How to clear clogged pipes at home: the best cleaning products and methods

Removing blockages in pipes on your own at home is not as difficult a task as it seems at first glance.To do this, you can try using both traditional methods and specialized chemicals.

The most effective ways to get rid of blockages will be discussed in our material.

Determining the location of the blockage

A clogged pipe is a fairly common problem, and if you encounter it, you should not panic and look for the phone number of a plumber. Very often you can handle it yourself, saving time and money.

Before cleaning pipes, it is important to understand where exactly the blockage has formed. This directly affects the choice of method to solve the problem.

To determine the approximate location of the blockage, open the water and see how it “disappears”:

• The water is receding very slowly – most likely, the plug is more than a meter away from the drain. In case of such a problem, the best way is to use a special metal cable.
• Water drops to a certain level, and then everything remains unchanged - the blockage is located in the area from the siphon to the first turn. In this case, it will be enough to use either traditional methods or chemical means.
• The liquid doesn't go away at all – in 90% of cases the siphon is clogged with fatty deposits. The best option to deal with contamination is to manually clean the pipeline.

These are the most common ways to identify where the problem is.

Most often, traffic jams occur at the places where the pipe first turns, narrows, or connects to the central riser

Once you have found out exactly where the blockage has formed, you can begin to remove it.

Popular folk methods

For liquidation blockage in the pipeline improvised means work well. If the problem is caused by the accumulation of fat, then you can try to free the drain from the plug with plain water.

In the case of steel pipes, boiling water works well with fatty deposits - you need to pour it for 20 minutes. For plastic plumbing, hot water is used, but not more than 70 °C.

Running water under strong pressure will help you check whether the problem has been resolved or not.

Method number 1 - baking soda

Sodium carbonate or baking soda, which is familiar to all of us, will help to cope with the blockage of fat deposits in the pipes. It is better if it is domestically produced, since imported analogues are not very effective.

First you need to pour 200 g of baking soda into the drain hole. Next, add 200 ml of vinegar and close the hole tightly. The reaction between the substances will effectively dissolve the grease, removing the blockage. After waiting 10-15 minutes, open hot water under high pressure for a couple of minutes.

To increase effectiveness, heat the baking soda in a frying pan before using it. It should acquire a golden color. It is important not to overexpose the component over the fire, otherwise it will lose its properties.

This method is effective only in cases of “fresh” blockages.If they are already old, you will have to use more caustic substances.

Method No. 2 - caustic soda

In the fight against old or severe pollution, you can use a more caustic agent - caustic soda, which can be purchased at any hardware hypermarket.

Take a large metal bucket and put 2-3 kg of caustic soda into it with a plastic scoop. Pour the substance into 12 liters of cold water. Stir the component for 30 minutes. Be as careful as possible so that the solution does not come into contact with your skin. It is necessary that the soda dissolves completely.

Place the bucket on the fire and heat the mixture to 70 °C. It is important not to overexpose the solution, otherwise it will lose its effectiveness. In addition, extremely hot liquid can damage pipes.

Slowly pour half the mixture down the drain and leave for 2 hours. After the specified time, pour out the remaining mixture and wait again for 2 hours. Rinse the drain pipes thoroughly with hot running water.

As housewives note in reviews, caustic soda allows you to cope with even severe blockages the first time. The main thing is to adhere to the proportions and wait the specified time.

It is strictly not recommended to use caustic soda to clean a plastic pipeline from contaminants, as it can corrode the pipeline

Gel caustic soda is more gentle. You can also purchase it at hardware stores. The cost of gel soda is slightly higher than regular soda. And in terms of efficiency, they are practically not inferior to each other.

To clean the pipeline, take 100 ml of the component, pour it into the hole, and then add 250 ml of hot water. Wait 2 hours, then rinse the pipes thoroughly with hot running water.

Method number 3 - soda, vinegar and chlorine

Vinegar, soda and chlorine will help deal with severe stains. All these substances will probably be found in the bins of any housewife. The latter component is not entirely harmless to people, but it allows you to effectively deal not only with fatty deposits, but also with limescale deposits in the water supply.

First of all, remove the water from the sink - excess liquid will reduce the effectiveness of the product. Pour 50 g of soda ash and baking soda into the drain. After 30 minutes, pour in 150 ml of vinegar and 150 ml of chlorine.

Be sure to plug the hole tightly to avoid the appearance of pungent and unpleasant odors in the room. After 30 minutes, open the warm water and leave it for 40 minutes.

Method number 4 - coarse salt

If the problem occurs in cast iron pipes, then coarse salt and boiling water will help deal with it. You can use vinegar essence as a “reagent”, but finding it now is quite problematic.

Please note that regular Extra salt is not suitable for removing blockages. Due to the small granules, it does not allow effective dissolution of fatty contaminants.

To begin, pour 300 g of coarse table salt into the drain hole. Add 2 liters of boiling water, 100 ml of 70% vinegar, wait 30 minutes and check the result. Don't worry if you didn't succeed the first time, you may have to repeat the procedure several times.

Method No. 5 – citric acid

Citric acid works great for removing lime deposits in pipes. It has repeatedly proven its effectiveness. Housewives note that the product allows you to cope with the problem even the first time.

First, pour 100 g of citric acid into the drain hole and fill the component with 250 ml of boiling water, and after 20 minutes open the hot water.

Instead of citric acid, use the juice of fresh lemons. Take 100 ml of it and pour it inside the drain. Leave the product for 1 hour and then run running water.

We also recommend reading our other article, where we talked in detail about how to clean a toilet from limescale. Read more - read Further.

Method number 6 - salt and soda

To dissolve the fat plug, use soda and salt. Take 300 g of each component, mix and dissolve in hot water - you need to get a highly concentrated solution. It is important to achieve complete dissolution of the components.

Pour the mixture down the drain and wait 15 minutes and turn on the water briefly. If you cannot solve the problem the first time, perform the procedure again. Only this time, add an additional 15-20 ml of vinegar to the finished composition.

Method No. 7 - Alka-tabletsSeltzer»

Instead of soda and salt, you can use effervescent tablets "Alka-Seltzer" They have repeatedly proven their effectiveness.

The effervescent reaction of the tablets, provoked by the addition of vinegar and water, helps to quickly and effectively dissolve even quite strong stains

To remove the plug you will need to take 2 tablets and place them in the drain. Pour the tablets with a glass of vinegar and 50 ml of water. Leave everything for a couple of minutes and then rinse with hot water.

Please note that Alka-tabletsSeltzer"Sold in regular pharmacies. They are affordable and available without a prescription.

Method No. 8 - washing powder

To combat light stains and prevent blockages, housewives use washing powder.Agree, it will definitely be found in every home.

To combat blockages, it is important to use granular, rather than liquid, laundry detergent. Only the first option will help to effectively solve the problem.

It is taken in the amount of 2 measuring spoons and poured into the drain. Next, turn on hot running water for 5 minutes. After this time, the plug should disappear.

Let's turn to chemicals

If you don’t have time to experiment with folk remedies, then you can use specialized mixtures that are sold in any supermarket, in the household chemicals department. They are affordable and highly effective.

If the drain is completely blocked, purchase products marked “can be used in standing water”, since other options simply will not cope with severe blockages

Let's look at the most popular chemicals used by housewives to remove blockages.

Mole - an affordable solution that is well suited for combating household pollution. Pour 200-250 g into the drain and leave for 2 hours. For old plugs, the liquid can be left overnight.

After the specified time, supply water with strong pressure. If the plug cannot be removed immediately, use the product again.

Debouche – a universal liquid for eliminating mechanical and grease blockages. Directions for use: pour 500 ml of liquid into the drain and leave for 3 hours.

For severe contamination, use twice as much product, and the validity period increases to 10-12 hours. After use Debouche Be sure to rinse the pipes thoroughly with water.

Pothan – a solution for removing any types of blockages in cast iron and plastic pipes. First you need to lower the water level in the drain by 5 cm.Next, pour in 100 ml of the product and 100 ml of boiling water. After 5 minutes, warm water is supplied to the drain.

Mister Muscle – a popular powder for eliminating fatty plugs. It penetrates into the most difficult places and, due to its special composition, removes not only clogs, but also harmful bacteria and unpleasant odors. According to the manufacturer, Mr. Muscle copes with the problem in just 5-10 minutes.

When using specialized cleaning products for sewer pipes, it is very important to strictly follow the instructions on the packaging. Otherwise, the active substances of the product may damage the pipeline

Floop – a cleaner that dissolves fatty, organic and hair plugs. The product is quite caustic, so when working with it, be sure to equip yourself with protective clothing, a respirator and rubber gloves.

Adding Floop into the drain hole, it is important to avoid getting it on plumbing fixtures, as well as on exposed parts of the body or clothing. The product is poured with hot water and left for the time specified in the instructions. Then the drain is washed generously with cold water.

Tiret Turbo – a universal solvent, produced in the form of gel and granules. In the first case, it is poured into the drain and left for 5-10 minutes. Using the granular version, it is first poured into the drain, and then 500 ml of hot water is added and left for at least 10 minutes.

It is prohibited to use the latter remedy for longer than the time specified in the instructions. The active substances included in its composition can cause destruction of pipe walls.

There is an article on our website where we examined in detail the best chemicals for cleaning sewer pipes. Read more - read Further.

Radical solutions to the problem

When the blockage cannot be eliminated using folk remedies and chemicals, you should try to deal with it using mechanical methods.

Option No. 1 – vacuum cleaner

You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove clogs. However, the device must have the function blowing. If you are the owner of such equipment, then first wrap the end of the device hose with a loose rag. It is very important to fix it well.

Press the hose firmly against the drain hole and turn on the vacuum cleaner to maximum. A powerful stream of air will push out the plug formed in the pipe.

It is necessary to install the device tube at a right angle, trying to press its end as firmly as possible against the drain hole

Using a vacuum cleaner is effective when the problem is no more than 1 meter from the drain hole.

Option No. 2 – plunger

To bleed the drain, use a plunger, which can be manual or mechanical. This device is sure to be found in every home. It helps create strong pressure inside the pipe, causing the blockage to break up or pump deeper.

While pumping, move the plunger back and forth without lifting the bowl from the drain. Do several approaches, and then remove the plunger and evaluate the effectiveness of the work. If the liquid drains slowly, you will have to repeat everything all over again.

Before working with a plunger, it is advisable to lubricate its edges with grease or Vaseline. This will ensure tighter contact with the sink.

Option No. 3 - plumbing cable

When a plug has formed on the bends of pipes or far away in communications, a plumbing cable is used. It can be used to hook and pull out a clog or clear it out.

The process of cleaning pipes with a cable begins with dismantling the siphon.Do not try to work the cable directly through the plumbing drain hole. Only by removing the siphon will you have free access to the sewer system.

After installing the cable in the pipe, begin to screw it clockwise, trying to slowly push it forward. Act smoothly and gradually, avoiding sudden movements.

There is a hook at the end of the cable, so use the device carefully when cleaning plastic pipes so as not to damage them

When you encounter resistance, turn the device until it continues to move. After this, you can put the siphon in place and flush the system.

Not everyone has a plumbing cable, but if you want, you can buy it at any plumbing store.

Read about the types of plumbing cables for cleaning sewers in this material.

In addition, you can build this device with your own hands from a plastic bottle and scrap materials.

The instructions are as follows:

1. Cover the bottle from top to bottom with strips of tape to form a spiral.
2. Draw lines along the border of the adhesive tape with a colored marker.
3. Cut the bottle along the marks you made.
4. Be sure to leave the bottom - it will act as a handle.
5. Make small cuts along the resulting spiral.
6. Insert a homemade cable into the drain and push it through, slowly holding it by the “handle”. Due to the notches, debris will cling to it, this way it will be possible to overcome the traffic jam.

This device is only suitable for plugs that are not too far from the siphon.

During sewer cleaning work, do not forget to periodically turn on the water. This will help you deal with contaminants faster

Used for deep blockages steel wire with a diameter of 5-6 mm.One end of it is bent with a hook.

Option No. 4 - disassembling and cleaning the siphon

As was said at the beginning of the article, in 90% of cases the water does not pass beyond the sink due to a clogged siphon.

The cleaning procedure is as follows:

• Spread an unnecessary rag on the floor that absorbs water well. It should be directly under the siphon.
• Place a basin under the sink into which the liquid will subsequently be drained.
• Unscrew the lock nut that secures the siphon tube.
• Remove the siphon. Remove all dirt from it (this is convenient to do with a brush), and then rinse thoroughly under running water.
• Pour a solution of soda and vinegar into the pipe connected to the sewer. When the reaction is complete, pour in an additional 150 ml of vinegar. Repeat this procedure several times.
• After 15-20 minutes, pour several liters of hot water into the pipe and wait 5 minutes.
• Reinstall the siphon and tighten the lock nut.

As a rule, if you follow the instructions given, you will be able to deal with the blockage the first time.

Preventing blockages

The most common cause of clogged drains is grease. It gradually accumulates on the walls of pipes after washing dishes, especially if you wash them in cold water or use a low-quality detergent.

The best prevention is to install grease trap. It is a small structure with two sections that is attached to the sink. The principle of its operation is that first, water with particles of dirt and grease enters the first section of the device, where the liquid is cleaned of debris.

In the second section of the structure, water is cleared of fat and only after that it enters the sewer pipes, which ensures trouble-free operation of the water supply system.

Once a week, use a solution of vinegar and soda as a preventative measure. This simple method will not only protect your pipes from blockages, but also prevent unpleasant odors.

Preventing blockages also involves a number of other measures. Before washing, remove any particles of food stuck to the dishes. It is important to avoid any leftover food going down the drain. By sticking to the pipes, they subsequently become the cause of all sewerage problems.

Also, do not pour fat remaining after cooking down the drain - it must be disposed of separately, otherwise problems with blockages cannot be avoided.

Make it a rule not to throw hair from a comb, paper, or various objects into the toilet. Additionally, install a special protective mesh on the drain.

Once every 2 weeks, turn on the hot water at full pressure for 1-2 hours. Also, use a plunger regularly.

At least once a month, use one of the specialized products that are sold in household chemicals departments. This simple prevention will help you forget about traffic jams in your pipes.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Modern ways to deal with blockages in pipes:

The main types of sewer cleaning at home:

Removing a blockage with your own hands is possible using different methods - it all depends on what exactly caused the problem and at what distance from the drain the plug is located.

In any case, everyone can deal with the blockage on their own. In the future, preventative measures should be taken to avoid the recurrence of such a problem.

Perhaps you know other effective ways to remove blockages in pipes? Please tell our readers about them. Leave your comments in the block below.