Drain rods and rod sets

Rod and joint design

Common sets use screw joints or locking joints. Screw-jointed rods must be rotated only in the direction that keeps them tightened. Flexibility should suit the drain run without encouraging forcing around unsuitable bends.

• Joint security
• Individual and total working length
• Rod diameter and flexibility
• Compatibility of attachments

Attachments are task-specific

A rubber plunger, double worm, drop scraper and retrieving tool do different jobs. An attachment should match the suspected obstruction and pipe diameter; an oversized or cutting attachment can become lodged.

• Plunger for pressure and movement
• Worm for some soft obstructions
• Scraper for deposits in a known suitable pipe
• Retrieval attachment for material that should come back

A safer decision process

1. 1

   Inspect the access point without entering it

2. 2

   Establish the likely downstream direction

3. 3

   Connect and test every joint

4. 4

   Feed and rotate only in the joint-tightening direction

5. 5

   Add one rod at a time and count every section used