Clogged pipes cause toilets to overflow, sinks to leak and floor drains to overflow. Water escapes and leads to the potential for mold development structural damage and rot if not corrected. Displeasing odors and high-priced repairs are sure to follow.
Plumbers have several methods at their disposal to unclog drains and pipes:
1. Camera Inspections
Optical cameras can be snaked into a pipe to address the root cause of a blockage. This is a tactic plumbers use initially to ensure that the blockage can be removed without further damages. Roots that have grown into a pipe, for example, will require different techniques to remove than a simple hair blockage.
This is a precise method of inspection to find a partial or full blockage.
2. Pipe Uprooting
Pipe uprooting is the process of drilling holes in a pipe every 10 – 25 meters to drain the pipe of sediment. This process further includes the removal of a small drain section that’s replaced with twisted blades to enter the pipe and cut through the roots.
This process is done multiple times to remove the roots and sediment from the pipes.
High pressured jet water cleaning is recommended next. This high pressure will work its way through the pipes and remove any further clogs, sediment and roots.
3. Jetting Pressure
Powerful jets of water forced through clogged or old pipes to remove blockages and buildup. High-powered, jets of water can be forced through the pipes at 5000 / lbs. of pressure using hot and cold water to remove clogs.
4. Sandblasting
Water blasts or sandblasting can be done to clean the surface of the pipe. This will remove all traces of any remaining materials that cause obstruction. This is a very high pressure process.
These four techniques can remove most pipe clogs. If the roots have caused major pipe damage, pipe replacement may be required after the roots have been properly removed.
