How to clear a clogged toilet. The toilet is clogged - what to do? We will learn how to remove the blockage yourself in various ways

A clogged toilet is a real problem that requires an immediate solution. Unfortunately, in such cases, utility services are in no hurry to quickly come to the rescue, and therefore the residents of the house are forced to resolve the current situation on their own. So, if the toilet is clogged, what should you do in this case, what methods and means can help?

plunger

The simplest method to clean a toilet is to use a plunger. A plunger is a plumbing tool with a rubber cap and a wooden handle. How to unclog a toilet using this device? Very simple. You just need to place the plunger attachment in the toilet drain and move it up and down with sharp movements to release the blockage. However, it is important to remember that before working with the plunger, after installing it in the toilet drain hole, you must press the flush button, since otherwise the actions performed are unlikely to be successful. You should also make sure that the plunger fits tightly to the walls of the toilet - to do this, the existing gaps need to be clogged with rags. But it should be noted that a plunger can only be effective for eliminating simple blockages, while radical methods should be used to remove denser plugs. So, the toilet is clogged. What to do if using a plunger does not produce any results?

Hot water

Hot water is a good help in dealing with blockages in the toilet. It is necessary to heat a bucket of water almost to a boil and pour it into the toilet, creating a strong pressure. It is important to pour in water at a right angle and as quickly as possible. If after such cleaning the water gradually begins to drain away, it is recommended to pour another bucket of hot water into the toilet. Following these simple steps will help you effectively remove small blockages.

Baking soda

Surprisingly, ordinary baking soda, well known to every housewife, is also a wonderful tool for flushing drains. If the toilet is clogged, you need to pour half a pack of this product into the drainage area. The active alkali formed by the interaction of soda and water will help quickly correct the situation. You can enhance the effect if, in addition to soda, pour half a glass of vinegar into the toilet, wait 10 minutes, and then rinse the drain hole with boiling water.

Chemicals

The creators of household chemicals have developed many products that help eliminate clogs in the toilet. The toilet is clogged - what to do, what chemical to choose and how to use it correctly? It should be noted that, unlike domestic ones, imported “chemicals” for sewer cleaning have a less destructive effect on pipes, and therefore it is advisable to use them for plastic pipelines. Domestic products are quite suitable for metal pipes. Well-proven drugs such as Tiret, Domestos, Tofix, Mister Muscle, which not only effectively clear blockages in the toilet, but also eliminate bad smell. The most popular domestic products are “Mole”, “Chimney Sweep”, “Ruff”.

Features of the use of chemicals

What to do if the toilet is clogged, how to use it correctly household chemicals? First of all, you must strictly follow the instructions and observe safety rules.

Pour (pour) the product into the toilet in the amount required for cleaning.
Wait 10-20 minutes until it completes its mission.
Flush the water (for greater efficiency It is recommended to pour a bucket of boiling water into the toilet).

Cable

It will help eliminate the blockage that has formed in the toilet bowl and special plumbing cable, which is a twisted steel wire with a handle at one end and a tip at the other. The toilet is clogged - what to do if the house does not have such a structure? In this case, you can try to make it yourself simplest option cable To do this, you can take a piece of steel cord and make a loop on one side that will serve as a handle, and on the other - a knob (for this you can, for example, attach a nut).

Features of using a plumbing cable

The toilet is clogged, how can I clean it with a cable? It is more convenient to work with this tool together. So, one person must push the cable deep into the pipe with reciprocating energetic movements, and his partner at this time must turn the wire. If a plug has formed in the toilet pipe, then after a while the cable will hit an existing obstacle.

In this case, you need to use reciprocating movements to try to push through the blockage or remove it out. Moreover, if it was not possible to achieve the required result the first time, you need to repeat the procedure. When performing such manipulations, it is important to ensure that the cable remains taut, since if it begins to twist inside the pipe, it will be impossible to continue cleaning. Moreover, in this case there is a high probability of damage to the internal walls of the pipes.

Mandrel

A mandrel is a springy steel tape with a tip. Unlike a cable, it cannot be rotated, but must be slowly pushed into the drain. Such work should be carried out carefully, without sudden movements. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the mandrel will burst and part of the steel tape will get stuck in the drain, which will only worsen the situation.

Manual cleaning method

Often, toilet clogs occur due to household items (paper, towels) getting into it. If this is the reason why the toilet is clogged, what should you do in this case? If possible, it is necessary to remove all excess liquid from the plumbing unit, and then manually remove the element blocking the passage of water. Despite the fact that this procedure seems to be very simple, you need to be extremely careful during such cleaning, since it is possible that your hand may get stuck in the neck of the toilet.

Call a plumber

The toilet is clogged: what to do if none of the above methods gave the expected result? In this case, you need to seek help from a specialist and call a plumber. It is possible that the blockage is localized not in the toilet, but in the riser. Such a situation can become a real disaster, since everything that the upstairs neighbors flush down the toilet may soon end up on your floor.

Preventing blockages

In order to prevent a clogged toilet, you need to follow certain recommendations.

If the toilet is clogged, we now know well what to do in this case. In the vast majority of cases, the presented methods will effectively help solve this unpleasant problem. on our own. But it is still better to follow preventive measures so as not to encounter blockages in the toilet.

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Normal functioning is required 24 hours a day. But such emergencies arise unexpectedly. It is not always possible to quickly arrange a visit from a plumber. In any case, turning to specialists will involve certain costs. However, you can quickly solve the problem if the toilet is clogged. How to clean the drain yourself is described in detail in this article. Besides different instructions and methods, data on effective preventive measures is provided here.

Typical cleaning products are not always effective. More effective methods need to be used

All toilets, supported on the floor and connected to the central riser through a special section of the pipeline. It forms a hydraulic seal that freely allows wastewater to flow into the sewer system, but prevents the return of unpleasant odors. His complex shape may become an obstacle to moving large and hard objects.

It is clear that when using the “floor” option, it is easiest to ensure high-quality drainage. If a horizontal type outlet is used, the distance to the vertical section, or further create the required slope.

When wrong installed system and errors during use, contaminants of various natures can accumulate inside. The most difficult ones are deposits of calcium salts. They are formed when water is very hard. Delete them mechanically difficult, due to the fairly high strength of the blockage. The use of strong chemicals (acids) can also damage the components of the pipeline.

The next group of problems is explained by violation of operating rules. These engineering systems created using pipes large diameter. However, they can also be clogged with porous bulk cat litter, baby diapers, and other foreign objects. In the most difficult situations, none of the cleaning methods will be effective. It is much wiser to eliminate problems of this type than to deal with unpleasant consequences.

The information provided allows us to draw preliminary conclusions about useful preventive measures:

When choosing plumbing fixtures and during installation, you should pay attention to the free passage of drains. The corresponding route should not be too difficult. Be sure to comply with the standards for the distance to the central vertical pipe and tilt in her direction.
If old pipes are being replaced, it is better not to reduce the diameter. Corresponding changes are made only after careful calculations and consultations with competent specialists.
During operation, do not throw foreign objects into the toilet. This rule is easier to follow than to break through a clog in the toilet at a great distance from the drain hole.
It will be useful to regularly use special products to clean the internal walls of the pipes of the sewerage system.

For your information! It is recommended to always close the toilet lid during repair work so that construction debris does not get into it.

The toilet is clogged: how to clean the drain yourself using different methods

We discussed above different methods. But sometimes problems arise for design reasons. They cannot be eliminated by preventive measures until overhaul. In any case, there is no need for hasty action if the toilet does not drain water. What to do is described below, but do not try to immediately apply a complete drain. Some tanks accumulate more than 3 liters of water, so you can fill the entire floor with sewage using such manipulations. To avoid additional troubles, turn off the supply tap. To test the effectiveness of the system, single doses of liquid of no more than 1-1.5 liters will be used.

For your information! The simplest additional diagnostics is to check the drainage from the shower, and other connected plumbing fixtures. If it does not function, then the blockage is in the common pipe. To solve such a problem on your own in multi-storey building It won’t work, so you’ll have to call specialists.

What can you do if you don’t have a toilet plunger?

You should carefully remove it out. If you don't have rubber gloves of the appropriate length, use regular plastic bags.

This product is inexpensive, takes up little space, and is not difficult to use. These arguments are enough to purchase a plunger. Select a model with a suitable diameter of the flexible part. It should be 1-2 cm larger than the drain hole.

It is created from ordinary plastic containers of appropriate sizes (1.5-2 liters). The bottom is cut off straight. Screw the lid tightly. The tool is inserted into the drain hole and several sharp movements are made in and out. Interestingly, some professionals successfully use this product to unclog toilets. Once skilled, it can generate even more hydraulic pressure than a standard plunger.

This product will not damage plumbing and pipes. But with the help of this device you can penetrate 1.5-2 meters inside the drainage system. If the riser is located nearby, this will be quite enough. To make it easier to pass through kinks, the hose is rotated. It is convenient to work with household gloves. They provide a secure grip and protect your hands from dirt and scratches. During the procedure, add water so as not to miss the moment of removing blockages.

The next available device is a small bag tied to a string (1.5-2 m). It is filled with sand, but not with nuts or stones, so as not to damage the ceramics. The “impact” device is lowered into the drain area, holding the other end of the string in your hand. After draining the water, you can try to destroy a not too strong blockage at a sufficiently large distance. The used product is removed and thrown into the trash can.

The toilet is clogged: how to clean the system at home using improvised and special chemical compounds

Their effectiveness should be studied separately. We can only note that such drugs are tested quite often. Research results are not difficult to find on forums and thematic sites on the Internet. When using such products, comply with the rules of official instructions. They indicate maximum term processing, temperature and other additional conditions are given.

For your information! Some particularly aggressive chemicals should be used with caution. They can damage polymer and metal sewer components. When evaporated, they significantly deteriorate the composition of the atmosphere. In some cases, intensive ventilation of the room is necessary.

There is actually an effective method. It is used if the toilet is clogged and there are no special chemicals at hand. What to do at home is described in the following step-by-step instructions:

Take 250-300 g of sodium bicarbonate. There is no need to be afraid of difficulties - this is ordinary baking soda. For this procedure, 1/2-3/4 of a standard pack is enough. The required portion is poured into the drain hole in one dose. Push the powder deeper with a plastic brush.
Immediately after this, pour 250-300 ml of table vinegar into the toilet (standard concentration - 9%).
These substances activate the alkaline chemical reaction. Under its influence, not only fats, but even calcium deposits decompose. The duration of the operation is from 15 to 25 minutes.

Upon completion, pour 2-3 liters of boiling water into the drain, or rinse with hot water. The second method is preferable if polymer pipes are installed.

Important! Standard pipes PVC for sewerage, depending on the modification, is designed for operating temperature from +40°C to +60°C. Similar restrictions should be taken into account in relation to corrugated connecting elements that are used to connect toilets to the sewerage system.

How to unclog a toilet: professional technologies

The principle of this technology is clear from the figure. When rotating the hose, you have to overcome the frictional forces between it and the walls of the plumbing system. In this embodiment, this problem does not exist, since the shell moves only in the longitudinal direction. The rotational movements of the inserted inside are transmitted to the working tool in the end part.

There is no need to worry if there is a clog in the toilet. With the help of the information presented, anyone can figure out what to do. It is necessary to understand that improvised devices are suitable, rather, for unexpected emergency situations. It is better to choose and purchase suitable effective products in advance. Chemical compounds are suitable for regular and preventive measures, as they have a limited shelf life.

If the toilet is clogged, then this problem usually requires an urgent solution. In most cases, when the toilet is clogged, it is not necessary to call a plumber, since you can clean the sewer pipe at home using improvised means.

What to do when the toilet is clogged

Typical signs indicating a problem:

there was a sewer smell
water drains weakly and for a long time
the drain is completely blocked (this means that the toilet is completely clogged)

When the toilet is clogged, you can fix the problem yourself using the following means:

“folk” if the toilet is clogged with food, fat, etc.
chemical if the toilet is clogged with serious organic deposits
mechanical, if the toilet is clogged with hygiene items, toys, etc.

If the foreign object has not managed to penetrate deep into the sewer line, then you should not do anything with a plunger; you should try to pull out the debris with your hands, carefully examining the outlet and siphon.

Using the means available in any apartment, you can try to get rid of the traffic jam:

A bucket of boiling water will provide a powerful physical impact and will work successfully if the toilet is clogged with fatty deposits. Water hammer with boiling water, if the toilet is clogged with grease, should be performed at a right angle and from a great height, repeating the procedure several times to consolidate the effect
Soda and vinegar cause corrosion of debris, leading to resolution of the blockage if the toilet is not very clogged

If these methods cannot remove the blockage, a more powerful chemical effect on the plug that caused the toilet to clog will be special means to eliminate it. These include:

hydrochloric acid
"Mole"
oxalic acid
abrasives and others

Particular care and safety precautions should be observed when using aggressive chemicals to clean pipes, since alkalis and acids can destroy not only the debris in the sewer line, due to which the toilet is clogged, but also the sealing material along with the communications being cleaned. In addition, strong reagents can threaten human health, so when working with them you need to protect your eyes, skin and respiratory organs.

TO mechanical means combating the reasons that led to a clogged toilet include:

flexible sewer cable (if the toilet is clogged deeply and thoroughly)
plunger, the bowl of which covers the drain hole
regular plastic bottle

Before using any of them, do not forget to prepare cleaning materials, lay something on the floor - newspapers, oilcloth, rags (so as not to stain it with anything that might jump out of the drain hole).

If the toilet is clogged near the outlet, a plumbing plunger will help remove the blockage. You need to act sequentially:

place a rubber cap over the drain hole
move it up and down slowly without lifting it from the surface
sharply tear off the plunger, which will lead to an increase in pressure and break through the blockage that clogged the toilet

If you don’t have a toilet plunger at hand, then a two-liter bottle of mineral or carbonated water with the bottom cut off can create a water hammer similar to that caused by a plunger.

If after the above steps there is still a blockage in the toilet, what should you do then?

A flexible sewer cable should be used that has:

A convenient handle that allows you to reliably remove anything that has clogged the toilet
Metal braid
Possibility to insert a special hook if the toilet is clogged too much

The tool must be gradually inserted into the toilet using rotational movements, allowing maximum collection of deposits on the walls. sewer pipes. The cable may simply pierce the blockage without removing it completely, so a hook is provided for such situations.

The choice of method that will return the toilet to working condition is determined after specifying the location of the plug. She may be:

in the pipe or corrugated pipe- i.e. The toilet is shallowly clogged
in the lounger of the apartment wiring
in a riser between apartments, practically inaccessible from the toilet

If the toilet is seriously clogged, and none of the described methods work, then this means that the clog is located in hard to reach place, for example, between floors at sharp turns, and requires calling specialists.

The main causes of blockage. Why could the toilet become clogged?

Blockages, as a rule, are caused by violation of the rules:

installation (to eliminate such flaws, the toilet will have to be dismantled and reinstalled, observing all the necessary requirements)
operation of a sanitary and hygienic device
lack of preventive work to prevent the formation of plugs in the toilet and the pipes leading to it

What to do to prevent and prevent the formation of traffic jams in the sewer system

When using sanitary and hygienic devices, you should never allow the toilet to become clogged:

Remnants food products, especially fatty ones
Construction waste
Wet wipes, pads, paper towels
Old medicines, tablets
Cigarette butts
Baby diapers
Cat litter, etc.

It is impossible to clean the floor without draining dirty water, but it is advisable to pass it through special filters, since it contains sand, earth and other inorganic parts.

Outdated pipes (cast iron or metal), installed in the Soviet Union and long since covered with rust, can also be the cause if the toilet is clogged repeatedly.

If the toilet is clogged, you should not wait for the moment when the sewer line becomes clogged, but you must use special cleaning products for prevention, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Remember, young children can unknowingly throw foreign objects (toys, food, etc.), so it is imperative to carry out educational work with them, explaining that this should not be done.

What to do if the toilet is clogged? Call a plumber? But not everyone can afford to spend half a day waiting for it. In this article I want to talk about how you can solve the clog problem yourself with minimum set skills and tools.

There are reasons for sadness

Comrades, let's start by separating the flies from the cutlets. The causes of blockage can be very, very different, and depending on the diagnosis, we have to choose treatment.

So, what can clog a toilet?

It's funny, but its use for its intended purpose is in my memory never caused any problems. Their cause is always a violation of sewerage operating standards. More specifically?

Please:

Toilet paper and paper towels. Yes, they get wet in water, but at the same time the paper noticeably increases in volume. If the toilet below the water surface is completely clogged with pipifax, an attempt to flush will quite predictably lead to aggravation of the situation;

An even more unpleasant scenario is when newspapers or, even worse, glossy sheets of magazines are used instead of toilet paper. They are much denser and tightly block the outlet of the plumbing fixture.

Fillers for cat litter boxes. Of all the types of filler, only one can be flushed into the toilet - made from pressed sawdust, and then in small portions. To pour clumping filler, lumps of silica gel or sand into the sewer and hope for the best is unforgivable naivety: the blockage will be inevitable, like the collapse of capitalism;
Food waste. Your white friend is capable of absorbing a couple of liters of sour borscht, but disposing of moldy pickled tomatoes or spoiled porridge into it is a guaranteed way to get clogged;
Floor rags. They have an unpleasant habit of floating away into the fragrant distance when you pour out the water after washing the floors. The rag can clog the toilet outlet or, much worse, get caught on a burr lower down the riser: then drains from all the upper floors will begin to flow into your toilet and bathtub;

Construction garbage. If you pour pieces of plaster and small fragments of concrete or brick into the sewer, the result will be quite predictable;
Finally, it is completely beyond good and evil to recycle unused building mixtures by pouring them down the drain. Hardened concrete in a plumbing fixture or masonry mortar usually means the end of his career.

To find out what caused the clog, interview family members about their last actions before the problem occurred. If the culprit does not want to sign a confession, you will have to scoop out the water standing in the toilet to inspect and localize the problem.

Tools

As you know, he who is forewarned is forearmed. However, information about the causes of blockages is not the only weapon we will have to use. For effective fight With blockages you need a small set of tools.

What tool is useful to have at home in case of blockages?

Plunger. There is no need to spend money on professional tool with a piston and pressure gauge: a regular rubber cap on a plastic or wooden handle for home use is no worse. Reasonable price plunger - no more than 200 rubles;

Plumbing. Its simplest version is a segment steel sling with a handle made of a steel tube bent in the shape of the letter “Z”. Factory-made products with a plastic shell rotating relative to the handle and a cable made from a spring wound around a steel core are no different from it in practical terms.

Cables with a drum are convenient because they can be used alone, without an assistant. However, such a product costs several times more than a regular plumbing cable. As a rule, they are bought by professionals: the device can significantly save your time only when clearing a large number of blockages during the day.

If your nearest hardware stores don’t have the tools I listed, it doesn’t matter. As you will see later, you can often make do with improvised items instead.

Cleaning methods

I will look at methods for clearing clogs for each type of clog separately. The fact is that organic and inorganic substances, as well as blockages of different densities and with different fractions, require different approaches.

Paper

How to unclog a toilet if it's clogged toilet paper or paper towels?

There is a relatively soft plug in it, and it is stuck in the narrowest place of the device - in the water seal. The cause of the blockage can simply be pushed towards the riser; at the same time, in 95% of cases it is destroyed and continues its path to sewer well and further without creating any new problems.

To push a paper plug into the riser, you need to create a water hammer - briefly increase the pressure on the side of the blockage closest to you. The easiest way to do this is with a plunger: cover the surface of the water with it and press down sharply. If necessary, repeat the operation several times. Beware of splashes: they fly in an unpredictable direction and do not ozonize the air.

Is it possible to clear a clog without a plunger?

Its complete functional analogue is plastic bottle from soul-melting drinks of 2 - 2.5 liters. All you have to do is cut off the bottom of the bottle and screw on the cap. The cleaning instructions are the same as when using a plunger: you need to press sharply on the bottle one or more times.

Finally, at home you can use a simple cleaning method, which I often used when I was a plumber:

Fold several times wet rag and place it on the water mirror in the toilet;
Press the rag firmly with the handle of a mop, brush, or any stick. From the first or second time, the resulting water hammer squeezes the cause of the blockage into the riser.

Fillers

What to do if the toilet is clogged with cat litter?

You can try to clear the blockage with sand using the same water hammer method. This works about half the time. The remaining sand is washed off with repeated draining.

You need to understand that you are not clearing the blockage, but moving it to horizontal section sewer - a bed in the basement of the house. Repeated blockage due to sand accumulation in horizontal pipes often leads to flooding of the basement or first floor.

If the drain is clogged, the basement will be flooded, and if the audits are closed, the first floor will be flooded.

Another way to clear a blockage with sand is to pierce it with a cable, allowing the water standing in the toilet to drain, and rinse the device with a large amount of water through a hose connected to the water supply.

With clumping clay litter and silica gel, the situation is much more bleak: you will have to arm yourself with long rubber gloves and remove the clumps of litter from the toilet by hand.

Food waste

How to clear a clogged toilet caused by food waste?

Water hammer can help when it comes to crumbly porridge or finely chopped salad. Unfortunately, sometimes the faith of residents apartment buildings The omnipotence of the sewer reaches the point of absurdity: I had to extract raw and boiled potatoes, pickled cucumbers and even large fish from it. These blockages can only be cleared by hand, using rubber gloves.

In some cases, with a small amount of food waste in the toilet, chemicals for clearing blockages (Mole, Tiret and others like them) help. As a rule, the product is a liquid with 5 to 15 percent sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide NaOH, hydrochloric or oxalic acid; chemically aggressive substances dissolve organic matter upon prolonged contact.

In the photo, Tiret is a chemical for clearing blockages.

How to unclog a toilet with food waste yourself using this product?

Scoop out all the water above the clog level and drain it into the sink or bathtub. The lower the concentration of the active substance (alkali or acid), the less effective chemical cleaning will be;
Pour in a volume of at least half a liter;
After a pause of 2 - 4 - 6 hours (depending on the volume of the blockage), rinse off the remains of the partially dissolved plug. If it doesn’t go away the first time, try using the water hammer method: there is a high chance that after dissolving some of the waste, the clog will succumb to your efforts.

Instead of specialized chemicals for clearing blockages, you can use any solutions of acids and alkalis: battery electrolyte, oxalic acid for cleaning ceramics, “Toilet Duckling” with its 15 percent hydrochloric acid in its composition, etc.

Rags

How to remove a rag stuck in the toilet with your own hands?

This can only be done using a sewer cable.

The procedure is as follows:

Unfold the cable and feed it into the toilet while your assistant continuously rotates the handle. The cable must be constantly tensioned, otherwise it will begin to fold into loops;
Having caught the catch (this will be felt by the difficulty in rotating the handle), continue rotating in the same direction, slowly pulling the tool towards you. It is important not to let the rag fall off the hook.

A special case

The rag is one of the few possible reasons clogging of the sewer riser, which can clog it between floors, clinging to the burr of the socket at the connection of the sewer pipes. In this case, the algorithm for clearing the blockage is the same, but the cable is fed into the riser through an opened inspection above the blockage along the riser (they are located on the outer floors and every three floors of an apartment building).

You should not clear the clogged riser from the bottom up. At the time of cleaning the pillar Wastewater several meters high will hit the opened revision. The spray has a very persistent aroma, is not afraid of profanity and overtakes you in any corner of the room.

Construction garbage

It is extracted only and exclusively by hand, in seals. The small debris remaining in the toilet will be washed away after several flushes of the tank.

Construction mixtures

Gypsum that has hardened below the water level can sometimes be split by light blows of a hammer on a long chisel after scooping out the water. However, most often these attempts lead to the device splitting at the base, near the sole.

If anyone is frozen in the toilet cement mortar, it is impossible in principle to eliminate the problem with little blood. The toilet is being replaced with a new one.

Conclusion

I sincerely hope that this material will help the reader in solving everyday everyday problems. As always, the video in this article will provide you with additional information. I would appreciate your additions and comments. Good luck, comrades!

It is believed that life in a private house requires its owners to constantly take care of its various systems and communications. At first glance, living in apartment building allows you not to think about such a need, because monitoring the serviceability and troubleshooting systems is the concern of housing office workers. In fact, residents of city apartments quite often face the problem of a clogged toilet.

The water does not go away, rises in the toilet bowl, an unpleasant odor appears - all these are “symptoms” of a blockage. However, you can deal with it yourself.

Why is it clogged?

There can be many reasons for clogging, but if we talk about the nature of the clogging, then There are only two possible reasons for this.

Unexpectedly and acutely occurring blockages appear as a result of objects entering the drain hole, the dimensions of which exceed the diameter of the drain. Naturally, the object gets stuck, paralyzing the entire sewer system. Often such objects are textiles, food waste, hygiene items or solid products that are voluntarily or involuntarily flushed down the toilet.
Chronic blockages usually occur gradually. First, difficulty in the outflow of water is detected, which, becoming more and more aggravated, turns into a complete absence of outflow. The causes of such blockage are organic (grease, hair) and inorganic (salt deposits, scale contained in water) deposits.

Before dealing with a blockage, you should try to determine its cause, because this is what determines the choice of method for removing the blockage. Typically, by recalling the recent events of the day, you can determine whether the problem is caused by foreign objects getting into the drain.

What problems arise?

A clogged toilet is an unpleasant problem, which can mean several types of incorrect operation. sewer system. Until this problem affects a specific user, he may not think about it, and when mentioned, even remember with a grin the words of the song about a broken “blue toilet.” However, no one is able to completely insure against this trouble, which usually arises unexpectedly.

A blockage can manifest itself as a slowdown or disruption of the outflow of water from the toilet bowl when flushing, an increase in the level of wastewater during inlet pipe, the appearance of an unpleasant odor and gurgling sounds, screaming in the pipe. You can cope with all these difficulties on your own. If there is no opportunity or desire to remove the blockage, you can invite a specialist from the housing office. Such situations are not critical, so you can wait for his arrival within a few hours or one or two days.

A severe blockage manifests itself by increasing the level of sewage water to such an extent that it overflows from the toilet bowl. Evidence of the criticality of the situation is also a broken valve on a common pipe. In this case, you need to immediately call the emergency service and shut off the riser before they arrive.

Often water accumulates in the toilet bowl or other malfunctions appear due to improper design of sewer pipes. This could be sagging and freezing of pipes, too sharp bends in inappropriate places. As a rule, the problem is not detected immediately, but after some time of operation. It is unlikely that you will be able to solve the problem quickly and solely on your own. The only way out is to dismantle the system and correct errors.

Sometimes the question arises whether toilet paper can clog the drain. The answer is no, since modern products are completely soluble in water. However, the same cannot be said about ordinary paper for writing, drawing, or newspapers. The cellulose they contain swells when exposed to moisture, after which even a small lump of paper increases 2-3 times in size and risks getting stuck in the pipe.

It is unacceptable to drain fat and used oil from frying pans, as it settles on the walls of the pipes and over time turns into a plug. Sleeping tea poured into the toilet in the pipes turns into real “cement” - the tea leaves clump and compact. It is unacceptable to flush hygiene items, diapers, packaging film and plastic bags. Those who flush these things down the toilet should not be surprised that it becomes clogged.

One of the reasons why water does not drain from the bowl is the growth of urinary stones. It appears on the surface of the toilet bowl and sewer pipes due to stagnation of urine in the device. This may not only be due to users not pressing the flush button after urinating, but also due to other reasons. Thus, a leaking tank promotes the spread of mineral deposits. Defective or outdated plumbing fixtures with damage are also susceptible to urinary stone attack. Residues of urine and bacteria accumulate in cracks, scratches, and recesses.

Urine stone is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious threat to the integrity of the lumen of the toilet pipes. The fact is that as the deposits grow, they close this gap. You can get rid of urinary stones mechanically or chemically.

Could it be that the toilet is clogged because of the neighbors? If you live in an apartment building, then maybe. This is due to the peculiarities of the organization of the sewer system. Sewer riser common to all residents of the house (a “line” of apartments above each other from the first to the last floor), a main outlet is connected to it from each apartment. The diameter of the common riser is no more than 100 mm.

If the blockage extends beyond the main pipes of your neighbors, but does not go down the riser, sooner or later a traffic jam will form in this place. Another option for the development of unpleasant events is that a foreign object got into the siphon of the neighbor’s toilet. Instead of pulling it out, they pushed it into the common riser where the foreign object got stuck.

Evidence of a clogged common riser at the apartment level above or below the floor is a gradual increase in the water level in the toilet. That is, it rises on its own. You will not be able to remove such a blockage on your own; you need to promptly call the emergency service. To remove the clog, the plumber will use a long cable or other device that can reach the clog. In more advanced cases, they resort to dismantling the pipe.

What to clean with?

The variety of cleaning methods can be divided into two groups.

Mechanical. As a rule, they involve the use of a plunger and a cable, as well as other devices. This method is suitable if there is an object stuck in the drain. Using various liquids to remove blockages is useless, because they will not be able to dissolve, for example, a stuck apple or rag.
Chemical. Effective in the formation of blockages caused by sediments in the sewer pipe. The principle of operation of such products is based on chemical reactions, during which the blockage dissolves.

In some cases, only a combination of these methods can solve the problem. Typically, this applies to cases where a foreign object gets stuck in pipes that have deposits. Pushing it with improvised means or cables does not help, so first dissolve the deposits. As a result of the chemical action, the diameter of the pipe becomes the same (that is, it increases compared to what it was at the time of the jam), and the object passes through the pipe.

It is necessary to dwell in more detail on each of the methods.

Mechanical cleaning is effective if the toilet does not flush well, which is caused by a foreign object stuck in the pipe no further than the siphon. Armed with long gloves, a ladle and a bucket, you can begin to diagnose the problem. Your task is to at this stage- This means scooping out the water from the toilet as much as possible. After this, gently examine the siphon space with your hand. Soft objects can be removed by hand, hard objects can be removed with a wire, having first bent its end.

You can try to clean the toilet with a bottle. The principle of operation is based on the capabilities of a water hammer, with the help of which a stuck object is pushed into a wider pipe. To implement this method, take a bottle whose diameter matches the diameter of the toilet. Cut off the bottom and screw the lid on. Start slowly immersing the resulting device into the toilet until you feel air resistance. At this moment, sharply press the bottle even deeper into the toilet, and then quickly pull it out.

Similar actions must be performed several times until the desired result is achieved.

After the first water hammer it may seem that the situation remains unchanged. However, with each new manipulation the object gradually moves towards a pipe of larger diameter. That's why you need to do a "series" of water hammers. If you don't have a bottle at hand, use a stick or mop with rags wrapped around it. The diameter of the resulting winding must correspond to the diameter of the toilet inlet flush. The process is the same as when using a bottle.

A specialized tool for creating water hammer is a plunger. Unlike homemade analogues, it does not need to be placed in the release hole. On the contrary, the diameter of the plunger must exceed the diameter of the hole. Using this tool, a vacuum is created, and then a hydraulic shock, with the help of which it is possible to remove the blockage. The procedure will be more effective if you close the drains and overflow holes of the plumbing fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen during the procedure.

A blaster for the sink, bathtub and toilet will also create a hydrodynamic shock. This device is equipped with a piston with which air is pumped into the blaster, causing high pressure. After this, you should attach the unit to the drain hole and press the start button. The convenience of the device is that it has several nozzles for different drain hole diameters, so it is universal.

Another tool that is used by both professionals and ordinary people is a flexible plumbing cable. Made of metal, it has a spiral-shaped tip with a pointed point, thanks to which it penetrates a hard layer of deposits. The cable should be smoothly inserted into the drain channel, while making rotational movements. (The device has a handle, so it is convenient to use).

Having broken through the blockage, you should move back and forth to get rid of deposits on the walls of the pipe and increase it inner diameter.A plumbing cable will not be able to completely eliminate the problem. This tool is an “ambulance” for blockages. After the outflow has been restored, the sewer pipes should be cleaned using chemicals.

If you don’t have a bottle, a plunger, or a cable at hand, you can try to create a water hammer using cling film. To do this, fold it 3-4 times to increase its strength. After this, the film is sealed with tape around the entire circumference of the toilet lid. You must stretch the film from one edge of the toilet lid to the other and secure the film with tape.

After this, water is drawn into the toilet bowl until it begins to touch the film. Now you need to press the surface of the film several times, causing a water hammer to occur. The steps must be repeated until the blockage is broken or until it becomes clear that in your case the method is ineffective.

In general, any available item can help break through the blockage. There are many stories online about how this was done with a stick, a lath, even a fork. In this case, the improvised dipstick must not only be pushed forward, but rotated in order to quickly destroy the plug.

Chemicals can be store-bought or homemade. The easiest way to clean a toilet from sediment is with boiling water. You need to pour it down the toilet drain. This method is effective only if the blockage is caused by the formation of a greasy plug in the pipe. Boiling water will allow it to dissolve and the water will begin to drain. You need to pour boiling water at a right angle, quickly.

This method helps in limited cases, but it will not be superfluous to use it. You can add a little baking soda to the boiling water or first pour ¼ of a bottle of dishwashing detergent into the toilet. It is unacceptable to pour boiling water into the toilet if it has a thin connecting corrugation. In this case it is quite simple hot water.

The simplest chemical way to solve the problem is a method based on the alkaline reaction of vinegar with soda. It is necessary to scoop out the water to increase the concentration of the composition. After this, a pack of soda is poured into the drain hole. You should give it 15–20 minutes for the soda to settle on the surface of the pipe and the clog. After the specified time, 200 ml of 9% vinegar is poured out. As a result chemical reaction Sometimes it is possible to break through the blockage in its thinnest place.

If necessary, repeat the procedure, but no more than two times. If after using baking soda and vinegar twice, positive results do not appear, you should look for other methods.

It is believed that solutions based on aggressive acids are most effective. They truly eat away the blockage, and with it the surface of the sewer pipes. Such recipes should be used with caution and only if the entire sewer system is cast iron. In the store you can buy products based on weakly concentrated acids. They can be in the form of a gel, powder, or tablet.

Among the most popular are such products as “Mole”, Tiret, “Mr. Muscle”, “Floop” (in the form of granules). When using them, you should protect your hands with gloves and avoid contact of the composition with mucous membranes and skin. The product is poured or poured into the drain according to the instructions. After the time recommended by the manufacturer, you should flush the toilet with plenty of water.

Please note that not every product is suitable for breaking through a blockage if a porcelain toilet is installed in the apartment.

You can find a lot on the Internet original ways clearing clogs with Coca-Cola. However, this drink will help in the fight against minor deposits on the surface of the toilet bowl. He is unable to break through the blockage. The white cleaning method is also ineffective. It can be used as a preventative against plaque and nothing more.

One of the causes of blockage is an overgrown urinary stone. It can be removed mechanically by scooping out the water and simply cutting off the deposits and cleaning the surfaces with a stiff brush. However this method practically not used, because after it the surface of the toilet becomes covered with cracks and chips.

It is much more convenient and safer to use store-bought chemicals for sanitary ware.“Mr. Muscle” in granules, Domestos Pink gel (designed specifically to combat blockages) and “Toilet Duckling” demonstrated their effectiveness in combating significant growths of urinary stones.

It is important to follow the instructions and maintain the accuracy of the time of exposure to the drug. Otherwise, you may get unpredictable cleaning results.

Concerning traditional methods, They exist. And sometimes they surprise you with their radicalism. An effective remedy metal pipes is the use of automotive electrolyte for the battery. First of all, you need to drain the toilet bowl, then pour electrolyte onto the problem area and leave for 1.5 hours. After the specified period of time, the plaque is cleaned off with a brush (it should not be non-metallic).

More conservative, but also in effective ways is cleaning with citric acid or bleach (in powder form). To do this, pour a packet of bleach or 4 packs of citric acid into the toilet drain, leave it overnight, then scrub off the deposits with a brush and rinse with water.

How to clean it yourself?

Unable to contact the housing office or third-party specialists, many are forced to look for cleaning methods at home, that is, on their own. However, this cannot always be done - removing the blockage with your own hands is possible if it has formed directly in the toilet drain channel. If the problem affects all drain points, you will have to seek help from the housing office.

So, when starting to clear the blockage, you should do the following:

make sure that the blockage is local. Otherwise, call an emergency;
determine the location of the blockage (no further than the toilet siphon);
try to establish the nature of the blockage and the cause of its occurrence;
If foreign objects get into the pipe, try to remove them manually. At the same time, pull the object back into the apartment, and do not push it into the common riser;
When pipes become overgrown with growths, use chemical cleaning agents using store-bought or traditional methods. When performing them, protect your hands and respiratory organs;
If the blockage occurs as a result of the simultaneous entry of a foreign object into the pipe and a decrease in the diameter of the drain due to the growth of deposits, the pipe should be cleaned using a combined method. This must be done by filling chemical agent. After the deposits are dissolved, it will be easier to remove the item using one of the mechanical methods.

If none of the methods brings a positive result, call a plumber. The blockage may be due to incorrect installation pipes or toilet. In any case, a professional will determine the cause and eliminate the blockage. It is not recommended to use the toilet when there is a blockage - this will worsen the situation.

Regular prevention will help reduce the risk of blockages. First of all, you should ensure that no foreign objects get into the channel.. Do not flush spoiled food, food waste and hygiene products down the toilet. If you empty the water after cleaning, make sure there are no rags, bars of soap, or other large objects left in the bucket.

Water congestion can be caused by cat litter and various bedding for domestic rodents getting into the pipes. They are based on wood or more modern materials, absorbing moisture. It’s easy to imagine what will happen to sawdust that gets into the water. They will simply absorb it and increase significantly in volume. So significant that they can fill the diameter not only of the main, but also of the general riser.

If folk remedies, like other methods, do not solve the problem, it is better to call the housing office and ask them to send a technician. You should also call a plumber if blockages occur constantly for no apparent reason (that is, the rules for operating plumbing have not been violated). The pipes may be installed incorrectly or may be reaching the end of their service life. Replacing pipes and changing the method of their installation will allow you to forget about blockages.

Once every three months, pour detergents into the toilet bowl. limescale and deposits from the surfaces of sewer pipes. And once a week you can resort to preventative cleaning with boiling water. Prevents the formation of urinary stone growths daily cleaning toilet, as well as flushing for each user. Flushing should be done with plenty of water.

It is also useful to purchase special tablets for the toilet tank and gel blocks that are attached under the rim of the toilet.