How to remove an airlock from the sewer

Types of sewer blockages

If the sewerage in the house is operated in violation of all the rules for its use, then over time, blockages and plugs inevitably appear in the collector, which impede or completely stop the flow of wastewater. As a result, either someone from an apartment building or the owners of a private building will suffer at least from an unpleasant smell in the living room. The maximum possible flooding of the kitchen or bathroom with fecal water. There is little pleasant in this, therefore, to exclude such situations, you need to use the collector correctly, namely:

It is strictly forbidden to flush used personal hygiene items such as pads, diapers, tampons, etc. down the toilet. Only toilet paper is allowed to be flushed.
It is forbidden to flush loose building mixtures such as cement, sand, chalk, clay, etc. into the sewer.
Accidental flushing of rags and other similar items down the drain should be avoided.
In the kitchen, it is desirable to install grease traps that will prevent the deposition of heavy greasy deposits on the walls of the collector. That, in turn, can create fecal growths-stalactites in the system and impede the flow of gray water.

It is always worth remembering that a plug can form both at a specific sewerage point in an apartment or in a private house, and at any of the points of the central riser. If the latter option is checked, then the drains will have nowhere to go, how to return back from the blockage under the influence of hydraulic force. As a result, fecal or gray water will try to escape through free openings in tubs, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures.

What are blockages and how to determine their cause

All sewer blockages are divided into several types:

sticking of fat to the inner surfaces of the pipe and sticking of other waste. Such a blockage is commonly called operational;
the mechanical view differs from the previous one in that the cause of clogging is the ingress of a foreign object into the system;
as a result of the appearance of a fatty layer, a siphon blockage may occur;
there is also a man-made problem, the cause of which is an error during the installation of the system.

If the main access riser on the lower floor becomes clogged, then all the contents in the pipe rise up and go out in someone's toilet, bathroom or kitchen. In such situations, you need to urgently call a specialist, since it is unlikely that you will be able to fix the problem on your own.

Finding an airlock in a sewer pipe

Ways to solve the problem

You can use ordinary soda to clean the sewer. To dilute the correct solution, you need to prepare several liters of boiling water, in which a pack of soda will dissolve. The prepared liquid should be poured into the drain hole, while it is recommended to gradually add vinegar. Thus, it is possible to achieve a reaction that will promote the rapid decomposition of fat.

Most of all, this method is used if there are no special tools at hand, which include Mole, Tiret, etc.
You can use chemicals yourself, it is only important to adhere to basic safety rules. Immediately before cleaning the sink, toilet or bathroom, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for using a particular product.

It is better to use this cleaning method when the pipe is not yet completely clogged, so you can achieve greater efficiency. When the drain is completely clogged, it is dangerous to apply chemicals as they can run back into the bathroom or sink.
A proven and reliable method of cleaning is the use of a simple plunger.When actions using soda or chemicals do not bring much effect, then this method can be used. In such cases, it is important that the plunger bowl completely covers the drain hole.

How to fix the problem with a plunger?

Actions are performed in a certain sequence:

a filter sample is removed from the hole;
the upper opening of the bathroom must be tightly closed in order to achieve greater efficiency in the process of work;
the plunger must be installed so that an air lock does not appear, while the handle is placed vertically;
without lifting the fixture from the bottom of the bathroom, you need to move the fixture up and down;
on the last movement, the plunger is lifted out of the water to check the effectiveness of its discharge. If necessary, the procedure is repeated several more times.

Another proven device is a metal cable, which is often used by plumbers. Fluffy wires are located at one end of such an object, and a handle is located on the other side of the cable for convenient use. The first end is pushed into the pipe, while it is necessary to carry out rotational movements with the help of a handle. Based on the degree of clogging of the pipe and the location of the problem, cleaning can take a relatively long time. If the problem is solved quickly, then the length of the cable is quite enough for effective sewer punching.

Danger of air bubbles in the pipeline

Bubbles, especially large ones, can destroy even strong elements of the line. The main troubles that they cause to owners of private houses:

They accumulate in the same areas, leading to breakage of pipe sections and adapters. They also pose a hazard to curved and winding pipe sections where air is trapped.
They break the water flow, which is inconvenient for the user. Faucets all the time "spit out" water, vibrate.
Provoke hydraulic shock.

Water hammer leads to the formation of longitudinal cracks, due to which the pipes are gradually destroyed. As time passes, the pipe breaks at the place of cracking, and the system ceases to function.

Therefore, it is important to equip additional elements that allow you to quickly get rid of dangerous bubbles.

How is education

The correct start of the heating system is the one in which it is filled through the return line by means of a make-up pump. When filling the system through the return line, the filling process is carried out from the bottom to the top, the coolant gradually begins to fill all pipelines and heating devices, excess air rises. As a result, it is very easy to bleed it out of the system using air collectors located at high points.

However, the process, sequence and incorrect start-up is far from the only reason that an air lock forms in the heating system. During the operation of the heating system, air is sucked in through flanged, threaded connections, as well as other existing leaks, which leads to the formation of a plug.

Mayevsky crane

Mayevsky crane design

It is designed to eliminate the air lock in the heating battery. Despite its small size, Mayevsky's faucet contributes to the effective removal of accumulated steam not only in radiators, but also in pipes.

Structurally, it is a needle valve enclosed in a metal case. How to remove an air lock from the heating system with it? First you need to decide on the device model.

Manual taps

After installation in the upper branch pipe of the radiator, air is released after turning the union nut on the tap. Removing an air lock from the heating system using a Mayevsky manual crane is performed according to the following scheme:

Filling the system with coolant.The valves on the radiators are in the closed state;
When the maximum level is reached, the water supply stops;
Having set the required clearance of the needle limiter in the devices, the taps open;
At the same time, the coolant supply is resumed.

Water is added to the system until liquid begins to flow from all Mayevsky's taps. Be sure to check the absence of an air jet. This method is effective for removing an air lock in heating radiators when the system is first started, before the season, or when air is released during operation.

Manual models will effectively eliminate the air lock in the radiator for both autonomous and central heating. The main thing is to choose the right mounting thread. In most cases, it is equal to 1/2”, but there are models with a non-standard size of 3/4”.

Automatic taps

Mayevsky automatic crane

In contrast to the model described above, in their design, a seat with a certain surface area is installed on the end of the needle valve. In combination with a return spring, the degree of pressure of which determines the critical pressure value at which the valve opens. A detailed device is designed to automatically break through a plug in heating when a critical temperature value and, as a result, pressure is exceeded.

However, before installation, you should familiarize yourself with the specifics of this model:

To prevent water from entering the floor, a pipe must be provided in the structure to drain excess water into the sewer;
If left standing for a long time, the valve seat can become covered with limescale, which makes it difficult to open it. Therefore, it is recommended to open the tap manually once every 2-3 months. The steps of the procedure must be done before the first start of heating;
The set maximum opening pressure must not exceed the critical value of the entire system. In order to remove the air lock from the heating in automatic mode, the pressure value on the tap must be less than the maximum by 5-10%.

What is better to install: automatic or manual Mayevsky crane? If the operation of the system does not provide for sudden pressure surges, manual models can be placed on the radiators. For autonomous heating, automatic heating is preferred.

It is best to choose models made of brass. During the expulsion of the air plug from the heating, they can withstand not only the critical pressure value, but also the temperature. The steel case is subject to destruction and rusting.

We fix the problem

You can solve the problem with an air lock yourself. The main thing is to identify the cause of its formation.

First, it is worth inspecting the pipeline along its entire length for cracks or depressurization (provided that the sewer has a water seal). If any are found, it is worth replacing the collector segment with a whole one. In this case, the air will freely go into the fan pipe during a burst of water discharge into the system. That is, the lid of the water seal will close when the pressure in the pipeline rises and thereby prevent stagnation of water.
If an airlock is observed in the area of a particular plumbing fixture, then, perhaps, during installation, the slope of the pipes towards the riser was not observed. To do this, you need to shift the pipeline section with the creation of the desired slope or, if possible, raise the plumbing device to create the optimal slope level for drains.
If, in principle, there is no fan pipe in the sewerage system, then it will have to be mounted with the installation of water seals near each plumbing fixture.

And always remember that if you are not confident in your abilities and think that you are prone to making mistakes when installing sewers in the house, then it is better to use the services of professionals.The craftsmen will create a reliable wastewater disposal system with a properly functioning fan pipe,

Most often, clogging of the sewer system occurs in old houses, while the reasons for this phenomenon can be completely different.

For example, due to the negligence of the owner, a rag or some kind of solid object may get stuck in the system. Over time, the diameter of the pipe narrows, as fat deposits form on its walls.

Therefore, a slight blockage can cause a big problem. Depending on the nature of the trouble, there are several solutions that can be used to effectively clean the sewer with your own hands without calling the masters.

Why is there air in the plumbing

There are two reasons for the appearance of air in the water supply system at home:

Outside. Through leaky connections, air enters the pipes;
From within. Approximately 30 grams of air is dissolved in the flow of water passing through the pipes per 1 ton of water. Gradually the air is released. The slower the water flows, and the hotter it is, the faster the process. That is, in hot water systems, the likelihood of air jams is higher.

In the water supply systems of private houses, air appears for the following reasons:

when the water level drops, air can be sucked in through the check valve;
poorly tightened fittings with rubber seals;
in hot water supply systems, a cavitation process is observed: steam is formed, air bubbles collect in the water, forming voids or cavities;
the air in the water supply pipes remained from the first start-up of the equipment.

There is 30% more oxygen in air bubbles than in atmospheric air. This explains the high oxidizing power of air in hot water systems. Air bubbles can be of various shapes: spherical - small, no more than 1 millimeter in diameter, mushroom-shaped, oval.

When the water speed in the pipes is more than 0.5 meters per second, the bubbles move without stopping. When the speed exceeds 1 meter per second, the bubbles break into very small bubbles. It turns out like an emulsion of water and air. Air bubbles in the water supply system of a private house begin to collapse at a fluid velocity of 0.25 meters per second. If it is lower, traffic jams can stagnate in some places for quite a long time.

Signs and consequences of system airiness

If the boiler unit is working properly, the temperature of the coolant at the supply is normal, and the battery cannot cope with heating the room, check the presence of air in the heating system. Air locks in radiators are a common occurrence, and their presence is indicated by uneven heating of the device when the upper part remains cold. The airiness of the battery at first slightly reduces its heat transfer, but if the problem is not solved in time, the accumulated gas will block the path of the coolant and the room will not receive full heating.

Air bubbles interfere with the free movement of the coolant due to the narrowing of the channel, and this provokes the appearance of specific sound effects. Signs of a blockage include noise in the pipes, gurgling, seething. In difficult cases, pipe vibration is also added.

Small air bubbles that have not yet formed a plug, but are already actively released from the coolant, turn it into a water-air mixture. It is dangerous for a circulation pump that is not adapted to pump gas. Plain bearings are installed on the shaft of the pump unit, which must be located in a liquid medium. The high air content in the coolant leads to premature wear of the elements due to the effect of dry friction.

If you do not bleed air from the heating system, its excess in the coolant can lead to a stop or breakdown of the circulation pump. This is dangerous for solid fuel boilers that are not equipped with automation: when the circulation stops, the cooled coolant will no longer flow into the boiler's water jacket. Overheating and boiling of liquid in a confined space threatens to explode if the safety group does not work.

Knowing how to bleed air from a heating system can deal with air lenses in radiators made from materials that are prone to corrosion and overgrowth. The air contains carbon dioxide and oxygen, and they contribute to the process of decomposition of calcium and magnesium salts, which are dissolved in water. The reaction proceeds with the release of carbon dioxide. Under the influence of high temperatures, hydrocarbon compounds form a layer of limescale, and carbon dioxide contributes to the corrosion of metal surfaces. As a result, the battery wears out faster.

To avoid unpleasant consequences, by starting the heating system at home after the summer break, you should check it for air jams. If it is airborne, promptly take measures to eliminate the problem.

Ways to fix sewer problems

In order to try to eliminate the plug in the sewer collector of an apartment or house, you must first determine the location of the blockage.

So, if the problem of water outflow is observed in the kitchen sink, and all other drain points are working normally, then the garbage plug has formed specifically in the siphon under the sink. In the same way, you can identify blockages under the sink in the bath or under the tub / shower itself. Depending on the location of the plug, chemicals such as "Mole", etc., can be poured into the drain hole in accordance with the instructions and the problem of deposits on the pipes can be eliminated.

As an aggressive anti-blockage drug, you can use plain soda filled with hot water. That is, first, soda is poured into the opening of the bathtub or sink, then it is poured with hot water. After that, vinegar is poured into the hole. The reaction of the constituents should push through the cork or simply liquefy it.
You can also use a standard plunger to clear blockages in your home's sewers. Cleaning up with it is easy. It is necessary to fill the plumbing fixture with water and tightly cover the drain hole with a plunger. Now you should make rhythmic up and down movements with the plunger, creating a vacuum in the collector. Under its influence, the cork must either come out (most often it is hair) or go into the sewage system. You can clean the sink and toilet in the same way.

How to get rid of air in the plumbing

To get rid of air congestion in the water supply of a private house forever, devices for bleed and descent will help:

mechanical valves, such as Mayevsky's device;
ball valves and valves;
automatic air vents.

It is necessary to bleed air with the help of shut-off valves manually, which is quite laborious. Therefore, it is better to choose alternative options.

mechanical valve

The device is not complicated, but the device is able to quickly and effectively rid the line of bubbles. The principle of operation of a mechanical valve is as follows:

A hollow cylinder with a lid, in which a threaded plug is mounted, is connected to the water supply by a threaded connection.
A plastic ball-float is suspended inside the cylindrical box. When there is only water in the pipeline, the float rises to the plug hole, and, due to the pressure of the water flow, closes it tightly.
As soon as air seeps into the device, the ball goes down and bleeds the air lock.

Automatic air vent

float valves;
starting devices;
combined devices.

When choosing a drain, they look at the volume of potential traffic jams, the operating pressure in the network and the quality of the water. This data can be found in the technical manual of the device.Do not take the machine with maximum power. When working at a minimum, it is more likely to wear out.

Homemade air storage

Automatic devices do not always cope with the removal of air in country houses. Usually there are a lot of air bubbles in such lines, water flows out of the valve device.

Instead of an air vent machine, they put a drive, which is a tank with a tube and a faucet.

The device can be built with your own hands. For efficient operation, the cross section of the air accumulator must be five times larger than that of the pipeline. The storage tank is mounted at the highest point of the aquifer.

When installing water supply networks in a country cottage, it is important to provide for the installation of devices for eliminating air. They protect the operating system from water hammer and rapid destruction.

a source

Airlock is the cause of stagnant drains

The air lock formed in the sewerage system of the house can also disable the work of the sewer collector. The air that has stopped in the system simply does not allow the drains to go down the riser and either returns them back, or lets them through, but very slowly and at the same time throws sharp unpleasant odors into the room.

The reasons for the formation of an air lock in the sewer can be as follows:

Mistakes made during the installation of a plastic manifold (insufficient tightness of the pipeline, lack of connecting fittings, etc.);
Excessive manifold turns, incorrect piping drops, or incorrect elbow angles;
Lack of a water seal in the installed sewerage system;
Possible blockage or icing of the fan pipe in the area of \u200b\u200bthe attic or roof.