A plumbing blockage is a rather unpleasant and common problem. Even with careful use of the equipment, particles of grease and hair on the pipe walls can one day tightly clog the drain. However, do not rush to immediately call the plumbing. In simple cases, a blockage in the toilet can be eliminated independently. It is enough to use one of the simple devices described in this review.
Cleaning Methods
So what are they? If the drain is clogged in the bathtub and there is water, and there is no possibility to call the plumbing, then you can try to clean the drain yourself using the following methods:
- thermal: use of hot water;
- chemical: blockage is eliminated with the help of certain compounds;
- mechanical: special devices are used to solve the problem.
The choice of method depends primarily on the type and location of the blockage.
The principle of the plunger
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Before considering how to make a plunger with your own hands, we will understand the principle of operation of this device. This is a fairly simple device, which is a handle with a conical rubber nozzle attached to it. Using a plunger, you can eliminate blockages not only in the bath, but also in the sink and toilet. Before cleaning, draw a small amount of water into the bath so that it completely covers the drain hole. Then the plunger is vertically mounted downward with a rubber cone on the drain. After that, they make pushing movements down, thereby creating water hammer. The blockage under their action is destroyed and pushed further along the sewer pipe. In most cases, only a few pushing movements are enough to eliminate the blockage. If the water began to leave, then the procedure was completed successfully. Otherwise, repeat it again.
Now that you know how to clean the toilet with a plunger, let's see how this device can be replaced.
Eliminate blockage on our own
The principle of operation of the plunger is based on pushing the air plug into the pipe. An air bubble literally crashes into water, thereby creating a water hammer. As a result, the blockage begins to approach a wider place in the sewer. But this device is not always at hand. What can replace a plunger? To get rid of small blockages is real and with bare hands. For this, it is enough just to cover the drain with a palm bent by a hump and sharply straighten it, thereby pushing air into the pipe. This movement should be repeated several times until the blockage is removed.
Hand tools
Making a plunger with your own hands is quite simple. The most common version of a homemade device includes a piece of stick with an unnecessary rag. The fabric should be wound so that it fits snugly into the drain hole. After this, the resulting structure should be lowered into the drain, and then sharply removed. The effect should be like a water hammer. However, proceed in this case with extreme caution so as not to accidentally break down the plumbing equipment.
Plunger from a bottle
What is it and what is its feature? Many of you have probably heard of such an unusual procedure as cleaning the toilet with a plastic bottle. For this, a capacity of 2 liters is best suited. She should completely cut off the bottom. After that, the bottle is inserted into the toilet drain upside down. Wait for the water to fill the bottle completely, and then tighten the neck. Next, sharply squeeze the plastic and pull the container out of the drain. Water coming out of the bottle will cause a small water hammer, which will push the blockage into the depths of the sewer. This procedure is best carried out in clothes that you do not mind stain, because when you remove the bottle, you can easily spray yourself.
Sink cleaner
So what is it? How to make a plunger to clean the blockage in the sink or bath? A plastic bottle for these purposes will no longer fit, since its diameter significantly exceeds the circumference of the drain hole. This means that with its help you can not create a sufficient discharge of air. How to be in this case? Good packaging for milk or juice. For such containers, a corner should be cut so that it matches the size of the drain. The package must be inserted into the drain hole with a cut corner, and then hit it well. As a result, the air inside it will be directed into the pipe. If the procedure does not work the first time, repeat this step.
Such an improvised plunger plumbing with proper use can give a good result. It is better to use bags of at least two liters. This will help increase the power of the device.
Auto Parts Cleaner
How to build a plunger from improvised means? Motorists probably know that you can use the CV joint boot for these purposes. This is such a kind of cover for the front axle shaft. It is usually made of silicone or rubber. The shape of the anther is similar to a bowl of a plunger. Due to its relief and softness, it works no worse than a real plunger. The only refinement that needs to be done before using this device is the handle for convenience. There is a suitable hole at the top of the anther. To clean the drain of the bath or sink with it, just plug it with a cork from under the wine. Do not stick a handle to such a homemade plunger, otherwise you will not be able to rinse the device after use.
How to clean the sink using household appliances?
If you have an old vacuum cleaner with a reverse function at home, then you can consider the question of how to make a plunger with your own hands closed. All you need to do is insert the appliance hose into the clogged drain hole. The junction should be sealed with an unnecessary rag. Then turn on the vacuum cleaner at maximum power in air blowing mode. This method will help get rid of even quite serious blockages.
Shower hose drain cleaning
What is the peculiarity of this method? Another way to make a plumber with your own hands is to use a shower hose. Remove the watering can from the shower and insert the hose into the drain hole. Drain around the hose with a cloth. Then turn on hot water at full power. If the pollution was caused by normal pollution, this method will help to eliminate it within a few minutes. Before carrying out this procedure, it is recommended to pour a pack of soda into the drain and leave it for about 10-15 minutes. This will help to better clean the pipe walls from accumulated dirt.
Using a plumbing cable
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Another good remedy for blockages is a plumbing cable. This device will be especially effective if the blockage was caused by a foreign object entering the drain. To eliminate such a blockage, a simple water hammer will not be enough. Therefore, if the use of a plunger and similar devices did not give the desired effect, then a plumbing cable should be used. You can use both the finished product, which can easily be purchased at any hardware store, or home-made, made from improvised materials.
To create a cable, take a large plastic bottle. She should cut off the bottom. After that, the product is cut in a spiral so that a long plastic strip is obtained. Do not cut the neck of the bottle, as you can use it as a handle. Holding the neck, pit the spiral into the plumbing drain hole while rotating it. Once you get to the blockage, the cable will crush it and push it further into the sewer. To enhance the effect, the pipe should be pumped a little more using a pneumatic plunger. Suitable for both factory and homemade product.
Clogging with hot water
The most common and simplest remedy for blockages is boiling water. It is suitable if salt and fat deposits are the cause of the blockage. To clean metal pipes, you can use cool boiling water. For cleaning, 1-1.5 liters will be enough. You just need to pour water into the hole and wait half an hour or an hour. To clean plastic pipes, use water at a temperature of 60-80 degrees. You can try simply opening the faucet with hot water and directing it to the drain.
To enhance the effect of the thermal cleaning method, try using salt and soda. Half a glass of these substances is poured into the drain hole, and pour a liter of boiling water or hot water on top. After that, you need to wait a couple of hours and rinse the drain.
A good remedy for blockages is washing powder. To clean the drain, mix in a separate container 100 grams of detergent and 2.5 liters of hot water. After that, the resulting composition is poured into a drain in a thin stream.
Eliminate the blockage with vinegar
This method was also used by our grandmothers. It is quite simple and involves the use of ingredients that can be found in any kitchen. To eliminate the blockage, you must first pour a glass of soda into the drain, and then pour 250 ml of vinegar into it. As a result, a chemical reaction should begin. It is better to close the drain hole for a while with a stopper. After half an hour or an hour, the drain can be washed with hot water.
If vinegar is not at home, you can try replacing it with citric acid. On a glass of soda it will be enough to take 2-3 tablespoons.
If the above funds were ineffective for eliminating a blockage in the bathroom, you should try more special household chemicals. It contains aggressive substances that help to quickly get rid of blockages of any complexity.
Use of household chemicals
Currently, there are many specialty chemicals for clearing blockages on sale. They can be in the form of a gel, powder or liquid. The most widely used products are Sanox, Mole, Tiret, Chirton, Sanfor. When choosing a cleaning agent, attention should be paid to its composition, as well as to the material from which the pipes are made. It is good if the product of your choice, in addition to salt and fat deposits, can also dissolve wool, thread and hair. Typically, household chemicals contain substances such as sodium hydroxide and acid. When working with these formulations, special care should be taken and the instructions for use should be strictly followed. Be sure to use hand and face protection.
These formulations are usually used according to the same principle: they are poured or poured into the drain hole in the quantity indicated in the instructions. Powder is usually required to top up with water. After this, the product should be left for a while. The waiting interval may also be different. Usually it is indicated on the package.
Conclusion
In this review, we examined in detail how to eliminate blockage. For this purpose, it is not necessary to use a factory plunger plumbing. Instead of this device, it is quite possible to use improvised tools. Plastic bottles, juice or milk bags are good. You can also use an old vacuum cleaner with a reverse function. The role of a plunger may well be performed by such an automobile part as anther.
If the blockage is small, then you can do without the use of mechanical cleaning methods. Perhaps hot water and special chemical compounds will help fix the problem.