Remedy for blockages - principle of action, application, review of types, rating of the best, where to buy and price

Clogged sewer pipes are a worse problem for a homeowner. Calling a sewer system maintenance specialist is expensive and troublesome. You can remove the blockage yourself using a special pipe cleaner.
Manufacturers offer a lot of chemicals that can remove blockages and clean pipes.

Let's try to figure out what the difference is between manufacturers and how to choose a pipe cleaner.

Which product to choose for cleaning pipes

Most drain cleaners are universal, meaning they can be used for any type of clog. However, in some cases special chemistry is needed. There are two types of products on sale:

Alkaline - to dissolve fatty deposits. These are most often used in the kitchen.
Acid-containing - for splitting animal hair, hair plugs and removing soap scum. Good for cleaning bathroom drains.

Plastic pipes require more frequent maintenance - they should be cleaned at the first sign of blockage.

It is also necessary to follow the instructions for use and dosage of the reagent. Neglecting these rules can lead to the destruction of pipe walls.

In addition, drugs may have different concentrations of active substances. The shorter the recommended time indicated on the package, the more effectively the product works. Less active formulas are usually labeled “for prevention.” They are useless if there is a serious blockage.

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In what form are cleaning products available?

Manufacturers of household chemicals produce various pipe cleaners.

The entire range can be divided into several groups depending on the form of release and purpose:

Gel-like. Relatively new, but already in demand, preparations for cleaning sewer drains. Gels act comprehensively - they help get rid of old blockages and prevent the formation of new ones. After washing the pipes, a thin film remains on the inner surface, which improves the sliding of food waste and prevents the deposition of lime and grease deposits.
Bulk. Available in the form of granules or powder, they are suitable for cleaning drains made of plastic and cast iron. They contain concentrated cleaning agents, are easy to dose and are economical to use.
Liquid. Designed to eliminate and prevent blockages, remove unpleasant odors, disinfection and bleaching. Less effective compared to gel or bulk products. They are not used so economically, but they are also inexpensive. Not all liquids can be used to flush plastic pipes.

The ease of use of the drugs depends on the form of release. And their effectiveness is influenced by the quantity and quality of the active components included in the composition.

All cleaners according to their intended purpose can be divided into 3 groups :

Elimination of fatty plugs. Used in the kitchen when the drain is clogged or the water flow becomes worse.
Dissolving hair. The main place of application is a bath or shower stall.
Removing blockages formed from paper, hair, fabric, mineral scale, grease, food waste. Such universal products are suitable for cases where it is impossible to determine what components the plug consists of, or when it is located in a common sewer pipe.

When purchasing any product, you should read the manufacturer's instructions and make sure that it will help solve the problem. Otherwise, money, time and effort will be wasted, and you may even have to replace damaged plastic - siphon or pipes.

The best gels for cleaning pipes

Gel products are the most popular. They are characterized by good fluidity, but they envelop pipes better than liquids, are evenly distributed over the surface of the resulting plug and dissolve it more effectively, at the same time eliminating plaque accumulated on the walls.

"Ruff" - inexpensive universal gel

★★★★★

editorial assessment

96%

buyers recommend this product

Active gel that is suitable for cleaning any type of pipes. Due to its thick consistency, it penetrates deep into the blockage, even if there is water left in the system. The action of the brush is aimed at removing fats, hairballs, food debris, paper and organic waste. The product also copes well with unpleasant odors from the sewer.

To remove the plug, it is recommended to use 500 ml; for prevention, you can pour less gel.

Pros:

affordable price (about 80 rubles per 1 liter);
removes most blockages;
removes odors;
suitable for all types of pipes;
available in most stores.

Minuses:

high consumption;
unsealed packaging.

Many buyers note a low-quality lid that may leak. Therefore, after purchase, it is recommended to store and transport the Ruff gel only in an upright position.

Tiret Turbo – against severe blockages

★★★★★

editorial assessment

94%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

Tiret Turbo is a gel for express pipe cleaning. To remove even complex blockages, just pour it in for 5-10 minutes. The products are much heavier than water, so the gel can be poured into a full sink. Tiret quickly “sinks”, easily penetrating to the site of contamination.

The manufacturer recommends pouring 250 ml of gel, which indicates economical consumption of the product. Tiret Turbo is sold in bright red bottles of 0.5 or 1 liter. The lid has child protection and microscopic holes to ventilate the contents and prevent the accumulation of excess gases. After using the gel, the room must be ventilated.

Pros:

sold in almost every store and supermarket;
suitable for metal and plastic pipes;
short duration of action;
low consumption;
thoughtful packaging;
Removes even complex blockages.

Minuses:

expensive (about 350 rubles for 500 ml);
not suitable for toilets, rubber and copper pipes;
acrid smell.

Buyers are advised to monitor promotions on Tiret Turbo - you can often buy it at a better price.

Grass Digger Gel – antibacterial product

★★★★★

editorial assessment

91%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

Grass Digger Gel dissolves fat deposits, hair, and food residues. The product also effectively fights bacteria and unpleasant odors from the sewer. For prevention, it is enough to pour the reagent for only 5 minutes; for complex blockages, it is better to leave it in the pipe for several hours.

According to the instructions, add 300-500 ml of water to the powder, depending on the intensity of the pipe contamination. The product does not have a pronounced pungent odor, so there is no need to ventilate the room after using it. Grass Digger Gel is sold in different pack sizes - 0.75 liter bottles and 5.3 liter canisters.

Pros:

low price (about 100 rubles for 750 ml);
several types of packaging;
removes unpleasant odors;
sold in most stores;
no pungent odor;
works quickly.

Minuses:

high consumption.

For complex plugs, you need to fill in at least 500 ml of product, which makes the consumption of the gel uneconomical.

Comparison of funds

Let's look at the main parameters of the products listed above in the general table.

Name	A country	View	Consumption per 1 time	Time of action	Weight, kg
Mole	Russia	liquid	200 ml	from a few minutes to 3 hours	1 l
Chirton	Greece	granules	200-300 ml	up to 15 minutes	0,6
Tire Turbo	England	gel	5-25 minutes	1
GraSS Digger – Gel	Russia	gel	300-500 ml	from 5 minutes to 3 hours	0,75
PROSEPT	Russia	gel	300-400 ml	from 2-3 hours	1,245
Bagi Pothan	Israel	granules	70-100 mg	3 minutes	0,6
Sanfor	Russia	gel	250 ml	from 5 to 15 minutes	0,75

The best pipe cleaners

Powders are convenient primarily due to their compact packaging - small bags of the product take up minimal space on shelves and drawers. But the compositions of such powders are distinguished by a high concentration of active substances. When using them, you need to strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended blockage time so as not to damage the pipes.

Peak Out - fast-acting drain powder

★★★★★

editorial assessment

98%

buyers recommend this product

Peak Out is a powder product for express cleaning. It is poured into the pipe for 15-20 minutes and filled with a small amount of water. The active components here are sodium nitrate and hydroxide. Fragrances help eliminate unpleasant odors from the sewer system.

The product does not leave residue or streaks on plumbing fixtures and is easy to use. The powder is sold in compact 60 g thick foil packages. The package reliably protects the reagent from dirt and moisture and does not take up much space on the shelf.

Pros:

low price (from 23 rubles per 60 g);
kills bacteria;
removes odors;
does not leave a residue on plumbing fixtures;
convenient compact packaging.

Minuses:

pungent odor when used;
does not corrode hair plugs.

For full use, the reagent must be poured with cold water under high pressure - the powder dissolves less well in hot water and does not act as quickly.

Sanitol "Anti-clog" - the best prevention of blockages

★★★★★

editorial assessment

93%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

Sanitol Anticlog is an alkaline reagent for eliminating blockages in metal and plastic pipes. The product contains sodium hydroxide, soda and surfactants. To combat a small plug, the powder should be poured in for 1-2 hours, in difficult situations it will take 3-6 hours.

To prevent the formation of clogs in the sewer, it is recommended to use the product once a month. One package weighing 90 g is just enough for one such cleaning. The powder is poured alternately with small portions of hot water (200-300 ml each).

Pros:

the cost is only 15 rubles per package;
copes even with complex blockages;
Suitable for metal and plastic pipes.

Minuses:

long lasting;
high level of toxicity.

Sanitol Anticlog is a caustic alkali, so when using the product you must follow safety precautions and avoid getting the reagent on your skin or mucous membranes. For people prone to allergies, it is recommended to additionally wear a mask to protect the respiratory tract from fumes.

Evrika “Floop” – instant drain cleaning

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

72%

buyers recommend this product

Evrika “Floop” is a powder for emergency cleaning of drainpipes. It is also suitable for regular prevention of contamination and removal of minor blockages. It is based on sodium hydroxide, an active additive (boletus), soda, and aromatic fragrance.

This composition disinfects, removes odors, and also eliminates rust, oxide and dirt. It must be used following safety precautions, as the product can leave chemical burns on the skin.

To clean, you need to pour the entire pack of powder into the pipe and fill it with cold water. It takes 15 minutes for the reagent to take effect. The foil packaging with Floop has a convenient notch that allows you to open the package even with wet hands.

Pros:

disinfects;
effective in cold water;
suitable for all types of pipes;
quickly clears small congestions;
removes rust and plaque;
convenient package.

Minuses:

much more expensive than other powders (40 rubles per 60 g);
not sold everywhere.

Evrika Floop is designed for the prevention and elimination of small traffic jams. The powder will not cope with severe contamination.

The best drain cleaners

Liquid products are used for complex stains, as they quickly penetrate deep into the plug and effectively dissolve it. Most often, liquids are purchased to combat fatty deposits in pipes.

However, due to the low concentration of active components, such products are not suitable for breaking through blockages in standing water.

NBT-Siberia "Mole" - a cheap liquid anti-clog agent

★★★★★

editorial assessment

98%

buyers recommend this product

“Mole” is a well-known liquid against sewer blockages, which is produced in Russia. The composition copes well with removing food debris, hair and fat plugs. Due to the absence of odor and dyes, the product looks like ordinary water. However, in reality it is a caustic alkali, which must be used very carefully.

To clean pipes, 250 ml of the product is enough - it should be poured into the sewer for 25-30 minutes. For severe blockages, the manufacturer recommends waiting a little longer. The liquid is sold in plastic bottles with a matte texture so that the bottle does not slip in wet hands.

The tip has a convenient dispenser-clamp, which allows you to pour the product precisely into the pipe and use it more economically.

Pros:

low price (from 50 rubles per 500 ml);
convenient bottle;
without smell;
low consumption;
breaks through most clogs.

Minuses:

difficult to find on sale.

The manufacturer indicates in the instructions that the reagent lasts for half an hour. However, buyers recommend pouring the product for at least 3-4 hours. Housewives note that in 30 minutes the product does not have time to corrode serious blockages.

Deboucher Active – universal liquid for preventing and removing blockages

★★★★★

editorial assessment

92%

buyers recommend this product

Deboucher Active removes grease deposits on pipes, organic dirt, food residues, hair plugs, and paper. The product is suitable for the prevention and removal of blockages, does not damage pipes and enamel on plumbing. However, its formula effectively removes bacteria and unpleasant odors.

According to the instructions, you need to pour 500 ml of liquid for at least 2-3 hours. For complex blockages, it is recommended to leave the product in the drain for a longer time. Deboucher Active is available in 1 liter plastic bottles. The lid is safe and childproof.

Pros:

affordable cost (about 110 rubles per liter);
sold in many stores;
convenient bottle;
corrodes a variety of contaminants;
Suitable for all types of pipes.

Minuses:

you need to wait a long time for the effect;
may not be able to handle heavy congestion.

Buyers note that Deboucher Active is particularly good at breaking through hair plugs. This liquid is suitable for owners of long hair and pet owners.

"Deboucher"

DEBOUCHER (Debaucher) – A special product that perfectly cleanses:

Sewer pipes;
Siphons;
Sinks;
Toilets.

In addition, the drug removes:

Hair;
Paper;
Fat;
Food leftovers;
Organic pollution.

After using “Brawler”, unpleasant odors disappear and all harmful bacteria are destroyed. The composition does not react with plastic and does not damage the enamel coating.

Very important! Cannot be used for aluminum pipes.

How to use

Each bottle has a special “child resistant” cap. To open the bottle, you need to press on the cap from above and turn it counterclockwise. Pour 500 milliliters of drain cleaner into the sink. Wait approximately 1–2 hours. If there is a severe blockage or a long pipeline, you need to pour out one liter of the drug and wait overnight. In the morning, rinse the pipes with a strong stream of hot water.

The composition of " Deboucher " has:

Purified water;
Sodium hydroxide,
Sodium hypochlorite.

How to store

Only at temperatures not exceeding 20-22 degrees. The drug should not be exposed to sunlight. If the drug is stored frozen, its properties are completely preserved after thawing. Be sure to shake the bottle before use.

Safety precautions

This highly caustic substance should be kept as far away from children as possible. Do not use for cleaning aluminum products. It is not allowed to mix the drug and detergents that contain acids. When working, be sure to protect your eyes.

Direct contact with skin must be avoided. If this happens, rinse immediately with a strong stream of water.

Best granular drain cleaners

Granular products are used in difficult cases. They are distinguished by a high concentration of active substances and are convenient to use.

Grupa Inco Ludwik "Hydraulic" - an economical product

★★★★★

editorial assessment

97%

buyers recommend this product

"Gidravlik" - effective granules for removing complex blockages. They are sold in 500 ml plastic bottles. The screw cap reliably protects the product from dust and moisture. The wide neck and thoughtful handle on the bottle allow you to conveniently pour the product into the drain hole.

To remove a blockage, a small amount of granules is enough, so the package lasts a long time. For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to fill the product with hot water. After use, there is no unpleasant odor left in the room, which is especially valuable when working in poorly ventilated sanitary areas.

Pros:

copes with complex blockages;
convenient packaging;
removes odors;
economical.

Minuses:

toxic composition;
difficult to find in stores.

The high efficiency of Gidravlik granules is ensured by the increased content of active substances and, alas, the toxicity of the product. Therefore, when using it, it is necessary to strictly observe safety precautions.

Mole Tornado – active granules

★★★★★

editorial assessment

95%

buyers recommend this product

Mole Tornado is a granular drain cleaner that removes grease and hair plugs, as well as food debris. It is suitable for all types of pipes and does not corrode their walls.

To use, you need to pour the granules into the drain hole and fill with warm water. For difficult traffic jams, it is recommended to repeat the procedure. For the reagent to be fully effective, it takes at least 1.5 hours. Granules are sold in thick plastic bags of 90 g. This amount is enough for 1 use.

Pros:

low price (25 rubles per bag);
found in most hardware stores;
convenient packaging;
no smell;
Suitable for all pipes.

Minuses:

may damage enamel or stainless steel plumbing parts;
works for a long time.

Despite the fact that the product does not have a pungent odor, you need to use Mole Tornado carefully. Dust flying from granules can cause allergies or irritation of the respiratory tract.

Recommendations

When using any chemicals to clean pipes, you must follow safety precautions. Wear gloves. Ventilate the room. Keep away from children. Strongly aggressive drugs should not be left in the pipes for a period longer than recommended by the manufacturer. Plastic pipes may be damaged.

For more effective cleaning, you can use a plunger after pouring the product. If chemicals do not help get rid of the blockage in the pipe, then you should use a plumbing cable or call a specialist to fix the problem.

Important! To clean sewer pipes in a private home, it is better not to use standard chemicals. They will disrupt the favorable environment for bacteria and lead to their death. It is recommended to pour special bioactivators into the sewer system for cleaning septic tanks.