight, closing the hole with a cloth or cork. At the final stage, turn on the tap and rinse the pipe with running water.

Flup

Subject to the instructions and techniques for carrying out cleaning work, the frequency of blockages in sewer networks is reduced. Flup is available in two types of granules. The first are filled with cold water, the second - hot. The heated liquid speeds up the reaction of the chemical. The drug removes limescale, thick fatty layers, collagen fibers, protein deposits.

The dry mixture is poured into the pipe and filled with water according to the instructions. After pouring, a characteristic hiss will appear. After 4-18 minutes, the pipes are washed with boiling water.

Tiret

A whole line of chemical products of this brand is presented on the shelves of outlets. To clean sewer pipes, the manufacturer produces a powerful gel Tiret Turbo. The product contains chlorine, so you should avoid getting liquid on old and damaged products with copper and gold plating. Do not combine with other cleaning agents. The thick structure of the drug is not suitable for washing rubber pipes, dissolving blockages in the toilet.

The 1 liter bottle is designed for 1-2 applications. The gel is poured into the drain hole or stagnant water, left for 5 minutes. With a strong blockage of the pipes, the time of action of the drug increases.

Use of special tools

Minor blockages can be dealt with at home, but if the situation is more serious, it is better to purchase a special tool for cleaning pipes. Let's figure out what drugs exist and how to choose the best pipe cleaning products.

Funds classification

According to the form of release, two groups of funds can be distinguished:

• Bulk - granular or powdered. These products are usually packaged in foil bags, one bag is designed for one application.
• Liquid or gel. These funds are considered safer. They are better washed out, so the risk of adverse effects on the pipe is reduced.

Depending on the main active substance, two groups of drugs can be distinguished:

• Alkaline funds. Alkalis are great at dissolving grease, so these products are well suited for use in kitchens.
• Acid agents. Acids, on the other hand, perfectly remove soap deposits and dissolve hair, so such preparations are best used in bathrooms.

Overview of the most popular tools

Today, manufacturers offer a wide range of products for cleaning sewer pipes. Consider the most popular drugs:

• Mister Muscle. Under this brand, a whole line of effective pipe cleaning products is produced. This is a granular product, and gels, and foaming liquids.Among the products you can find preparations intended for preventive cleaning, as well as a more powerful anti-clogging agent, the use of which allows you to dissolve a dense plug of sediment in the pipe.
• Tiret. This effective cleanser is widely advertised, so many have heard of the drug. The series produces drugs for the prevention, elimination of small blockages and emergency assistance in emergency situations, when water does not go down the drain at all.

• Pothan. The tool is universal, it will clean the sewer pipes from grease, lime and collagen deposits. It must be remembered that Potkhan is a professional tool, it is highly concentrated, so when working with it, you need to be careful, hands should be protected with rubber gloves.
• Flup. This product is available in granules. The line contains two versions of the drug, the first is intended for pouring with hot water, when using the second, you can use cold water.
• Mole. This is the most famous sewer cleaner, it has been produced for over 50 years and has managed to gain a strong reputation among consumers. The tool is produced by several manufacturers, so it may vary slightly in composition and exposure time. Therefore, before use, you must carefully study the instructions.

Standard instructions for the use of special tools

When purchasing a special tool, you must carefully read the instructions in order to know exactly how the sewer is cleaned. You need to make sure that a preparation is selected that is suitable for use with the type of pipes that are installed in the apartment. Standard instructions for use drugs looks like this:

• First of all, you should take care of security. It is necessary to improve ventilation (open a window or turn on an exhaust fan), put on rubber gloves on your hands, and protect your face with a medical mask.
• Now you need to decide on the dosage by measuring the right amount of the drug.

• If the selected drug is liquid or gel-like, then the measured dose of the drug is poured into the drain. In the event that the drug is dry, then it is carefully poured into the drain, after which 1-2 glasses of water are poured after it.
• Now you need to withstand a certain time (the exposure time is indicated on the package).

There are different ways to clean sewers. The choice of the most effective depends on what caused the blockage. Special chemicals are effective if the blockage is formed by accumulated sediment on the pipe walls.

The use of anti-clogs in pipes

When using sewer pipe cleaners, remember that they are chemically active compounds and must be handled with extreme care. Before use, you should carefully read the instructions on the product packaging .. It describes the standard recommendations that must be followed so as not to harm your own health:

It describes the standard recommendations that must be followed in order not to harm one's own health:

1. Open windows and doors, turn on ventilation.
2. Wear rubber gloves and goggles.
3. Avoid contact with skin.
4. When pouring granules and powders, pouring gels and liquid formulations, keep your arm outstretched. Keep your head away from the drain where the cleaner is poured.In the absence of a respirator, try not to breathe. When you want to pour water, do it without breathing and with your hand outstretched.
5. After the start of the reaction, do not lean over the drain hole, and leave the room.
6. When flushing pipes, first start up the water in a thin stream so as not to splash the product.

The best powdered pipe cleaners

Unlike granular products, this type of pipe cleaner is finely ground and dissolves quickly in water. They easily penetrate into the cracks and eliminate blockages even in hard-to-reach places. Such products act on the principle of dissolving fat, mucus, rust and other types of blockages. In this ranking, we present two of the best options on the market according to customer reviews.

Cinderella powder Mole for cleaning pipes

This effective pipe cleaner is the cheapest in our ranking of the best of such products. At the same time, its high quality and bright effect do not fail, the powder quickly eliminates unpleasant odors in the room and allows you to remove blockages of almost any type. True, manufacturers recommend using it only for cleaning sewer pipes. It is inexpensive, about 10 rubles, but at the same time it is not a concentrate, which is why the consumption will be greater than in the case of other formulations. It should also be noted that this option is not suitable for getting rid of bacteria, limescale, rust.

Advantages

• Cheapness;
• Long shelf life;
• Guaranteed effect;
• Safety for pipes;
• Does not require rinsing with large amounts of water;
• Effectively copes with food residues, paper and other organic deposits.

Flaws

• Not biodegradable;
• Not hypoallergenic;
• Not the most convenient packaging.

Chirton powder for cleaning pipes with cold water

Compared to granules, this powder is not only designed to remove blockages, it is also effective against old rust. It is this tool, according to customer reviews, that does the best job of cleaning metal pipes. Another plus is its bright antibacterial properties that allow you to destroy harmful microorganisms and protect yourself from infection and upset of the stomach, kidneys and other organs. Chirton Pipe Cleaner is also great at removing odors that are especially acute in sewer drains.

Advantages

• Complex action;
• Versatility;
• Ease of use;
• Safety of use;
• Convenient release form;
• Affordable price.

Flaws

Not very practical, foil packaging.

Cleaning the drain with folk methods

Boiling water can be used to eliminate small pipe contaminants, such as soap or grease deposits. At the same time, you qualitatively eliminate unwanted precipitation on the first 2-3 meters of pipes. Further, the water cools and ceases to dissolve the fat.

To remove a small amount of hard water, use baking soda. She falls asleep directly into the pipe. Following it, vinegar (9%) is poured along the walls. The ratio is 1:1 (half a glass). Due to the neutralization reaction, the structure of the scale (plaque) is destroyed.

Since vinegar and soda react quite strongly, the drain must be closed with a cork. In this form, the pipeline is left for a while (the duration of such cleaning depends on the degree of contamination of the pipes), and then washed with boiling water.

You can use a mixture of salt and soda, but it will act more slowly. It is also washed off with boiling water. You can also combine different means.

With small blockages, a plunger will help

The use of chemicals contributes to the elimination of bacteria and the smell of decomposition. So you clean and disinfect the pipeline at the same time. At the same time, funds from “chemistry” are undesirable while cleaning the blockage in the bath. On its surface, particles of detergent can remain, which will damage your skin during bathing.

Physical methods for cleaning pipes from blockage

If the sewer is clogged thoroughly (water is standing or leaving very slowly in the sink, toilet bowl), an iron cable or a plunger is used to clean it. The cable directly breaks through the blockage. Since it is impossible to predict exactly where it was formed, the length of the cable must be at least 10m.

With the help of a vacuum, the plunger draws out a part of the lump of dirt (hair, food residue, etc.) from a narrow section of the pipe, loosens it, and then pushes it further along the pipeline with a pneumatic impact.

Cleaning pipes with water through a cone under high pressure

At the moment, in addition to traditional cone-shaped plungers, more effective syringe-like ones are produced, as well as specialized ones for cleaning toilet drains (they have a specific shape for ease of use).

Special chemicals for cleaning pipes

For high-quality cleaning of the pipeline from the inside, many products have been developed based on caustic soda, lime or strong mineral acids. The most popular and famous of them:

At the same time, when cleaning the pipeline with Potkhan and Flup, you must be extremely careful - be sure to use protective rubber gloves and, preferably, increase the ventilation of the room where the work is carried out (for example, open windows). "Potkhan" is produced in the form of a powder, "Floop" - in the form of granules. Both products, in addition to the effectiveness of cleaning surfaces, are also distinguished by a high price.

Rules for the Use of Drain Cleaning Chemicals

If you are going to clean the pipeline with one of the above products, carefully read the instructions for use

It is important not to overexpose the solution on the surface of the pipe, as the substance will begin to corrode the walls, cause rust, holes in the water supply and other unpleasant consequences. All these substances are washed off with plenty of warm or hot water.

If you use powdered substances, you should make sure that they act in the right place, and do not settle on the surface of the sink, toilet bowl, etc. and corrode it. To do this, remove all the water from above and below the blockage - it may be necessary to partially dismantle some sections of the pipeline (which is not necessary during gel cleaning).

Chemicals for removing blockages in sewer pipes

For each of the proposed chemicals, the volume recommended for high-quality cleaning is indicated. You can use more, but this is usually inappropriate and sometimes even harmful.

The unused substance will simply wash away further into the pipeline and settle on its walls.If it is not washed off in a timely manner, it will continue to react as intended.

Any of these tools should be used once every six months to prevent the occurrence of sewer blockages, as well as eliminate harmful bacteria and other organisms in the pipeline.

The volumes of active ingredients (as well as types of products) during emergency cleaning are larger than during planned ones, which also testifies in favor of regular preventive work.

home methods

A well-known folk remedy can help remove sewer blockage without purchasing gels from the store. For example, among such home methods, soda with vinegar is considered the most effective. When mixed, they form a powerful alkali solution. To clean, pour about half a package of soda into the pipe and pour a glass of vinegar on top of it. After two hours, flush the sewer with a powerful stream of water. Thanks to this folk remedy, you will get rid of various fecal growths, as well as mineral deposits.

Photo - toilet soda

Another homemade way is to use table salt instead of baking soda. The proportions are preserved. This is also an effective tool, but it cannot be used for iron and ceramic drains.

Pros when using folk methods for cleaning pipes:

• First of all, it's safety. For example, it is highly recommended not to use special gels and substances for water pipes. Often they corrode communications and have a bad effect on the wear resistance of engineering communications. The composition does not pose a great danger to humans.
• Cheapness and availability. Almost any kitchen has one of the folk remedies. They can be used as a preventive measure.
• Fast and strong impact.Despite the low popularity among professionals, such methods are quite effective in dealing with blockages.

Consider professional tools for which a clogged pipe is not a problem.

Best Concentrated Toilet Cleaners

Concentrates are the most economical means for cleaning plumbing. For a thorough cleaning, a very small amount of them is enough. Professionals prefer to use just such compositions when washing plumbing.

Bagi "Shumanit" - a concentrated gel that destroys bacteria

5

★★★★★
editorial score

95%
buyers recommend this product

See review

The concentrated agent Bagi Shumanit quickly removes rust, dirt, plaque, lime and urolithiasis. The composition disinfects, disinfects the surface, prevents the development of bacteria. The gel has a thick consistency, thanks to which it slowly flows down from the walls and removes contaminants under water. The cost of funds is extremely economical. The housewives note that after cleaning the plumbing remains shiny for a long time and there is a general feeling of freshness.

The concentrate contains only natural ingredients, which means that the gel does not harm health and is suitable for people with allergies and sensitive sense of smell. The smell of sea salt or lemon is quite pleasant, the product can be used even in a poorly ventilated area. The cleaner is sold in small bottles of 650 ml, which makes it convenient for domestic use. The cap is equipped with a child protection system.

Pros:

• economical;
• unsharp smell;
• disinfects;
• cleans stains even under water;
• natural composition;
• convenient packaging;
• childproof lid.

Minuses:

does not remove old stubborn stains and a thick layer of plaque.

Bagi "Shumanit" - means for regular cleaning. It quickly removes small contaminants, but it may not be able to cope with an old plaque.

Grass Dos Gel - whitening concentrate

4.9

★★★★★
editorial score

94%
buyers recommend this product

Thick cleaning gel with a concentrated formula Grass Dos-Gel is used to bleach and disinfect sanitary ware. The formula is based on active chlorine, which destroys all bacteria, mold and fungal growths. The thick consistency allows the composition not to drain, but to stay longer on the walls. Thanks to this, it copes even with difficult pollution.

For effective cleansing, it is enough to apply the product on the rim of the toilet bowl, you do not need to rub the surface with a brush. The concentrate is available in 750 ml bottles or in 5.3 kg cans. The cap is equipped with a child protection system, however, even adults can hardly remove it.

Pros:

• inexpensive (110 rubles per bottle);
• presented in many stores;
• works in a few minutes;
• well cleans dirt and plaque;
• brightening effect;
• removes fungus and mold.

Minuses:

hard to remove cap.

Grass Dos-Gel is suitable not only for cleaning plumbing, but also for tiles, floors, drains and any other work surfaces. It can also be added to the powder when washing whites.

Forest Clean - Acid Gel Concentrate

4.8

★★★★★
editorial score

88%
buyers recommend this product

Forest Clean is an acidic concentrated sanitary ware cleaning gel that tackles rust, salt and lime deposits. Due to the thick consistency and high content of active ingredients, the product does not require additional efforts and work with a brush. It slowly flows down the walls, uniformly covering the surface.

Signature aroma effect copes with bacteria and unpleasant odors, leaving a long-lasting feeling of freshness and an unobtrusive aroma. The formula meets all safety and quality requirements, suitable for people who are sensitive to odors or prone to allergies. The manufacturer offers a choice of products with the smell of lemon or pine needles. The concentrate is sold in plastic bottles of 750 ml or canisters weighing 5.2 kg.

Pros:

• does not require additional cleaning efforts;
• removes stains and plaque;
• kills bacteria and bad smell;
• suitable for people with allergies or sensitivity to smells;
• low price (120 rubles for 750 ml).

Minuses:

not sold everywhere.

Forest Clean is an effective concentrate at a low price. The only problem that stops you from buying it is that you have to run around several stores to find a cleaner on sale.