If you ever hired a plumbing service for the purpose of drain cleaning, then most likely you heard the term ‘rooter’ but didn’t know what it was. Probably one of the most asked questions when it comes to plumbing is, “What is a rooter?” Today, Rooter-Man Plumbing will discuss what a rooter is, its uses, and how it works.
What is a Rooter?
A rooter is a type of drain-cleaning machine that is used to clear blockages in drain lines. The machinery contains a long, flexible rotating cable that can break up and eliminate clogs from pipes. The name ‘rooter’ came from the early days of plumbing, wherein tree roots were one of the significant causes of sewer line blockages. However, rooters nowadays deal with blockages other than tree roots, such as grease build-up, soap scum, hair, and other debris.
There are two major types of rooters in plumbing;
Hand-Operated Rooter
This is a handheld device designed for removing minor blockages at the point closest to the drain opening. It comprises a flexible cable enclosed in a crank handle with a drill or corkscrew-like head. When the handle is cranked, the cable rotates and is fed into the drain, where the auger head clutches and breaks up the blockage. This tool is best suited for minor blockages and shallow drains.
Electric and Gas-Powered Rooter Machines
These are more powerful than handheld rooters, using an electric motor or a gas engine to drive the cable. These machines are intended for blockages in sewer lines, which are more difficult to operate. These machines come with a longer reach and can be quite effective with larger sewer lines. Many are also equipped with foot pedals for easier operations and are typically used by professional plumbers to clear highly compacted blockages down sewer lines and commercial drains.
How to Operate a Hand Rooter
Follow these steps in operation to clear a blockage using a hand-operated rooter:
Feed the auger cable into the drain line until you get some resistance.
Turn the Crank Handle clockwise to feed the cable deeper inside the pipe.
Break up the clog by turning the crank handle backwards to dislodge the blockage.
Continue Feeding the Cable and turn the crank until the water flows freely.
Flush the drain with Hot Water to wash off the remaining debris and ensure that the water flows freely and easily:
Pro Tip: Avoid being overly aggressive with the crank, as it may snap the cable inside and stretch the pipes. If, at this point, the clog persists, now is a good time to call the professionals.
Operating Electric and Gas-Powered Rooters
The process applied in using an electric or gas-powered rooter machine is almost the same in using a hand rooter. The difference is that these machines use an electric motor or gas engine to supply more power in combating stronger clogs in larger diameter pipes. Because of the power involved, only qualified plumbers are recommended to handle electric and gas-powered rooter machines to avoid injury or pipe damage.
Contact Rooter Man Plumbing for Rooter Services
When you need professional drain cleaning, it is vital to hire a plumbing service that has extensive experience in the line of business and a trusted reputation. Here at Rooter Man Plumbing, we pride ourselves on industry leadership and undertake projects with over 40 years of plumbing experience. Our drain cleaning services include pipe repair, burst pipe replacement, and sewer line repair, among others. We have state-of-the-art drain cleaning equipment including the latest rooter machines to deal with even the more stubborn clogs.
Whether you have just been noticing the signs of a clogged drain or you simply do not want the headache, it is always wise to seek expert drain cleaning services from Rooter Man Plumbing today!