A blockage in a pipe can occur for various reasons. Sometimes the problem can be quickly resolved with the help of a plunger or by disassembling the siphon; in some cases, professional equipment may be required. Find out why clogs form in the bathroom and how to fix the problem using folk methods and professional devices.
Dirty water forms plaques on the walls of pipes. When there are too many of these deposits, a plug appears. Debris can completely block the drain, in which case a solid blockage forms, which is removed with an auger. If the water slowly but still goes down the drain, a leaking blockage occurs, the problem can be solved with the help of a plunger.
Knowing the reason why the bathtub is clogged, you can choose a way to clean it.
Types of blockages
- Mechanical
This type of blockage occurs when an object gets into the pipe. A cable or hydrodynamic device will help fix the problem.
- Operational
The most common type of blockage. Hair, soap residue, grease and dirt get into the drain, which causes a narrowing of the pipe lumen. You can remove such a plug using simple methods - a plunger or chemical means.
- Technological
The problem of traffic jams in this case is associated with incorrect design of the sewerage system pipes. In particular, the pipe angle may have been chosen incorrectly. To restore normal drainage, you need to reinstall the pipes.
Disassembling the siphon
In order not to have to rack your brains over how to remove the blockage in the bathtub, you need to remove the debris from the siphon from time to time, which inevitably accumulates in this place.
- Place a bucket under the siphon to drain dirty water.
- Holding the siphon body, unscrew the bottom of the device. Remove the rubber seal and union nuts.
- Rinse the siphon under running water; for disinfection, you can use an acid- or chlorine-based chemical.
- Assemble the siphon. Install the rim, nuts, and tighten the lid.
- Open the water tap to make sure there is no water leaking at the connections. If the siphon is old, use silicone-based sealant.
Important. If a metal siphon is installed, you will need a wrench to disassemble it.
How to unclog a bathtub
An effective method for cleaning a pipe is a plumbing cable. A flexible long spring has a handle for torsion on one side and a replaceable nozzle on the other. The nozzle is selected depending on the diameter and material of the pipe; it can be in the form of a brush, scraper or hook.
The cable is useful in case of deep blockage
- First remove the siphon.
- The cable is directed into the hole and pushed inside the pipe by rotating the handle. The device easily passes even complex bends, but you don’t need to turn the handle very hard, otherwise you can damage the pipe. If the clog is caused by debris, it is best to use a hook attachment. It easily catches debris and pulls it out when the cable moves back.
Important. Rotate the handle clockwise only.
- Finally, open the water tap to flush out any remaining clog.
Sometimes the cable gets stuck inside the pipe. In this case, it is rotated in one direction or the other.
Cleaning a sewer pipe with an auger
Improvised plastic cable
If the house does not have a plunger, much less a cable, try removing the blockage in the pipe using a device made from a plastic bottle.
- Using a felt-tip pen or marker, draw a spiral over the entire surface of the bottle (the distance between the turns is about 2 cm).
Homemade cable can be made from a plastic bottle
- Use a knife to cut off the bottom. Use scissors to cut out the homemade cable.
- Insert the spiral into the drain and push it along the pipe until it stops.
If the jam is not deep, such a simple device will cope with it. You can clean both cast iron and plastic pipes in this way.
plunger
If the cause of the blockage lies not in the pipe, but in the siphon, use a regular plumbing plunger.
A plunger is a tool with a rubber cap and a wooden handle. If the clog is located close to the drain hole, a plunger will be the best solution to the problem. This cleaning method does not damage the pipe; the blockage is removed through water hammer. The diameter of the plunger bowl must be larger than the diameter of the drain hole. The water in the bath should completely cover the rubber tip.
- Close the overflow hole to prevent pressure loss in the plug area.
- Press the plunger firmly against the drain.
- Then make sharp movements with the plunger up and down (without lifting the rubber part from the drain). Repeat until water begins to quickly flow into the pipe.
A plunger is a simple, effective method for removing a traffic jam.
Chemically
This method does not require experience in plumbing work. To restore the sewer system, you need to pour gel or liquid into the drain hole, wait a while and rinse the pipe with plenty of water. The blockage is removed if the water flowing into the pipe forms a funnel.
Important. Use rubber gloves and a cotton-gauze bandage for your face. Avoid contact with skin. Chemicals that remove blockages consist of alkali and acid, so you should not breathe their vapors.
- If a plastic bag or other large debris has gotten into the pipe, acid-based products will not be effective in this case.
- Acid-based products destroy hair and soap plugs, while alkaline products fight fat deposits.
- Dry powder products quickly clear blockages, but can destroy the walls of the pipe. Rinse the pipe thoroughly with water after using the powder. Gel, unlike powder, is considered a more gentle product.
Important. Powdered products cannot be used on plastic pipes. Also, you should not keep the product in the pipe for longer than the recommended time, as this may negatively affect the condition of the pipe.
The chemical method is suitable for those who do not want to disassemble the siphon. But you should not often use alkalis and acids to clean pipes; their use is unsafe for humans
Manual hydrodynamic device
The power of the device is selected based on the diameter of the pipeline. If you don’t know the best way to clear a blockage in the bathroom that has formed due to a frozen pipe, choose a hydrodynamic machine. It will heat the water and clear the blockage.
A plastic tube-hose is connected to a high-pressure apparatus. The nozzle nozzle ensures complete cleaning of the channel (one jet is directed horizontally and three at an angle).
The device is connected to the sewer and not only removes the blockage, but also completely washes away deposits from the walls of the pipes.
If the clog is severe, use an automated cleaning method
Folk remedies
Don’t know how to clear a blockage in the bathroom? You can break through the blockage with soda and vinegar. Pour half a pack of soda into the pipe and fill it with vinegar. After half an hour, open the water tap and rinse the pipe for 3 minutes.
You can pour 2 liters of boiling water into the drain, but this method is not suitable for plastic.
The “ruff” brush is ideal for home use
Video: professional cleaning devices
Preventing pipe clogging
A musty smell in the bathroom and water slowly flowing down the drain are the first signs of a clogged pipe. Preventing blockages will help extend the life of your drain. And scheduled pipe cleaning is much less expensive than emergency cleaning.
- Install a protective grille on the drain and remove debris from it in a timely manner.
- You can purchase a filter plug. From time to time, empty the fixture of debris so that water does not stagnate in the bathroom.
Over time, cast iron and metal pipes become covered inside with deposits, as a result of which their throughput capacity decreases. You can remove such a blockage in different ways, but the effect of flushing will be short-lived. It is possible to ensure normal drainage of water only by replacing communications.