How do plumbers unclog drains?
Technology is ever-changing and the plumbing industry is no exception. The arsenal of tools that licensed plumbers use to clean drains has improved exponentially in recent years. If there is a blocked drain on your property, you will want to hire a plumber who owns the correct tools. These tools enable plumbers to diagnose drainage issues and remedy them in the quickest and most effective manner.
1. Plumbing Cameras
Plumbing cameras don’t clean drains but they are an essential diagnostic tool used by drainage plumbers. Also known as CCTV drain cameras, sewer cameras or pipe inspection cameras - plumbing cameras are used to inspect the condition of plumbing pipes and identify any damage or blockages in the line.
These small CCTV cameras are attached to long fibre-optic cables that send real-time footage back to a monitor from inside the pipes. This footage is used to understand the nature of the blockage and the best method for repairing it.
Different blocked drains require different repairs. For example, if the footage shows the drains are blocked due to a build-up of oil and wet-wipes, the most effective remedy will be high-pressure drain cleaning using a jet blaster. If on the other hand the plumbing inspection reveals a collapsed pipe, the plumber may need to excavate a small portion of pipe and replace it.
Prior to the invention of plumbing cameras, if a plumber needed to inspect your drain or sewer line, they often had to excavate the pipes to determine what the issue was. Without plumbing cameras a plumber must take an educated guess at the cause of the clog. Drain cameras take the guesswork out of blocked drains and minimise any unnecessary digging or excavation work on your property.
Click here for more information here on how a plumbing camera inspection works
2. Pipe locators
Pipe locators are another essential tool that reduce the need for unnecessary excavation work. Rather than digging up the entire line, plumbers can use state-of-the-art pipe locating equipment to pin point the exact location of the damaged pipe or clog.
3. Jet Blasters
When it comes to drain cleaning hydro-jetting equipment is the holy grail. Jet blaster machines work by forcing pressurised water through drain pipes using a hose and nozzle attachment. The water pressure achieved using hydro-jetting can reach upwards of 5000 pounds per inch (psi). The water is sprayed in multiple directions ensuring thorough drain cleaning. As the hose moves through the sewer pipe, it loosens debris and flushes it out of the pipes. Jet blasters will not only burst through almost any clog, they also clean the inside of drain pipes eradicating all traces of oil, debris and mineral deposits so that the drain works more effectively.
Jet blasting machines are considered superior to older drain technology such as drain snakes and electric eels because they are more efficient and safer for pipes. Outdated drain cleaning tools can damage pipes because they use friction to unclog the drain. When the cable spins on an electric eel, for example, the cutting heads can thrash around inside the pipes hitting the sides and causing damage. Because jet blasters rely on high-pressure water to clear the blockage (without the need for harsh chemicals or friction) there is much less chance of damaging the interiors of the pipes throughout the process.
4. Plungers
While plungers are nothing new, they still remain an integral tool in a drainage plumbers inventory. Plungers can be used to clear all kinds of blockages including sink drains, showers and toilets. Many homes will have a standard cup plunger. However, most people don’t realise that there are different kinds of plungers suitable for different kinds of drains. The two main types of plungers are flange and cup plungers. A toilet plunger (aka flange plunger) has a circular rubber flange in the middle of the rubber cup which ensures a better seal around the irregularly shaped drain opening. A sink plunger or cup plunger, on the other hand, has only a rubber cap which is more suitable for flat drain openings.
Need a plumber to unclog your drains?
JAB Plumbing Solutions is a team of expert drain plumbers and we carry all the necessary tools to get your drainage problems solved fast. Our trucks are fitted with a range of jet blasting machines suitable for residential pipes, small apartments and commercial properties. For more information about our drain cleaning services give our team a call today on 1800 225 552.
