How to clean pipes at home by yourself

From time to time in every living or working space, the question of clearing grease and other blockages from sewer pipes arises. Most often, you can do this task yourself, without the need for specialised services. Such household appliances as a plunger and metal rope can help. However, according to our customers’ surveys, special chemical means for cleaning pipes in the form of: granules, liquids, gels or powders are preferred.

Over time, grease and other degradable and non-degradable deposits build up on the walls of all pipelines. After a few years without cleaning, such a pipeline will lose 40-60% of its capacity. In addition, blockages will occur more and more frequently.

So how to clean the pipe with your own hands?

We suggest using thick rubber gloves and try to pump the clog with a plunger. To do this, pour a small amount of water into the sink or bathtub, above the level of the rubber part of the plunger. Dip the plunger into the water at the drain opening and make 10-20 pumping movements up and down, without pulling it away from the surface.

A metal cable can also break through the clog without the use of additional means, provided that such a tool is available in the household.

If mechanical efforts fail, the next step is chemical treatment.

We offer several options of chemical treatments for pipe cleaning:

1.Caustic soda (Mole, Mr Muscle, etc.)

One of the most effective ways to clean drains. Sodium causticum is an alkali, 100% dissolves all organic deposits that most often cause blockages. Great at removing grease. It has a small price.

Theoretically, caustic soda can be used in dry form and in the form of a solution. However, the use in the form of a ready solution is safer for plastic pipes. Since the reaction of caustic soda with water occurs with the release of heat up to 60-70°C and gas. Therefore, for the safety of plastic pipes and joints, we recommend pouring a ready-made solution of caustic soda into the drain. In any case, caustic soda should be used with caution in case of plastic elements in the pipeline.

Instructions for use of caustic soda.

1. Pour 1-3 litres of boiling water down the drain to soften deposits.
2. To prepare a solution of caustic soda for cleaning the sewerage system it is necessary to mix caustic with water in a proportion of 1:2 (can vary depending on the intensity of the clog).
   IMPORTANT: When preparing the solution, a violent reaction occurs with the release of heat and bubbling of the liquid. It is necessary to use heat-resistant containers made of dense plastic or metal with a volume reserve and personal protective equipment for skin and mucous membranes (gloves, goggles, rubber apron). In case of skin contact wash with plenty of water.
   
3. After the end of the reaction the solution is poured into the drain and given time to stand depending on the degree of clogging. Then turn on the water tap and let it drain for 5-10 min.

The exposure time may vary depending on the degree of blockage and the pipe material.

In addition, to increase the cleaning power of the caustic soda solution, dish detergent can be added to its composition. Use 5ml of detergent per 3 litres of solution.

2. Hydrochloric acid13%

It is used for clearing severe blockages, including the removal of sponges, rags and other foreign bodies in pipes. A good way to remove hair, paper, wool, lime scale.

Instructions for use:

Hydrochloric acid 13% mixed with technical liquid soap with surfactant content. Allow to stand for 5-20 min and rinse. Recommended proportion: for 10 litres of hydrochloric acid 13% add 500ml of technical liquid soap.

3. Soda and acetic acid

1. Mix 100-200g of baking soda with half a cup of 6-9% acetic acid
2. Pour the mortar into the drain hole
3. After 2 hours, rinse with a stream of hot water.

4. Baking soda and citric acid

Dissolve 100g of baking soda and 100g of citric acid in 1 litre of hot water. Pour the solution into the drain, soak for 2 hours and rinse with hot water.

5. Sodium hypochlorite

Included in Domestos gel pipe cleaner. It is recommended to pour in the amount of 250ml and keep for 10-15min. Then rinse the drain with hot water. In case of severe clogs it is recommended to increase the dose three times and the exposure time up to 2 hours.

IMPORTANT! For plastic pipework, hot water must not exceed +80°C.

How to clean a drain (cesspool)?

This is a topical question for an autonomous sewerage system. Caustic soda in the proportion of 1:3 – 1:4 will also help to cope with this task. On average, 2kg of caustic soda is diluted in 7-8 litres of water. And this solution is poured into the cesspool. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

It is recommended to carry out such cleaning once in half a year for the purpose of prevention.

Precautions: When working with caustic soda it is obligatory to use personal protective equipment (goggles, rubber gloves and apron). Use heat-resistant plastic or metal containers with a volume reserve. Avoid contact of the product with skin and mucous membranes, it may cause chemical burns.

If you need advice, please contact our technical specialists on the phones listed on the website.