Do-it-yourself plumbing cable to clean the sewer

For residents of apartment buildings, clogging of sewer pipes is a fairly common occurrence. Unscrupulous residents often confuse the sewer system with the garbage chute, dumping household waste and small garbage into the common house system. Even replacing cast iron pipes with plastic counterparts does not solve the problem of blockages. Therefore, stagnation of water in a bathtub or sink, accompanied by a specific amber, still belongs to the category of common problems. There are two ways to rectify the situation: using chemical preparations or mechanical devices. Using chemicals, you can get rid of a small blockage in the sink or siphon. If the trunk is clogged, only the cable to clean the sewer will help.

Types of blockages

What is a blockage in the pipe? In fact, this is a decrease in the internal diameter of the highway due to certain reasons. You can solve the problem with your own hands without resorting to the help of third-party specialists. Professional plumbers distinguish three types of sewage blockage:

• Operational. Here the tube is gradually overgrown with fat, which drains into the sewer after washing the dishes. Gradually, the greasy walls are overgrown with small debris, the internal section of the pipe and the throughput of the drain are reduced. You can correct the situation by pouring a special chemical composition into the pipe.

• Mechanical. Such a blockage occurs when tenants misuse sewer pipes. For example, throwing large objects or household waste into the pipeline. Such objects block the drain, collecting small debris around them. Only a cable to clean the sewer will help here. If the blockage is tight, it may be necessary to dismantle the section of the line.

• Technical. The reason for this clogging is the incorrect installation of pipes or deterioration of the sewer system. It is impossible to correct the situation with one's own hands, it will require the dismantling of the highway and the laying of new pipes.

Given these features, a cable is selected for cleaning the sewer. Few people know that this plumbing tool has several varieties. Consider all the modifications.

Types of cables for sewage

The cable is an indispensable tool for plumbing, it is divided into household and professional models. What types of cables can I buy in stores?

• Cable. This is an elementary plumbing tool designed for domestic use. The product is made of galvanized steel. The diameter of the cable is 6 millimeters with a length of 5 meters. The cable is enough to eliminate blockages in a standard apartment or private house.

• Spring-wound. This model is divided into household and professional products. A household spring cable for cleaning the sewer is made of a hollow steel spring with tightly arranged turns. The diameter of the product is 9 millimeters with a length of 6 meters. Professional models designed to eliminate blockages in risers have a length of up to 25 meters, with a core diameter of 13 millimeters. For convenience, the cable is equipped with a handle that resembles a curved shaft in shape.

• Spring-tensioned. Belongs to the category of professional plumbing equipment, the cable is designed to eliminate complex blockages that household models cannot handle. For the manufacture of steel wire is used, with a diameter of 13-16 millimeters. The length of such a cable can reach 60 meters. When the handle rotates, the springs are tensioned, making the cable stiff. In fact, this is the best option for cleaning interfloor highways.

How to use

The cable for cleaning the sewer is a rather simple design, however, for beginners who are not familiar with the plumbing business, the use of the device can cause difficulties.

In order to guarantee the elimination of blockages, you can use the following procedure:

• We remove the siphon: this will facilitate access to the pipe.
• The cable end is inserted into the pipe, the rest can be rolled up and held in the hand.
• We advance the cable forward, making rotational-translational movements. The direction of rotation does not play a role, however, changing it during operation is not recommended.
• The product must be periodically removed from the pipe to remove debris captured during operation.
• When the tip comes across a clogged area, it is necessary to increase the speed of rotation, while pushing the body of the cable forward.
• After blocking, it is recommended to rinse the pipe with hot water, gradually increasing the pressure.

Having finished work, the cable must be thoroughly washed with hot water, with the addition of detergents. Then the product is dried, and, having turned a ring, clean up on a storage place.

Increase efficiency

Given that the nature of the blockage can be different, you can purchase additional nozzles that will help eliminate various types of pollution. Each nozzle is effective only in a specific case. What are nozzles and their scope:

1. Brush-like - designed to remove plaque from the pipe walls.
2. Punch - used to clean old highways, with well-established stagnant formations.
3. Bottom - they do a good job of removing the remains of construction debris from the pipeline.
4. Hooks - serve to eliminate blockages from lumps of wool, plastic bags and rags.
5. Loop-like - used for punching hydrozators.

It is worth noting that interchangeable nozzles are intended only for professional products.

How to do it yourself

A cable for cleaning the sewer is sold in any plumbing equipment store. The price of the product is quite reasonable, so anyone can buy a cable. However, some citizens prefer to eliminate blockages with homemade structures. Do it yourself with your own hands to make a plumbing cable. It is enough to be guided by the diagram below.

• As a basis, you can take metal or steel wire with a diameter of about 9 millimeters.
• The tip can be bent or “fluffed” with hammer blows.
• The other end must be equipped with a metal ring. This element will serve as a handle and facilitate the rotation of the product inside the pipe.
• Given that when using a cable, you will have to hold it with both hands, the middle can be wrapped with several layers of electrical tape or supplemented with a trimmed plastic pipe of a suitable diameter.

Such a handmade design will not yield to factory products in terms of efficiency, and will completely cope with the elimination of blockage in the apartment.

Other pipe punching options

Clogging in a pipe can be eliminated not only with a steel cable. Here is a list of common tools for cleaning sewer pipes:

1. Boiling water. If the blockage of the line was formed due to fat, you can solve the problem by pouring boiling water into the sewer pipes. As an analogue, you can use a solution of vinegar and baking soda.
2. Chemical substances. Powdered and liquid reagents exist that can eliminate small blockages. Using this method, keep in mind that ceramic plumbing is very sensitive to "chemistry."
3. Plunger. This is a simple tool that punches pipes with hydraulic shocks. Suitable for removing impurities in sinks and bathrooms.

However, only a plumbing cable is suitable for cleaning deep blockages.