Work included in the overhaul of an apartment building

The harmful effects of sewage

Sewage drains are an aggressive environment in which microorganisms and pathogenic bacteria live and multiply. Fecal matter, unlike clean water flowing through a water supply system, tends to move more cyclically through pipes, which means it periodically settles on the inner walls of the collector, forming a favorable atmosphere for metal corrosion. It is for this reason that either reinforced concrete pipes or plastic pipes are often used for sewerage. These types of materials also do not require any maintenance or periodic maintenance.

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Thus, according to the SNiP regulations, the maintenance of sewerage systems must necessarily include routine repairs of the collector. The procedure is performed once a year. During repairs, specialists perform a number of such actions:

• Replacement of worn hatches on inspection wells (lower and upper hatches);
• Replacing worn-out staples in a reinforced concrete manifold or inserting additional ones if necessary;
• Restoration of worn-out storm gutters and necks of inspection/storage wells;
• Replacement of worn seals in the system.

Basic methods of sewer repair

Clogging of sewer pipes can occur even if it is used properly. Every day, a large amount of organic and inorganic waste passes through the pipes, which, over time, accumulate and settle on the walls, creating an unpleasant odor. To avoid this and not waste money on repairs as a result of blockage, it is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning of pipes. This can be done with the help of master plumbers who use the most effective methods, these are:

• electromechanical - a mobile electric cleaning device is used that removes construction deposits of concrete, cement, foreign objects made of wood, stone, plastic, rubber. Suitable for pipes of different diameters;
• hydrodynamic - effectively removes fat and silt deposits through a strong jet of water into the pipes. Hydrodynamic machines are used with subsequent pumping;
• mechanical - cleaning sewer pipes, risers, wells using a plumbing steel cable. Removes dirt and debris accumulation in hard-to-reach areas of the pipeline. Widely used in everyday life and in various industries.

Hydrodynamic cleaning method

Cleaning machine

Plumbing cable for mechanical error

The choice of cleaning method depends on the level of clog in the sewer line and the location. If a breakdown or flooding occurs, before the plumber arrives, you can try to fix the problem on your own using available methods and means. Self-cleaning is possible in cases where the blockage occurs in the toilet, apartment sewer pipe, siphon, bathtub and sink. Blockages in the riser, inter-apartment pipes of the house, and wells are cleaned with the help of specialists.

Blockage

Problems with plumbing in an apartment or house arise from time to time for every owner, and a common reason for this is garbage. The most vulnerable point is the sewer pipes, which connect plumbing fixtures, prefabricated wells, and septic tanks into one system. The material used for communication, in particular plastic pipes, wears out over time due to stress and frequent blockages. In such cases, it is necessary to replace them and repair the sewer system as a whole.

The first indicator of a malfunction is poor drainage in the bathtub, toilet, or sink. Work to restore the functionality of plumbing is carried out using a plunger or chemicals. Manufacturers of household chemicals have taken care of this, offering to clean the internal surfaces of pipes using alkaline, acidic, and salt solutions, which corrode blockages from accumulated fats and solid particles.

The accumulation of debris in the sink most often occurs in the siphon, which is part of the drain pipe. The work process consists of unwinding the pipe section, removing the blockage, connecting the elements with a new seal and checking for leaks. The cleaning result depends on the level of blockage.

Most often the siphon gets clogged

Disassembling and cleaning the siphon

If the toilet is leaking, then the mechanical method of punching is most often used. The principle of the procedure is to advance the cable to the place of accumulation of dirt with sequential washing. Repeat the process if necessary.

When using chemicals, safety precautions must be observed. To avoid burns, use rubber gloves and safety glasses.

Cleaning the toilet

Leak

Often, the problem of the sewer system is associated with hidden pipe leaks, which results in an unpleasant odor in the room. To find out the location of the breakdown, it is necessary to conduct a visual diagnosis of all elements of plumbing and sewerage; to do this, you need to check:

• sewer tightness;
• water seal functionality;
• riser ventilation.

In the first case, having examined the pipe, make sure that it has not come out of the socket, is not cracked, and that a plug is installed on it. Understanding a broken water seal is much more difficult. Often the problem with its malfunction is drying out during a long period of inactivity, but the main reason for the failure of the water seal is its pulling out when a large amount of water is poured into the toilet in one volley. This phenomenon is typical for multi-storey buildings.

Location of possible sewer pipe leaks

A leaking sewer system pipe can be found in the floor slab of a building; here, elimination of the defect is possible only with the help of specialists and its complete replacement.

Sometimes an unpleasant odor occurs due to improper ventilation. The simplest and most affordable method of restoring its functionality is to remove soot and dirt using detergents. If the ventilation shaft is clogged with debris, then only specialists from the housing and communal services organization can fix the problem.

Leaking at the joint is the most common problem

Check the pipes for leaks

Check the water seal

Check the riser ventilation

Plastic

Tightness, durability, and reliability are the main criteria for engineering communications. What to do if the service life of the pipeline has expired and you need to urgently change it to avoid emergency leaks and blockages. Today, plastic products have proven themselves well for arranging the sewer system. According to their technical characteristics, they have the same properties as polypropylene pipes and are divided into types:

• gray PVC pipes (for internal sewerage);
• orange pipes (for external piping).

PVC pipes vary in length, width, diameter, are light in weight, are easy to cut, adjusted to the installation site, and do not pose any difficulties during loading and transportation. The products, having high strength and a smooth inner surface, are not subject to corrosion, chemical and mechanical stress. The connecting parts do not crack or break when the structure bends; they allow the pipeline to be installed correctly, without mistakes or errors.

All the advantages of PVC pipes allow for quick assembly and installation of the structure. Plastic sewerage, being economical, reliably prevents the adhesion of dirt and the accumulation of debris, and may last for decades.

PVC pipes

Sewer

Today, to create a pipeline system, not only plastic products are used, but also forgotten cast iron pipelines. Thanks to modern metallurgical technologies, new analogues of products have been developed. Today, sewer cast iron pipes have an aesthetic appearance, are not bulky and are divided into two types:

• classic, gray construction materials with lamellar graphite grains;
• modern, high-strength products with spherical graphite grains.

The main purpose of the products is pipelines for sewerage systems with high loads, the installation of which is carried out with minimal cost. Pipe connections are made using sockets, the joints are sealed with special tow. For tightness, in addition to cement, it is allowed to use a modern silicone mixture.

The only difficulty with cast iron products, unlike other types, is the not entirely simple installation, which requires care and patience. Modern pipes, having high technical characteristics, are distinguished by a high level of sound insulation, are protected from corrosion, and are durable. A cast iron sewer system is still in demand, but its installation must be carried out only with the help of a qualified specialist with extensive experience.

Connection of cast iron and plastic pipes

Crack in cast iron and plastic pipe

Sewer repair is never perceived as a familiar part of everyday life; it always causes a lot of inconvenience and expense, especially when a pipe leaks. Long service life sewer pipes lose their sealing over time, forming cracks and leaks. Most often this happens with cast iron pipes. You can temporarily extend its service life using a clamp.

Cracks in plastic pipes in most cases appear from mechanical damage. You can eliminate the leak using sealant, special adhesive tape or cold welding. All repair methods are reliable and long-term; the main thing in this process is to properly organize the repair of the breakdown, strictly adhering to the instructions.

Crack

Sealing tape

Using a bandage soaked in cement mortar

Clogged sewer system

The most common problem with the sewer system that leads to an emergency is its incorrect installation. Most often this happens in private construction. If the water pipe does not provide an insufficient slope to the riser for the free flow of water, then an organic blockage will form. To avoid this, special mobile machines for the sewer system are used, which apply additional pressure to the wastewater.

An important detail when installing a sewer system is the drain valve, which quickly solves the problem of an air sewer plug. Lack of control in areas of the sewer system causes blockages, which cannot always be eliminated even with the help of specialists from a water supply and sewerage repair service. In such cases, replacing the entire sewer system is inevitable. High-quality installation of the entire engineering system guarantees comfortable living for many years.

Guarantees provided by timely maintenance

Owners of private houses and apartments who practice regular maintenance of sewerage networks receive the following guarantees:

• Uninterrupted operation of the system, ensured by the technical features of the pipeline, its throughput and the expected technical indicators of the equipment being operated;
• Minimizing the likelihood of emergency situations;
• Due to the fact that eliminating accidents with the subsequent restoration of sewer networks is much more expensive than timely preventive maintenance, prudent owners have the opportunity to save a significant amount of money;
• Timely information about the current state of sewer networks, as well as the need to carry out planned activities and reconstructive measures.

How to properly maintain your wastewater system?

Pipelines of standard designs are made from pipes of different diameters: for example, water drainage from plumbing can be carried out with 50 mm pipes, and when reaching the riser, the pipe diameter will be increased to 110 mm. In the future, the pipeline expands further, depending on the purpose and design features.

The diameter of the final pipe is usually quite large, so its installation is accompanied by some problems.

If this part of the system is installed poorly, its functions may not be sufficiently performed. The material used to make pipes and other structural elements also greatly affects its performance and features.

Thus, large-diameter reinforced concrete sewer pipes can only be used outside the building, but products made of cast iron or polymers can work in homes. If it is necessary to ensure good aesthetic qualities, glass or ceramic pipes can be used.

Reinforced concrete or plastic is most often used to construct collectors.

Everything written above gives some understanding of how the sewer system works in the city.

Scheme for replacing sewer pipes in a house

When repairing a sewer system on your own, you first prepare a plan diagram, which shows the locations of the nodes, the joints of the pipes, the cross-section of fittings and tees, and the slope of the pipes is calculated.

Usually, replacing a sewer system in a house is carried out along with the installation of a water supply system, which means that these systems are designed on site.

Without a detailed pipeline layout, where all connections and turns are indicated, it will be difficult to calculate the specification.

The plan diagram also indicates the level at which the pipes will be located in relation to the floor, the diameters of the pipes and the schematic location of the collectors and plumbing fixtures.

Having developed drawings and modern materials, anyone can install the wiring. Many do this: they order documentation from designers, and replace the sewer system in the house on their own.

Maintenance goals. Diagnostic measures

The main purpose of emergency or scheduled sewerage maintenance is to clean pipes, which can significantly increase the throughput of the pipeline, significantly improve the operation of all elements of the sewer network, and also extend its operational life, while ensuring optimal functioning.

It is important to note that a necessary part of the maintenance of sewerage networks is diagnostics, called “television inspection of the pipeline.” Thanks to this event, a competent specialist receives reliable information about the need to carry out preventive cleaning of pipes or eliminate massive blockages, which in the near future may lead to emergency situations.

In addition to the above activities, the competence of specialists involved in sewerage maintenance includes the following types of preventive and repair work:

• Inspection of the sewer system, detailed study of the condition of the pipeline, detection of various types of deposits on the internal walls of pipes, accumulated sludge and blockages of any complexity;
• Repair work, the purpose of which is to eliminate problems in the operation of sewer networks in apartment buildings, as well as on private real estate;
• Elimination of existing leaks in pipeline systems, as well as replacement of the pipeline;
• Cleaning sewer systems and, if necessary, removing blockages;
• Hydraulic measures, the purpose of which is to test sewer communications;
• Repair work, as well as replacement of individual components of domestic and storm sewers.

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When is it necessary to replace the sewer system in your home?

Replacing the sewer riser in a house can be either complete - throughout the entire house, or partial - only in one apartment. The latter is carried out when:

• the sewer pipe is leaking in a certain place;
• the owner or tenant of the property plans to carry out a complete overhaul of the bathroom by replacing old pipes with new ones;
• The housing company is carrying out scheduled major repairs to the house.

In Soviet times, cast iron was considered the most reliable material for sewerage. Such pipes, with proper care and timely cleaning, could last more than 50 years. There is no point in talking about reliability after such a period - cast iron pipes become fragile and leak with any impact. There is no point in repairing them; the only reasonable solution is replacement.

There are rules that determine the procedure for replacing sewerage in a house, regulating the rights and responsibilities of homeowners. According to this document, the sewer riser, together with the outlet to the first joint, belongs to the common property of the building, the responsibility for which is assigned to the housing organization. Everything that is located further is the property of the home owner.

The maintenance of property in an apartment building is regulated by regulatory documents:

• Government Decree No. 491 of August 8, 2006 on the maintenance of common property.
• Manual on repair and maintenance of common property dated April 2, 2004.
• Decree of the State Construction Committee of September 27 No. 170 on the standards of technical operation of the housing stock.

Based on these documents, maintenance, repair, and replacement of the pipeline is carried out by the management company. To do this, the owner or tenant of the property must provide their management company with the reasons for requiring the replacement of the sewer system in the house. Management specialists coordinate the time of repair work with the owner of the house, who must create favorable conditions for their implementation.

According to the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, repairs or partial replacement of a sewer riser are paid for from funds allocated by the owners for the maintenance of housing or major repairs of the house.

The owner of the apartment on social rent is the municipality, which pays for all the work.

If the condition of the risers is satisfactory, and the replacement of the sewer system in the house is initiated by the owner of the property or his tenant, then he pays all costs.

Regardless of the fact that the repair work of common property is carried out at the expense of the housing organization, sometimes circumstances arise in which it can quite legally refuse to replace the sewer system in the house:

• if there is arrears in utility bills, the management company has the right to refuse repairs until the debt is fully repaid (with the exception of emergency cases);
• if the tenant or homeowner decided, independently of other residents, to replace his riser;
• if a part of the pipeline in the apartment was previously changed independently.

The management company has the right to refuse to service the sewerage section in the house, the replacement of which was carried out without approval from its side.

And in order to prevent some uncomfortable and even conflict situations, you should:

1. Notify the housing company of proposed repairs, even if you pay all costs yourself.
2. Notify neighbors about the time and timing of the work.
3. Shut off the water in the riser and ask your neighbors not to use the drain temporarily.

Hydrodynamic cleaning

The hydrodynamic method is effective and can restore pipe patency. In order to ensure a trouble-free process of cleaning the sewerage system using the hydrodynamic method, during installation and subsequent repairs it is imperative to provide an opportunity to provide access to each section of this system. Otherwise, it will not be possible to avoid significant financial costs and the need to restore the damaged interior.

The hydrodynamic method of cleaning sewer systems has many advantages. Thus, the cleaning process is carried out efficiently and quickly, in addition, there is a guarantee of the safety of the pipes. This method extends the service life of the drainage system, due to the gentle effect of the water jet. The hydrodynamic method can be used for internal wiring of any complexity. The method is environmentally friendly, since there are completely no harmful chemical effects on the pipeline and the external environment, and there are no emissions of dust and dirt during the operation of the installation. The method allows for cleaning at sub-zero temperatures, which is sometimes indispensable when system elements freeze and ice plugs form in pipes.

Maintaining sewer systems using hydrodynamic equipment is cheaper than replacing pipes if you are faced with the need to restore pipe patency.

Sewerage maintenance, which involves cleaning the system elements using a hydrodynamic method, ensures the injection of a jet under a pressure of 150 atmospheres. Depending on certain conditions, the nozzle of the unit is supplemented with a nozzle, which can be, for example, rotary, punching, or others. The reactive force forces the nozzle to move inside the pipe, the body breaks through the blockage, and jets opposite to the movement of the nozzle remove contamination from the walls.

Maintenance of the system, which involves cleaning the pipes, can be done using a Karcher mini-wash. It uses pressurized water. In order to flush sewer systems, you will need to purchase a flexible hose and a set of nozzles. Some models will provide cleaning of areas whose length reaches 15 m. The use of special nozzles will allow you to clean pipes of any diameter.

Service and repair of wastewater treatment plants: TOPAS, UNILOS, ASTRA, BIOXI, TOPOLWATER

High-quality operation of treatment facilities is impossible without periodic maintenance work. This will help extend the life of the equipment and improve the degree of cleaning. We are a dynamically developing company, working in Moscow and the surrounding area. We offer our clients a full range of maintenance services for autonomous cleaning systems.

Why do you need servicing?

It's no secret that many users are guided by the principle - it works, and that's okay! Extremely wrong approach. Especially if it concerns the operation of an expensive treatment plant. Maintenance of autonomous sewage system "Topas" is one of our main profiles. Timely cleaning will significantly extend the life of the structure and ensure uninterrupted operation without unpleasant surprises in the form of technical malfunctions.

What does maintenance of biological wastewater treatment plants include?

• Blowing/cleaning/rinsing the airlift pump;
• Flushing the grease remover pump;
• Flushing the emergency pump;
• Flushing the emergency chamber pump;
• Rinsing the coarse fraction filter;
• Washing the fine filter and the secondary settling tank stabilizer;
• Removing / installing / adjusting the forced ejection pump;
• Pumping sludge from activated sludge stabilizer;

Chemical cleaning

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Maintenance of the sewer system at the cleaning stage may involve the use of a chemical method, which involves the use of potent reagents. They allow you to soften and then transform condensate-type deposits, including salt deposits, which are converted into a dissolved state during the cleaning process. This process is carried out using special equipment working in tandem with a foamed chemical composition. The latter makes it possible to treat surfaces with high efficiency and specifically concentrate the impact that the reagents have. Foam also creates the effect of mechanical impact.

Maintenance using the dry cleaning method is very effective and environmentally friendly, but has a high cost and is therefore rarely used.