“I don’t want competitors to know I use this tool. Some customers think I have super powers.” That’s Omar Taylor talking about the lightweight, compact Kinetic Water Ram® from General Pipe Cleaners. The innovative tool safely, quickly and cleanly clears clogged sinks and showers, toilets and tubs with Kinetic Energy. And it’s given the young Read more
drain cleaning
“I don’t want competitors to know I use this tool. Some customers think I have super powers.”
That’s Omar Taylor talking about the lightweight, compact Kinetic Water Ram® from General Pipe Cleaners.
The innovative tool safely, quickly and cleanly clears clogged sinks and showers, toilets and tubs with Kinetic Energy. And it’s given the young, Indiana-based plumber a clear competitive edge.
Taylor comes from three generations of professionals. In business for over six years, he routinely subcontracts for a major national plumbing and drain cleaning company specializing in franchise services.
“Jobs that take guys an hour with cable machines, I do in just 5 minutes,” he says. “It’s like they say in the movie, ‘Who you gonna call?’ With my Kinetic Water Ram, I handle emergencies super quick!”
Fast, Clean Work
That’s why Taylor prefers General’s pioneering tool for rapidly clearing many common residential and commercial clogs. Call it his “secret identity”!
“I’ve earned a reputation for prompt, clean service with minimal disruption,” he says. “Most customers can’t believe how fast I handle their problems.”
Kinetic Water Ram unleashes a powerful burst of compressed air that drives a shock wave (kinetic energy) through water at 4,700 ft./second – instantly breaking up the stoppage. There’s no pressure build-up within the system, either. The shock wave bypasses stacks and vents. 98% of the force is directed down the line and only 2% against pipe walls.
The Kinetic Water Ram easily clears hair, rust, grease, sediment, and scale from lines from 1-1/4″ up to 4″ in diameter. It’s especially effective clearing slow draining tubs when the stoppage is on the far side of a drum trap – or through narrow lines in trailer homes that can be hard on a snake.
Amazing Versatility
Taylor first learned of the Kinetic Water Ram when a training supervisor watched him struggle snaking the old trap of a clogged basement shower drain.
“After a while he said, ‘Let me show you how to really do it, son’,” Taylor recalls. “The supervisor got his Kinetic Water Ram, pumped it up, and immediately cleared the clog.”
That’s when Taylor became a true believer.
“The Kinetic Water Ram is perfect for all kinds of drain cleaning problems,” he claims. “It’s amazing on grease in kitchen sinks, hair and scum in bathtubs, and toilet paper and disposable wipes in commodes.”
An optional toilet attachment screws onto the front of the Kinetic Water Ram – permitting firmer positioning in the bowl and acting like a powerful plunger.
The Pro’s Favorite
And Omar Taylor’s not the only “true believer.”
“It takes longer to write-up the bill than to unclog a drain with that tool.” says Dale Smith, owner of D. Smith Plumbing Services in Jayess, Mississippi.
“When several people call you early in the morning or late at night, you can’t afford to spend 3 or 4 hours at each place,” Smith adds. “The Kinetic Water Ram lets me do multiple jobs daily – with time to spare.”
Dale Smith calls it “amazing” on bathtubs. “I’ve cleared hundreds – many with old-fashioned lever-actuated stoppers that prevent me from using a cable machine,” he notes. “Kinetic Water Ram handles them all.”
Compact Design Scores Points
Smith also values the tool’s portability.
“In the past, I’ve snaked through roof vents to clear clogs,” he says. That meant dragging a heavy, awkward cable machine to the roof. “Now I can handle most jobs with my lightweight Kinetic Water Ram.”
General’s tool comes standard with flexible cone seals from 1-1/4″ to 4″ in diameter, caulking hose, and five tapered valves for sealing openings from 1-1/4″ through 4”. A Schraeder valve for use with an external air compressor when clearing difficult blockages is also provided.
Boosting Professionalism & Productivity
“It’s super-simple to use,” Omar Taylor concludes.
Simply pump the Kinetic Water Ram to the desired pressure, plug overflows to prevent splash back, and firmly position the flexible cone over the drain opening. One snap of the trigger unleashes a powerful shock wave, instantly clearing clogs.
That’s especially important when customers see Taylor clearing clogged drains with such amazing speed and cleanliness.
“They think I’m a ‘Super Hero’ of Indiana plumbers,” Taylor jokes. “That’s why I like keeping my Kinetic Water Ram secret from competitors!”
The Next Generation Flexible-Shaft Drain Cleaner General Pipe Cleaners has rethought high-speed, flexible shaft drain cleaners with the new Flexi-Rooter® 100 – the next generation flexible shaft machine. Rugged and reliable, Flexi-Rooter 100 offers: A stronger flexible shaft with the strength to cut through roots in 4″ lines yet flexible enough to negotiate 2″ lines Read more
The Next Generation Flexible-Shaft Drain Cleaner
General Pipe Cleaners has rethought high-speed, flexible shaft drain cleaners with the new Flexi-Rooter® 100 – the next generation flexible shaft machine.
Rugged and reliable, Flexi-Rooter 100 offers:
- A stronger flexible shaft with the strength to cut through roots in 4″ lines yet flexible enough to negotiate 2″ lines.
- Integral variable speed motor with foot pedal to allow you to use both hands to safely guide the flexible shaft into the line.
- Two-part cleaning array combines unique ClogChopper® cutters with carbide chain cutters for a formidable combination.
Flexible shaft technology is faster and more thorough than conventional cable drain cleaners. The shaft spins more than 10 times faster than drum machines. At speeds up to 2200 rpm, cutters quickly grind up stoppages and scour pipe walls clean. The shaft is safely protected inside a sheath, so it’s easy to handle – no spinning drums.
Flexi-Rooter 100’s stronger, stiffer shaft is flexible enough to navigate 2″ pipes – yet strong enough to cut roots in 4″ drain lines up to 75 feet long. And the integral, variable-speed motor easily lets you adjust shaft speed from zero to 2200 rpm.
General’s foot pedal control further frees both hands to guide the shaft into the line. Operators can also simultaneously use Flexi-Rooter with a sewer camera system to pinpoint pipe trouble areas – and instantly inspect results.
Flexi-Rooter 100’s two-part cleaning array features General’s unique ClogChopper® cutters combined with carbide chain cutters for a formidable combination.
Revolutionary ClogChopper cutters rip through tough clogs with six self-sharpening blades that dig into encrusted debris and root masses, easily grinding up stoppages, scale, and crystallized urine. The spherical design maneuvers around tight bends and traps.
Flexi-Rooter 100’s durable metal frame includes 10″ wheels and folding handle to facilitate transport to and from jobs. A safety slip clutch helps protects the flexible shaft. And if you ever do get into trouble, the shaft is field-repairable!
For additional information, contact the Drain Brains® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/flexi-rooter
Misconception #1 – You should always wear rubber gloves when operating a snake style drain cleaning machine to protect yourself from the health risks of sewage. While it is true that plumbers and drain cleaners should always be aware that they and their equipment are potentially in contact with human waste and take appropriate actions Read more
Misconception #1 – You should always wear rubber gloves when operating a snake style drain cleaning machine to protect yourself from the health risks of sewage. While it is true that plumbers and drain cleaners should always be aware that they and their equipment are potentially in contact with human waste and take appropriate actions, operating a cable style drain cleaning machine wearing only rubber gloves is not one of them. The problem with rubber gloves is that they can become pinched and caught in the rotating coils of a drain cleaning cable, causing great harm to the operator. We always recommend that operators wear heavy-duty two-ply leather gloves or something similar whenever their hands are anywhere near a drain cleaning machine. Thick leather gloves will not get caught between the coils of a snake or cable and can protect your hands from unexpected kinks or loops that sometimes form in the blink of an eye. If you want to wear rubber gloves to take appropriate sanitary precautions against sewage, then wear them under the leather gloves. This strategy gives you two levels of protection!
Misconception #2 — You should put a drain cleaning machine in reverse when retracting cable using a power feed device. Most modern drum style cable drain cleaning machines have a power feed and guide tube. This equipment makes it much easier to feed and retract the cable and serves to protect the operator. Every floor model brand of drain cleaning machine has a power cable feed that allows the operator to easily switch from forward to neutral to reverse while the drum and cable continues to spin in the forward direction. This feature is essential for smooth and effective operation of the machine. If the operator puts the electric motor in reverse and spins the drum and cable in the opposite direction, bad things tend to happen! Most drain cleaning companies coil their drum style cable in a ‘left hand wound’ direction. These cables are simply long, thin springs. Sometimes, like General’s Flexicore Cables, they have a solid inner core, and sometimes they don’t. However, all of them have a ‘direction’ to the outer coil that affects their performance and capabilities when under torque or in motion, and the drums, distributor tubes and power feeds that house and feed these cables are engineered with these capabilities in mind. When you reverse the motor while retracting the cable, you drastically increase the likelihood of kinking, tangling, or weakening the cable. The only time an operator should put the motor and drum of a machine in reverse is when they get a cutter wrapped up in an obstruction, and even then the duration should only be for a few seconds. Save yourself future complications and keep the machine in forward when the power feed is in reverse!
Misconception #3 – Hot water is better than cold water in cleaning drains with a high-pressure water jetter. While it is true that hot water can dissolve grease faster than cold water, the effect at high pressure is marginal. Generally speaking, in real world situations, it is not worth the additional cost and effort. Adding hot water pumps and heating tanks to your jetter protocol makes for a more expensive unit as well as doubling your work at the jobsite. High pressure cold water can do the job almost as fast, without the additional expense and time expenditure. For that reason, in a world where time is money, cold water is the way to go!
Misconception #4– High pressure water drain cleaning jetters with 4000 psi perform better than jetters with 3000 psi. In the past several years, we have seen more and more drain cleaning jetters with 4000 psi come on to the market, claiming that they have more power and effectiveness. However, according to our research, these claims are unfounded. When cleaning a drain, both pressure and flow rate are important factors. The psi, or pounds per square inch is necessary to dislodge foreign material in the pipe like grease and sludge. The jetting process is analogous to spray washing, and a certain amount of pressure, or psi is necessary to scour the inside of the pipe. However, after about 2,500 psi, further increases in pressure fail to deliver significant improvements in cleaning action. From that point on, the gallons per minute flow rate, or gpm grows in importance. For example, increasing a jetter’s flow rate from 4 gpm to 5.5 gpm almost doubles the machine’s drain cleaning speed, regardless of whether the psi is 3000 or 4000. So, look closely at the flow rate of high pressure water jetters before you buy, and don’t be fooled by marketing programs masquerading as science!
Misconception #5 — One of the biggest misconceptions that we hear from first-time General Pipe Cleaners customers is misjudging the ‘initial feel’ of our Flexicore Cable. If the customer is used to another brand of drain cleaner and then purchases a General machine or cable for the first time, they often complain to us that they received a defective cable. To them, compared to the cables that they are used to, it feels limp, weak and not stiff enough to fight its way through tough obstructions down the drain. Although their fears are unfounded, Flexicore does have a looser feel from other cables on the market because of the way it is engineered. However, we reassure our new customers is that the Flexicore will stiffen and strengthen when under torque, giving them clog busting power exactly when they need it the most. According to one customer, “it goes from a noodle to a steel rod in the blink of an eye when you hit the obstruction!” When it comes to General’s patented Flexicore Cable, first impressions can be misleading!
David Dunbar is the National Sales Manager for General Pipe Cleaners, a leader in the drain cleaning/pipe inspection industry. He has been with General since 1996, starting as Customer Service Manager, then Assistant Sales Manager, and National Sales Manager since 2017. He earned a BS degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and has graduate credits in Human Resource Development and Organizational Theory. David enjoys using his extensive public speaking, video, and writing experience within the industry. He can be contacted at daved@generalpipecleaners.com
Indianapolis—Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment and Transport WWETT, the world’s largest annual trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals concluded its annual event February 21-24, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. With 10,500 registered professionals, the annual event connected notable and emergent brands with thousands of buyers, while providing ample networking opportunities and Read more
Indianapolis—Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment and Transport WWETT, the world’s largest annual trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals concluded its annual event February 21-24, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. With 10,500 registered professionals, the annual event connected notable and emergent brands with thousands of buyers, while providing ample networking opportunities and a full range of education led by renowned industry experts.
The 2022 edition of WWETT took over 270,000 NSF of the Convention Center, hosting 450 industry-leading suppliers in the expo hall; thus, offering attendees access to a wide variety of products and activations from the world’s largest suppliers and manufacturers to specialized SMBs with specific services. Manufacturers and suppliers showcased the latest products, services, and technology for the water and wastewater industries, including notable companies such as Federal Signal, HammerHead Trenchless, Infiltrator Water Technologies, Satellite Industries, Ridge Tool, Draincables Direct, and more.
In addition to an expansive expo floor, registered participants had the opportunity to engage with world-class education made available at the event. The event’s educational programs served as inclusive and productive sessions that allowed for connections in specific groups. WWETT 2022 registered over 10,000 seats in education classes.
“The opportunities for learning, engagement, and growth for both attendees and exhibitors were exemplary at this year’s WWETT event,” said Lauren Lamb, VP, Strategy, Marketing, and Conference, WWETT at Informa Markets. “The live format allowed for regional and non-local companies to communicate their products and expectations effectively, while expanding their connections in the proper areas that will largely benefit their company and consumers, as well as the industry as a whole. The focus of quality product and innovation was at a peak this year, with many exhibitors launching products and solutions to solve the industry’s current challenges.”
Mixers for Women in the Industry and New to the Industry both served as successful networking events. The mixers hosted a larger audience than in years past, with important connections established. Women in the Industry’s purpose is to connect women throughout the convenience services industry, encouraging professionals to meet, share ideas and develop important business relationships.
WWETT hosted a well-attended welcome party with over 1,400 industry members in attendance, which featured live music and entertainment as well as casino games. The welcome party served as another opportunity for industry connections and engagement.
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID will select five winners for this year’s trip RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is once again giving trade professionals a contest to win the trip of a lifetime. The company announced today they have begun accepting entries for the RIDGID Experience contest, being held Read more
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID will select five winners for this year’s trip
RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is once again giving trade professionals a contest to win the trip of a lifetime. The company announced today they have begun accepting entries for the RIDGID Experience contest, being held Aug. 3-5 at RIDGID world headquarters. Five grand prize winners will be selected to receive the event’s signature VIP treatment at the annual, all-expenses-paid trip that continues to grow in popularity.
Entries will be accepted through April 29, 2022. Contest winners will be selected based on their response to questions, trade involvement, enthusiasm for RIDGID tools displayed in submitted picture or video, and originality and uniqueness of entry. To enter, and for additional rules and details, visit the RIDGID Facebook page.
“It is so important to us as a brand to recognize the hard work, commitment and dedication that trade professionals put into their jobs every day. The RIDGID Experience contest gives us the opportunity to reward a select group of individuals with a truly unique event, and it puts a spotlight on the work they do,” said Becky Brotherton, director of engagement marketing, RIDGID for Emerson. “This year marks the fifth RIDGID Experience contest and the excitement it generates is a direct result of the people who join us: their enthusiasm for what they do is evident. Our goal always is to highlight the importance of the skilled trades, and every year we’re thrilled to see that pride within our winners.”
Past contest winner, Bobby Scirica, a plumbing service technician from Arizona described the trip this way, “I’ve been using these tools for years and being here and seeing the machines and people who make the tools, it’s emotional.” And another past winner, Rob Broccolo, owner of Professional Drain Services of Southern New England, said, “RIDGID is a big name in the industry and it felt incredible to be selected for a once in a lifetime opportunity. By far the highlight of my career and time in the trades.”
RIDGID Experience contest winners will receive:
- An all-expenses-paid trip to RIDGID world headquarters
- A VIP RIDGID headquarters tour
- A custom RIDGID pipe wrench
- Hero photoshoot, celebrating winners’ dedication to the skilled trades
- Suite seats to see the Cleveland Guardians
- A trip to Topgolf, a sports entertainment complex that features an inclusive, high-tech golf game
- And more
Winners will also have the opportunity to shape the future of professional tool development by providing their expert insights with RIDGID leadership including the engineering, marketing, research and product developments. How to enter and full 2022 RIDGID Experience official contest rules can be found here.
Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.