What tools are used to clean drains?
Today you can find a fairly large assortment of equipment that is used to clean sewers. It differs from each other not only in appearance and design, but also in its operating principle. The most popular are:
- high pressure apparatus;
- cable;
- plunger;
- electrical appliance;
- blowing device.
Equipment for drain cleaning
Each tool is relevant when a blockage occurs, however, in order to use it correctly, you need to know the operating principle of each.
High pressure apparatus
Removing blockages using a high-pressure cleaner is considered an effective and simple way. It doesn’t take much time, and in this case you won’t need to use any physical force. The method consists of creating a high pressure water flow, which on its way washes away the deposits that have formed from the walls of the pipes. The device is connected to the sewer tee, and over time it gradually moves towards the riser.
Stages of work:
- The hose, which is intended for cleaning, is inserted into the sewer pipeline.
- To prevent waste water from leaving the pipe, its hole is closed with a special plug.
- A hose for supplying liquid is connected to the water supply; it is equipped with special nozzles, which create high pressure. Some models are characterized by a jet pressure of 200 atmospheres. Liquid is supplied to the hose tip using a pump.
- The hose with the nozzle is pushed along the entire length of the pipe, however, cleaning should begin from the highest point in the apartment, which includes the kitchen sink.
In the past, this drain cleaning device was used in addition to mechanical tools such as a metal cable. After removing the plug, it simply flushed the inside of the pipeline, since the pump power was not enough to remove the blockage. However, today, due to improvements in pumps, it can operate independently.
Sewer pipe cleaning process
The positive aspects of this method include:
- ease of use;
- ease of work;
- damage to plumbing is excluded;
- achieving quick and excellent results.
Due to its mobility during operation of the device and high power, the device unhinderedly performs its functions without damaging the internal parts of the system.
Rating of the best models
To make it easier for users to choose equipment, experts have compiled a rating of the best models.
RIDGID
This is a reliable machine with a long operating period without any malfunctions. The unit is equipped with a flexible metal cable.
Equipment advantages:
- The body is made of high-quality material, which has increased strength and resistance to corrosion.
- Ease of use.
- Removing any blockages, including complex ones.
- Convenient cable storage without tangling or twisting.
GENERAL PIPE
High-quality equipment that is in high demand. The machine cable is reliable, flexible and highly durable. The end of the cable is equipped with a heart-shaped steel nozzle, which quickly and effectively breaks through even the most difficult blockages. The equipment can be used for any sewer systems.
Advantages:
- Ease of use.
- Removing any blockages, including complex ones.
- Long operational period.
Poseidon
This series includes several types of machines, namely:
- High pressure units.
- Hydrodynamic devices.
- Devices for cleaning channels.
Each type of device has the following advantages:
- Easy to transport.
- Can be used for various types of sewer systems.
- High degree of reliability.
- Possibility of choosing a car with different engine types.
- High quality equipment.
ROTORICA ROTOR GRAND
This is an electric unit that is recommended for use for cleaning pipes with a diameter of 50 to 300 mm.
Advantages:
- Large selection of attachments.
- High engine power, which allows the device to be used for heavy duty applications.
- Easy to transport.
- Can be used for products made of different materials.
- Availability of a special rack for storing attachments.
G.DREXL MINI-Power 75
This is professional equipment recommended for use for cleaning internal pipelines.
Advantages:
- Effectively clearing blockages without damaging products.
- Easy to use.
- Stable base.
- Light weight.
- Easy to transport.
- The kit includes a large number of attachments.
ROTHENBERGER
This manufacturer offers various types of equipment:
- Handmade products.
- Electromechanical devices.
- Hydrodynamic devices.
- High pressure machines.
Advantages:
- Can be used at home and in businesses.
- High build quality.
- The kit comes with a large number of attachments.
- High efficiency.
A sewer cleaning machine is a device that quickly removes blockages of any complexity. Any type of equipment is easy to use, so it can be used at home.
Cable
If a blockage occurs deep in the pipeline, or in places where it passes (in the wall or between walls), a cable is used for cleaning. It is made of low-carbon steel, the outer surface is coated with a layer of zinc. In appearance, this device for cleaning sewer pipes looks like a perfectly bendable spring, at one end of which there is a special handle - an activator, with the help of which the equipment is set in motion. The other end is equipped with a spiral, with the help of which the layer of deposits in the pipe is broken through.
Clearing the blockage using a cable is carried out as follows:
- To achieve a better result, it is better to remove the siphon from the pipe. The end of the cable with the tip is sent into the pipeline, the second end with the handle should be conveniently placed in the hand.
- To push the device deep into the pipeline, you need to rotate it. It is best to do this clockwise to avoid breaking the flexible shaft as it may come loose. It is rotation that allows the device to go through various bends and curves in the pipe.
- When you find a plug, be sure to start twisting the cable harder, this will allow it to break through, thereby eliminating the blockage. If the cable gets stuck in the pipe, you need to twist it left and right. If the tip is equipped with a hook attachment, then all accumulated debris must be removed from the pipe.
- After completing work with the cable, you need to open hot water and clean the pipes, and the pressure of the water flow should increase over time.
Checking the quality of work using cable sewer cleaning equipment is carried out visually; if the water leaves without problems, then there is no need to repeat the work.
Advantages of cable construction
The advantages of the method include:
- eliminating not only plaque, but also unpleasant odors from the pipe;
- system disinfection;
- simplicity of design;
- low cost of the device.
Operating the cable does not require calling a specialist; you can eliminate the problem yourself.
Tools and equipment
The working element for cleaning is a metal cable. Sometimes its functions are performed by a spiral or strip made of spring steel, capable of maintaining elasticity even with a long pipe length. The maximum length of the pipeline being processed is considered to be 100 m, although there are special machines capable of working with longer cable lengths. Variants of the design of cleaning equipment have been created that work on the same principle, but are capable of removing blockages in different conditions or in special sections of the pipe. Let's take a closer look at them.
Manual method
Mechanical cleaning of sewer pipes with hand tools is used in apartment systems or in the internal sections of the drainage network of private houses. There are plumbing cables on sale that can be used as an independent tool or as an accessory for drive mechanisms. As a rule, the length of the cables does not exceed 10 m (usually 3-5 m), which is quite enough to remove blockages in a horizontal pipeline. Working with the tool is not difficult - the cable is inserted into the pipe, rotated around the longitudinal axis, while simultaneously pushing forward. The blockage is destroyed and washed away piece by piece with streams of water.
Also read: How the sewage system works in Venice: features of the system where wastewater is discharged
Electromechanical installations
These are devices where an electric motor is used to rotate the cable. The share of manual labor is reduced, which makes cleaning easier and more efficient. The disadvantage of this method is the need to connect the motor to the power supply. The technique is used to remove large old blockages that occur indoors or near them.
Petrol-mechanical machines
When using this method, a gasoline engine (ICE) is used to rotate the tool. Mechanical sewer cleaning of this type allows you to work in field conditions, away from power sources. It is used for servicing industrial or stormwater networks, collectors, and main pipelines. Usually a car is used, on the chassis of which a winch with a cable and a feed device is installed. The machine drives to the inspection well closest to the point of blockage. The cable is fed into the pipeline and destroys the plug. When the blockage is destroyed, the channel cavity is thoroughly flushed.
plunger
The plunger is one of the simplest and safest sewer cleaning devices. It is a device that has a handle on one side and a rubber bowl on the other. Most often it is made of wood, however, there are models made of plastic or metal. During work, it is important to ensure that the bowl completely covers the pipe opening and that the liquid level is above it. Only in this case can you get a positive result.
Work should be carried out according to the recommendations:
- The overflow hole is closed with a rag or a lid, this is done in order to avoid reducing the pressure on the resulting blockage.
- The bowl of the tool is located above the hole, the rubber part must be pressed against the surface of the sink, the edge of the equipment can be lubricated with Vaseline.
- Make pushes up and down; the rubber part must not come off the surface.
- With a sharp movement, tear the plunger away from the surface of the sink.
- Repeat cleaning attempts with this device several times.
When cleaning your sewer line properly, the clog should clear up quickly. To prevent frequent traffic jams, you can use a plunger regularly for preventive purposes. The main thing is not to overdo it, as you can break the siphon.
Electrical appliance
The occurrence of complex blockages requires the use of an electric device to clear the drain. The tool operates from a power supply, the rotating shaft operates using an electric drive. Such equipment is used in pipes of various diameters.
The peculiarity of the tool is that a special mechanism is responsible for pushing the tip, which controls its rotation speed. When the shaft moves, the electric drive rotates. The device operates without noise, and is also capable of removing blockages from stone or wood.
The advantages of the method include:
- speed of work;
- achieving a quick positive result;
- removing blockages from hard and rigid materials.
Noise absorption during operation is carried out using a special casing, which is placed on the electric drive. In addition, it provides protection against various types of damage.
Electric drain cleaning machine Rothenberger R600 with a set of accessories
Kinds
The classification of devices used for cleaning sewer paths is most often carried out according to the principle of their operation. There are:
- Mechanical tools;
- Electrical.
Mechanical or manual tools such as Mole are used for cleaning pipes through the use of cables, hooks and hoses, the operation of which is controlled by a person. It is easiest to describe the operating principle of such devices using the example of a plumbing drill. A tip of the required shape is put on the steel wire (depending on the problem, you can choose the right type). After twisting movements, the cable is inserted into the sewer pipe and advanced to the point where the blockage occurs. Further, depending on the type of problem, the blockage is either pushed into the main (larger) pipeline or pulled out.
Photo - mechanical cable
At first glance, a special cable is a fairly simple device, but it will be quite difficult to perform without preparation with your own hands. Pay attention to the specific design of the conductor: one layer of wire is applied clockwise, while the other is applied counterclockwise. Depending on the thickness and cross-section of the wire, it can have from 2 to 5 or more thread-like components. During production, the wire must necessarily rotate along its axis, since during operation its normal rotation is within the range of up to 35 thousand per minute in a spiral.
Photo - manual plumbing cable
An electric tool for cleaning domestic and industrial drains works a little differently. Its feature is the presence of a special mechanism that is responsible for guiding the end of the cable into the hole in the pipeline. This device has a more complex design: a cable for cleaning the system is wound on a shaft. Which in turn is connected to a handle or another mechanism that controls its rotation. During movement, the shaft unfolds the wire, and the specialist only needs to guide the cable into the communication hole. Naturally, the use of these devices is simpler, but their price is much higher than that of manual ones.
It should be noted that sometimes the shaft is connected not to a manual handle, but to an electric drive by connecting to a local power supply. These are professional devices for cleaning and preventing the formation of blockages in sewer pipes of various diameters.
Photo - operating principle of the cable mechanism
There is also a special device for blowing communications (for example, Ridzhit). It can be used for cleaning smoke and furnace communications or for cooling the extreme indentations after cutting pipes. Unlike mechanical cleaning, the air method can be used on all types of communications. With its help, a strong air flow enters the pipeline, which has such high pressure that it easily destroys construction waste, rubble, stones, and growths. There are also special attachments for such a machine, but it is often used without them. hydraulic machine works in a similar way , only instead of air it directs a stream of water into the pipeline.
Previously, these techniques were used as an auxiliary means of combating blockages, but now they are often used as independent technologies. After using these types of devices, it is advisable to chemically clean the pipeline.
Photo - professional pipe cleaning tools
Video: cable for cleaning pipes
How to choose a device
Cleaning and flushing sewer pipes requires the use of special equipment. Difficulties immediately arise with his choice. Experts recommend using devices that fit the diameter of the sewer pipes. In addition, it is important to consider the recommendations:
- Pipes with a cross-section of 50 mm are cleaned with a cable, the diameter of which is usually 10–20 mm.
- External and internal sewage drains are cleaned with cables whose diameter does not exceed 14–16 mm.
- If the sewer is quite wide, then it is necessary to use cables whose cross-section exceeds 16 mm.
- To clean plastic parts of sewer pipes, it is better to use combined plastic tips.
- Pumps can be used to flush pipes with hot water; they are also suitable for use in conjunction with a high-pressure device.
To remove household blockages, experts advise using combined drain cleaning tools, since with their help you can achieve quick results without damaging individual parts of the plumbing equipment.
