How to clean a pipe in a bath with your own hands, 15 ways and means
A private bathroom in a summer cottage is a heavenly place where it is so pleasant to relax after a hard working week. However, not everyone knows how to properly maintain the structure, which leads to various breakdowns. The most common of these is chimney blockage. How to clean the pipe in the bath with your own hands and how to avoid the formation of blockages, we will find out below.
Types of blockages and need for cleaning
The need to clean the chimney is due to improper operating conditions of the stove. Some of them can be prevented at an early stage, and others are eliminated only when they appear.
The most common causes of blockages in the pipe are:
- condensate accumulation;
- soot formation;
- ash accumulation;
- penetration of foreign bodies into the chimney.
Soot formation
In the event that the attic pipe is not insulated, drops of moisture form on its surface. They absorb the products of combustion generated by the wood, forming soot. With each use of the oven, this layer gradually thickens until the pipe is almost completely overgrown.
Condensation buildup
When using raw wood to light the stove, a large amount of steam is generated. It accelerates the process of proliferating the chimney with soot, blocking the draft. Try to keep the wood in a dry and ventilated place.
Entry of foreign objects inside
If the chimney opening is wide enough and not covered with a protective cap, various foreign bodies can get into it. Initially, they do not significantly affect the operation of the furnace, but as they accumulate, the thrust begins to worsen.
Resin sedimentation
Many sauna owners don't suspect that the material of wood used to light the stove directly affects the clogging rate of the pipes. When used to kindle conifers, a large amount of resin evaporates into the air, part of which settles on the walls of the chimney. It is forbidden to place plastic objects, particle boards and sheets of plywood in the hearth.
To note! Experienced sauna owners advise using firewood for lighting.
accumulation of ashes
Chimneys made up of a large number of elbows become clogged more quickly than usual with ashes. When designing a chimney, try to choose a simple design, with a minimum number of bends.If the situation forces you to use complex, curved structures, cut out special hatches near the bends, through which it will be convenient to clean ashes and other debris in the future.
How to check status
In the event that the oven began to work intermittently, it is necessary to determine the cause of the malfunction. To do this, use:
- visual inspection;
- special video systems;
- are guided by indirect signs that signal a clogged chimney.
Visual inspection
The most affordable way that doesn't require homeowners to have certain tools or skills. Enough:
- remove the pipe;
- check that it is not obstructed inside.
Special video systems
If you do not have the strength and inclination to dismantle the chimney, use special video systems. They are placed inside the chimney and scanned for blockages along the entire length. This option requires significant financial costs, but you will know the current status of the furnace with 100% accuracy.
Indirect signs
If there is no money for a video system, be guided by the indirect signs that appear when there are problems with the pipe. These include:
- smoke ingress into the room during ignition;
- firewood burns slowly;
- flakes of soot fly in the air;
- during operation, the stove gives off unpleasant odors;
- the fire is arbitrarily extinguished.
Slow ignition
Due to poor ventilation inside the chamber, the smoke quickly fills its entire volume and the firewood burns slower than usual. If this is happening to your stove, now is the time to think about cleaning it.It is not worth pulling with this, since the chimney is already in a critical condition and soon it will completely fail.
The smoke enters
In the event that smoke begins to penetrate through the shutter into the oven, the ignition must be stopped, and the chimney is being cleaned as soon as possible. In this case, the situation is extremely deplorable, since the chimney opening is completely clogged with combustion products.
Bad food cravings
Pay attention to the color of the fire in the combustion chamber when the stove is in operation. With good traction, the tongues of flame are directed upwards and have a bright color. If the flame is weak and the tabs constantly fluctuate, it means that the draft is not sufficient and the pipe needs preventive cleaning.
Black smoke
Black smoke coming from the chimney indicates:
- poor quality of firewood;
- clogged pipe.
You either have to clean the pipe or collect another firewood for ignition.
soot flakes
Soot flakes flying through the air during ignition indicate that the pipe is heavily clogged. If this is not corrected, the chimney will be completely overgrown with soot, it will be much more difficult to clean it.
Arbitrary flame attenuation
It often happens that the flame in the combustion chamber goes out suddenly. This is due to a lack of oxygen in the furnace, as the draft is minimal or completely absent. It is not worth continuing to use such a stove, because nothing good will come of it.
Unpleasant smell during heating
The smell is caused by carbon monoxide. It is not exhausted through a clogged chimney, but goes inside the room. If such a situation arises, you should immediately turn off the ignition and ventilate the room.
Chimney cleaning methods
Stove pipes have been around for hundreds of years, and in that time many ways have been invented to clean them. Allocate:
- mechanical method;
- chemical;
- cleaning by folk methods.
Which one to choose depends on your abilities and preferences. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Mechanical method
Previously, this method was used everywhere, and there was even a special profession - a chimney sweep. Now it is almost out of use, but the method is still used today due to its availability and effectiveness. You will need:
- a cutter whose diameter is twice the diameter of the pipe to be cleaned;
- a strong cable with which the cutter will drive into the pipe;
- heavy weight, the diameter of which should not exceed 50% of the section of the pipe to be cleaned.
To note! Mechanical cleaning is recommended in dry, calm weather.
chemical method
The chemical method involves the burning of special substances that destroy the blockage without damaging the pipe material. Today there are many varieties of drugs that have their own positive and negative properties.
Kominicek
Medication used to prevent the formation of obstructions in chimneys. The principle of purification is based on a catalytic effect, with the help of which soot is destroyed and turns into carbon dioxide.
The special formula prevents soot from burning in the chimney, making the cleaning process easy and safe.
Chimney sweep
Another prophylactic agent, the use of which prevents the formation of plaque on the walls of pipes. It is recommended to use the chimney sweep at least once every 2 weeks, provided the furnace is used intensively.If the bath is rarely used, you can throw the product into the hearth 1 time in a few months.
Antiperspirant chemical composition
Powder made according to a special formula, the use of which helps to combat the plaque that forms on the walls of the chimney. On average, about two hundred grams of the substance are consumed when burning one ton of firewood. The amount spent may vary by manufacturer.
Salt
It is only used to prevent blockages and is not suitable for heavy soot deposits. Algorithm of actions:
- turn on the oven;
- we throw a handful of table salt into the hearth;
- a chemical reaction is formed which prevents the deposition of harmful substances.
It is necessary to apply at least 2 times a month, otherwise the method will not give any visible results.
smoke box
The box is filled with a special mixture and is placed in the combustion chamber while the stove is in use. In a few hours, the agent acts on the blockage, destroying and removing it. The effect lasts for 2 weeks, and repeated cleansing will be required after 3 months at the earliest. The product does not have an unpleasant odor, which is positively noted by many buyers.
Vortex
A 750 gram log made from recycled wood. Helps remove harmful deposits and soot. Just put the log in while using the stove and let it burn completely.
POLESHKO-TE
It is used to clean the chimney, and the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- turn on the oven;
- put POLESHKO-TE in the oven;
- wait 1.5-2 hours until the product burns out completely;
- we leave the ashes after baking in the oven, because the residual effect lasts for another 1-2 uses of the oven.
RESEARCH
An environmentally friendly product used to prevent blockages. Allow:
- clean the chimney from soot;
- increases the heat transfer of the starting material;
- increases food cravings;
- lasts 2 weeks after use.
folk ways
There is no desire to clean the pipe with a brush, and there is no money for expensive chemicals - do not despair. Folk remedies will come to the rescue, allowing you to clean the chimney almost as effectively, without additional financial investment.
Metal pipes are cleaned with ordinary water, and brick ones are cleaned by burning potato peels.
The essence of water purification is as follows:
- water is poured into the pipe from the street side;
- it is not necessary to pour a lot, a small volume of liquid is enough;
- as soon as dirty water begins to seep into the fireplace, start a fire;
- continue to gradually add water to the pipe;
- as soon as the wood is completely burned, we pour a bucket of water into the fireplace - all the soot flows out, peeling off the walls.
Potato peelings
A simple method that requires half a bucket of potato skins. It is dried in the sun and then placed in a kiln over preheated coals. The starch released during combustion softens the layer of soot, and it flakes off the pipe, falling into the kiln.
Vacuum
To vacuum the chimney, you need special equipment. A special device is placed in the pipe, which injects air into it. Under high pressure, the blockage is removed, cleaning the pipe along its entire length. The advantages of the method include:
- Efficiency;
- removal of deposits even in difficult sections of the chimney.
Less:
- when using the method, a lot of dirt is thrown out, which settles all over the territory.
Thermal method
A dangerous method involving the burning of deposits with combustible materials.It is not recommended to use with a large amount of deposits, since the structure of the chimney will not withstand the load.
Exterior wall cleaning
It is not necessary to clean the outer walls of the pipe, as this will not give any serious effect.
It is possible that the heat transfer and the service life of the pipe will increase slightly, but these indicators are too negligible to influence anything.
DIY cleaning brush
You will need:
- broom;
- wire rope;
- hair pin;
- washers;
- pliers.
We bend the hair on the broom, then we thread the hairpin in the lower part, with a pre-assembled washer. Click on the base of the broom and put the following fasteners. We fix the cable and cut the pile to the diameter of the chimney. We attach a small metal weight to the brush, the weight of which should be at least 2 kilograms.
Recommendations from experienced specialists
There are many tips from experienced professionals, the main ones of which are presented below.
How to prepare well
Good preparation includes:
- selection of tools;
- use of personal protective equipment, in the case of mechanical and thermal cleaning;
- following the manufacturer's instructions.
Combination of methods
To obtain optimal results, it is recommended to combine several methods by alternating them.
Prophylaxis
In order not to dismantle the entire chimney and not spend huge amounts of money on the restoration of the stove, do not forget about preventive measures. 1 prophylaxis per month is enough to forget about the blockage of the drain for a long time.
What weather is better to do
Cleaning is best done in dry, windless weather.
Assurance
When mechanically cleaning the chimney, remember to use a safety rope to prevent yourself from falling off the roof.
Avoid softwood species when burning
Conifers contain a lot of resin, which settles on the walls in large quantities. If you use deciduous trees, you can forget about blockages for a long time.
Instruction for chemicals
Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the chemical packaging. You should not experiment, because it will not lead to anything good.
Rules of operation
The basic rules for operating the oven are as follows:
- Do not add firewood one piece at a time.
- Heat often, but little by little, expending several full loads of firewood at once.
- The next bookmark is created after the previous one has burned at least halfway.