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.
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– The Drain Brains
Imagine this: You walk into the restroom only to find a snake peeking its head out of the toilet! That’s what happened at a commercial office building recently. Luckily for the building owner, they called James Capelli, a plumbing contractor, and his Gen-Eye™ video inspection equipment. “My Gen-Eye camera has spotted trouble in sewer lines…
After a long and snowy winter, we’ve reached spring! Just as winter has its annual issues, so does spring. The most common issue is the heavy April (and May!) showers combined with the melting of snow as temperatures warm up. As the local rivers and streams start to overflow, there is a strong likelihood that…
Now that we’ve talked about which is the right machine to use for each application, the next question is what is the right cutter to use. Everyone has their favorite cutter, just as everyone has their favorite fishing lore. Clearing Sinks and Tubs: Small diameter drains require smaller, more flexible cutters to negotiate the tight…
Last month we answered the question of what is the right drain cleaning tool for each job. Here are more solutions to drain cleaning problems. Tree roots: For difficult stoppages you should use a larger diameter heavy duty cable that has the torque to cut through tree roots. It is best to use a 5/8”…
Q: Over the years, we’ve accumulated a number of drain cleaning tools. I’m not sure what drain cleaning problem each tool is best suited for. Is there a list to guide me? A: Good question. If you use a drain cleaning tool in the wrong application, it won’t clear the drain properly, and you could…
When the weather turns really cold, pipe thawing season turns red hot! When the inevitable flood of service calls for frozen pipes comes, be sure you have a pipe thawing machine on hand. No matter how well homeowners think they have their pipes insulated, we all know that when the arctic blast hits, pipes are…
The housing industry is beginning to see increased sales of both new and previously owned homes. This market segment can be a great source of business for professional plumbers looking for more than just construction income. Whether it’s a new home, and especially when it’s a resale of an older home, many homeowners are seeking…
Unclogging a sewer or drain is no easy task. Here at General Pipe Cleaners we make the toughest drain cleaners in the business. We have been making drain cleaners since 1930, and we make it our job to continually improve and make our products even more reliable. Over the years we have introduced the Flexicore® cable,…
Water jets are a great way to clear grease clogged lines. If your jet is no longer doing maintaining pressure, follow these trouble shooting tips to get it back on the right track: Make sure you have enough water. The water supply must be adequate to match your jets needs. If you’re using a four-gallon…
Q. Drain cleaning can be messy and dirty. Should I be concerned about disease transmission through wastewater? A. I understand your fears. Rumored dangers of disease transmission through wastewater – particularly HIV and HBV (Hepatitis) – have recently gained traction. And plumbing and drain-cleaning professionals should take sensible steps to safeguard their health. But a…
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.
