How to make a plunger with your own hands from improvised means: ideas, instructions

How to use a toilet plunger. How to clear clogs using other means

The sewerage system sometimes fails, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a multi-story building or your own. It is very unpleasant during such a situation when a blockage appears in the bathroom, since the owner must quickly resolve the issue of cleaning the toilet. At this point, it is necessary to understand that this incident entails the incorrect operation of other elements and parts of the sewer system. Since there are no hopeless situations, during this time they use one of the cleaning methods or call a plumber.

Cleaning methods

So what are they? If the drain in the bathtub is clogged and there is standing water, but there is no way to call a plumber, then you can try to clean the drain yourself using the following methods:

• thermal: use of hot water;
• chemical: the blockage is removed using 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.

Causes of clogged toilets

Remember the old joke in which a plumber, having gotten dirty while cleaning the toilet, indignantly says to the owners: “Why are you shitting there, or what?”

So: using the toilet for its intended purpose will never clog it.

But getting foreign objects into it can easily lead to this.

• Paper
  . The eternal cause of blockages. If you use a newspaper as a pipifax, well, that’s your business. Although it should be noted that printing ink contains a lot of toxic lead. However, if you don't want plumbing problems, don't throw stiff paper down the toilet.
• Fillers for cat litter
  . Are you sure that the clay in the base of the clumping litter will be washed away with water? Yes? In vain. It will just clog your toilet.

• Leftover food
  . If lost borscht can be poured down the toilet without consequences, then a can of spoiled pickled tomatoes will be clearly too much.
• Construction garbage
  . You should not pour the remaining sand and, especially, cement into the toilet. They form a plug there that can completely block the flow of water.

Avoid all of the above, and you won't have to search the Internet for articles and videos on toilet cleaning methods.

Operating principle of a plunger

Let's look at this in more detail. Before we consider how to make a plunger with our own hands, let’s understand the operating principle of this device. This is a fairly simple device, which consists of a handle with a cone-shaped rubber nozzle attached to it. Using a plunger, you can remove blockages not only in the bathtub, but also in the sink and toilet. Before cleaning, add a small amount of water to the bath so that it completely covers the drain hole. Then the plunger is installed vertically with the rubber cone down on the drain. After this, they perform downward pushing movements, thereby creating water hammer. Under their influence, the blockage is destroyed and pushed further along the sewer pipe. In most cases, just a few pushing movements are enough to clear the blockage. If the water begins to go away, it means the procedure was completed successfully. Otherwise, you should repeat it again.

Now that you know how to clean a toilet with a plunger, let's see what you can use to replace this device.

Mechanical impact

Most often, home apprentices use the following tools for cleaning:

1. Cable (plumbing drill);
2. Plunger.

Depending on which pipeline the problem occurred in, options for eliminating it may vary. The kitchen sink most often becomes clogged due to the constant flow of water containing grease and food debris. They accumulate on the walls of the system, which reduces the flow of water or stops work altogether. The easiest way to clear a clogged kitchen drain is to use a special cable with nozzles.

.

Photo - using a plumbing drill

Now every plumbing store sells drills with replaceable tips. Depending on the type of problems encountered, you can find any attachment: with a hook, a spiral, a bayonet, etc.

Please note that if the sewer system is made of plastic communications, then you need to act very carefully so as not to damage the entire system

How to work with a cable

:

1. Carefully install the nozzle on the cord head, make sure that it does not fall off during operation;
2. Using a rotating motion, insert the drill into the sink and move until it stops;
3. If the cable stops, it means that it has hit the cause of the blockage;
4. Depending on the situation, you need to either push out the clog or try to pull it out to clear the drain.

Often cotton pads or sponges end up in the sink, which would be better removed from the system. But if the reason lies in the remains of soap, grease or food waste, then you need to try to push them into a pipe with a wider working diameter.

If you don’t have a special cable at hand, you can make a homemade one. It is necessary to take several wires of the same diameter, for example, copper. Twist them together to form a twisted spiral, it should look something like the photo. There is no need to put attachments on such a device.

Sometimes craftsmen also cut cables from plastic bottles, but this is only for small stains.

Sometimes to clean the kitchen sink, without a plunger

there's simply no way around it. This is a universal device that helps to quickly and effectively get rid of the accumulation of food debris in the siphon, the elbow under the sink and directly in the mains. You need to do the following:

1. Place the rubber head of the plunger opposite the drain hole. Many craftsmen say that to work more efficiently, you need to fill the sink with water so that it covers two-thirds of the plunger head;
2. After this, make several progressive movements up and down. With such a sharp change in pressure inside the system, pieces of garbage and food will change their position, which will allow them to be washed with a strong stream of water;
3. After finishing the work, it is advisable to additionally clean the system with a cable to remove any remaining food from the walls of the sewer.

If your bathroom sink is clogged, you can quickly clean it even with a regular hose

. Your goal is to insert it into the pipe as close to the blockage as possible and try to wash it away with a strong stream of water. This principle is very similar to the treatment of an external or main sewer with a hydraulic machine.

It is much easier to clean a clogged bathroom sink using a cable and hook than in the kitchen. The fact is that most of the clogs in the sink are hair, which can end up in the drain from your head or after washing your pets. They roll into a large lump, which interferes with the normal passage of water, reducing the useful diameter of the sink. To remove it, you need to grab the edge of the blockage with a hook and carefully pull it out.

Some craftsmen also use the power of a vacuum cleaner to clean the sewer system. To clear a clogged drain in a bathroom or sink this way, you need to insert a flexible hose to the point where the blockage occurs. After this, turn on the vacuum cleaner at full power in reverse mode so that it blows out the clog. This option is ideal for free-flow sewerage in a private home.

We remove the blockage on our own

The operating principle of a plunger is based on pushing an air plug into the pipe. The air bubble literally crashes into the water, thereby creating a water hammer. As a result, the clog begins to move closer to a wider area in the drain. But this device is not always at hand. What can replace a plunger? It is possible to get rid of small blockages with your bare hands. To do this, just cover the drain with your bent palm and sharply straighten it, thereby pushing air into the pipe. This movement should be repeated several times until the blockage is cleared.

How to use a plunger and what to replace it with step by step instructions

Almost every Russian has an ordinary plunger in his household closet, among the jars and bottles filled with “miracle” remedies. By the way, it is this simple design that will save your sink, bathtub or toilet from clogging, and you from the need to call a plumber. To become a home sewer expert, all you need to know is how to properly use a plunger and put your knowledge into practice.

Operating principle. A standard plunger is a cup-shaped valve made of thick rubber on a plastic or wooden handle. The operation of the device can be compared to a pump: when you pull the handle, water “flows” to the valve, and with it the garbage plug is squeezed out. In addition, the water hammer effect is triggered: due to changes in pressure, water rushes into the drain at high speed, pushing through the blockage.

Most often, pipes become clogged at narrowing points, at turns (corners) and joints. A plunger is not only an effective, but also a safe device. Unlike chemicals that can corrode pipes from the inside, a plunger is completely harmless.

Types of plungers. Depending on the tasks assigned to the device, the following variations are possible:

• A plunger with a cup-shaped nozzle, which copes with small blockages, and costs just a penny.
• An improved model with a cone-shaped nozzle (to provide better adhesion to the drain), designed for more severe blockages.
• A powerful pneumatic plunger helps to cope with completely clogged drains and pipes, working like a pump. The configuration of such devices may vary (depending on the manufacturer).

Step-by-step instructions for using a sewer plunger

1. Place the plunger as tightly as possible against the drain hole.
2. As a rule, water “stands” in clogged plumbing fixtures. If it is not enough to completely cover the plunger nozzle (and therefore create the required pressure), add the required amount.
3. If the nozzle does not “stick”, lubricate the edges with Vaseline.
4. Without moving or moving the plunger, apply firm pressure to the handle several times. The “sucking” sound is a sign that you are doing everything right. To clean a toilet or bathtub with a plunger, several “approaches” of 3-5 strong pushes are enough.
5. After you have gotten rid of the garbage plug, clear the hole of any floating debris and run hot water over the pipes for 5-10 minutes. If the toilet is clogged, flush the water several times and pour a bucket of hot water down the drain.

How can I replace a plunger?

It happens that a clog has already formed in the sink, but there is no plunger at hand. In this case, do not rush to call a plumber: look in the closet, perhaps there is something there to replace the plunger. The main thing is to create a pressure difference, simulating the operation of a plunger.

It is worth saying that such methods and means are suitable for removing only small blockages.

Plunger from a bottle

What is it and what is its feature? Many of you have probably heard about such an unusual procedure as cleaning the toilet with a plastic bottle. A 2 liter container is best suited for this. The bottom should be completely cut off. After this, the bottle is inserted into the toilet drain upside down. Wait until the water completely fills the bottle, and then screw the neck on. Next, you should sharply squeeze the plastic and pull the container out of the drain. The water coming out of the bottle will cause a small water hammer, which will push the blockage deeper into the sewer. It is better to carry out this procedure in clothes that you do not mind getting dirty, since when removing the bottle you can easily splash yourself.

What happened and how to deal with it

The cause of the blockage is the accumulation of fat on the internal walls of the sewer, soap and powder deposits, as well as hair and fibers of various fabrics are added here. Where did all this come from, you ask? The fact is that the inner surface of the pipes is not perfectly smooth, this is especially typical for old cast iron structures.

These are the reasons why the drain is clogged

Plastic is also susceptible to similar contamination, although to a lesser extent. Here, plaque formation begins at the joints of pipes and O-rings. In such conditions, it is enough for a plaque to appear in one place, and the remaining particles will cling to it, reducing the internal cross-section of the pipe until they clog it completely. This is the reason why the pipes in the bathroom are clogged. What to do in this case?

There are three ways to solve the problem:

• using excess pressure;
• chemical method;
• mechanical method.

Let's look at each method in more detail.

Sink cleaning device

So what is it? How to make a plunger to unclog a sink or bathtub? A plastic bottle will no longer work for these purposes, since its diameter significantly exceeds the circumference of the drain hole. This means that with its help you will not be able to create sufficient air vacuum. How to be in this case? Milk or juice containers work well. A corner of such a container should be cut off so that it matches the diameter of the drain. The bag 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, you should repeat this action.

Such an improvised plumbing plunger, when used correctly, can give good results. It is better to use bags with a volume of at least two liters. This will help increase the power of the device.

Best answers

Natasha Lipovetskaya:

Removing a clogged bathtub begins with pumping it with a plunger. In this case, there should be no air suction under the bowl of the plunger, however, at the top edge of the bath there is a mesh overflow cover, which is connected to the outlet by a pipeline through a tee. If you put the van-ace on the outlet of a bathtub, in which there is some water blocking the bowl of the plunger, and start pumping, you will hear air entering and exiting through the overflow. Therefore, for a better fit to the surface of the bathtub, you should close the overflow cover with the bowl of the second plunger soaked in water. Consequently, to pump the bathtub you need to have two plungers and work together. If the pumping is successful, open the tap so that the water flushes the pipes, and repeat the pumping again. If the faucets have a flexible hose, then apply its shower net to the outlet for a few minutes and open the hot water. Instead of a plunger, you can use a damp cloth large enough to cover the overflow cap. In this case, air leaks cannot be avoided.

If the sewer pipes under the bathroom are very clogged, pumping with plungers does not give any results. In this case, turn out the plug that closes the cleaning in the sewer pipe to drain water from the bath. Insert the cable into the cleaning direction in the direction of water flowing out of the bath and move it back and forth. To make work easier, open the hot water tap above the bathtub. The water will lubricate the cable and at the same time remove some of the blockage. In this case, many difficulties may arise. In homes built in the last couple of decades, the drain pipe from the bathtub is generally located above the floor. The elbow of the washbasin siphon is also lowered into it. If the plug does not come off or there is no cleaning at all, disassemble the siphon under the washbasin, take out the elbow and insert a cable into the resulting hole in the pipe. After removing the blockage and installing the siphon, you should better caulk the annular gap between the elbow and the hole in the pipe, since the next time there is a blockage and the bath is overfilled, water will flow into this gap.

Papa Bear:

if the blockage is not large, then you can try to break through it with your palms, the principle is the same as with a plunger - you stack one on top of the other and then do a “heart massage” on the sink. Sometimes it helps to remove the shower head, lower the hose into the drain and turn the hot water on full blast.

Vladimir Gorbylev:

My first remedy is to remove the tube from the hose of the vacuum cleaner, insert it into the drain hole of the sink, lightly seal the annular gap with the girth of my palm and blow strongly into the tube. It punches in one go!

But if the toilet is clogged, it’s more difficult, you can’t blow it, you need a punching cable.

Ksenia:

wrap the rag in a bag and pump it with it

Elena Shelekhova:

I used the option of a rag wrapped in a bag. And it worked. I was happy, it was so easy to deal with the clog in the kitchen sink (the water was no longer draining and was standing in the sink).

Dan:

If anyone has an old (Soviet) set for a flush cistern lying around, there is a rubber “plug” there, you insert a screwdriver into it, for example, and go ahead, I’ll tell you, it breaks through just as well as a plunger

Oleg Kutsenko:

Same problem. I took a 5 liter bottle, filled it with water, put the neck in the drain and pressed hard. Water under strong pressure cleaned everything instantly

Cleaning device made from car parts

How to build a plunger from improvised materials? Car enthusiasts probably know that a CV joint boot can be used for these purposes. This is 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 the bowl of a plunger. Due to its relief and softness, it works no worse than a real plunger. The only modification that will need to be made before using this device is the handle for convenience. There is a suitable hole at the top of the boot. To unclog a bathtub or sink drain with it, simply plug it with a wine stopper. You should not glue the handle to such a homemade plunger, otherwise you will not be able to rinse the device after use.

Best answers

Brazen Rush of the Soul:

Make rotational translational movements with the plunger in relation to the drain hole)))))))!

IT'S ME:

Vantus!

Oldman:

Depending on the type of pipe, the remedies range from steel cable and mole liquid to mild laxatives.

Sanya:

and I mean the same thing, plunger, plunger, and plunger again... or a man under the sink...

VadBuhr:

Yong understood, but it’s great!! and what does a clogged pipe have to do with food and cooking??

Sveta Shubina:

You unscrew the pipe, remove the garbage (don’t forget to put a bucket) and screw it back in, and everything is ok. Good luck in this difficult work.

User deleted:

Flood your neighbors! they will help!!!

Yulia Usacheva:

Pour soda into the drain hole - 2 table. spoons, pour vinegar on top, and a violent cleansing reaction will begin. It is necessary to cover the hole a little, and then rinse well with running water.

Vyacheslav Danilov:

I have a piece of oxygen hose and a piece of steel wire is twisted at the end, I take it out of the sink “Gusak” and insert it there with a rotational movement until the end and then insert the other end and the faucet and turn on the hot water to the fullest extent, at this time I push the hose back and forth, well. fuck... xya and then gradually pull it out, then I fill the kitchen sink full of hot water and in the bathroom the hose from the washing machine inserts the bathtub drain, also hot water all the way through and at the same time my wife pulls out the plug in the kitchen from the sink and all this under pressure washes away what I picked up in pipe You can wrap a cloth around the end with a hose from a washing machine and insert it into the drain of a bathtub or sink and rinse it off under strong pressure of hot water, although the effect is less than in the first option, that’s all, I wish you good luck.

Cleaning a drain with a shower hose

What is special about this method? Another way to make your own plunger is to use a shower hose. Remove the shower head and insert the hose into the drain hole. The drain around the hose should be plugged with a rag. After this, turn on the hot water at full power. If the cause of the blockage was ordinary dirt, this method will help remove 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.

How to get rid of a clog without a plunger

The main operating principle of a plunger is to push an air plug into the pipe. Crashing into the water, the air bubble creates a hydraulic shock, which, as a result, pushes the blockage to a wider area of ​​the sewer. You can get rid of minor blockages in the sink and bathtub without any equipment at all, literally with your bare hands. Use your palm like a plunger - cover the drain with your bent palm, and then sharply straighten it, pushing air into the pipe. Do this several times and the clog will go away.

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We recommend reading how to remove stains from office corrector from clothes.

If you need to “break through” the toilet, you can build something like a plunger from a stick and an unnecessary rag. Wind the fabric onto the stick so that the winding fits snugly into the hole in the toilet. Then lower the resulting structure into the drain, and then sharply pull it out. You will get the same water hammer effect as when using the original tool.

Important! Try to act carefully so as not to break the precious plumbing during the cleaning process.

How to make a plunger from a plastic bottle

If a stick and an unnecessary rag are not nearby, you can build a kind of plunger with your own hands from a plastic bottle. Take a two-liter container and cut off the bottom completely. Then insert the bottle into the toilet flush hole with the cut bottom down. Wait until the water fills the bottle and screw the cap on the neck. Now sharply squeeze the plastic and pull the container out of the drain. The water that comes out of it forms the same water hammer that pushes the blockage deeper into the sewer.

Advice: carry out this operation in an apron or clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. It's quite easy to get splashed when removing your homemade plunger from the drain.

What to make a plunger for cleaning a sink

If your sink or bathtub drain is clogged, a plastic bottle will not work as a cleaning tool. Its diameter is much larger than the size of the drain hole, which means it will not be possible to create a sufficient vacuum of air with its help. How to make a plunger suitable for such an occasion? We take a milk or juice tetrapack and cut off a corner so that the cut is approximately equal in diameter to the plum. Using the cut corner, we insert the bag into the drain hole and hit it well to squeeze the air collected inside into the pipe. If it doesn’t work the first time, straighten the tetra pack and repeat the operation.

Tip: Take a two-liter bag to increase the power of your plunger.

An analogue of a plunger for car enthusiasts

Motorists do not need to think about what and how to make a plunger at home. All they have to do is rummage through the spare parts and find the CV joint boot. This is the name of the cover for the front axle shaft of the car, made of rubber or silicone. Its shape resembles the bowl of a plunger, and due to its softness and relief, it works no worse than a real plumbing fixture. The only modification it will need is to attach a handle. There is even a suitable hole for this in the upper part of the boot. And to clean the sink or bathtub, you can simply plug it with a wine stopper.

Tip: Don't glue the handle/stopper to your homemade plunger. So, if necessary, it can be disassembled and washed more efficiently.

Vacuum cleaner instead of a plunger

If you have an old vacuum cleaner with a reverse function collecting dust in your closet, you don’t need to think about how to make a plunger with your own hands. Insert the vacuum cleaner hose into the drain hole of the clogged plumbing fixture, sealing the connection with an unnecessary rag. Then switch the vacuum cleaner to air blowing (reverse) mode and turn on the device at maximum power. In this way you can get rid of even the most serious blockages.

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A similar operation can be performed using a shower hose. Unscrew the shower head and push its hose deeper into the drain of the clogged sink/tub. Plug the drain around the hose with a thick rag and turn on the hot water at full power. If the blockage is caused by normal dirt and not by a foreign object getting into the pipe, it will disappear after five minutes.

Tip: before this treatment, you can pour a pack of soda into the drain and wait 10-15 minutes. This way you will not only remove the blockage, but also clean the pipe walls from adhering soap scum and other dirt.

Using a plumbing cable

Let's look at 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 remove such a blockage, a simple water hammer will not be enough. Therefore, if the use of a plunger and similar devices does not give the desired effect, then a plumbing cable should be used. You can use either a finished product, which can be easily purchased at any hardware store, or a homemade one, made from scrap materials.

To create a cable, take a large plastic bottle. The bottom should be cut off. After this, the product is cut in a spiral so that a long plastic strip is obtained. Do not cut off the neck of the bottle as you will be able to use it as a handle. Hold the neck and release the spiral into the plumbing drain while rotating it. Once you reach the clog, the cable will break it up and push it further down the drain. To enhance the effect obtained, the pipe should be pumped a little more using a pneumatic plunger. Both factory and homemade products are suitable.

Mechanical cleaning using a cable

What to do in a situation where boiling water combined with a plunger cannot clear blockages in the sewer?
In this case, the surest way would be a cable. Care should be taken, as this device can easily damage plastic pipes and cause them to leak. To make a cable yourself, you will need a metal flexible wire. Then one end of the cable must be bent to form a small hook. It will be convenient for them to catch debris stuck in the drain hole and pull it out. As for the second end, a piece of fabric should be tied to it, making a handle.

You need to carefully insert the cable inside the drain pipe and try to push through the accumulated dirt. For better cleaning, you can rotate the device clockwise. Then you need to pull out the cable with the remaining debris.

To completely remove the clog, you need to flush the drain with a strong stream of boiling water from the shower or tap. This method is one of the most effective today. This is what most plumbers use.

Clearing clogs with hot water

The most common and simplest remedy for blockages is boiling water. It is suitable if the cause of the blockage is salt and fat deposits. You can use boiling water to clean metal pipes. 1-1.5 liters will be enough for cleaning. 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 a hot water tap 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 a liter of boiling water or hot water is poured on top. After this, 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 100 grams of laundry detergent and 2.5 liters of hot water in a separate container. After this, the resulting composition is poured in a thin stream into the drain hole.

How to deal with a clogged sink or sink

You can remove a blockage from a sink or kitchen sink with your own hands using a plunger:

• Fill the sink halfway with hot water;
• Lubricate the edges of the rubber plunger with Vaseline;
• Press the plunger against the walls of the sink above the drain hole and press with sharp short jerks 10 times;
• Check if you managed to break through the plug, repeat the operation if necessary.

If the plunger does not help, use a drainage drill:

Remove the protective mesh from the drain;

Insert the brush into the pipe and gradually move it deeper, rotating the cable handle clockwise;

• Don’t rush; if the progress of the cable has stalled, you should move it back a little and continue moving;
• The next stage is to gradually pull the drainage drill back, without stopping rotation;
• Remains of the plug are removed using special anti-clogging products, thoroughly rinsing it with hot water.

Modern siphon systems for sinks are equipped with a special elbow to remove dirt.

If a plunger and a drill do not help, you can remove blockages with your own hands using it. To do this, place a container under the siphon and unscrew the elbow cap, draining the water and dirt. Then, using a wire bent with a hook or a drainage drill, pull the plug out of the siphon.

Removing clogs 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 remove 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 with a plug for a while. After half an hour or an hour, the drain can be rinsed with hot water.

If you don't have vinegar at home, you can try replacing it with citric acid. For a glass of soda, it will be enough to take 2-3 spoons.

If the above remedies turned out to be ineffective in removing the blockage in the bathroom, you should try more special household chemicals. It contains aggressive substances that help quickly get rid of blockages of any complexity.

Causes of the problem

If there is a blockage in the bathroom, water will not pass through the hole. It will flow back out along with the dirt. Before you understand how to clean bathroom pipes, you must first determine the cause of the blockage.

Such a nuisance arises due to the following circumstances:

• Lack of preventive measures. Gradually, dirt accumulated in the pipe, but no one looked after it or cleared the drain in time, which led to a blockage.
• The pipes have become unusable. They became loose and growths appeared on them.
• There is a foreign object in the sewer that prevents grease and dirt from passing through the pipe. Such an object, for example, could be a stone.
• Much depends on the material, because blockages often appear in cast iron pipes, while such troubles rarely happen with plastic products.
• When installing the sewer system, the pipes were installed incorrectly, at a slight slope.
• One of the family members dropped an object, a rag, or waste into the sewer pipe. Often, small children can push a construction piece or something else into the drain hole.

Using household chemicals

Currently, you can find many special 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, Krot, Tiret, Chirton, Sanfor. When choosing a cleaning product, you should pay attention to its composition, as well as the material from which the pipes are made. It’s good if the product you choose, in addition to salt and fat deposits, can also dissolve wool, threads and hair. Typically, household chemicals contain substances such as sodium hydroxide and acid. When working with these compounds, extreme caution should be exercised and directions for use strictly followed. Be sure to use hand and face protection.

These compositions are usually used according to the same principle: they are poured or poured into the drain hole in the quantity specified in the instructions. The powder usually needs to be poured on top with water. After this, the product should be left for some time. The waiting interval may also vary. It is usually indicated on the packaging.

What to do if there is no plunger

A fairly common problem is clogged sewer pipes in an apartment, which in turn are very convenient to remove with the help of a plunger. Any plunger works on the principle of creating short-term pressure in the pipe, due to which a breakdown of a weak plug occurs. Of course, it doesn’t always help, and it’s a simple situation when it’s simply not at hand, but a blockage has formed and needs to be eliminated. If you don’t have a plunger, you can use several options; let’s look at each of them in more detail.

• Use the cable. As a cable, you can use a regular car cable, if the plug is located not far away, or a coil specially designed for this purpose with an appropriate length that will reach even as far as China. But unfortunately, it is also not always possible to find it, especially in your apartment.
• You can use household chemicals, namely products for dissolving fatty growths, if they were the cause of the formation of a blockage in the pipe. If the cause of the traffic jam is household dirt, then chemicals are unlikely to help you. Also, when using cleaning products, use only formulations specifically designed for these purposes and under no circumstances pour various alkalis and acids into the pipe - this can lead to an explosion as a result of the interaction of alkalis with vegetable and animal fat, or at best you can damage plastic pipes.

What to do if there is nothing suitable for this at hand? Let's look at children's toys or a regular first aid kit. Do you have a medicine bulb or a small rubber ball? If there is, then great, we take them in our hands and cut off the nose of the pear, and in the case of a ball, we make a small hole in it. We apply them to the hole in the drain pipe in the sink and press sharply, that is, we work with it according to the principle of a plunger.

You can try tapping the pipes with a light object. Depending on the material from which the plumbing fixtures in your apartment are made, strike lightly, but sharply and for as long as possible. If the blockage is not severe, then there is a chance to rip it off. Also, do not forget to combine different options to achieve the greatest effect.

If the pipes are made of soft material, such as metal-plastic, then you can try bending them slightly, thereby stirring up the blockage and it may move.

In principle, these are the main methods that will help clear the blockage in the absence of a plunger. In all other options, if the plug cannot be moved, it makes sense to contact a plumber.

Cleaning the toilet with a cloth

In the absence of a plunger, even the most ordinary floor cloth can become a powerful weapon in the fight against toilet blockages. In addition to this, you will need a wooden block as thick as a mop handle. You can also use the mop itself, but this is not always convenient due to its long length.

A rag can be wrapped around the end of the mop and secured firmly with string to prevent it from falling as the handle is moved.

Fold a wet rag and plug it into the toilet drain hole. You will get a dense improvised plug. You need to place a mop or a block in its center and press firmly several times, like on the handle of a plunger. A sudden movement causes a water hammer and destroys the plug.

General principles of sewerage operation

The sewer system consists of a riser and pipelines that are designed to drain liquid waste from plumbing fixtures. The riser is a large diameter pipe and is usually located in the bathroom.

If the toilet in an apartment in a multi-storey building stops draining water due to a clog in the riser, this is a problem for all residents. Only utility workers can solve it. Special inspection niches are provided for cleaning risers

Modern risers are often made of plastic, but many houses still have cast iron pipes. The advantage of cast iron is strength, and plastic risers are less susceptible to blockages. Most often, old cast iron pipes become clogged. There are burrs on their inner walls, which causes deposits to quickly form.

To prevent air from the sewer from entering the room, a siphon is provided in the design of the toilet - a bend where a water plug (hydraulic seal) is constantly located. When flushing, water displaces and replaces this plug, pushing sewage from the toilet into the sewer riser.

When you press the button on the tank, the water drains into the bowl, washing it, and passes further through the pipe into the riser. The clog prevents the toilet from working properly and water remains in the bowl

If there is debris in the pipe and the water has not pushed it out into the riser, a clog may form. Scraps of paper, waste, hair, threads get caught on sharp or large objects. Gradually, all this turns into a large lump of dirt, which narrows or completely blocks the pipe section.