Auger cleaners
There are two types of snake cleaners or augers: motor-driven and hand-powered. Each type uses a flexible, long cable that is fed through the drain opening. The cable ends have a corkscrew that cuts through the clog to either break it down or allow it to be removed. This equipment has the advantage of being able to physically remove any blockages that chemical cleaners can’t dissolve or break down. City Supply is a leading supplier of Spartan Sewer Machines supplies. We are distributors for the major US manufacturers.
Hand-driven augers have a canister that the operator uses to drive the corkscrew through the clog. The effective range is 25 feet for most augers. The strength of the operator determines their power. They work best in small-diameter plumbing applications such as toilets, sinks, and showers.
There are many sizes and types of motor-driven augers, including handheld units as well as truck-mounted models. They work the same way as handheld augers, with a range of several hundred feet. For applications with smaller-diameter pipes, they are more efficient than technicians. Technicians can use larger units to efficiently fit piping sizes up to that found in main sewers.
Air-burst cleaners
Air-burst drain cleaners are made of air, carbon dioxide, or another gas to dissolve or dislodge any clog. The unit pumps the pressurized gas through the piping and directs it to the clog by pushing water through the pipe. There are units that can be used to create the initial gas pressure burst using small carbon dioxide cartridges or built-in compressors.
Air-burst cleaners have the advantage of clearing clogs quickly. Chemical cleaners can take several hours to clear a blockage. They work best in drain lines that are full of water. However, they can also reach blocked pipes further down. They are less effective in areas where the pipes are dry or large-diameter piping like main sewer lines.
Hydro-jetting cleaners
High-pressure water streams are used to clear clogs with hydro-jetting drain cleaners. The technician inserts a nozzle-equipped hosepipe into the drain. The nozzle forces out high-pressure water that has been pumped into it. The water pressure can reach 35,000 psi and is very effective at clearing blockages. Hydro-jetting cleaners are able to be used on long drain pipes unlike other drain cleaners. The only limitation is the length of your hosepipe. They are also effective against most blockages, organic and inorganic.
These cleaners are able to remove blockages and most contaminants from pipes. These cleaners are excellent preventive maintenance tools. Hydro-jetting can be used to clean drain lines that are regularly exposed to potentially clogging substances. This will eliminate the conditions in the pipe that could lead to clogs.
Video inspection
Sometimes, technicians find themselves in the position of having to clean out a drain line that is clogged repeatedly. Technicians clean out the drain and limit the amount and types of waste that are deposited into it. The drain still clogs. Routine cleaning the drain can help prevent flooding and prevent clogs from happening again. However, it is better to identify the source of the blockage and fix it immediately.
Video camera technology has been integrated into drain cleaning equipment, providing maintenance personnel with a powerful diagnostic tool to inspect pipes and identify the causes of blockages.
The system is comprised of a high-resolution camera mounted on a flexible rod which a technician inserts into a drain. The camera captures images that enable technicians to pinpoint the exact location of the problem in an otherwise difficult area. Video camera pipe inspections allow technicians to find the source and location of any pipe leaks and breaks.