For residents of apartment buildings, blockage of sewer pipes is a fairly common occurrence. Unscrupulous tenants often confuse the sewer with a garbage chute, dumping household waste and small debris into the general house system. Even replacing cast-iron pipes with plastic counterparts does not solve the problem of blockages. Therefore, stagnant water in the bathroom or sink, accompanied by a specific amber, still belongs to the category of common problems. There are two ways to correct the situation: use chemicals or mechanical devices. With the help of chemicals, you can get rid of a small blockage in the sink or siphon. If the line is clogged, only a cable to clean the sewer will help.
Types of blockages
What is a blockage in a pipe? In fact, this is a decrease in the internal diameter of the line due to certain reasons. You can solve the problem with your own hands, without resorting to the help of third-party specialists. Professional plumbers distinguish three types of sewer blockage:
- Operational. Here the tuba is gradually overgrown with fat, which is drained into the sewer after washing the dishes. Gradually, greasy walls become overgrown with small debris, the internal section of the pipe and the throughput of the drain decrease. You can correct the situation by pouring a special chemical composition into the pipe.
- Mechanical. Such a blockage occurs when the residents of the sewer pipes are used improperly. For example, throwing large objects or household waste into the pipeline. Such objects block the drain, collecting small debris around them. Only a cable for cleaning the sewer will help here. If the blockage is dense, it may be necessary to dismantle the section of the highway.
- Technical. The cause of such blockage is improper installation of pipes or deterioration of the sewer system. It is impossible to correct the situation with your own hands, it will be necessary to dismantle the line and lay new pipes.
Taking into account these features, a cable is selected for cleaning the sewer. Few people know that this plumbing tool has several varieties. Consider all modifications.
Types of cables for sewerage
The cable is an indispensable plumbing tool, divided into household and professional models. What types of ropes can be bought in stores?
- Cable. This is an elementary plumbing tool designed for domestic use. The product is made of galvanized steel. The cable diameter is 6 millimeters with a length of 5 meters. The cable is enough to eliminate blockages in a standard apartment or private house.
- Spring wound. This model is divided into household and professional products. Household spring cable for sewer cleaning is made of a hollow steel spring with tightly spaced coils. The diameter of the product is 9 millimeters with a length of 6 meters. Professional models designed to eliminate blockages in risers are up to 25 meters long, with a core diameter of 13 millimeters. For convenience, the cable is equipped with a handle that resembles a curved shaft in shape.
- Spring tension. Belongs to the category of professional plumbing equipment, the cable is designed to eliminate complex blockages that household models cannot handle. For the manufacture of steel wire is used, with a diameter of 13-16 millimeters. The length of such a cable can reach 60 meters. When the handle is rotated, the springs are stretched, making the cable rigid. In fact, this is the best option for cleaning interfloor highways.
How to use
The sewer cleaning cable is a fairly simple design, but for beginners who are not familiar with plumbing, using the device can be difficult.
To ensure that the blockage is cleared, you can use the following procedure:
- We dismantle the siphon: this will facilitate access to the pipe.
- We introduce the tip of the cable into the pipe, the rest can be rolled up into a ring and held in hand.
- We move the cable forward, making rotational-translational movements. The direction of rotation does not play a role, however, it is not recommended to change it during operation.
- The product must be periodically removed from the pipe to remove debris captured during operation.
- When the tip hits a clogged area, it is necessary to increase the rotation speed while pushing the body of the cable forward.
- After removing the blockage, it is recommended to flush the pipe with hot water, gradually increasing the pressure.
After finishing work, the cable must be thoroughly washed with hot water, with the addition of detergents. Then the product is dried, and, having rolled up a ring, is removed to the storage place.
Increasing efficiency
Given that the nature of the blockage can be different, you can purchase additional nozzles that will help eliminate various types of pollution. Each nozzle is effective only in a specific case. What are the nozzles and their scope:
- Ruff-shaped - designed to remove plaque from the walls of the pipe.
- Penetrating - used to clean old highways, with well-established stagnant formations.
- Bottom - do a good job of removing construction debris from the pipeline.
- Hooks - used to remove blockages from hairballs, plastic bags and rags.
- Loop-shaped - used for punching hydraulic seals.
It should be noted that interchangeable nozzles are intended only for professional products.
How to do it yourself
A cable for cleaning sewers is sold at any plumbing supply store. The price of the product is quite acceptable, so anyone can buy a cable. However, some citizens prefer to eliminate blockages with homemade designs. Making a plumbing cable with your own hands is not difficult. Just follow the diagram below.
- As a basis, you can take a metal or steel wire with a diameter of about 9 millimeters.
- The tip can be bent or “fluffed out” with hammer blows.
- The other end must be equipped with a metal ring. This element will act as a handle and facilitate the rotation of the product inside the pipe.
- Considering that when using a cable, it will have to be held with two hands, the middle can be wrapped with several layers of electrical tape or supplemented with a piece of plastic pipe of a suitable diameter.
Such a do-it-yourself design will not be inferior in efficiency to factory products, and will completely cope with the elimination of blockage in the apartment.
Other pipe punching options
You can eliminate the blockage in the pipe not only with a steel cable. Here is a list of common drain cleaners:
- Boiling water. If the blockage of the line was formed due to fat, you can solve the problem by pouring boiling water into the sewer pipes. As an analogue, you can use a solution of vinegar and baking soda.
- Chemical substances. There are powdered and liquid reagents that can eliminate small blockages. When using this method, be aware that ceramic sanitary ware is very sensitive to "chemistry".
- Plunger. This is a simple device that pierces pipes with hydraulic shocks. Suitable for removing dirt in sinks and bathrooms.
However, only a plumbing cable is suitable for cleaning deep blockages.
