Keeping your sewer line free of debris and flowing is the easiest way to cut your drainage maintenance costs and prolong the life of your sewer system, notes Francis Taylor Management. A sewer line without nasty blockages is less likely to leak or develop other problems.
But what is the best method for keeping a sewer line flowing?
Sewer rodding answers that question. Sewer rodding makes up for most of the shortcomings of other drain-cleaning methods in terms of its affordability, ease of use, safety, and effectiveness. What is sewer rodding, how does it work, and when should you use it?
What is sewer rodding, and how does it work?
Sewer rodding is a procedure for clearing debris from a blocked drain line. Because it is versatile, this drain-cleaning method is used for all drainage systems and a wide range of drain blockages, including tree roots and sludge.
To rod a sewer line, flexible rods of about three feet each are connected end-to-end to make them reach into the deepest recesses of the sewer line. The top of each rod is threaded to allow another rod to be screwed right on top of it.
This rod is inserted into the sewer line via a sewer cleanout, with a head attachment on one end. A sewer cleanout is the vertical pipe sticking a few inches above the ground outside your home. It has a cap or plug which can be removed to grant easy access to the sewer line.
If the sewer cleanout is unavailable, a plumbing vent on the roof or toilet drain (preferably on the ground floor) can be used. If a toilet is used, the toilet must be removed before the sewer rod can be inserted into the sewer line.
Once this step is completed, the rod is pushed into the drain line with more rods added. Since they are flexible, these rods can navigate the bends/elbows in the sewer line, albeit with a little resistance. The rod will stop when it hits the blockage inside the line.
Once the head attachment is in place at the site of the clog, the plumber will twist the rod clockwise to hook or dislodge the debris inside the pipes. Spinning the rod clockwise ensures no rod becomes unscrewed and lost inside the sewer line.
When the clog has been cleared, the rod is retracted, and the head attachment is removed and replaced with a plunger. The plunger is inserted into the sewer line until it reaches the site of the blockage. It is then used to push the dislodged debris out of the line.
This is how the manual version of sewer rodding works. However, there is another version of sewer rodding known as power rodding. This is a more advanced method that uses a high-tech electric motor instead of a manually controlled rod.
The basic principles of manual sewer rodding and power rodding are the same. A flexible cable, equipped with a head attachment armed with sharp teeth sized to match the diameter of the pipe, is inserted into the sewer line and attached to the electric motor.
The electric motor rotates the cable to push it into the sewer line. As the cable rotates, it spins the cutting head. This movement removes the clogs inside the sewer line and scrapes pipe walls. It is powerful enough to remove tree roots.
Power rodding is a more potent method than manual sewer rodding, and it is the preferred method for dealing with difficult blockages such as those caused by limescale, sludge, and tree roots. Power rodding is suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial sewer systems.
Advantages of sewer rodding
- Removes deep clogs
Sewer rodding can access blockages deep inside a sewer line, the kind of clogs that are inaccessible to other drain-cleaning methods.
- It is safe
The risk of pipe damage is minimal with sewer rodding, even power rodding. To ensure the safety of pipes, a competent plumber will camera inspect the sewer line before rodding it.
- It is cost-effective
Sewer rodding saves money directly and indirectly. Using this method to clear your pipes will prevent future sewer line problems.
- It is suitable for preventive maintenance
Rodding your sewer line yearly is a great way to maintain the long-term performance of the sewer line and prolong its lifespan.
When Do You Need Sewer Rodding?
You need sewer rodding if you are dealing with the following situations in your home:
- Foreign objects inside the sewer line
- Persistent drain clogs and blockages
- Multiple slow drains in your home
- Sewer odors inside the house
- Tree root intrusion into your sewer line
To conclude, before you order sewer rodding, ensure your plumber knows what they are doing.