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 Mobile ViewPLUMBING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR AGE of PLUMBING MATERIALS & FIXTURES AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES AIR INLET VALVE, WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS, WATER TANK ANTI-SCALD VALVES APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT BACKFLOW PREVENTER VALVE, HEATING SYS BACKFLOW PREVENTER, HEATER WATER FEEDER BACKUP PREVENTION, SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION, SEWER LINE BACKWATER VALVES, SEWER LINE BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE BATHROOM MOLD BATHROOM VENTILATION BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS Bisphenol-A, BPA BLEVE EXPLOSIONS BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS BOILERS, HEATING BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE CARBON MONOXIDE - CO CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR CHLORAMINE / CHLORINE Tests CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER CHLORINE in WATER, HOW TO TEST FOR CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER CISTERNS CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR FIRST SIGNS of DRAIN CLOGGING DRAIN vs SEPTIC BLOCKED DRAIN? BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS Plumbing Trap Clog Repair Drain Cleaner Chemicals Toilet Plunger Method Plumbing Snake Drain De-Clog Kinetic Water Ram™ Opens Drains DRAIN DRAINFIELD DIAGNOSTIC TABLE BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, DIAGNOSIS CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, HOT WATER CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater DEPTH of DRAIN & SEWER PIPES DEPTH of SEPTIC TANK DRAIN & SEWER PIPING DRAIN LINE DEPTH DRAIN NOISES DRAIN a WATER HEATER TANK DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY SOURCES DRYER VENTING ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS FAUCETS & CONTROLS, KITCHEN & BATH FAUCETS, OUTDOOR HOSE BIBBS FILTERS, WATER FLARE FITTINGS FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODED HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR FLOODED SEPTIC SYSTEMS, REPAIR FLOODED WATER HEATER REPAIR FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS FLUSHOMETER VALVES for TOILETS URINALS FREEZE-PROOF PIPES GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION HARD WATER - SOFTENERS HEAT TAPES, Heat, Insulation prevent Freeze-Up HOT WATER HEATERS KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN GUIDE KITCHEN VENTILATION LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEAD WATER PIPING HAZARDS & REMEDIES LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC METHANE GAS SOURCES MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES MIX VALVE SCALD PROTECTION, Best Practices MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENTS MOLD INFORMATION CENTER MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING NOISE, PLUMBING DRAIN DIAGNOSIS NOISE, PLUMBING DRAIN REPAIR NOISE, PLUMBING CHECKLIST NOISE, WATER HEATER NOISES, WATER PUMP ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS IN WATER ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER ODORS SEWER GAS in COLD WEATHER ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES ODORS, URINE REMOVAL OIL FIRED WATER HEATERS OIL-FIRED BOILERS, HEATING OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT OIL FUEL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS OIL & GAS PIPING OIL TANKS OUTHOUSES & LATRINES PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types AGE OF PIPING AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES BRASS WATER PIPES CAST IRON DRAIN PIPING CAST IRON DRAIN LEAK, ODOR, REPAIR CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS COMPRESSION FITTINGS COPPER PIPING in buildings CLEANOUTS, PLUMBING DRAIN CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, DIAGNOSIS CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, HOT WATER CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater DIAELECTRIC PIPE FITTINGS DRAIN & SEWER PIPING DRAIN NOISES FLARE FITTINGS FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS FREEZE-PROOF PIPES GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS GALVANIZED STEEL WATER PIPING LEAD PIPES in buildings LEAD IN DRINKING WATER, HOW to REDUCE LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEAD WATER PIPING HAZARDS & REMEDIES LEAK TYPES, Water Supply/Drain Pipe OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS PLASTIC PIPING ABS Plastic Pipes Polybutylene Plumbing Plastic Pipes Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe Polybutylene (PB) Pipes CPVC Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe PB Polybutylene Pipe Failure Claims PLASTIC PIPE LEAK CAUSES PLUMBING DRAIN CLEANOUTS PLUMBING DRAIN VENTS PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR PLUMBING VENT DEFINITIONS & TYPES PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES REPAIR BURST LEAKY PIPES SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER GAS ODORS SEWER GAS ODORS in COLD WEATHER SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT SOUND CONTROL for PLUMBING SUPPLY PIPING Transite Pipe Water Supply Piping TRAPS on DRAINS VALVES, PLUMBING VENT PIPING WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE WATER PIPES, Clogs Leaks Types Water pipe clog diagnosis Water pipe clog repair guide WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR WATER PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY WATER SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE WATER SHUTOFF VALVE, WELL PUMP WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING PLUMBING FIXTURES, KITCHEN, BATH PLASTIC PIPING FAUCETS & CONTROLS, KITCHEN & BATH FLUSHOMETER VALVES for TOILETS URINALS PLUMBING FIXTURE TRAPS SCALD PROTECTION SHOWERS, TUBS SINKS, FIXTURES SPAS, WHIRLPOOLS, SOAK/JETTED TUBS SPAS, WHIRLPOOLS, INSTALLATION TOILET REPAIR GUIDE Toilet Won't Flush at All Toilet Drain Clogged TOILET REPAIR GUIDE Toilet Won't Flush at All Toilet Drain Clogged Toilet Flushes Poorly Toilet Leak Catastrophes Toilet Runs Continuously Toilet Tank Sweats Leaky Toilet Seals - Odors Loose Toilet Repairs TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY TOILET TISSUE CHOICES TOILET TYPES Toilet Types, Flush Methods TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES TUBS & TUB REPLACEMENTS or RELINERS RANGE BOILERS RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR SEPTIC METHANE GAS SEPTIC ODORS SEPTIC PUMPS SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in buildings SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS SEWAGE NITROGEN CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE SEWAGE PUMPS SEWAGE PUMP CLOG DAMAGE SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER GAS ODORS SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES SUMP PUMPS GUIDE SUPPLY PIPING SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL TANKLESS COILS TANKLESS WATER HEATERS Temperature Pressure Relief Valves - Water Heaters TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET FLUSHOMETER VALVES TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY TOILET PLUGS, SEWER BACKUP TOILET REPAIR GUIDE TOILET TISSUE CHOICES TOILET TISSUE TEST TOILET TYPES Toilet Types, Flush Methods TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES VALVES, PLUMBING VENT PIPING WATER CONTAMINANT LEVELS WATER FILTERS WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE WATER HEATERS WATER HEATER ALTERNATIVES WATER HEATER ANODES, DIP TUBES WATER HEATER AIR INLET WATER HEATER DEBRIS FLUSH WATER HEATER DRAIN PROCEDURE WATER HEATER EFFICIENCY WATER HEATER FLUSH PROCEDURE WATER HEATER NOISES WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS WATER HEATER PROPERTIES WATER HEATER SCALE - De-Liming Procedure WATER HEATER SCALE PREVENTION WATER HEATER SAFETY WATER HEATERS for HOME HEATING USE? WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE WATER PIPES, Clogs Leaks Types WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT WATER PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE WATER PRESSURE REPAIRS & COSTS WATER PUMPS, TANKS, TESTS, WELLS, REPAIRS WATER PUMPS, TANKS, WELLS - BASICS WATER PUMP TYPES & LIFE EXPECTANCY WATER PURIFIERS WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT WATER QUANTITY USAGE GUIDE WATER SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE WATER SHUTOFF VALVE, WELL PUMP WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING CLEANOUTS, PLUMBING DRAIN CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, DIAGNOSIS CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, HOT WATER DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER GAS ODORS SEWER GAS ODORS in COLD WEATHER WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR WATER TANK: USES, TROUBLESHOOTING WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD WATER TANK AIR INLET VALVE WATER TANK AIR LOSS SIGNS WATER TANK AIR VALVE REPAIRS WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR WATER TANK CAPTIVE AIR vs TRADITIONAL WellMate WATER TANK CONTROLS & SWITCHES WATER TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY WATER TANK PRESSURE CALCULATIONS WATER TANK PRESSURE GAUGE WATER TANK REPLACEMENT WATER TANK REPAIRS WATER TANK REPLACEMENT WATER TANK SAFETY WATER TANK SIZE & VOLUME WATER TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE WATER PUMPS & WELLS WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES WELL PUMP PRIMING PROCEDURE WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS WINTERIZE A BUILDING SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR SEPTIC INFO ARTICLES HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK More Information |
Clogged building drain repair: this article explains step by step how to use our favorite drain de-clogger: a kinetic water ram pneumatic tool (rent or buy) to un-block a clogged drain. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.This is a section of CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR, our complete article that explains explains how to investigate slow or blocked drains and septic system backups to distinguish between a probable septic system failure versus a probable blocked building drain. When a building drain is clogged or slow, or when there is a septic system backup, it's important to determine where the problem lies, since the repair steps can be quite different and costs can vary widely. At BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS we discuss traditional blocked or slow plumbing drain methods: taking apart the plumbing trap, using a drain cleaner chemical, using a toilet plunger (old faithful works pretty well), and using a plumbing snake (sometimes). Also see CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR where we include blocked drain diagnosis, and see SEWER GAS ODORS and Sewer Line Replacement diagnosing a clogged drain leads to drain line replacement - step by step photo-illustrated guide to drain replacement, and our main septic systems diagnosis & repair page: The Septic Information Website © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Guide to Using a Kinetic Water Ram™ to Open Blocked Building Drains
How to use a kinetic water ram to clear a blocked drain: a kinetic water ram can be effective in clearing blocked drains and can be rented from your local "rent-all" store. A "Kinetic Water Ram™" [link to buy at Amazon.com] pump uses compressed air to clear clogged building drains is also available. After renting a kinetic water ram drain cleaning tool to clear clogged drains several times we bought one and used it for many years. [You can buy a Kinetic Water Ram but you can also rent one at many tool rental centers.] We were impressed with the quality and strength of our kinetic water ram drain cleaner. A simple mechanical pump compresses air in a cylinder. A rubber fitting is attached to an outlet end of the cylinder and held in place over a clogged drain. When the pump's trigger is pulled the ram releases its air in a bang that tries to blow loose obstructions in drain pipes. The kinetic water ram drain clearing device can unblock some types of clogged drains even when the clog is distant provided you can assure that the drainpipe is full of water when the equipment is used. We rented and eventually purchased this sine-qua-non of mechanical drain openers, the Kinetic Water Ram™ [available to buy on Amazon.com] - a pump device that will usually blow-out clogs, even remote clogs, in building drains. The Kinetic Water Ram includes a stainless steel air pump and rubber fittings that match the business end of the ram to a building sink, tub, toilet, or other drain.
Our kinetic water ram kit came in a steel orange box that included a collection of rubber fittings to let us use the tool with almost any drain opening size or shape. A few of these fittings are shown in our photos above. We have jammed our pony pump and washing machine hoses into this same carrier case but those have nothing to do with using a kinetic water ram to clear a drain. They just spend time together. Steps in Using the Kinetic Water Ram to Clear a Blocked DrainYou can rent a Kinetic Water Ram at many consumer rental centers. To use the Kinetic Water Ram effectively you may need to Inspect to be sure that the plumbing trap for the fixture is secure and not corroded so you won't blow it off of the fixture.
When deciding how much air pressure to pump-to we recommend starting gently, and never use higher air pressure than is needed to clear the drain. Below you'll read why this we give this advice. Special Tips for Using a Kinetic Water Ram on a Bath Tub with an Overflow Drain
Don't Use Higher Pressure than Needed with a Kinetic Water RamWatch out: be careful not to pump your kinetic water ram drain opener to a pressure higher than necessary. You can get quite a splash in the face when you fire off the ram if you're not careful. Worse, in our dentist's office where a chronic clogged drain was later traced to mineral and rust-blocked galvanized drain piping, not only was the kinetic water ram drain clearer useless, in our enthusiasm we blew the trap right off of her bathroom sink. An elated moment of "we fixed the blockage" was followed by an "Oh S***" as the sink full of nasty water flowed out of the vanity base and across the floor of the dental office bathroom. Keep in mind that the Kinetic Water Ram, nor any other product, plumbing snake, etc. is going to be effective if the cause of your slow or blocked drain is mineral or other hard build-up has lined the drain pipe interior. Questions & Answers about unblocking clogged drains using a kinetic water ram toolQuestion: How do I Use a Kinetic Water Ram in a Double Sink?Very helpful and detailed information regarding clogged drains. I plan to rent the Kinetic Water Ram (if Home Depot carries it)you tried out successfully but one issue that was not mentioned in your report. I have the double sink in the kitchen and live alone. I have not been able to successfully plug the 2nd sink drain so I can get full pressure when plunging. Using a plunger, the water keeps coming up the 2nd drain no matter how much weight I put on the plug. The water pressure keeps forcing it to unplug. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance for your suggestions and quality information. - Lori Reply: tips for plugging the second sink drain opening in a double sink when de-clogging a drainYou can rent a Kinetic Water Ram at typical tool rental centers and perhaps at some Home Depot stores. Use an adjustable rubber sink drain opening plug: If the water ram tool set is complete, it includes a set of adjustable rubber plugs that can be used to plug nearby drain openings. These plugs work by using a pair of metal washers on the plug top and bottom and a wing nut. Insert the rubber plug into the drain opening of the higher of the two double sinks and tighten the wing nut to snug the plug in the opening. If your kinetic water ram does not include a rubber plug that will fit and seal the second sink drain in your double sink, such plugs can be purchased at a plumbing supply store. Then you can run water into the lower sink and fire the kinetic water ram to unblock the drain clog. You might want an assistant to help out by continually pressing down on this second drain plug when you fire the kinetic water ram declogger. Try a wet rag as a drain plug: But before buying the rubber drain plug try having an assistant simply ball up a wet cloth and using their fist, lean down on the cloth in the second sink drain opening while you place water in the clogged sink and fire the kinetic water ram.
Watch out to hold the wet rag plug tightly, and don't try this operation while wearing dress clothes. Watch out: for getting splashed (or splashing your assistant) when you fire the water ram. If you are not holding the water ramp and its end-fitting snugly into the drain opening, or if your accomplice is not holding the wet rag snugly in the second drain opening of the double sink, you both may be wet by splash-back. That's what happened to me the first time I tried using this tool. Watch out: A splash-back from a clogged drain can be more than messy. If someone has previously tried pouring a drain de-clogging chemical down the drain, being splashed, especially in the face and eyes, with a chemical could be very dangerous. A Quick Summary of Better Ways to Unclog Slow or Clogged Building or Fixture Drains
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