All piping systems used by civilization are prone to clogging. It is impossible to avoid it, because the pipes get clogged with soap, grease, salt deposits, as well as hair, food particles washed off dishes. However, if in apartment buildings the problem is solved by eliminating clogged sewage in the apartment, in private cottages and houses with seasonal residence the situation can be exacerbated by freezing during the winter. This combination of clogging and freezing can lead to the fact that the pipeline will not only lose permeability, depriving the tenants the opportunity to drain sewage, but also will be damaged if the ice breaks the pipe. And that means repair costs and loss of comfort. It is better to prevent such risks in advance.
How to prevent winter pipe clogs
It is recommended to prepare for the cold weather even before the onset of frost. It is better to approach the pipelines of a private home in a comprehensive manner, to prepare both the sewer and water pipes, as well as the stormwater system.
The following procedures help to significantly reduce the risk of winter congestion:
- Conducting preventive pipe cleaning, such as hydrodynamic method;
- if necessary, make repairs of emergency sections of pipes;
- If there is no desire to clean pipes, you should at least make sure that the water moves without difficulty, that the runoff is not hindered;
- from the gutters and downspouts to remove all fallen leaves, branches, any debris;
- Cover gutters and other open systems with grates and other mechanical filtration devices;
- Make sure that cooking oil and grease do not get into the sewers because they often deposit on the inside of the pipes and cause blockages;
- Check faucets – it is important that they do not leak, especially if you plan to leave the house for a long time during the winter, as leaky faucets often cause icing, the appearance of ice plugs in the pipes, leading to bursts.
It is also possible to perform a teleinspection of the pipelines.
Hydrodynamic flushing of pipes
If patency testing reveals that runoff is slow, or if a clog has already developed due to frost or simple buildup of deposits, hydrodynamic pipe flushing is recommended.
The technology is the introduction through the revision in the pipeline of a special flexible hose, at the end of which is a head with nozzles. Water is fed into the hose under high pressure. Thin jets of water are forced out of the head. The hose advances inside the pipe, and the jets wash away all kinds of deposits – fat, salt, and any build-up is also knocked down.
After the main blockage is cleared, the hose is moved back in, but the water is not shut off. The jets, continuing to beat on the inner surface of the pipe, wash away the remains of impurities from it, which go into the sewage well or to another point, from which it will be easy to remove all the solid impurities, silt. In this way the original permeability of the pipe is restored.
If the sewer is clogged with an ice plug, hot water is fed into the hose instead of cold water. For additional effectiveness, a solution of special reagents can be used that dissolve dirt and deposits, making it easier to clean. The main thing is to correctly calculate the concentration of compositions so as not to damage pipes and other elements of the sewer system. Therefore, it is important to contact professionals who have the necessary knowledge and licenses.
