Clearing a blockage in a kitchen sink

Folk remedies for getting rid of blockage

When water begins to stagnate in the sink, a reasonable question arises: what to do if the sink in the kitchen is clogged. In the absence of special tools and chemistry, you can use folk remedies. In terms of effectiveness, many of them are not inferior to gels for cleaning sewer systems.

Boiling water

If water does not pass through the sink, the contamination can be broken through with boiling water:

• 5-7 liters of water are collected in a saucepan;
• bring to a boil;
• poured into the sink;
• after 10 minutes, they try to break through the blockage.

More often, the sink in the kitchen is clogged with fat, which boiling water can easily cope with. To ensure that all dirt is removed from the drain, liquid detergent is added to the water.

Cleaning the sink with baking soda and vinegar

If necessary, you can clean the sink with sodium bicarbonate and vinegar. When they interact, a reaction occurs, during which fat deposits dissolve.

Cleaning the sink with baking soda and vinegar:

• pour 100-150 g of sodium bicarbonate into the drain;
• pour 100 ml of 9% vinegar;
• close the drain with a rubber stopper;
• after 20 minutes, fill the sink with 5 liters of water with a temperature of 60 ° C;
• pull out the rubber cover.

If the water is still standing, pierce the pipe with a plunger. In 8 out of 10 cases, these actions are enough to eliminate the blockage.

Laundry detergent or bleach

Siphons of sinks are well cleaned with bleach and laundry detergents. They contain surfactants that dissolve fat, food particles and other small debris.

How to get rid of dirt in the sewer:

• 3 tablespoons are poured into the drain. funds;
• pour 150 ml of boiling water;
• after 20 minutes, fill the sink with boiling water.

For serious blockages, it is recommended to combine the powder with soda. They are mixed in equal proportions. 4 tbsp are poured into the pipe. l. ready-made product, which is poured into 300 ml of boiling water.

Alka-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer fights not only with pain, but also with obstruction of sewer channels. It contains sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. They soften and dissolve tight plugs in the drain. To solve the problem, you need:

• crush 3-4 tablets;
• pour the powder into the nozzle;
• pour 150 ml of vinegar;
• drain the running water after 10 minutes.

Thus, you will get rid of not only the garbage plug, but also the fetid smell from the sewer networks.

Cleaning brands

To remove blockage at home, it is important to choose the right product."Mr. Muscle" is very popular, which is produced in several forms:

1. 1Gel.
2. 2 Powder.
3. 3 Foam.

The active reagent is sodium hydroxide. "Mr. Muscle" has a high price, but its effectiveness will be noticeable immediately after use. Another advantage of the product is the presence of antibacterial components that eliminate pathogenic microorganisms that have settled on the surface of the pipes. To use, you need to pour the product into the drain of the sink, wait about half an hour and rinse with plenty of water.

"Bagi Pothan" is another effective remedy for removing blockages. The main component is alkali. Sold in the form of granules. For use, the drug is poured into the sink for 5 minutes. After a similar procedure, a glass of hot water is poured into the drain. After a few minutes, rinse with warm water.

This brand also has its downsides. The product has an unpleasant odor and high cost

In addition, special precautions are required. Contact with the reagent on exposed skin should be avoided, so you need to provide yourself with appropriate protection.

After use, be sure to ventilate the room and wash the drain with soapy water.

"Mole" also refers to popular means of deliverance. It is quite easy to remove the blockage with its help. The composition of the preparation "Mole" contains not only sodium hydroxide, but also potassium hydroxide, which is dangerous to human life. Therefore, the room must be ventilated during pipe cleaning, and a person needs to use a respirator or other means to protect the respiratory system.

The product is kept for about an hour, after which they begin to wash the sink.At this stage, splashing of the substance on the skin should be avoided. Therefore, personal protective equipment will not interfere either. It is not recommended to clean pipes made of aluminum and thin plastic, as the reagent easily eats through them. After completing the procedure, rinse the sink with running water.

Tips from professionals

Tips plumbers will help better cope with cleaning the kitchen sink:

1. If clogging of pipes is a frequent and regular phenomenon in the house, then it makes sense to purchase a plumbing cable. It's inexpensive and will last for years. Having a comfortable handle at one end is a must.
2. If the problem with blockages is due to installation errors, it is recommended to correct them, otherwise blockages will occur constantly.
3. If the blockage was broken through with a cable, then it must be cleaned of dirt and dried. Store rolled up in a dry place.
4. It is better to clean the drains in the kitchen with the window open so that there is an influx of fresh air, since the smell in most cases will be unpleasant.
5. The combination of mechanical and chemical methods makes pipe cleaning more efficient. For example, use a plunger, and then - special household chemicals.

If you are interested in how to clear a blockage in a pipe, sink or toilet, take a look at this section.

Chemical cleaners for sinks

Blockage removers come in the form of a liquid, gel, powder, or granules.

The principle of their use is the same:

1. Liquid chemicals are poured into the sink hole and left for several minutes or hours.
2. The granules are poured into the drain, a small amount of water is added and left for the time specified by the manufacturer.
3. At the final stage, the pipeline is washed with a large amount of running water.

Under the action of alkaline and acidic compounds that are part of household chemicals, all types of organic matter are dissolved:

• fatty plaque;
• lime deposits;
• leftover food;
• peel of fruits and vegetables;
• hair.

Manufacturers place detailed instructions on the packaging of their product, which indicate the purpose, composition, method of application and safety measures.

Before starting work, you need to carefully study this information and remember the precautions:

1. Do not reduce the exposure time of the drug, otherwise it will not have time to completely destroy the blockage.
2. Do not use the product for cleaning plumbing fixtures and pipes for which it is not intended.
3. When working with household chemicals, observe safety precautions and wear protective equipment - glasses, gloves, a respirator. If aggressive substances get on the skin, they can cause burns, upon contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes - irritation and vision problems, if toxic fumes are inhaled - poisoning and its accompanying symptoms (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, jumps in blood pressure).

To combat blockages, buyers choose chemicals that, in most cases, are able to clean the sink the first time:

However, chemicals are powerless against objects of inorganic origin that have fallen into a drain or sewer pipe.

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Radical solutions to the problem

When the blockage cannot be eliminated with the help of folk remedies and chemicals, it is worth trying to deal with it using mechanical methods.

Option number 1 - vacuum cleaner

You can use a vacuum cleaner to deal with blockages. However, the appliance must have a blow function. If you are the owner of such a technique, then first wrap the end of the hose of the device with a loose rag

It is very important to fix it well.

Lean the hose firmly against the drain hole and turn on the vacuum cleaner to the maximum. A powerful stream of air will push out the plug formed in the pipe.

It is necessary to install the device tube at a right angle, trying to press its end to the drain hole as much as possible.

Using a vacuum cleaner is effective when the problem is no more than 1 meter from the drain hole.

Option number 2 - plunger

Use a plunger to pump the drain, which can be manual or mechanical. This device is sure to be found in every home. It helps to create strong pressure inside the pipe, due to which the blockage is broken or pumped deeper.

While pumping, move the plunger back and forth without lifting the bowl from the drain. Take a few approaches, and then remove the plunger and evaluate the effectiveness of the work. If the liquid comes off slowly, you will have to repeat everything from the beginning.

Before working with a plunger, it is advisable to lubricate its edges with grease or petroleum jelly. Then a tighter contact with the sink will be ensured.

Option number 3 - plumbing cable

When a plug has formed at pipe bends or far in communications, a plumbing cable is used.With it, you can hook and pull out the blockage or clear it.

The process of cleaning pipes with a cable begins with the dismantling of the siphon. Do not attempt to cable straight through a plumbing drain. Only by removing the siphon will you get free access to the sewer.

After installing the cable into the pipe, start screwing it clockwise, trying to slowly push it forward. Act smoothly and gradually, avoiding sudden movements.

There is a hook at the end of the cable, so use the tool carefully when cleaning plastic pipes so as not to damage them

If you encounter resistance, rotate the device until it continues to move. After that, you can put the siphon in place and flush the system.

Not everyone has a plumbing cable, but if you want, you can buy it at any plumbing store.

Read about the types of plumbing cables for cleaning sewers in this material.

In addition, you can build this device with your own hands from a plastic bottle and improvised materials.

The instruction is as follows:

1. Tape the bottle from top to bottom with strips of tape so that you get a spiral.
2. Draw lines along the border of the adhesive tape with a colored marker.
3. Cut the bottle according to the marks you made.
4. Be sure to leave the bottom - it will act as a handle.
5. On the resulting spiral, make small notches.
6. Insert a homemade cable into the drain and push it slowly holding the "handle". Due to the notches, debris will cling to it, thus it will be possible to overcome the cork.

This device is only suitable for plugs that are not too far from the siphon.

During sewer cleaning work, do not forget to periodically turn on the water. This will help you get rid of dirt faster.

For blockages at great depths, steel wire with a diameter of 5-6 mm is used. One end is crochet.

Option number 4 - disassembly and cleaning of the siphon

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, in 90% of cases, water does not pass beyond the sink due to clogging of the siphon.

The procedure for cleaning it is as follows:

• Spread an unnecessary rag on the floor that absorbs water well. It should be directly under the siphon.
• Place a basin under the sink into which the liquid will merge in the future.
• Unscrew the lock nut that secures the siphon tube.
• Remove the siphon. Remove all dirt from it (it is convenient to do this with a brush), and then rinse thoroughly under running water.
• Pour a solution based on soda and vinegar into the pipe connected to the sewer. When the reaction is complete, add another 150 ml of vinegar. Repeat this procedure several times.
• After 15-20 minutes, pour a few liters of hot water into the pipe and wait 5 minutes.
• Reinstall the siphon and tighten the lock nut.

As a rule, if you follow the instructions given, you will be able to deal with the blockage the first time.

Mechanical methods: practicality and accessibility

In most cases, resort to the help of a simple plunger. You can clean the blockage in the sink in the kitchen at home, but you need to take into account some points. The plunger can be used for small blockages. If the sink is slightly clogged, then the product will easily get rid of the problem. With it, we clean the pipe, creating pressure.Under the pressure of air, the debris will collapse, which will ensure its advancement further.

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Before starting work, you need to pay attention to the type of washbasins and sinks. If there is a device in the form of 2 sections, 2 devices are used

An alternative would be to temporarily close one hole. Otherwise, the pressure created will work in vain: air freely penetrates into the adjacent drain, and cleaning is not carried out.

Before the start of the event, the cavity of the sink is filled with hot water. If the pipes are made of plastic, then the temperature should be the maximum for this type of material, otherwise boiling water can damage them. The device is tightly applied to the drain hole and begin to push air. If after a while the water does not go away, then the matter is the degree of blockage. A plunger in this case will not help, other devices will be required.

A special cable will help clean the sink with severe blockages. The plumbing cable is made in the form of a long cord, and at its end there is a pointed nozzle. It is she who allows you to eliminate the most severe blockages, crashing into the accumulated debris and destroying it. The principle of operation is simple. It is required to gradually push the cable into the hole, while maintaining tension.

However, a number of contraindications reduce the room for action. Plumbing cable is not recommended for use with dilapidated pipes. Mechanical impact can lead to damage and failure of the water drainage system. A similar situation with the presence of severe rust or other corrosion. It is also not necessary to use a cable to eliminate blockages in plastic, brass or chrome pipes.

Preventive measures

Eliminate the appearance of garbage plugs in the pipes is real, if you take into service the following tips:

• Do not throw leftover food down the sink when washing dishes. This rule also applies to greasy broths, mortars and paints, which later cause deposits on the pipes.
• Do not bring the plumbing to a critical state so that you do not have to call the master. To do this, it is necessary to carry out cleaning in a timely manner. It is enough to turn on hot water in the sink once every 2-3 weeks and leave it for 15 minutes. Once every 2 months, you can use chemical products that will remove the plaque formed inside. These can be powder or gel preparations.
• It is best to place a protective mesh on the drain, which will prevent food particles from entering the pipe.

Timely response to the problem helps to prevent the occurrence of breakdowns.

Video description

For preventive cleaning of the drain, see the video:

You can also prevent blockages by periodically flushing the siphon and its settling tank. It so happens that the problem of poor drainage lies precisely in the contamination of this part. It is necessary to carry out the procedure more often if the room in the room is outdated sewage with iron pipes. It is better to periodically disassemble the structure and clean the parts from rust.

Briefly about the main

Any contamination in plumbing pipes must be washed in a timely manner to prevent serious damage. For these purposes, you can experiment with home remedies, chemical products and plumbing fixtures. For fresh blockages, soda and salt are used.Old ones are removed with effective chemicals. If you can’t deal with the problem on your own, it’s better to ask a professional for help.

Source

Clogged sewer pipe: reasons why there is a blockage in the pipe

In most cases, we ourselves are to blame:

• When using the sink in the kitchen, drain the remains of food, scraps and dirt into it. In addition, during the process of washing dishes, a lot of fat from the remains on the plates gets into the sewer pipe. Gradually, fat and lime deposits are deposited inside. And the larger it is, the narrower the clearance in the pipes, and as a result, a plug forms in it.
• In the bathroom, hair and animal hair that enter the sewer after bathing often create a problem.
• In the toilet, trouble can happen due to the ingress of certain hygiene products, cotton wool, paper, floor rags and other unwanted things that clog the pipe.
• In some cases, the cause of the trouble is improper installation of pipes (especially often this happens with modern plastic pipes), violations during their installation - kinks, slopes. However, this shortcoming is revealed quite quickly after the start of operation, and it will not be possible to eliminate it on your own.
• In old houses, cast-iron sewer pipes can become the cause of traffic jams. Over time, corrosion appears on their inner walls, they become uneven with a strong coating of rust. In such places, and this is most often a pipe segment from a sink to a bath outlet, clogging is a common thing.
• Lack of proper maintenance and preventive cleaning of pipes.

Drain plug - sectional view.

If you notice that an unpleasant smell has appeared from the sink in the kitchen, an unpleasant smell has appeared in the bathroom, the rate of water leaving through the drain has decreased, the rise of water after draining is often noticeable in the toilet bowl - it's time to take action before the trouble has gone too far and you have not completely lost the opportunity to use them.

The reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant sewer smell in residential premises can be different, both intra-apartment and general house.

The reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant smell of sewerage in residential premises can be different, both intra-apartment and common house.

Blockage Prevention

To less likely to mess with dirty "plugs" in the pipes, follow the preventive recommendations:

• Take care of additionally equipping the drain hole with specialized grates that trap food waste in the process of washing dishes.

• Do not drain fatty liquids down the sink, including cooking oil left over from cooking.
• Before washing the dishes, clean the leftover food in the trash can.
• Clean the kitchen sink twice a month with a plunger and hot water.
• Install a special waste disposer in the sink (Before purchasing, make sure that it can be installed).

Using a waste shredder, you can prevent blockages in sewer pipes

Use the recommendations and independently eliminate simple blockages in the kitchen sink. Remember: following simple rules and regular preventive maintenance will help to avoid troubles that affect the level of comfort.