The mass transfer of plumbing communications from metal to plastic increased their throughput, but the problem of blockages was not completely eliminated. This is especially true for small-format pipelines, which are clogged with both technological and mechanical household impurities. Therefore, the sewer cable has not lost demand either, it helps plumbers and ordinary home craftsmen cope with pipe cleaning.
Rope assignment
Although today there are many technological means of chemical cleaning of sewer channels, traditional mechanical methods of dealing with blockages in some cases are more effective. The cable is usually used during deep traffic jams when a quick release of the circuit is required. The cause of the formation of cork can be a large object,accidentally thrown into the canal, and a high concentration of heavy impurities in the wastewater. There is no worthy alternative to the sewer cable in case of operational blockages, when for a long time the surfaces of the pipeline are overgrown with fatty deposits, sand, fibers and animal hair. Chemical agents in such situations are either simply ineffective or long-acting.
The device and structure of the tool
As the main material for the manufacture of plumbing cables, stainless steel wire is used, which is twisted into a spiral on knitting machines. At the end, a plastic braid is provided, thanks to which the same polypropylene pipes are not damaged during the cleaning process. A standard sewer cable for cleaning pipeline lines is about 1-5 m long, and professional models can reach several tens of meters, which allows plumbers to work with deep industrial channels. As for the diameter, it is 5-10 mm on average, although in special constructional designs the thickness of the product may well go beyond this.
Types of sewer cables
In the segment of tools for cleaning pipeline channels, technological development also does not stand still, and at the moment manufacturers produce cables in several design variations. The most popular include the following:
- Rope models. The base is formed by galvanized steelfibers that are twisted and crimped at the end. This is a classic version of the cable, the advantages of which include elasticity and durability.
- Flexible rope. The design of this product is a steel core (flexible rod), which is wrapped around a metal spiral. This is already a variety close to professional cables, the length of which can reach 60 m.
- Metal tape. This tool also belongs to cables for cleaning sewer pipes, but it is based not on a rod with wire, but on a flat tape with a pointed tip in the form of a spike.
- Spring cables. Modification of the spiral device, but without the core. The elastic spring of small diameter is highly flexible and able to hold its shape in geometrically complex contours.
- Tension cables. A professional tool that is designed to work with deep and hard blockages. Such products are characterized by a high degree of rigidity and the possibility of equipping with various nozzles.
Tips for choosing plumbing cables
The main parameters for selection are length and diameter. For ordinary city apartments, a 5-meter cable with 6 mm in thickness will suffice. Such a device is optimally suited for servicing pipes of small diameter. It is also worth paying attention to flexibility and elasticity. The cable must pass through all pivot points without getting stuck or exerting undue pressure on the pipeline walls. In terms of flexibility, optim althe solution would be a spring cable for cleaning sewer pipes 6 m long and 9 mm thick. Despite the increase in diameter, it also easily passes difficult pipe sections thanks to its flexible design.
To work with risers and horizontal trunk lines, it is recommended to use cables with a length of at least 20 m and a thickness of 13-15 mm. A universal way to select a design by diameter would be to correlate it with the thickness of the target pipe. Experts note that for channels with a diameter of up to 50 mm, you can safely use 10 mm cables. If the pipe cross section varies from 50 to 100 mm, then a device with a thickness of 10-15 mm will have to be prepared. And for large highways from 100 mm, cable models with a diameter of more than 16 mm are available.
What nozzles to equip the cable with?
Not least for the effectiveness of pipeline cleaning is the design and characteristics of the tip. Some models of cables allow you to change them, which makes the tool almost universal. So, the following cable attachments for cleaning sewer communications are the most common:
- The classic brush will remove deposits and deposits on the inner surfaces of pipes.
- Special bottom nozzles are designed to remove heavy sand and stone fractions, as well as construction debris.
- The punch tip can be used to push corks out of compressed debris.
- Loop-shaped nozzles will help to remove the water seal.
- Hook-shaped tip allows you to hook and push rags,fibrous clumps, wool and hair.
Technology for cleaning sewers with a cable
To understand the principle of operation of a plumbing cable, it is necessary to imagine the device of the drain system as such. A siphon (or water seal) is connected to it. This knot has a bend that eliminates the spread of harmful odors. A branch pipe is connected to the siphon, and then a drainage line connected directly to the sewer channel. Actually, the task of the sewer cable will be to pass through these points of connections and bends in order to subsequently remove the debris accumulated in them. The user at the entrance through the siphon immerses the cable into the pipeline, performs rotational or reciprocating actions, and thereby contributes to cleaning the channel. This process will be discussed in more detail below.
Instructions for using the cable
The entire workflow will consist of three steps:
- The cable is unwound and inserted into the drain hole. It should be pushed until a blockage is detected. The difficulty lies in the fact that a garbage plug can be confused with a turning section. It is necessary to perform several jerky actions without strong pressure, and if the obstacle does not change its position, then it is more likely to be a pipeline bend.
- When a blockage is detected, reciprocating movements should be started. It is best to work with a sewer plumbing cable together - one will performpushing movements, and the second - rotational. This technique breaks down compacted blockages more effectively. To soften the plug, it is also recommended to pour hot water with solvent chemistry into the channel.
- After the blockage is knocked out, it is necessary to pull out the cable, and then pour even more hot water into the sewer, which will remove debris from the canal.
Plumber recommendations for cable usage
Experts advise remembering that metal cables need care and special conditions. After use, it must be washed and cleaned, then dried, rolled up and stored in a dry place until the next session of use. You should also take care of the functional equipment of the sewer cable, these are the same tips and a handle through which rotation is performed. If it is provided by the design, then both elements are removed and stored separately. This is especially true for non-metal parts.
Conclusion
Despite the specific device and nature of operation, a plumbing cable is quite a household tool that every homeowner can work with. On the market, such devices are available for little money. In particular, a high-quality 5-meter cable for sewer pipes costs about 500 rubles. Professional models for 10 m with a spring design and a crank rotation mechanism can be purchased for 1000 rubles. As far as rope manufacturers are concerned,it is recommended to give preference to Domochist, MATRIX, Gerat, FIT, etc. Also, do not forget about plumbing chemicals, which will be a good helper in the process of using the cable.
