FEATURES 25
What steps does the plumber follow in cleaning a drain ? |
1 . |
Check to see if the blockage is on a trap at the point of use . |
2 . |
Check if the blockage is on a single waste pipe from the |
point of use . ( Point of use could be sink , basin , toilet , |
shower , washing machine ) |
3 . |
Check to see if the gulley is blocked . |
4 . |
Check to see if the stacks are blocked . |
5 . |
Check to see if the domestic line is blocked . |
6 . |
Check to see if the council main is blocked . |
7 . |
Check to see if the septic tank is blocked . |
Drain rods , according to Classen and Masenya , remain the original goto for unblocking drains , despite their limitations . With enough access , drain rods are the old-school and cost effect way to clear obstructions .
How are drains cleaned with rods ? If there is enough access – and there should be – drain rods can be used to clear obstructions . A standard drain rod is two metres long and meant to be straight . It has a female end which is a coupling , made up of two threaded sections . The other end of the rod has a male nut which slides over the rod and is kept on by the sharp 90-degree bend at the end of the rod . This 90-degree bend will fit into the female part at the end of the next rod .
The bend slips through the threaded section and out a designated opening . The male nut slides down and is tightened into place . This gives the rods a great amount of flexibility and strength .
The rods are joined together for the length necessary to reach the obstructions .
There are various attachments that can be put onto the rods to help remove obstructions . The most common of these is the plunger . This is a thick rubber disk which will fill the diameter of the pipe when credit : SA Leak credit : Hawk Pumps
A chain flail attachment from Hawk Pumps
NuFlow Maxi Picote – one of the bad boys in the SA Leak arsenal
August 2024 Volume 30 I Number 6 www . plumbingafrica . co . za