Each of us at least once in his life, but faced with such a problem as a blockage in the pipe. This is a rather unpleasant matter and requires urgent action, if you, of course, are not a fan of dirty dishes or the lack of the ability to take a shower. A huge amount of advertising on TV broadcasts the effectiveness of many means for almost instantly eliminating blockages. Let's see if they really are so good and how else you can eliminate the blockage.
How to determine if there is a blockage?
The first and most important sign of clogging is a decrease in the rate of outflow of water from the bathtub / sink / toilet, etc. If the plunger does not help, then it is not the air bubble that is stuck in the pipe, but fat, food debris, hair, etc. This requires urgent intervention , since when you turn on the water, you can arrange a real flood.
If, as such, there is no decrease in the rate of water discharge, but there is an unpleasant smell from the drain, then this is also a sign of blockage, but not yet strong. It is worth taking measures immediately, so as not to aggravate the situation, using folk remedies or chemical gels designed to prevent blockages.
A sign of blockage is the appearance of water in the underlying drains, such as a bath, when water is turned on in the sink. The same effect may occur when draining the water with a washing machine. In this situation, a remedy for blockages in the pipes can also help. But which one to choose? Let's figure it out.
What is any remedy for blockages in pipes based on?
What substances help eliminate blockage? The main component that is included in any tool for sewer pipes, as well as in folk recipes, is acid or alkali. Alkali well dissolves fatty contaminants, and acid - soap, hair, thread, etc. Based on the properties, it becomes clear that alkaline is usually used for the kitchen, and acid - for the bathroom.
The remedy for blockages in pipes is sold in various forms:
- gel (it is more economical, since a small amount is evenly distributed over the surface of the pipe and eliminates pollution, without requiring the use of even half of the gel capacity);
- powder (it needs to be poured into the drain hole and filled with the required amount of water; it is important not to overexpose and thoroughly rinse the powder with water, otherwise it may begin to corrode the surface of the bath / sink and pipe, since it is more concentrated than 2 other types);
- liquid (it is poured into the pipe in large quantities, diluting or not diluting with water, it is also important to rinse thoroughly so that there are no problems).
Thanks to advertising and the experience of generations, we can easily name the most famous names: “Tiret Turbo”, “Mole” and “Pothan”.
"Mole"
Mole fluid is one of the oldest means of existence. It removes blockages well, but few know that it is suitable only for metal pipes, and plastic can spoil due to the alkaline environment. Another disadvantage of the “Mole” is that it has a chemical unpleasant odor, therefore, after pouring the funds into the pipe, it is better to leave the room, and to eliminate the blockage - ventilate.
Tiret Turbo
This is a tool that can be found in any store. It is very well advertised, and for good reason. In terms of effectiveness, “Tiret” is not inferior to any remedy for blockages, but even surpasses them, as it is suitable for all types of pipes and does not have a pronounced smell. "Tiret" by consistency is a gel and is divided into several categories: for the prevention of blockages, for the elimination of blockages, for the elimination of complex blockages. On the package it is noted that it is valid for 5 minutes. In fact, the duration of the action may differ depending on the complexity of the blockage in the pipe, because the larger the layer of accumulated debris, the longer the gel will have to dissolve it.
When interviewing consumers to the question of what tool they often use to clean water pipes, the majority responds: "Tiret." Reviews about him on the Internet and other sources are mostly positive. It removes blockages efficiently and quickly, disinfects, eliminates unpleasant odors, and prevents mold.
Pothan
"Pothan" - a tool for cleaning pipes, the price of which exceeds the price of all other means (more on this below). It is made in the form of a powder, has an antibacterial effect and quickly dissolves fatty and other types of blockages, therefore it is recognized as the best remedy against them. Pothan can be used both for metal pipes and for plastic ones. Its biggest drawback is a strong pungent odor. Therefore, you can use it only in accordance with the instructions, as well as use protective equipment (mask and gloves).
There are others
If you go to the store, you will be surprised by the variety of pipe cleaning tools. In addition to the above, “Domestos”, “Mr. Muscle”, “Sanfor” and others are popular. They are often similar in composition or form of release to those considered, and someone prefers them. But everyone chooses the best remedy for clogging in pipes for himself.
Prices
Prices for the remedy for blockages vary greatly. So, "Tiret Turbo", depending on the type of gel and store margins, can cost from 200 to 400 rubles. Mole is cheaper - about 100 rubles. for 1 liter of funds. "Pothan", a tool for cleaning pipes, the price of which is quite high, will cost about 500 rubles. for 600 g of powder, but is less common on the shelves than the same Tiret. The remaining funds have about the same prices, but their cost rarely exceeds 500 rubles.
Security measures
The remedy for clogging in the pipes is very toxic, whatever it may be, so care must be taken not to harm your health and drainpipes. Firstly, you need to use gloves and a mask. Gloves can be the most common, rubber, sold in any store. A mask can be independently made of fabric, the main thing is that it protects from harmful fumes and smell. If it gets on your skin, be sure to wash it with soap and water, if irritation occurs, you can drink antihistamines, but you should visit a dermatologist to avoid a possible chemical burn. In case of contact with eyes, rinse with water and seek medical advice.
It is equally important to follow the rules for using this or that tool. So, it is better not to pour the tool for metal pipes into plastic, since it can damage them and the pipes will have to be replaced, and not cleaned from clogging.
How else can you eliminate blockage
If you don’t have the opportunity to quickly run to the store or you are not a supporter of chemicals, or maybe for other reasons, you do not want to resort to the help of “Mole”, “Tiret” or other means, try to mechanically clean the pipes or use folk recipes.
The most seemingly simple way is to use a plunger. It is a cup-shaped rubber nozzle on a wooden or plastic handle and serves to bleed air from the pipeline, which pushes pollution through the pipe and eliminates it. But the plunger is not always able to get rid of pollution, since strong blockages cannot push air through.
If you call a plumber, he will not pour special tools into the pipes, but will either blow the pipe, or disassemble it and clean it with a hose or hook, pulling out contaminants. Blowing is carried out by special equipment similar to a vacuum cleaner. If you can disassemble the pipe and clean it yourself (if you, of course, are sure that you will assemble it correctly later), you cannot blow it yourself by any means, since you can damage the pipes not only in the apartment, but also on the house. Better to pay plumbing services than to pay for repairs.
Folk recipes
There are several folk remedies that are not as strong as Potkhan or Tiret, for example, but can also help if your pipes are clogged:
- If the cause of the blockage is frozen fat, then it must be melted with hot water. To do this, it’s just worth opening hot water and letting it leak for 5-10 minutes, the main thing is to make sure that it flows, and does not cause a flood. It is not worth pouring boiling water over the pipes, as it can damage them.
- For metal pipes, you can try using a solution of caustic soda (1 tbsp. Per 1 liter of hot water). The mixture is poured for several hours, and then washed off with hot water. Important: when working with soda, wear gloves and make sure that it does not fall on enameled surfaces, as it can corrode them.
- In the fight against blockages, you can use ordinary soda paired with vinegar. Everyone knows that when soda interacts with vinegar, a large amount of foam is released, which means a chemical reaction occurs. We pour a glass of soda into the drain, pour a glass of vinegar on top and let stand for 30-60 minutes. Then rinse with hot water. It is important to ensure that the foam does not come out of the drain, otherwise it may damage the surface of the enameled bath or sink.
Alternative methods should be resorted to only in case of weak blockage or for prevention. It is very difficult to remove heavy contaminants with ordinary soda, and in some cases it can only be made worse.
So, it’s hard to say unequivocally which of all means is better. It all depends on the type of pipes, the type of blockage, as well as how much you are willing to pay for it.