How to clean pipes from deposits in the apartment: practical tips from professionals and recommendations for prevention

A prolonged flow of water in the faucet can become a real problem. If you are faced with this problem, its cause is most often a clog or the accumulation of calcium deposits on the walls. Don’t panic right away. Plumbing pipe cleaning can help you cope with this problem, how it can be done at home and how you can prevent clogging of pipes – further in more detail in our material.

Why are pipes blocked?

Pipes can become blocked for several reasons, often related to what goes down them and how they’re maintained. Here are some common causes:

• Hair

Especially in shower and bathtub drains, hair can combine with soap scum to form a blockage.

• Grease and Oil

Kitchen sink drains often get clogged due to the accumulation of grease and oil, which solidify inside the pipes.

• Food Waste

Even with a garbage disposal, certain types of food waste can clog pipes, such as coffee grounds, eggshells, and non-food items like paper towels.

• Mineral Buildup

In areas with hard water, minerals can precipitate out of the water and accumulate on the inside of pipes, reducing flow and eventually leading to blockages.

• Small Objects

Small objects accidentally dropped down the drain can become lodged, preventing water from flowing.

• Tree Roots

For outdoor plumbing, tree roots can grow into pipes through tiny cracks, eventually obstructing water flow and possibly causing pipe damage.

• Toiletries

Flushing items like wet wipes, diapers, and feminine hygiene products can lead to significant blockages since they do not disintegrate like toilet paper.

• Soap Scum

The combination of soap and minerals from hard water can form soap scum that sticks to pipe walls, narrowing them and sometimes leading to blockages.

• Toilet Paper Buildup

Using too much toilet paper or flushing non-septic safe paper can clog toilet drain pipes.

• Structural Issues

Pipes can become misaligned, cracked, or broken due to shifting soil, construction work, or age, leading to blockages. Preventing pipe blockages often involves being mindful of what goes down the drain, regular maintenance, and prompt attention to any drainage issues before they worsen.

Best Way to Clean Sink Pipes

Best methods for cleaning sink pipes, including the procedure for each method and the recommended frequency of use:

Method	Procedure	Frequency
Boiling Water	Pour boiling water directly down the drain to dissolve minor clogs and grease buildup.	As needed
Baking Soda and Vinegar	Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover and wait for 15-30 minutes, then flush with hot water.	Monthly
Plunger	Use a plunger to create suction and dislodge clogs. Make sure there’s enough water in the sink to cover the plunger base.	As needed
Plumbing Snake	Insert a plumbing snake into the drain to break apart clogs deeper within the pipe.	As needed
Enzyme-Based Cleaners	Use enzyme-based cleaners as a safe and environmentally friendly option to break down organic material without harming pipes.	Monthly to quarterly

This table provides a variety of methods for maintaining clean and clog-free sink pipes, ranging from simple home remedies to more mechanical approaches. ​​

How to clean water pipes in the apartment with your own hands: practical tips

If you are wondering how to clean pipes at home, we recommend reading the following methods.

No. 1: Remove food debris with a plunger

Plumbing pipe cleaning is most often done with a plunger. In this situation, it is necessary to cover the sink with a special plug and fill it with water. The water level should be sufficient to allow plunging the plunger into the sink – about half. Next, you need to lower the plunger into the water to create a sufficient seal: press it to the bottom of the sink to remove all the air from the drain. On a side note: if you have a double sink, the second drain should be closed with a rag. After that, you should put on the plunger and lift it, not tearing it from the bottom of the sink. These manipulations should be repeated several times – moving the handle as the piston up and down. A tight squeeze allows you to pump water into the pipe, not air. You can eliminate food particles and other small particles that can clog the sink. After that, you clean the sewer lines with hot water from the faucet. You can also flush the pipes with boiling water.

No. 2: Clean the sewer lines with home remedies: mix vinegar and baking soda.

Flush hot water pipes and other utilities can be done with simple household remedies. A simple, effective solution for removing grease and other deposits from the surface of pipes is a combination of vinegar and baking soda. When these components are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs in the form of white foam and abundant bubbles. With the help of these bubbles, it is possible to remove grease deposits from the surface of the pipes, which provoke clogs. It is grease that is one of the most critical problems. The fact is that when it hardens, it becomes sticky, and it adheres to a variety of particles that go with the water in the pipes. Subsequently, the fat ends up in the sewer system. Gradually, it becomes more and more, and you can try to remove it with baking soda and vinegar.

No. 3: Use a snake to clear clogs

The best way to clean sink pipes of hair and other clogs is to use a particular plumbing snake. It is a relatively cheap and easy-to-use tool. With its help, you can remove minor clogs rather quickly and without outside help. The snake is a unique drill introduced into the drainage line, and then the clog is picked up (screwed on) and pulled out. If the clog is significant, the snake is unsuitable for this task. But minor problems are perfectly solved with it. At the same time, you need to work with it carefully to avoid damaging the pipe. If your clog is so complicated, a simple snake will not cope. It is worth calling a professional who will be carried out back flushing water lines and other manipulations to maintain the pipeline in the proper form.

Prevention of clogged pipes: the opinion of experts

To avoid such problems as clogged pipes, it is best to take special preventive measures in a timely manner.

No. 1: Flush pipes thoroughly

If you do not have clogs, you should still conduct periodic flushing pipes with plain water. In this situation, you should also add a particular sewer cleaning product. The best source of sewer line cleaning is the toilet, as the toilet bowl can flush a large volume of water down the drain at the same time by adding a cleaning agent in advance. Note that if you have a clog in your toilet bowl, this method will not work. The larger the volume of water you flush down the drain, the greater the chance of an accident. Therefore, during each pipe cleaning procedure, you should ensure no blockages in the toilet. Otherwise, you will have to take care of it and then move on to cleaning.

No. 2: Do a preventive cleaning of your water pipes from time to time

Periodic sewer cleaning doesn’t necessarily require a disaster. This process is best done with a regularity of 1-2 months. In this situation, you can mix baking soda and vinegar. This way, keeping the pipes in good condition will be possible. In addition, you can also use unique citrus-based plumbing products for this task.

No. 3: Leave sewer cleaning to professionals.

Cleaning house water pipe cleaning should be done with special equipment. This process should be trusted by real professionals who offer this type of service. The fact is that inevitable clogs are problematic to clean, but these symptoms can also indicate damage to the sewer line. If you constantly keep your plumbing clean and have a clog, this could indicate a severe sewer problem. With a professional inspection and inspection, you can avoid a lot of problems.

When it’s worth getting help from a plumber

Suppose you need more experience in flushing drains or your efforts with a plunger, vinegar, baking soda, and other methods did not give proper results. In that case, it is worth trusting real professionals. Cleaning water pipes from deposits is a fairly complex process that requires experience and a particular knack. When dealing with plumbing, you should not treat the case carelessly. Otherwise, you can destroy the plumbing in the walls. If you do not want to take the risk, it is best to call a professional company whose employees will quickly solve any problem in your home.

Conclusion

Pipe clogs and deposits inside the communication system are common in many apartments. They can provoke grease, food particles and others. But these problems are quite solvable. In this situation, you can use household remedies, special tools, or compositions. If you want to solve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible, it is best to contact professionals. The specialists of our company will offer the most effective method of solving the problem. They have extensive experience from simple repairs to backflow prevention Toronto.

FAQ about cleaning pipes from deposits in an apartment