Overview of Professional Sewer Cleaning Techniques

The sewer system needs regular cleaning. You should not think that having safely got rid of the "clue" from where it appeared, the blockage, the landlord cleaned the entire pipeline. A plunger, a flexible cord or the use of special chemicals only remove the blockage that occurs in one place, but does not affect the condition of the highway. Whereas a professional sewage treatment will bring the system of discharge of contaminated effluents to a state that meets all technical requirements, and will completely restore the pipeline throughput along its entire length.

For professional cleaning of the sewer system, several methods are used that require the use of special equipment and the involvement of trained specialists. Let us consider each of them in more detail.

Professional cleaning of the sewer system is carried out using special equipment

Method # 1 - Hydrodynamic Cleaning

A special hydrodynamic machine is used to clean the drainage system. The principle of its action is quite simple. Water under pressure is fed into the pipeline. It destroys and removes deposits on the walls of parts that form a blockage. The operating pressure of the device can vary over a fairly wide range. The maximum, usually, is 190 MPa. This method makes it possible to clean the sewer pipes from a variety of deposits. The integrity of the pipeline is not violated.

The hydrodynamic machine cuts and removes deposits deposited on the walls of the pipes during their operation. After that, the throughput of the highway is fully restored. In addition, after such cleaning, the parts are less prone to the formation of new deposits, the life of the system increases. The hydrodynamic method began to be used in plumbing from the middle of the last century and initially was only an addition to the mechanical one. Today it is widely used as an independent method and is used to clean both internal and external highways.

Hydrodynamic cleaning is also successfully used for flushing water pipes, heating systems and industrial pipelines. There are two types of hydrodynamic machines:

• Large units, the platform for which are trucks. Used only for cleaning external communications.
• Small portable devices. They are used to flush internal sewer networks.

The complete set of such devices varies significantly depending on the model of the device, the manufacturer and its cost. However, in any case, the kit includes: a water tank, a powerful pump and engine, special nozzles and long hoses for cleaning.Additionally, the devices can be equipped with filters, a high-pressure gun, a metal frame on wheels for transporting the device, a tool for cleaning nozzles, and working pressure regulators.

The principle of operation of hydrodynamic equipment is quite simple: water under pressure is supplied to the blockage and destroys it

Different nozzles are used for different types of blockages, which help to deal with the problem most effectively.

The main working tool of hydrodynamic equipment is nozzles. They differ in purpose, appearance and size. In each case, a specific nozzle is used, which is selected depending on the type and degree of clogging and the diameter of the pipe. The main types of nozzles:

• Punching. Used to clean old blockages.
• Chain carousel. It is used to remove items stuck in the system, as well as strong root growths.
• Details of the bottom type. They make it possible to effectively clean the pipeline from silt and sand.
• Rotary. Used to remove body fat.
• Universal. They can be used for blockages of various types.

The procedure for cleaning the sewer system is carried out in several stages:

• Select the desired nozzle and fix it on the nozzle of the unit.
• Through the toilet or through the inspection hole, carefully insert the hose into the pipe to a depth of about one meter. Then turn on the device. Further, under the influence of reactive force, the hose begins independent movement deep into the highway.
• Having reached a blockage, the nozzle begins to destroy it. During the work, you can adjust the force of the water pressure.
• After the blockage is completely destroyed, clean the pipes a few more times. In this case, the inner surface of the parts is thoroughly cleaned by the nozzle of the device.
• At the end of the work, turn off the device. We take out a hose of the unit from the pipeline.
• To remove residual dirt, drain the water into the sewer.

Here's what this procedure looks like:

A hydrodynamic machine is a highly efficient sewage treatment device related to specialized equipment. To acquire such equipment for servicing house wiring is meaningless and not economically viable. Since properly conducted cleaning makes it possible to forget about the problems with the wastewater system for a long time, it is most reasonable to turn to professionals for help. The purchase of such equipment is advisable only for organizing your own business.

Often the owners of Karcher mini-sinks try to use them as hydrodynamic machines. You need to understand that, despite the fact that the devices use water supplied under high pressure, they are most often not intended for such work. With their help, you can clean garden paths, wash cars, eliminate various pollution. However, models are issued, including those designed for cleaning the sewer. This is indicated in the passport of the device. For the procedure, you will need to additionally purchase a flexible hose and special nozzles.

After switching on the device, the hose with the nozzle penetrates deep into the pipe and with high-pressure water, cleans the walls of the parts

On sale you can find mini-sinks Karcher, designed to clean the sewer. For them, you need to buy a long hose and special nozzles

Method # 2 - thermochemical and thermal cleaning

The option of hydraulic cleaning can be considered a thermal cleaning of the sewer. In this case, water heated to a temperature of 95-120С is supplied to the pipeline under pressure. Hot liquid more efficiently and quickly dissolves solid fat deposits. Also, thermal cleaning is very popular in early spring or winter, when it is necessary to clean the storm or any other sewer system from freezing.The only drawback of the method is the inability to use it for working with pipes made of polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride.

Chemical cleaning is another common method used for sewer systems. Its essence lies in the transfer of caked sediment and sludge into a solution state and the subsequent removal of contamination. For these purposes, certified industrial cleaning products are used. For the best effect, they foam on special equipment.

For professional cleaning of sewers, special preparations are used, the cost of which is quite high

Together with organic and inorganic acids, surfactants and surfactants are also included in the cleaning composition. They make it possible to concentrate the effect of the preparations and make it possible to obtain an additional positive effect of mechanical action during the collapse of the foam segments. In the process of chemical cleaning, substances that disinfect the pipeline are also used. In some cases, thermochemical purification, combining the chemical and thermal methods, is especially effective. It should be noted that the cost of chemical cleaning products is quite high, so this method is not always used.

Method # 3 - pneumohydropulse exposure

This method is considered the most effective and environmentally friendly. Pneumohydroimpulse sewage treatment is carried out using a special installation that generates short pulses. The principle of the system is to send multiple short pulses fed into the pipeline, which must be cleaned. The pulsed kinetic wave creates cavitation bubbles consisting of a vapor-gas mixture in the drains. They arise as a result of an acoustic wave passing through a liquid.

Moving with the flow of water into the area with high pressure, the cavitation bubble collapses, while it emits a shock wave, which provokes wave swirls. They easily tear sludge and grease from the walls of the pipeline. And those following the first wave of the air-water mixture carry away blockages. The pulse generating installation has several adjustments. This allows you to adjust the pressure of each pulse in the range from 0 to 10 atmospheres and the speed of its propagation. Maximum - 1500 m per second. Such energy is enough to destroy any deposits and plugs.

All mud and fat deposits dissolved in water are sucked off by special devices - sludge pumps. Such equipment can be installed on the basis of powerful cars with large tanks. Most often, containers with a volume of about 14,000 liters are used, which allows for sewer cleaning work in large apartment buildings, office and shopping centers.

Any of the professional methods for cleaning the sewer allows you to clean the inner surface of the pipes and return them to passability

Sewer system is one of the most important engineering communications of the building. Its uninterrupted operation provides comfort to everyone living in the house. To avoid problems, you need to remember that the sewer, like any other system, must be serviced on time. And the elimination of blockages has nothing to do with this event. On average, once a year, experts recommend a professional cleaning of the sewage system using any of the methods described above. All of them allow the pipes to return to their original passability, and the homeowner to forget about the troubles associated with a clogged sewer.