Many people ignore the drains in their homes until something goes wrong. More than just a stopper at the bottom of your sink or tub, a drain is essential in whisking away the water from your home through the plumbing system. Backed-up toilets, sinks that are slow to drain, and standing water in the shower are just a few of the pesky problems that signal that it’s time to break out the plumbing tools or call a professional. More severe issues result in extensive repairs that can prove costly, but the good news is that when you learn how to choose the right drain cleaning tool, you can easily tackle most drain issues yourself.
Types of Drains in Your Home
Every home has several types of drains, including those in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. Wherever water comes out, it must have a way to leave. Tubs, sinks, and toilets all have drain lines, but so do your major appliances, such as your washer and dishwasher. These drain lines are just the beginning of your plumbing system, and each connects to the main line where water exits into your septic or your city or town’s water system. Numerous plumbing problems can arise with your plumbing, with a clog being the most common and also among the easiest to fix, even for a homeowner.
Types of Clogs
Clogs afflict drains and pipes, causing standing water in a sink or tub. Serious clogs result in a backed-up washing machine or a flooded basement or main floor.
| Type of Clog | Cause of Clog | How to Prevent | Best Tool(s) to Clear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grease Clogs | Grease being dumped down the drain Washing dishes with significant grease content | Recycle grease Remove most of grease content from dishes prior to washing | If drain cleaner fails, use auger or water jetter to power the clog through the pipes |
| Vegetation Clogs | Tree roots entering main house pipes | Remove trees with invasive root systems | Pipe-freezing kits to access and isolate sections and then drums to clear blockages |
| Hair Clogs | Hair being washed down the drain in bath or shower Flushing facial hair down the toilet or sink | Use a drain trap to catch hair in tub or shower Shave over a solid surface and toss hair in the trash | Drain snakes, augers, drums and water jetters are all suitable tools |
| Object Clogs | Toys being flushed down toilet Jewelry or small objects falling from edge of sink | Don't place objects too close to sink ledges | Depends on the size of the object lodged in the drain Augers, drain snakes, water jetters and drums all work |
Knowing exactly what type of clog you’re facing helps determine which tool to use for the best results. If you cannot clear a clog with tools, a professional can help resolve it before it does more damage.
Types of Tools
Several types of drain-cleaning equipment are designed to help clean drains. These tools range from essential to handheld and, for stronger drain clogs, electronic tools. The type of tool you’ll need to clean out the blockage depends on the kind of clog you’re facing.
Basic Drain Cleaning Tools
When a clog strikes, it’s not uncommon to reach for the liquid drain cleaner, but you’ll find that there are times when it’s not strong enough and requires additional tools. Drain cleaning tools like drain snakes are popular for toilets and sinks and are best used for minor drain problems such as a clump of hair. They are long metal sticks narrow enough to fit within your tub or toilet to push through or break up the clog. They’re often used with an auger, which features a hook-and-loop design that grabs the source of the clog so you can pull it out. Augers are especially helpful in capturing and removing small objects such as jewelry and toys.
Electric Drain Cleaning Tools
Clogs more profound in the plumbing system require more power than a simple handheld tool can. In these instances, the best choice is electric drain cleaning equipment. RIDGID offers several electric drain cleaning machines, including drums, water jetters, and the Auto-Clean™ sink machine.
Drums
Drum machines work with sink lines that range from 3/4 to 10 inches in diameter. They deliver water at high torque levels to propel obstructions through the line using cables or cutters, depending on the type of blockage you have. Ridgid’s drum machines deliver high RPM using powerful induction motors. They’re suitable for clearing hard and soft blockages such as tree roots, food build-up, grease, and sediment. Since the snakes have cables that can pinch, could you make sure to pick up a drain-cleaning mitt to protect your hands?
Water Jetters
Water jetters from Ridgid come in electric and gas models, ranging from mid- to very high-PSI. They work in sink lines up to 10 inches wide and use a flexible hose to propel through soft blockages, including grease, sludge, and soap. They also benefit from flushing the line, restoring full water flow. Water jetters work in the home and commercial applications, and Ridgid offers several models with high-HP motors for fast performance.
Auto-Clean Sink Machine
The Auto-Clean Sink Machine is Ridgid’s patented technology. It’s a single drain unblock tool with a flexible hose and a MAXCORE™ cable that works in lines ranging in widths for working in areas with large or small pipes. The Auto-Clean Sink Machine blasts through obstacles in the sink and tub or shower drains. It’s useful for soft blockages such as hair, soap, and grease.
Other Drain Cleaning Tools
In addition to actual drain cleaning equipment, other tools combine with it to effectively clear blockages quickly and seamlessly. These parts include pipe-freezing kits and threading tools, which often come in handy if you’re looking to buy drain-cleaning tools.
Pipe Freezing Kits
When you need to isolate a section of a pipe to perform repairs, a pipe freezing kit helps. It’s a valuable tool when shutting off the water is not possible. The kit works by blocking off a section of the pipe, preventing the water from flowing through and inhibiting the work process.
Pipe Threading Tools
Pipe threading tools are handy when replacing a drain or section of pipe in the sewer. They help prepare new pipes for joining if a pipe replacement is necessary, such as if a blockage is too strong to clear. These tools include sealants, cutting oil, dies, and adapters.
Drains are pesky, but choosing the right drain cleaning tool can help clear obstacles and restore natural function. Check out our extensive collection of Ridgid drain-cleaning tools to find ideal equipment for your home or business.
