drain cleaning

Get frozen metal water lines flowing with Hot-Shot 320^® and Hot-Shot 400^® pipe thawing machines from General Pipe Cleaners.

General’s compact units safely thaw pipes in minutes – without tearing up floors or walls, digging around pipes in frozen ground, or using hazardous blow torches.

The Hot-Shot 320 generates 320 amps of thawing power to thaw up to 100 ft. of 1-1/2″ pipe – yet weighs just 30 lbs. The powerful Hot-Shot 400 generates 400 amps of thawing power to thaw frozen lines up to 175 ft. long and 1-1/2″ in diameter.

Stuck on a job with only a 15 amp breaker? Hot-Shot 400’s dual level output lets you switch to 320 amps – and pull just 14 amps.

Hot-Shot units are easy to use, too. Just attach the clamps to the frozen pipe section – and plug the machine into any convenient 115 volt outlet. In just minutes, the frozen pipe thaws out.

Safety features include thermal overload protection and circuit breakers. Made in the U.S.A., General’s rugged devices also feature heavy gauge steel cases – and carry a two-year warranty.

See the Hot-Shot in action at drainbrain.com/hot-shot Or for more information, contact the Drain Brains^® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300.

A lot changes in a decade, but for A. Pederson’s Plumbing in Dallas, Oregon, you wouldn’t know it by looking at one of the Maxi-Rooters from General Pipe Cleaners coming off the company’s trailer. Pederson’s two Maxi-Rooters have been the company’s go-to machines for more than 10 years, and with the exception of the feed bearings, they retain all their original components, including the original Flexicore® cable.

“When you look at what else is out there on the market, there’s nothing quite built like the Maxi-Rooter,” says Trenton Hargrove, plumber at A. Pederson’s Plumbing. “While other companies’ machines are predominantly plastic, the Maxi-Rooter is built like a tank. It’s a really beefy machine you can throw around and don’t have to worry about it breaking down.”

Family owned and operated since 1973, Pederson’s provides a wide range of plumbing services to Oregon’s Willamette Valley region. In recent years, the company has taken on more jobs in the commercial and industrial sectors. One such job that comes to mind for Hargrove involves a new construction site, an uncooperative line and a can of glue.

“A site had 3″ lines that were clogging up, which is uncommon for new construction,” Hargrove recalls. “A company that specializes in drain cleaning wasn’t able to figure out the problem, so we pulled the toilet and put a camera down the line. We found out someone dropped an ABS glue can down the line that glued itself to the pipe. We sent our Maxi-Rooter and ripped it right out!”

Built for portability as well as power and capacity, the USA made Maxi-Rooter rolls on 10″ ball bearing semi-pneumatic wheels and has V-belt stair climbers for easier transport up and down stairs. The machine clears roots and heavy stoppages in 3″ to 10″ lines and holds 125 feet of 3/4″ and 150 feet of 5/8″ Flexicore cable.

General’s heavy-duty Flexicore cable has a wire rope core tightly wound inside. It offers superior kinking resistance and unequalled strength with the right amount of flexibility. It’s so tough that it carries the best warranty in the business. Take a look for yourself and see it in action!

For cutting tough tree roots, Hargrove and his team use a 24″ leader at the end of the snake on the Maxi-Rooter. The flexible leader helps get around tight bends and traps and takes most of the abuse on a job, which helps preserve the integrity of the machine’s snake. Hargrove remembers one particularly daunting root job in which a giant oak tree outside a house had caused a significant line break in a 3″ pipe.

“These roots kind of make their way in there and we were probably 35 to 40 feet down the line the line,” Hargrove remembers. “With the Maxi-Rooter, we were able to clear it in 45 minutes with no problem. That’s why it’s our go-to machine!”

Pederson’s loyalty to General products goes back more than 20 years. Along with its trusty Maxi-Rooters, the company carries General’s JM-3080 gas powered water jetter and several Super-Vee small line drain cleaners in its arsenal. However, the Maxi-Rooter is a company favorite. Beyond its low maintenance and heavy-duty construction, Hargrove says the Maxi-Rooter’s sheer performance makes the machine a worthwhile investment.

“In addition to the power and mobility, we are able to clean these lines out faster, which saves our customers money,” Hargrove concludes. “We’re able to fit more jobs in our day, so we’re making more money. And when you don’t have to worry about downtime of fixing machines, it makes the Maxi-Rooter a very desirable piece of equipment to carry around.”

These days have been pretty busy for Bulldog Contractors. “When COVID first appeared, there wasn’t enough hours in the day to get everything accomplished. And once stimulus checks hit, there was a huge spike in work flow. We have been very blessed and fortunate to be working through the pandemic,” says Jeff Keller.

A licensed master plumber, Keller works for his father in running Bulldog Contractors in northeast Texas. Bulldog Contractors is a well-rounded company that strives to provide a one-stop shop for its customers, and that’s why Keller specializes in service work for plumbing, electrical and septic, and carries multiple licenses in electrical and septic as well.

Yet, the career path for Keller wasn’t always defined early on. When Keller was in high school, he wanted to be a veterinarian based on his love for pets and animals. “I honestly didn’t have the grades for it, so if I had to guess, I would be in the oil field chasing that dollar,” says Keller.

But watching his father succeed in business—and life—was huge for Keller. “I honestly never thought of following in his footsteps growing up. But as I got older, and needed a summer job, I fell in love with the overall variation of different types of jobs and people I encountered on a day-to-day basis,” says Keller.

To Keller, his father was his biggest motivator. “He put me on a higher pedestal than I would have liked growing up as a kid, but in the end, it turned out very well and it kept my mindset on track. Also, some very deep guidance was from my grandfather—on my mother’s side—as well. The advice, stories, and memories that I have retained has been priceless. If I could be half the man my grandfather was …. they just don’t make them like they used to!” says Keller.

Keller has never looked back as his love for the trades has grown over the years. “In the service industry, you just never know what you are getting yourself into that day,” he says. “I like the uncertainty. The jobs are never identical. It keeps you on your toes and the mind busy,” says Keller. Oh, and as for Keller’s love for animals? “With my current career, I get to see multiple houses a day and their pets; I bond with them and that’s a cool small aspect of my day.”

Moving the Trades Forward

Concerning to Keller about the trades, though, is the quality of work and labor. “With the trades dying, so does the manpower to get projects completed. So, it’s a rat race to get in and out and onto the next one. Years or even sometimes months down the road we are fixing issues that could have been resolved if some time and quality was put into a job,” says Keller.

One of the biggest concerns for the trades overall is to infuse young, skilled labor into the trades. “It’s all about advertising and education; they go hand-in-hand. We really need to be getting into the school systems and reaching out to the youngsters. With the way this world is going at this moment, this will be a never-ending battle and a hard one to tackle. ANYTHING is possible, though!”

And when those recruits are ready, Keller suggests not going to school—unless required—to learn the trades, especially if you are going into the service industry. “What a service technician knows and understands isn’t taught in a book. Get into the trade, get your eyes and ears in the field, and become a sponge. Learn everything you can,” says Keller.

Work/Life Tilt & Spare Time

Balancing family time and work is often tough to navigate. Keller’s family understands that sometimes the phone rings and he has to take the call, yet he will always make time for them. There will be work and money to be made, regardless, says Keller and his family is the most important thing that he has and cherishes.

“Some days I make a lighter work load to pick the kids up from school and take them on a field trip, or doctor appointments. I took my middle girl, Elyse, out to ice cream the other day, just us. The little things are what they will hold onto and remember for years to come. My father did the same for me and I plan to pass that onto my family, as well. You must make time for your family because the kids will be grown and gone before you know it,” says Keller.

For Keller, though, it’s hard for him to sit still so you’ll normally find him in the shop tinkering around mostly cleaning and keeping it organized, and playing with the kids. “The same with my yard, I’ll go mow dirt if I have time! It’s my quiet place if you know what I mean. On the weekends, I enjoy my main hobby, which is fishing—mainly night fishing so the wife and kids sleep through most of it while I’m gone,” says Keller.

Social media has opened many doors for Keller that he would have never imagined. “If someone told me 10 years ago, I would be traveling all over the country—anything from factory tours to trade shows to attending early tool/product releases, I wouldn’t have believed them. I appreciate all the new friends and connections I have made. It’s a true honor.”

What people may not know about Keller is, “I’m a nerd when it comes to numbers and efficiency of my house. During a day I might check the water pressure of my house 2-3 times. Same goes for my current water heater temp—digital display on heat pump unit. And my solar input and output. I keep a close eye on efficiency.”

The last time Jeff Keller said “today is a great day”? “I took off work super early, surprised my wife and we went out and about for the day, no schedule at all.”

Expecting his second daughter at any moment, Omar Harris (@omartheplumber) knew he wanted to do something so he could provide for his family. The goal was to find a career that was an absolute necessity so job security would always be there. “I remember discussing what I wanted to do with my fiancé, Xylina. She told me ‘whatever it is that you want to do I support you 100%, as long as you’re happy. Even if that means selling flowers on street.’ It would change the dynamic in our household greatly,” says Harris. Xylina repeatedly told him this before he eventually made the final leap.

“My fiancé plays a major role. Without her, the whole family dynamic would fall apart. I am fortunate. She’s a great mom, a great friend, and she really keeps everything in the family running. She’s extremely patient and understanding when I’m dead tired. I will forever be grateful for the sacrifices she has made and for the unconditional support she has shown me,” says Harris.

But Harris would be remiss if he didn’t mention his parents. They worked hard for what they have and “they instilled in me the drive needed to be the best at what I do. Growing up, they always told me learn a trade because you can demand your own salary,” says Harris.

Harris with Conrad Ensenat (Broward County Facilities)

Harris initially started out as an apprentice with a local union doing construction plumbing. He eventually left to go a private company that mainly did service and drain cleaning. “I learned a lot with that company and made some really good partnerships/friendships. It allowed me to grow, not only as a man, but as a plumber, too,” says Harris.

For the past two years, Harris has worked as a plumber for Broward County Facilities (Florida) as a plumber specializing in drain cleaning. Some may not know, but Harris is a certified HVAC technician and Certified Fire Inspector for the state of Florida. One of the most rewarding aspects of the job for Harris is seeing the customer’s smile after the work is done, correctly. (Some of Harris’s go-to tools are RIDGID RP241 press tool, RIDGID E110 wrench, Fluke T5 600 Voltage, Continuity and Current Tester and the Milwaukee Tool M12 PEX Expansion Tool Kit.)

Harris with Roger Bircheat, Master Plumber, Broward County Facilities, who has been in the trade for more than 30 years.

As far as learning the trades, Harris is always learning.  “I love to learn from others so that I can be the best plumber I can be,” says Harris. One of Harris’s mentors and a person he looks up to is Hiram Martinez, master plumber, A to Z Statewide Plumbing, West Park, Fla., who taught Harris a lot, and was very patient with him. Another influence includes Conrad Ensenat, a residential plumber. “He’s a great friend, but he also taught me a lot.”

John Driscoll Jr., owner, A to Z Statewide Plumbing, took Harris under his wing and really showed him the ropes in drain cleaning. “He always drilled into my head to never skip steps and to take my time following the steps. He really helped me with laying the foundation of my plumbing skills,” says Harris.

Harris also recognizes John Thompson, a great person with whom to speak. From his family values to how he runs his business, Thompson has garnered a tremendous amount of respect from Harris. George DeJesus has also been instrumental in showing Harris a lot of “tricks of the trade.”

And Eric Aune. “I learned a lot from watching him on YouTube; he’s a great teacher.”

Harris spending some family time shopping with his kids.

But does Harris consider himself a mentor to others? “Honestly, yes I do consider myself a role model. I feel like if I can make it, anyone can. I’ve had a lot of hardships in my life and I’ve been able to overcome them. Many didn’t believe in me but I was fortunate enough to have a few who did. I’m willing to help anyone who would like to learn,” says Harris.

How can the industry promote the trades? Acceptance and training, says Harris. “We need to have plumbers from all walks of life from all over the world. In addition, we don’t need to be so hard on someone trying to learn. At times, I’ve seen this industry a little too hard on some individuals. It can be a little intimidating for someone just starting out. Instead, we need take the opportunity to coach, teach and possibly train the individual so that in the future they can be a better plumber.”

Social media has opened many great opportunities for Harris. “It has allowed me to participate in my friends’ lives who live in other states. On Instagram, we have group chats just to check in or ask questions. Social media is a great platform to build connections with people from all over the world. It is a useful tool to learn from and utilize to keep up with the ever-growing industry,” says Harris.

Just another day at the office.

Speaking of social media, Harris recently was chosen to attend a past RIDGID Experience. “The RIDGID Experience was a phenomenal time!” says Harris. “I met some great people who now I consider great friends. I gained a lot of knowledge and have a pool of great minds to pull from when I need help with something. I am very grateful and honored I was chosen for the RIDGID Experience. RIDGID is a great company and it’s awesome that they host that event. How many other companies are doing this?”

The last time Harris said “today is a great day,” he was removing a mainline stoppage and there was a clean out right in front of the house, holding sewage. “I removed the stoppage in three feet, and I actually yelled out on the top of my lungs, ‘TODAY WAS A GREAT DAY!’”

In the end, Harris spends whatever free time he has working out and spending time with his family. And, most of all, trying his best to spend time with his kids, to be there for all of their accomplishments, and incorporate his family into what he does. “I try to be the best version of me for my kids. My family has been my backbone in this journey and I hope to instill that same drive I have in me, in my kids.”