Sewer jetter tool

[PoorOwner]

has anyone used this kind of tool? It's basically a pressure washer hose with a self pulling jet. I have a kitchen drain that will have a partial blockage every few months.

Part of the problem is this tiny 2" drain is shared with bath tub upstairs. There is still hair in the pipe from the previous owner that it traps the grease. I have snaked it whenever the symptoms appears probably 4 times now, got a few hair but I am thinking there is just buildup from grease and a snake just pokes a hole (It's abs and the clean out cap is 2"). Just got the jetter too now and looking for your experience.

By the way when using a snake, how do you know you have reached the main? I have heard it is easy to get tangle up once it drop into the main, I have never reached it with the 25 foot hand unit but I am switching to a 50' and progress with caution

 

[Gmonkee]

Any corner or deposit will stop a snake and some chemicals will break down the hair blockage.

But you need that chemical to set on whatever a bit to work right.

Really only the big commercial power snakes rip out the clogs totally but those cost money.

It's a game you play blind and just hope for good results.

 

[Warrenator]

I have the Clog Hog, works great. It has one jet that points forward, and three jets that point sideways and a little backwards so it pulls itself along. You hook it up to a pressure washer and just shove the end down a pipe. Has to be a pretty big pipe, don't think you can get it through a sink trap,,but I have used it through cleanouts, through open floor drain after a toilet was removed, and also into open tees of cast iron drain pipes under my house. I have no doubt whatsoever that if I had not used the clog hog and had called a plumber, he would have just said "you gotta replace it all, it is rusted solid." (60 year old cast iron pipe, not all the slopes were done correctly and anyplace where the pipe laid fairly flat, rust and sludge had built up to the point where the drain passage of a 3 inch pipe was about the size of your pinky.)

I jetted out all the problem areas, only had to replace one 2 foot piece that could not be saved. The clog hog busted the rusty areas up and sent all the rust and sludge away down the pipe.

I bought the 100 foot version, it pulls itself down the pipe but is smooth so it doesn't get stuck. When it stops pulling I pull it back a foot or so, let it pull back slowly into the pipe, repeat, eventually it goes on.

 

[slip knot]

we use them in the floor drains at work. They do seem to do a good job there. I believe the floor drains are 3in. but it should work ok in 2in as well.

 

[Chris705]

Is this pipe accessible along its full length? Think there was a discussion about those expandable fittings that you connect to a garden hose, they expand and wedge themselves into the pipe and then use water pressure to clear out the clog, pipe would want to be underground or in basement area or you might run risk of water damage inside house. I used one with good results many years ago, no knowledge of the pressure washer jet device.

Anyone know why the garden hose & pressure washer hyperlinks formed w/o my input?

 

[gdocktor3]

I am a plumber by trade, work in a hospital unclogging lines every week, and have experience operating large sewer vac trucks with 2" hose and big 3"+ jetter fittings. Listen to me when I say take your time. Go forward 3 feet, bring it back. Go forward 6 feet, bring it back and so on. If possible, start at point A and try to work your way to a clean out or another sink/toilet and then start again from there. You should have a clean out on your main sewer line right before it goes out the house through the foundation. It might be a good idea to have someone assist you and try to listen to where you are in the pipe. If they wait at the clean out before exiting the house, you'll know when to stop before risking getting it stuck. Never try to go the full length if you have clean outs or access through other fixtures. Work from one point to the next and when you do start at the next point, try using the snake first. It is always best to try and pull debris out rather than push it forward into the unknown. Remember, take your time and don't force it. If you come to a stop, assess the situation and try to figure out why. I've seen old cast iron pipe break apart from all the pressure and constant banging from the machine.

Also, if you don't have clean outs, it doesn't take much to cut a pipe in half with a sawzall, start from there with the machine, and then use a fernco or coupled to get it back together.

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

Anyone know why the garden hose & pressure washer hyperlinks formed w/o my input?

Those come from an auto-advertising server. The site is connected to another site called VigiLinks, which looks for certain keywords and converts them into links that take you to a page where you can purchase the item in the link. The site owner gets a small cut of the proceeds. It's how websites can provide "free" services without going broke.

 

[PoorOwner]

The cleanout is outside the kitchen.
There is a small sewer cap on the driveway probably 50 feet away. I was wondering how you would go up stream from this and meet the pipe in question. I think it is not possible.

I plan on marking the snake and proceed very slow, I have the autofeed now so returning is not too bad. Usually a blob of white grease is captured in the auger bulb With a bit of hair caught in the coil.

we are careful after eating to wipe the dishes down, But washing something like the cast pan, pouring kids milk left over.eventually put grease there.

 

[Chris705]

2" direct to exterior? Are you on a public sewer or septic tank? A 2" line direct to exterior makes me think there may be a dry well for grey water that is no longer working correctly?

 

[PoorOwner]

the sink trap is 1.5", regular sewer service, I assume it gets upsized to 2" since the cleanout cap measures about 2" i.d.

 

[rlitman]

If it's draining and not currently totally clogged, I'd try chemical treatment first. In TWO steps.

What I'd do is first use a foaming drain cleaner (since I'm on a sewer and don't have to worry about damaging a septic system). The 2-part liquids work, but I've had good luck with this granular stuff:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-2-lb-Crystal-Heat-Drain-Opener-ZUCRY2/100086662
Follow the instructions, but it may take several treatments. After the first treatment, you'll know if you can use more than the recommended amount safely (if you add more than the drain can take, bad things happen).
This stuff boils rapidly when it contacts water, and splashes and fumes a lot, so get it down the drain dry, then pour a few ounces of warm water over it, put the cup over the drain and step back. The problem with these cleaners is that the recommended amount is really best at cleaning the trap, and nothing down-stream of it, so you may need to eventually use double the recommended amount, and apply it 5 or more times to really get at the hair clog further down. Give it some time to work. Hair doesn't dissolve instantly.

After using the caustic cleaner, the next day (and every day after for a few days), I like an enzyme cleaner. These aren't so good on hair, but will eventually break down sludge. This stuff:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-64-oz-Drain-Build-Up-Remover-ZLDC648/202056509
The secret is this. First, run a LOT of hot water down the drain. Get the pipes good and hot. Then pour a cup or so of the enzyme down the drain, followed by just enough water to get the blue out of your sink (don't wash the enzyme out). Then let it sit overnight and do its thing.

 

[gdocktor3]

I don't know the setup of your house, but the chances of you opening that sewer cap and coming into the sink is almost impossible. Do you have a basement and where is your washing machine? Once you clean this out, put a good mesh strainer in your kitchen sink.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Once you have it clean make sure everyone with long hair uses one of these (upside down):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZGJX4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

. . . to hold down one of these:

http://www.idealtruevalue.com/store...feed=Froogle&gclid=CLqYm53hy84CFdccgQods-MMpA

Make sure they are used EVERY TIME and your problems will be reduced 75%. If you can get your woman to not send stuff down the kitchen sink that shouldn't be sent down the kitchen sink, and any teenage girls to not send "feminine products" and condoms down the toilet, the other 25% will be resolved also.