FEATURES 27
Jetters Plumbers would also find jetting equipment useful . Hydro-jetting machines make use of water that is under pressure to clear blockages . The force coming out of these instruments can be so powerful that they could quite literally peel the skin off a human being .
“ Various jetters are used for cleaning ,” says Kaveer Sirkar , manager at NuFlow ( Pty ) LTD . “ The thing to remember , however , is that the jetters can clean the drain , but may not necessarily alleviate the problem if the line you are working on is damaged .”
Sirkar ’ s recommendation is that before beginning a jetting exercise , a camera inspection should be done . This will help the plumber assess what precisely is causing the blockage . If it ’ s debris from a collapsed pipe , no amount of jetting and cleaning will solve the problem – the pipe could need to be replaced .
“ Blind jetting could potentially cause more damage because you have no idea what the source of the blockage is ,” he explains .
The important part of the jetter is the nozzle . This sentiment is echoed by Masenya and Sirkar . Different nozzles perform different functions and can withstand certain degrees of pressure . Some nozzles need a specific pressure and flow in order to function optimally .
Wayne Golding , internal sales manager at Hawk Pumps says , “ It ’ s not just about the pressure , but flow as well . You also need to use the right nozzle to cut and to flush out . The correct selected drain cleaning nozzle fitted with the exact calculated inserts to suit your flow , pressure , and accommodating losses for system set-up are critical to give you optimum nozzle performance and is key to your best jetting machine operation .”
Golding explains his steps for drain cleaning . First , he recommends , that the drain size needs to be determined . Most importantly , though , the plumber needs to be confident that he is able to do the job properly and in a manner that is not just competent , but compliant . “ Start with a standard drain jetting nozzle , which gives you a general all round drain clean . While jetting with this nozzle you must observe what other types of sewer debris are being flushed down the line ,” says Golding . “ While observing the other types of debris – normally things like papers and plastics – you then decide on the next nozzle required . Change your nozzle to the chisel point nozzle which has multiple forwarding piercing jets and thrust or propulsion jets .”
Many of the equipment suppliers provide training for the machines that they provide the industry , so it is best to engage in training before even thinking about which machine you need to use . Of course , you need to know what you are doing before you approach a drain .
We would like to hear from you about what weird things you have found in drains . Log onto our Facebook page at www . facebook . com / plumbingonline / and share your stories – and your pictures . ( Especially if you ’ ve found snakes !)
Some weird stuff plumbers have found in drains :
• An entire cutlery set
• An empty 2 litre Coke bottle
• Drugs
• Money
• Weapons
• A sheep ’ s skull
• A Barbie doll
• Jewellery
• Baseball cap
• Vuvuzela
What SANS 10400-2 says about drains SANS 10400-3 defines a drain as any drainage inside a building that is below ground , but excludes the discharge pipe , the portion of a discharge stack below ground and the bend at the foot of the discharge stack .
Drainage installation vests in the owner of the site , situated on such site and intended for reception , conveyance , storage , treatment of sewage , and may include sanitary fixtures , traps , discharge pipes , drains , ventilating pipes , septic tanks , conservancy tanks , sewage treatment works or mechanical appliances associated therewith . PA
If you encounter things like sand , stones and gravel , you can switch to the grenade bomb nozzle with a hight thrust action and a heavier weight propelling itself along the floor of the sewer line . For fats , greases and calcareous pipe residues you use a 360 ° drain spinner nozzle to clean .
Chain-flail and similar root cutter nozzles are used to remove root intrusions inside pipelines . Each drain jetting nozzle has a specific cleaning action and normally a set of jetting nozzles is recommended to be purchased together with your drain jetting machine , so that you can attack any blockage , obstruction , and problem you find while jetting .
© Plumbing Africa
Balloon pump .
August 2024 Volume 30 I Number 6 www . plumbingafrica . co . za