Repair of sewer pipes: elimination of 3 emergency situations
The sewage system will not break only if it is not used. After all, everything is worn out, and in this respect it is no exception. You can only delay this moment by careful operation, but repair of sewer pipes sooner or later will still be required.
And it is better to be ready for it, with sufficient skills to, if not completely eliminate the damage, then at least localize it before the arrival of a professional plumber. We will talk about this in this article.
Emergency # 1: leak at joints
Pipe joints and their connections to drain points are the most vulnerable places for leakage to occur. Consider them in more detail:
At the entrance
If the leak appeared at the outlet of the washbasin, sink or bath, then proceed as follows:
- We disassemble the siphon.
- Clean its inside.
- Change the gasket.
- Putting it back, tightly tightening the threaded connection.
The reasons for the occurrence of this event:
- Wear pads.
- Siphon pollution.
- Poor drain connection.
Tip: It is recommended to use only high-quality gaskets. So you significantly extend the life of your sewer.
At the junction
Here the pipeline material is important:
- Cast iron. There are in all the old apartments, so if you have not made a major replacement of the sewage system, then you most likely have pipes made from this material. In this case, there are two possible options for the implementation of the connection, which determines the instructions for eliminating the damage:
| Connection type | Description of repair work |
| Cement | · With the help of a hammer and a chisel we eliminate the old cement stone; · Carefully remove the upholstery, cleaning the gap; · We lay a new seal; · We cement by new solution |
| Lead | · Completely clean the joint to clean iron; · We drive new cones from lead, using a chisel |
Tip: the seal before installation can be fluffed with a special composition of asbestos and cement in the ratio 3: 7. This will add to it more reliability.
- Plastic. To date, the owners of apartments and private houses are trying to install more practical plastic sewer pipes.
In such a situation, when a leak is detected, it will be enough:
- Replace the seal ring in the socket.
- Fluff joint sealant.
On the valve or gate
These elements of sewer pipes can be combined according to the method of their repair, which is a complete replacement for the following reasons:
- The valve serves to discharge the air in the sewer system, and when it comes to its breakage, this means that it does not leak, but misses unpleasant odors. There is such a nuisance due to the breakage of the spring mechanism responsible for the tight closing of the lid of the device.
- The bolt gate is designed to prevent sewage odors from entering the living space. If he does not cope with his function, then this is usually a sign of failure of the corresponding mechanics. The price of a full recovery in this case will not be much different from the cost of a new device.
Emergency number 2: a crack on the pipe body
The only right decision in this case will be the dismantling of sewer pipes and their subsequent replacement. But if at the time of the incident there is no such possibility, then at least it is necessary to take temporary measures:
| Pipe material | Temporary elimination of leakage |
| Plastic |
|
| Cast iron |
|
You should know: as an alternative to the methods specified in the table, you can use special aluminum adhesive tape to seal the pipeline. She also will perfectly cope with the task.
Emergency number 3: the occurrence of congestion
Fats, food debris, hair and other insoluble particles with the time of operation of the sewage system can lead to the appearance of dense garbage in it. In the most difficult situations, an emergency team is called, teleinspection of sewer pipes and removal of blockages with the help of special equipment is carried out.
We will consider domestic methods of dealing with such a problem:
- Boiling water. Heat 10 liters of water and pour into the drain, this will lead to the splitting of fatty deposits on the inner walls.
- Vantuz. Fill the sink with water, place the tool with the bowl-shaped part on the drain hole and press it several times, then abruptly clean it. The cork will move and crumble as a result.
- Cable. Disconnect the siphon and rotate the metal string inwards until the clogged area is completely passed.
Conclusion
The sewer system is subject to wear. Above, we looked at possible failures and ways to deal with them. Be vigilant and fix possible problems in time. The video in this article will provide additional information.
Successful repair to you!
