Whenever you face an issue of blocked drains, you must immediately seek the assistance of professional plumbers. It is because, the tools and equipment used by them which are technologically advanced, thus enabling them to locate the position and identify the exact cause of the blockage.
In The Following Sections, We Have Listed Some Of The Tools And Equipment Used By Professional Plumbers To Clean Your Drains.
- Snakes
It is a long metal pipe that easily moves around the drainage system. These bear resemblance to actual snakes thus got the name ‘Snakes’. They are flexible and can easily bend, thus ensuring effective cleaning of the drains. Plumbers use either manual snakes or motorized snakes. The manual drain snake must be operated manually, thus making it less effective when compared to motorized drain snakes. The plumber leaves the snake in the drain and as the auger moves ahead in the drainpipes till it reaches the actual source of the blockage. The mouth of the snake has a corkscrew-like apparatus attached which is then activated to remove whatever is blocking the drain.
- Hydro-Jet
High-pressure jet spray, also known as hydro-jet, cuts through the clog like a knife. This equipment is also used to clean the inside walls of the drainpipes to remove any accumulated oil, grease or any minerals that create an obstruction to the flow of water in the drain pipes. Using a hydro jet for cleaning makes the pipes as new as ever. A plumberis required to go through special training before they can operate a hydro jet as it is very difficult to handle the high-pressure water. They are required to wear protective gear to save themselves from any serious injuries, in case of an accident.
- Video cameras
A plumberuses small-sized high-definition video cameras to access the drainpipes that are otherwise difficult to access manually. The camera is attached to a long metal coil which is then left in the drain to get a clear live feed on a monitor. The video camera helps the plumbers find the exact spot of the problem and start working on it as soon as possible. This way they do not have to dig up the entire ground and waste time. The camera is water proof, hence they continue to function under water.
- Power rodding
This equipment is very much like snakes or drains augers, the only difference being the sharp blades attached to the end of this equipment instead of corkscrew like device . Once this equipment is activated, it will cut through the blockage, shredding it to smaller pieces. The trash that’s blocking the drain cannot be removed with this equipment, but it can be drained by flowing a large quantity of water in the pipe. To use this equipment, a plumberrequires proper training.
- Chemical based drain cleaners
Many plumbers nowadays avoid using these chemical cleaners because they are very harmful. They are made of strong acids that can cause skin irritation, rashes or even burn the skin. When the cleaners are poured into the drain it melts the debris or other substance that is causing the blockage, thus dissolving it completely. The fumes generated during the process are harmful, hence you will notice the plumbers wearing a mask.
Conclusion
These are some of the most basic and widely used equipment by plumbers for residential drainage system cleaning. You might find other small tools or equipment used by your plumber that are specific to a particular problem, but they all one way or the other make cleaning drains a lot easier and quicker.