Drain cleaning is a critical task in plumbing that requires the right approach and safety measures. However, misconceptions about the use of drain cleaning machines can lead to inefficient practices and, more dangerously, personal injuries. Let’s clarify two common myths and provide safer, more effective guidelines.
Myth 1: Rubber Gloves Offer Sufficient Protection
A common belief is that wearing rubber gloves is the best way to protect oneself from the health hazards of sewage while using a snake-style drain cleaning machine. While being cautious of potential contact with sewage is crucial, rubber gloves alone pose a significant risk. The main issue is that rubber gloves can easily get caught in the rotating coils of the drain cleaning cable, leading to severe injuries.
The Safer Approach: Leather Over Rubber
To ensure safety, it’s recommended to wear heavy-duty, two-ply leather gloves when operating a drain cleaning machine. Unlike rubber, thick leather gloves won’t get snagged between the cable’s coils, offering protection against sudden kinks or loops. For those concerned about sanitation, wearing rubber gloves beneath the leather ones provides dual protection, keeping you safe from both mechanical injuries and health hazards.
Myth 2: Use Reverse Mode to Retract Cable
Another misconception is that setting a drain cleaning machine to reverse is the correct method for retracting the cable, especially when using a power feed device. Modern drum-style cable drain cleaning machines are indeed equipped with power feed and guide tubes, simplifying the process of feeding and retracting the cable while enhancing operator safety. These machines typically allow easy switching from forward to neutral to reverse, while the drum and cable continue spinning forward.
Why Forward is Better
Contrary to the myth, reversing the motor and thereby spinning the drum and cable backward can lead to several issues. Drain cleaning cables, often left-hand wound, behave like long, thin springs. Their performance and durability are influenced by the direction of the outer coil, especially when under torque or in motion. Reversing the motor increases the risk of the cable kinking, tangling, or weakening.
The Correct Usage
The correct practice is to keep the machine in a forward motion even when the power feed is set to retract the cable. This alignment with the cable’s natural coiling direction ensures smoother operation and reduces the risk of damaging the cable. The only exception for using reverse is to dislodge a cutter caught in an obstruction, and even then, it should be for a brief period to avoid complications.
Choosing All Clear Sewer And Drain Professionals
Simply put, ensuring safety and efficiency while using drain cleaning machines involves debunking myths and adopting best practices. Opt for leather over rubber gloves for comprehensive protection and maintain a forward direction when operating the machine to prevent cable damage.
It is for these reasons that our experts understand and apply these guidelines to our work. We navigate the complexities of drain cleaning with confidence and security so you don’t have to, and make sure the positive results will last. Give us a call today at (888) 834-3655 for more information about drain cleaning or to schedule an appointment for us to fixyour drains up right.
