No one thinks about how a civilisational convenience like drainage works. Naturally, that's until it fails. Characteristic signs of a blockage include poor drain flow and unpleasant odours in the kitchen and toilet. However, any issues here can be resolved.
In such cases, blockages can be removed with a drain cleaning cable. This is a specialised plumbing tool that looks like a regular cable, but its durability secret lies in a metal core around which a stainless material tape is woven. One end of the tool has a flexible shaft, which makes it easier to rotate the cable.
Drain Cleaning Cables – What You Need to Know
So, there are several types of plumbing cables. Short ones, up to 5 metres, are designed for removing blockages in private homes or apartments where the drainage system isn't very long and pipe diameters are small, i.e., up to 60mm. Such a cable allows access to narrow pipes and, due to its flexibility, can clear blockages and clean the system.
Another type of cable differs in length and is made of a stiffer material. This more robust type of cable allows for the cleaning of more severe blockages in a house. If the end of the cable is slightly frayed and tangled, it can easily retrieve the cause(s) of the blockage.
The third type of cable is semi-professional, with a diameter of up to 13mm and a length of up to 25m. This is needed in emergency situations for vertical drainage risers. Such a cable can handle pipe blockages where flow is less than 80%.
The most powerful plumbing tool for drain cleaning is the fourth type of cable. It has a diameter of 16-18mm and is capable of breaking through any accumulated mass in the pipe. A characteristic feature of this cable is its rigidity. Hidden within its core is a metal rod, which, with a certain movement, transforms into a steel whip.
By familiarising ourselves with the four main types of pipe cleaning cables, we can draw conclusions and make decisions on which type of cable is needed for each specific case.