Recommendation points
- Manual pipe cleaning methods
- Sewer cleaning tape
- Plumbing cables
- Auto-feeding hand drums (“turntables”)
- Stationary drum with manual activation
- Other devices for manual cleaning
- Spiral for sanitary ware
- Pneumatic plunger
- Air gun
What devices are there for manually cleaning sewer, heating and chimney pipes? What devices are there based on a plumbing cable? How much do modern hand tools cost? What is their principle of operation? You can find answers to these questions in our article..
The problem of wear and clogging of sewer pipes has been known since their inception. The reasons can be different, from careless use to accidents, but the result is always the same – the pipe must be returned to sufficient (former) permeability.
For convenience, several terms should be immediately explained:
- Cleaning device (PU) – a device, device or machine designed for cleaning pipes. Consists of activator and cleaning tool.
- Cleaning device activator (APU) – PU element, with the help of which an effort is created to overcome the blockage and cleaning.
- A cleaning tool (PO) is a PU element that directly destroys or removes blockages.
All methods of pipe cleaning are subdivided according to the applied force and, as a consequence, in terms of efficiency, into manual, driven and pressure. Drive machines are additionally classified according to drive power.
Manual pipe cleaning methods
The method involves manual activation and control of the cleaning tool. The rotary or stubborn force created on the activator is transmitted to the cleaning tool. Devices do not contain electrical parts.
Sewer cleaning tape
The main element of the device is an elastic continuous steel strip 12–25 mm wide and 2–3 mm thick. The length can vary from 10 to 60 m. Designed only for punching blockages.
Cleaning tool – lance-shaped tip that breaks through the blockage.
Activator – the tape is pushed through the pipes manually.
Principle of operation – the tip breaks through the blockage.
Sewer tapes:
| Name | Parameters | Price, rub. |
| KERN Stahlband KS-1207, Germany | Length 7.5 m, thickness 2 mm, weight 1.36 kg | 1,400 |
| KERN Stahlband KS-1923, Germany | Length 23 m, thickness 2 mm, weight 5 kg | 4300 |
| General Pipe Cleaners 25BH, USA | Length 7.6 m, thickness 2 mm, weight 1.45 kg | 1,600 |
| General Pipe Cleaners 75CH, USA | Length 23 m, thickness 2 mm, weight 5 kg | 4650 |
| Electric Eel 1 / 2FST50, USA | Length 15 m, thickness 1.6 mm, weight 4.6 kg | 3200 |
| Electric Eel 3 / 4FST100, USA | Length 30 m, thickness 3.2 mm, weight 17.1 kg | 12 100 |
| RIDGID E-2724, USA | Length 7.6 m, width 2 mm, weight 1.4 kg | 3200 |
| RIDGID E-2737, USA | Length 15 m, width 2 3 mm, weight 7.3 kg | 9 050 |
Plumbing cables
This PU has been known for a long time – one of the first methods of removing blockages. Such a cable consists of a flexible shaft, entwined with a rigid wire, and an activator handle (“double lever” system). The core can be made in different ways, but the main feature is that the cable cannot be bent or broken.
In modern design, they can have a plastic shell (so as not to spoil the sanitary ware) and more comfortable ergonomic handles. Also, plumbing cables are subdivided into “household” ones, with the help of which they solve problems in living quarters, and professional ones – they clean street and sewage systems..
Cleaning tool – a tip with hooks or threads, a partially untwisted wire at the end of the cable.
Activator – bearing knob or just a metal tube with a retainer.
Principle of operation – an elastic cable, pinched in the crank, transfers rotation to the software, which destroys the blockage. If the blockage has a fibrous structure, the hook winds up and removes it.
Plumbing cables:
| Name | Parameters | Price, rub. |
| Home series | ||
| Remer, Italy | Met. plastic sheathed rope, 2.5 mx 8 mm, 0.8 kg | 115 |
| BIBER, China | Galvanized spring wire rope, 3.5 mx 5.5 mm, 1.2 kg | 156 |
| Bradex “Plumber”, China | Plastic with steel core, 1.2 mx 12 mm, 1 kg | 170 |
| FIT, China | Galvanized steel, 10m x 9mm, 3.2kg | 720 |
| Professional series | ||
| “FLEXICOR” 25FL2, Russia | Stainless steel, 7.5 mx 10 mm, 3.6 kg | 3600 |
| Gerat, Taiwan | Steel twisted wire with a core, 7.5 mx 13 mm, 11.2 kg | 6,200 |
| ROTHENBERGER ROPOWER HANDY 71975, Germany | Stainless steel wire and core, plastic knob, 12 mx 12 mm | 9 100 |
| Gerat, Taiwan | Twisted steel wire with a core, 23 mx 13 mm, 24.5 kg, add. items included | 10 800 |
| “FLEXICOR” 100FL3, Russia | Stainless steel, 23 mx 13 mm, 26.5 kg | 17200 |
Auto-feeding hand drums (“turntables”)
They are a rope with a twisted sheath made of elastic stainless wire. The cable is placed in a movable drum to which the handle is attached.
Auto feed function. The handle has a trigger with a drive in the form of three static ball bearings covering the cable. When the trigger is pressed, the bearings compress the cable spiral, and a translational movement occurs – the spiral, rotating around the axis, passes through the stationary rollers and gradually removes the cable from the drum.
During operation, the device is suspended by the operator. The drum always has a handle for rotation and an adapter for connecting an electric activator – a screwdriver or drill.
Cleaning tool – pear-shaped wire spiral.
Activator – hand crank or drill.
Manual cleaning drums:
| Name | Parameters | Price, rub. |
| RIDGID Kwik-Spin with AUTOFEED, USA | Working diameter – up to 50 mm Rope – Ø 6.3 mm, length 7.7 m Weight – 1.6 kg | 1,500 |
| RIDGID POWER SPIN with AUTOFEED, USA | Working diameter up to 50 mm Rope – Ø 6.3 mm, length 7.7 m Weight – 2.2 kg Reinforced construction, met. drum cover | 2700 |
| RIDGID K-25-BP, USA | Working diameter – up to 50 mm Rope – Ø 8.0 mm, length – 7.7 m Weight – 3.6 kg Aluminum parts | 7 650 |
| RIDGID K-25-DH, USA | Working diameter – up to 50 mm Rope – Ø 8.0 mm, length – 7.7 m Weight – 3.6kg Swivel head | 8550 |
| Electric Eel HE-1 / 4E15, USA | Working diameter – up to 75 mm Rope – Ø 6.4 mm, length – 4.6 m Weight – 2.4 kg | 3500 |
| Electric Eel Model HE-5 / 16E35, USA | Working diameter – up to 75 mm Rope – Ø 8.0 mm, length – 10.7 m Weight – 4.2 kg | 5 350 |
| ROTHENBERGER ROSPI, Germany | Working diameter – up to 50 mm Rope – Ø 6.4 mm, length – 4.5 m Weight – 1.4 kg | 4950 |
| ROTHENBERGER ROSPI 10 H + E PLUS, Germany | Working diameter – up to 70 mm Rope – O 10 mm, length – 10 m Weight – 4.8 kg | 17,050 |
Stationary drum with manual activation
It is an enlarged version of a manual “turntable” with full functionality. The drum is installed in a tubular frame, which serves as a handle for carrying and holding during operation. Otherwise, the device completely repeats the manual version..
Manual “turntables” for pipe cleaning:
| Name | Parameters | Price, rub. |
| General Pipe Cleaners “Osa-mini” 400 (450FL2), USA | Working diameter – 40-100 mm Rope – O 10 mm, length – 15 m Weight – 13.2 kg Nozzle – drill | 17200 |
| General Pipe Cleaners “Osa-mini” 400 (475FL3-DH), USA | Working diameter – 50-150 mm Rope – O 13 mm, length – 23 m Weight – 25.5 kg Nozzle – articulated drill | 25800 |
| Electric Eel KK-1 / 2IC50, USA | Working diameter – 32-100 mm Rope – O 13 mm, length – 15 m Weight – 25.4 kg Swivel head, Shark Tooth knife | 23100 |
| Electric Eel KK-1 / 2IC100, USA | Working diameter – 32-100 mm Rope – O 13 mm, length – 30 m Weight – 37.2 kg Swivel head, Shark Tooth knife | 31,600 |
| ROTHENBERGER 3S, Germany | Working diameter – 4-100 mm Rope – O 13 mm, length – 15 m Weight – 17.5 kg | 30,500 |
Other devices for manual cleaning
In search of a convenient combination, engineers created combined fixtures for domestic use.
Spiral for sanitary ware
Device for gentle cleaning of water locks, siphons and elbows of toilet bowls, urinals, sinks, trouble and other sanitary ware products. It is a small combined plastic knob with a handle on bearings and a flexible elastic cable in a plastic sheath. Designed for household use.
Spirals for cleaning sanitary ware:
| Name | Parameters | Price, rub. |
| ROTHENBERGER WC-BLITZ RO-3, Germany | Working length 1 m, weight 2.5 kg | 1,700 |
| RIDGID K-3, USA | Working length 1 m, weight 1.9 kg | 1850 |
| RIDGID K-6, USA | Working length 2 m, weight 2.5 kg | 3050 |
| General Pipe Cleaners HB-150, USA | Working length 1.5 m, weight 2.5 kg | 2200 |
Pneumatic plunger
Manual pump with a nozzle in the form of a plunger suction cup.
Cleaning tool – air. Activator – hand pump.
Pneumatic plungers:
| Name | Price, rub. |
| ROTHENBERGER ROPUMP, Germany | 1,650 |
| KERN, Germany | 3400 |
| ROTHENBERGER ROPUMP SUPER PLUS, Germany | 6 300 |
Air gun
The improved pump with the function of accumulating air under pressure. A small reservoir the size of a polyurethane foam cylinder serves as a pneumatic chamber. Air is blown into it manually, then air is released by the trigger. A hose is attached to the chamber, which directs the air stream to the blockage. The distance between the gun and the blockage is up to 50 meters. It is possible to connect a compressor and clean radiators.
Cleaning pneumatic guns for sanitary ware manufactured by General Pipe Cleaners, USA:
| Model | Price, rub, |
| Typhoon TN | 16800 |
| Typhoon TNS | 34300 |
| Typhoon TNS-B | 48300 |
In the next article we will talk about mechanized pipe cleaning devices with electric and gasoline engines, as well as hydrodynamic machines..
Can you provide some tips or techniques for manual pipe cleaning?