Over the years, our customer service staff has collected tips to avoid various problems, tricks to get you out of jams, hints on the right tool for the right job, and so on. This Ask the Drain Brains blog is a selection of some of those hints and tips. You can search by category, for instance, Drain Cleaning, Sewer Cameras, Water Jetters, Cool Plumbing Tools and more.
Feel free to ask a question or to add a new tip or idea. Just click on the Contact button below.
– The Drain Brains
Since the debut of high-pressure water jetters more than thirty years ago, it’s fair to say that they’ve revolutionized the drain cleaning industry. First, they put another arrow in the contractor’s quiver when he or she is struggling to open a grease, sludge or sand-clogged sewer line. Second, working in tandem with pipe inspection camera…
Q: I dread winter. Every time an arctic blast moves south, the pipes freeze in one of my buildings. What method do you suggest to thaw the pipes and get the water moving again? A: The first thing to do is insulate all your pipes, especially those located close to the outside walls. Then, when you…
Q. I handle maintenance for a fast food chain, and the grease clogs are wearing me out. I clear it with my snake, but the clog comes right back. Is there a better tool for clearing grease clogs for good? A. Nothing clears a clog for good, but the best tool to clear grease clogs…
“When you have hot water gushing through the kitchen ceiling of an historic landmark in mid-January, you don’t waste time fooling around!” That’s how Bob Schneider of Schneider Plumbing & Heating described the scene at a renovated hotel in Northampton, Mass., one frigid January evening. Pipes had burst between floors, flooding food preparation areas as…
Today we’re addressing one of the most common questions that the Drain Brains at General get asked: How do I load a cable into a drum? Watch this short 3-minute video with tips for properly loading a drain cleaning cable into a drum of a General Pipe Cleaners drain cleaning machine. More Information Contact the…
When it comes to clearing clogs with a water jet, there’s a nozzle for every job. Some nozzles are designed with maximum penetrating power, some are designed to pressure wash pipe walls and others are designed to handle tight bends. At General, we make our nozzles from hardened steel, so they last longer. Below…
“It takes longer to write up the bill than to unclog a drain with that tool.” That’s how Dale Smith describes the Kinetic Water Ram® from General Pipe Cleaners. The lightweight, compact device safely, quickly and cleanly clears clogged sinks, toilets and tubs with the power of compressed air. It’s also given Smith a clear…
If you have old drain cleaning equipment, you’d better make sure you check out the machines before you use them. Older machines don’t have the safety features of the newer drain cleaners. First things first, you’ll want to inspect the equipment for safety. Here’s what to check for on old equipment: Check the power…
For tough blockages that can’t be cleared with a cable drain cleaning machine, water jetters can save the day. In the past, cable machines were the only option available. They do a great job of cutting roots and debris, as well as removing objects from drains, but certain types of stoppages can’t be cleared with…
After four decades, Jack Elvig Sr. still values performance and reliability in drain cleaning tools. “I’ve been exclusively in commercial property maintenance since 1966,” Elvig said. “And in that time, I’ve developed a pretty clear picture of what works and what doesn’t.” That’s why the Seattle-Tacoma maintenance professional favors General Pipe Cleaners’ equipment, especially the Power-Vee™…
Check out our Pro Tool Selection Guide or chat with a Drain Brain! We can help you by answering any questions about our products you may have.
