How you clear clogged pipes is a problem we all would like to avoid. Drains blocked with snaking are one of the most unsanitary chores to do at home and appear in horror films.
However, pipes and drains will get blocked in houses. Blockages in these structures can cause more problems than the accumulation of hair. In reality, homeowners lose billions of dollars due to the bursts of their pipes blocked yearly.
Start by Identifying the Clog
The first step to clearing the obstruction in a pipe is to know the kind of pipe you’ve got. Cleaning techniques and equipment can differ according to the pipe’s location and use.
Commonly blocked pipes include:
- Shower drains or bathtubs
- Drains from the sink
- Dryer pipes
- Toilet pipes
- Garbage disposal pipes
Certain pipe types are more straightforward to spot than other types of pipe. Bathrooms typically include toilet lines with water or sewage pipes. If not near a toilet, the tube is probably one of the water pipes.
The kitchen area needs more attention. The kitchen sink is the most important one. Make sure to check for clogs that are causing problems in the pipes leading to the sink, dishwasher accessories, and garbage disposal. The most effective method of identifying is to determine the location of functionality by the site.
When identifying the pipe in use, you must determine where the line gets located. If the tube is at 90 degrees elbow pipe, you will need specific tools, whereas smaller pipes are easy to clean. If the line clogged is of primary service but has a turn, it may require another device, such as a drill made of steel.
Another step in adequately cleaning clogged pipes is identifying the stuck material.
The Most Frequent Drainage and Pipe Snags Originate From:
- Roots of trees
- Female hygiene products and flushable wipes
- Oil, fat, or grease
- Hair
Cleaning products can eliminate certain materials, while others require manual unclogging. Check out the following section to learn how to clean pipes that have to get blocked with the help of materials.
How Do You Clear Clogged Pipes with the Help of Material
Roots of Trees
Tree roots are constantly a hindrance to the homes of residents. Tree roots expand into and around pipes and under sidewalks and foundations. Typically, tree roots connect to pipes beneath the underground. These pipes generally are the main lines of water or sewer lines.
If a tree’s root clogs your pipes at home, you should consider calling in professionals. Other solutions will require powerful tools or chemicals for pipe cleaning.
The best chemical choice that can get used for the tree’s roots is a foaming root cleaner. A commonly used chemical to get rid of tree roots is copper Sulfate. Over time, copper sulfate strips away pipelining. Furthermore, copper sulfate can end all plant life when leaks get discovered.
Beyond chemicals, getting to an actual main line will require excavation and the physical extraction of roots. You could lease a sewer auger equipped with spinning blades. This kind of drill will extend to distant pipes and be able to cut through roots.
“Flushable Wipes” and Feminine Hygiene Products
Most feminine hygiene products and flushable wipes need to break down sufficiently quickly for toilets in residential homes. There are always bathroom signs stating only clean toilet paper down the toilet. These signs also apply to homes since toilet design only uses decomposable materials.
If you find that flushable wipes, female hygiene items, or something else causes a blockage in your toilet, make use of a plunger for your toilet. In addition, you need to use a drill for your toilet. Toilet drills get designed to run around the U-shape of the bathroom pipes. With a handle crank and a hollow tube of rubber, toilet augers can reach into the lines of toilets to dislodge the worst obstructions.
Make use of a toilet auger by inserting the rubber tube into your toilet. One hand will hold the shaft made of wood while the other turns the crank. Hand-crank the auger slowly until it begins to snake the toilet. Sometimes, reversing the drill is necessary to continue the downward snaking. When the training has to get filled, start re-cranking the exercise. To determine if the blockage is gone, then wash the toilet.
Toilet augers typically extend to only the soil pile, but it is not the primary sewer lines. Drills made of metal can get utilized in unclogging toilets. But, they could damage porcelain bowls for a toilet. Suppose a toilet auger isn’t enough to clear the blockage in the pipe. In that case, you should seek the assistance of a professional plumber.
Oil, Fat, or Grease
Oil, fat, and grease can accumulate in sinks and garbage disposals. It is possible to cleanse both areas by using an overnight remedy. Mix a cup of salt with a cup of baking soda. Add this mixture to the blocked drain and plenty of hot boiling water. Let the mixture sit overnight for up to 10 hours.
After a minimum period of 8 hours, add more water, and let the solution go across the disposal pipes or down the drain. If the blockage persists, determine the area of the line clogged with the build-up of oil, fat, or grease. If there are many build-ups, scrubbing on the pipe’s interior could be required. Fortunately, the immediate kitchen pipes are typically smaller and detachable, making this procedure easy.
Hair
Everyone is disgusted by the hair that has accumulated inside the bathroom drain. Some people are so enraged that they push hair into the gutter. Hair can cause the water to pool in bathtubs, showers, or even sinks. Use these guidelines to deal with the messy issue of clearing blocked pipes:
- First, clean and remove hair covers and drain them.
- Then, you can use a drill made of plastic to clear the drain that is blocked by fishing the teeth of the plastic pipe and pulling hair upwards.
- When the surface of a pipe gets cleaned, you can think of using chemical cleaning products to dissolve hair into the lines.
- Install all drain pieces, and then run water through the pipes.
If the clogs persist, you can use a drill of longer length and add more chemicals to dissolve.
Get a Professional to Handle Unmanageable Clogs
Certain situations go beyond the scope of how-to guides on how to remove blocked pipes. If the pipes in your house need to get D.I.Y. help, call Ottawa Plumbing Service at (613) 317-1682 or email us at info@ottawaplumbingservice.com.
Ottawa Plumbing Service is a local-owned, family-owned plumbing business located in Ottawa. Ottawa Plumbing Service provides fast and reliable service. Our plumbers are local and have years of experience dealing with blocked drains.
