“Guests with clogged drains deserve prompt service – day and night,” James “Rob” Hoelscher, property manager of Colorado Bear Creek Cabins, declares. Rob is co-owner of the business with his wife Susan. And the Hoelschers never skimp on service standards or speed. Staff react professionally and immediately to every problem. “Our maintenance tools must likewise Read more
drain cleaning
“Guests with clogged drains deserve prompt service – day and night,” James “Rob” Hoelscher, property manager of Colorado Bear Creek Cabins, declares.
Rob is co-owner of the business with his wife Susan. And the Hoelschers never skimp on service standards or speed. Staff react professionally and immediately to every problem.
“Our maintenance tools must likewise perform on demand,” Rob continues. “That’s why General’s hand-held Power-Vee anchors our drain cleaning tasks.”
Rapid Response Vital
Located 35 miles west of Denver in scenic Evergreen, Colorado, Colorado Bear Creek Cabins offers a range of “comfortably rustic” lodgings to skiers, nature-lovers, and travelers who simply want to “get away” since 1947.
The business is a family affair. Rob, Susan, and sons Oliver and Samuel live close-by, and work on-site – ensuring peak customer response.
“We never resolve problems over the phone,” Rob insists. “We’re not absentee owners!”
Critical To Everyday Maintenance
“Most of our drain cleaning work is done indoors – under sinks and inside cabinets,” he adds. “And the compact, maneuverable Power-Vee proves perfect for that.”
Ideal for small-line stoppages, the rugged, reliable Power-Vee small-line drain cleaner from General Pipe Cleaners easily unclogs sink, tub, toilet, and laundry lines 1-1/4” to 3” in diameter – and up to 50 ft. long.
Its automatic feed makes clearing small drain lines faster and easier than using manual methods. And General’s simplified feeding system acts like “an extra hand” in tight and awkward work spots.
Oliver Hoelscher using Power-Vee® and Uni-Stand™ in a “typical setting of drain clearing” at Colorado Bear Creek Cabins. “Before getting Uni-Stand, it was a two-person job,” his dad Rob Hoelscher notes. “I’d start, exhaust my strength, then Oliver would take a turn.” Sometimes, Rob adds, “several iterations of this procedure were necessary to clear the line. Uni-Stand has transformed this operation to a one-person effort!”
Simplicity Speeds Service
It’s easy-to-use, too.
The Power-Vee holds 50 ft. of 1/4” or 5/16”, or 35 ft. of 3/8” Flexicore® cables. And General’s Quick Change Cable Cartridge system make swapping and switching different cables and diameters quick and simple.
Changing takes less than a minute – and turns potentially messy jobs into quick, clean ones.
Flexicore Advantage
To switch to a different diameter Flexicore cable, just loosen three screws, pull off the front of the drum, and load another cartridge.
Flexicore cables are the industry-leader. They’re manufactured of heavy gauge wire coiled tightly around 49-strand aircraft-type wire rope for unequalled strength and optimal flexibility. Flexicore is so tough it carries a one-year warranty against defect or breakage.
“Flexicore is impressive!” Rob beams. “It exudes exceptional engineering and manufacturing!”
Forget “Popeye Forearms”!
When working in tight spaces, even hand-held, powered drain cleaners can strain muscles.
That’s why the maintenance crew of Colorado Bear Creek Cabins teamed the Power-Vee with the new Uni-Stand™ from General.
“No one in this family wants ‘Popeye forearms’,” Rob chuckles. “It’s a game-changer for how we use our Power-Vee!”
Just slide the Uni-Stand clamp around the motor housing – and lock it into place for safe, solid support. Then change the Uni-Stand adjustable leg length to the desired height – and begin drain cleaning.
Rob calls it the “perfect accessory” for his Power-Vee.
“Uni-Stand is simple, sturdy, perfectly sized, and exceptionally well designed and built,” he maintains. “The strap and adjustment system are amazing, and its ingenious single-leg support provides maximum maneuverability.”
Environmentally Responsible Tool Maintenance
“Our cabins are on a septic system,” Rob resumes, “And since everything eventually flows to Bear Creek, an outdoor water body, we strive to ensure the optimal operation of our septic system, and minimize our impact on this precious water body.”
That’s why Colorado Bear Creek Cabins treats drain cleaning tools with Snake-Oil Plus™ from General.
Snake-Oil Plus features the same rust-inhibiting properties and pleasant lemon scent of original Snake-Oil Classic™. Its non-toxic, eco-friendly, biodegradable formula also creates virtually non-stick surfaces – keeping mud and debris from sticking to cables, drums, and machines, significantly extending drain cleaning equipment life.
“It’s part of our business ethos – and our business identity,” Rob asserts. “Colorado Bear Creek Cabins is literally located on a creek!”
Better than common lubricants, Snake-Oil Plus also features a special rust inhibitor that cuts through moisture, replacing it with a rust-resistant coating. Machine bearings, feeds, and moving parts last longer. And its deodorizer keeps drain cleaning tools smelling fresh and clean.
The Bottom Line
Other “intangibles” also matter to Rob Hoelscher.
“General’s ‘American-made’ products also makes a big difference,” he concludes. “Like us, they’re also a family business. Customer service is superior. And you can see high quality standards in everything they do!”
Just like Colorado Bear Creek Cabins!
To learn more about the Power-Vee and Uni-Stand, visit www.drainbrain.com/pv, or contact the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200.
There are some jobs that people may not immediately think that they need to hire a plumber for but it is often necessary to do so to get the job done correctly. It may surprise many that when they are installing a roof or a gas line the plumber is someone they should definitely call Read more
There are some jobs that people may not immediately think that they need to hire a plumber for but it is often necessary to do so to get the job done correctly.
It may surprise many that when they are installing a roof or a gas line the plumber is someone they should definitely call to help them get the job done correctly. Here is a look at what a plumber can do for your roof installation and gas line installation project.
Problems With Your Drainage System
A roof plumber can come in and take a look at the drainage system in a roof. Roof plumbers are experts at helping to protect roofs from water damage.
When a roof plumber is needed a homeowner will notice that their gutters and spouts are in need of removal and reinstallation.
A roof plumbing problem can cause water to start seeping into the ceiling of a home. Homeowners will often begin to experience structural damage to their property when roof plumbing repair is needed.
Given the issues with mold that water damage can have on health, it is best to get these problems dealt with by a roof plumber quickly. Roof plumbers often specialize in specific types of roofs, so you may see one that specializes in slate roofs while another specializes in custom steel roofing.
Gas Line Repairs
Another job that is not often associated with plumbing, is gas line repair. However, if a homeowner notices cracks in their gas line then they need to take a closer look and seek the help of a plumber.
Bear in mind too that a gas line that needs repair will not be very quiet, and the homeowner is likely to hear a lot of hissing sounds as the gas starts escaping through the cracks or holes in the line.
Once they hear a hissing sound it’s time to shut off the gas line in the home and call a plumber before things get dangerous.
If there are a lot of plants around the home or inside it, they can be adversely affected by the escaping gas. An observant plumber will often check the condition of the plants to see how they look, gas line repair is usually needed if plants are withering or dying without just cause.
Get Help
Whether there is a plumbing problem with the roof or gas line hiring a plumber is often the best course of action a homeowner can take to get this problem remedied immediately.
Waiting to get problems with a roof fixed by a plumber can cause severe water damage in various parts of a home. When it comes to gas lines things can get dangerous, so it is often best to call in a plumber quickly.
While the thought of hiring a plumber often brings images of pipes to mind and rightly so, it is important to remember that plumbers do carry out roof plumbing and gas line repairs as well, since people often forget it is best for plumbers to advertise these services as well.
Drain cleaning professionals ignore new technology at their peril. As in most industries, if your competition has equipment that is better, faster, safer, and more professional, it puts you at a serious disadvantage. One need only look at the history of our industry in the past 30 years to see the truth in these statements Read more
Drain cleaning professionals ignore new technology at their peril. As in most industries, if your competition has equipment that is better, faster, safer, and more professional, it puts you at a serious disadvantage. One need only look at the history of our industry in the past 30 years to see the truth in these statements.
What is the next big thing in our industry that you need to be paying attention to? Flex-Shaft Technology! It’s like putting a weed-whacker down the drain, and you can use your camera system to give it pinpoint accuracy.
Several years ago, we noticed that plumbers engaged in pipe relining were using high speed Flex-Shaft Technology to prep and mill their sewer lines. Flex-shaft machines utilize a swiftly rotating wire coil, much like a speedometer cable, inside a flexible hollow tube or hose. A high speed motor is connected at the back end and a cutting device, often a carbide tipped chain, is attached at the front end. Because these cutters rotate at approximately 2,000 RPM, flex-shaft machines are adept at milling, pipe prep and root removal.
When outfitted with the proper cutting tool, they leave the pipe in perfect condition to adhere to the material used in the pipe relining procedure. For this reason, they are used extensively in the pipe relining industry, and have also become popular with plumbers and drain cleaners whose only goal is to cut and remove root incursions.
One advantage that this technology has over snake style machines is that the outside tube or hose on the unit doesn’t rotate. This means that you can put the flex-shaft machine and a pipe inspection push rod down the pipe at the same time, giving the contractor a real-time view of the action. This ability to give you pinpoint control over the cutting process is a game changer that can save you time and money.
The only major weakness reported by users of this technology is its inability to muscle through a tough clog. But, that was before the General Flexi-Rooter®. It is a flex-shaft device tough enough to open a stubbornly clogged drain, as well as performing as a pipe prep and milling machine.
General’s Flexi-Rooter is unique because it has a stronger and stiffer flexible shaft and outer sheath than competitive units, giving it the straight-line cutting power needed to open solidly clogged drains.
Plus, the Flexi-Rooter can wield General’s unique ClogChopper® as a forward cutting tool, giving it unparalleled flexibility and the power to cut through the toughest obstructions.
The process of pairing the flex-shaft machine with a camera system is much easier to perform with the Flexi-Rooter because it has an air activated foot switch! This leaves both of your hands free to control the flex shaft and the camera’s pushrod, keeping the camera head close enough to see where the cutter is positioned, but not close enough to damage it.
The Flexi-Rooter emerges as the clear favorite for contractors searching for the best way to fully utilize this new technology in the real world!
For more information, call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/FlexiRooter.
Increase productivity and profitability with this camera system that easily shares inspection footage and and can be operated for up to 12 hours on battery power Features Gen-Pack Battery Adapter, Wi-Fi and Distance Counter The new Gen-Eye X-POD Plus sewer camera system from General Pipe Cleaners now includes the Gen-Pack battery adapter, Wi-Fi transmitter, and Read more
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Increase productivity and profitability with this camera system that easily shares inspection footage and and can be operated for up to 12 hours on battery power
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Features Gen-Pack Battery Adapter, Wi-Fi and Distance Counter
The new Gen-Eye X-POD Plus sewer camera system from General Pipe Cleaners now includes the Gen-Pack battery adapter, Wi-Fi transmitter, and an on-screen distance counter as standard equipment to boost productivity and profitability.
Depending on battery type and settings, the built-in Gen-Pack battery adapter lets you operate the camera system for up to 12 hours in remote locations with limited access to power. Fuse-protected to safeguard your equipment investment, the Gen-Pack battery adapter is also available separately. Battery and charger are not included.
X-POD Plus makes sharing inspections easy. The built-in Wi-Fi transmitter lets you view and record work on a cellphone or tablet. And using the system’s USB port, you can also archive activity on handy flash drives.
The new on-screen distance counter also shows how far the camera has travelled down a line in feet or meters. And for optimum accuracy, settings can be adjusted for full size or mini-reel configurations.
General’s powerful X-POD Plus Command Module packs other standard features, too, including:
- A big 7-inch LCD color monitor with a sunscreen for easy viewing in any location
- “One-touch” recording for speed and convenience
- 4X digital zoom for close-up inspections
- Voice-over recording for job site commentary
- Date and time stamp for work documentation
The lightweight, popular X-POD systems combine camera, reel and monitor into one compact package. A durable docking arm supports the Command Module and permits height and angle adjustments for the optimal viewing.
The full size X-POD features a self-leveling color camera and 200 feet of Gel-Rod for inspecting 3- to 10-inch drainlines. The compact Mini-Reel carries 100 feet or 200 feet of Gel-Rod with mini color self-leveling camera for troubleshooting 2- and 3-inch lines. The rugged steel frames and reels include a drag brake and reel lock. The full size reels sport 10-inch wheels.
For additional information, contact the Drain Brains at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/geneye.
“We get 100% of our business through word-of-mouth. Our customers expect professionalism in our service. And we expect our drain cleaning tools to work first time, every time – no exceptions.” So says Charles “Chuck” Maggiore, owner of Grassroots Plumbing in Perryville, Maryland. “I only put my hard earned money into trustworthy, durable equipment – Read more
“We get 100% of our business through word-of-mouth. Our customers expect professionalism in our service. And we expect our drain cleaning tools to work first time, every time – no exceptions.”
So says Charles “Chuck” Maggiore, owner of Grassroots Plumbing in Perryville, Maryland.
“I only put my hard earned money into trustworthy, durable equipment – tools that handle the toughest jobs, and tools that make satisfied customers.”
And that’s why he’s anchored his growing drain cleaning business in rugged, reliable equipment from General Pipe Cleaners.
Generations of General Users
A third-generation plumbing and drain cleaning pro, Chuck comes by that choice honestly. Both his father and grandfather were strong proponents of General tools. And he’s literally witnessed decades of reliable General performance.
But Chuck is the first in his family who actually owns the business. And with his name on the door, he’s doubly serious about keeping his expanding customer base happy.
His main tool of choice? General’s tough, durable Metro® mid-size drain cleaner.
The popular machine packs the performance, punch, and portability to unclog 3” to 6” diameter lines up to 100 feet long.
Compact, Powerful Package
“We handle a wide range of ‘commercial’ customers – emergency drain cleaning for restaurants, auto body shops, breweries, condos, apartment buildings, even churches,” Chuck says. “And the Metro definitely takes a beating – and handles 90% of my jobs!”
Plumbing, drain cleaning, and maintenance pros love it. With more cleaning power than its predecessor, the Metro now carries 100 feet of 9/16” Flexicore® cable to clear stubborn stoppages in 3” to 4” inside lines. Heavy duty 9/16” cable provides more torque than traditional 1/2” cables offer, yet can clean the same size drain lines.
General’s heavy duty Flexicore cable offers superior kinking resistance and unequalled strength with the right amount of flexibility. It’s so tough that it carries the industry’s best warranty protection – one-year against breakage.
Features Enhance Productivity
To clear tree roots and other tough clogs from 3” to 6” lines, simply switch drums to 75 feet of 5/8” Flexicore cable. To adjust to different cable sizes, just turn a knob atop the feed. No special tools are required.
“The Metro has helped me through lots of tough clogs – like roots,” Chuck agrees. “That little machine has taken care of some really big jobs – including clearing out main lines!”
The Metro’s variable speed Power Cable Feed helps. General’s labor saving feature offers enhanced safety and control through blockages. Users easily guide the cable in and out of the line at up to 20 feet per minute – yet keep hands clean and off spinning cable.
“The feed is awesome,” Chuck beams. “Even my apprentice uses it with ease – and she loves it!”
The Metro is lighter and more compact than other mid-range drain cleaners. Its narrow profile facilitates handling in tight spots, on stairs, and during vehicle loading. The maneuverable machine features a fold-down handle, stair climbers, truck-loading wheel, and tough, lightweight frame on heavy duty 10” wheels for easy transport.
Renting Expands Service Options
Chuck quickly adds that, while the Metro packs plenty of muscle, he occasionally rents General equipment for longer tough jobs. And top of the list is the Speedrooter 92R®.
“It’s a favorite of my dad and grandfather,” He recalls. “In particular, my company uses it on one local franchise restaurant that regularly needs long-distance clog removal.”
The Speedrooter 92R clears stubborn stoppages in 3” to 10” lines. Variable speed cable feed offers raw driving and pulling power for long, tough jobs – feeding and retrieving 3/4” and 5/8” cables at up to 20 feet per minute.
Renting also led to a real bargain when Chuck purchased a used General Metro from a local rental center.
“That was about five years ago,” he continues. “We had rented the Metro before, and knew it’d be a great addition to our equipment.”
Professionalism Counts
Chuck likes tools that produce satisfied customers – and help his young business grow.
“That’s why I prefer General machines over competitive brands,” he adds. “They’re tough, job-proven, and easy to maintain.”
“General’s customer service is stellar, too!” Chuck Maggiore continues. “When I started my business, I called competitors for equipment information, and General’s specialists were, by far, the most professional and helpful.”
“It’s another reason why I’m sticking with General.”
It’s evidently working.
“I’m looking to hire more employees now!” he beams.
To learn more about The Metro, and General’s complete line of rental-tough drain cleaning machines, visit http://www.drainbrain.com/rental or call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200.