How to Use a Roto-Rooter
Dealing with clogs in your home? One solution may be to use a Roto-Rooter tool. This is a powerful drain cleaning machine that can cut through tough blockages and get your plumbing back to normal. While this tool is just for professional use, we’ll still go over how to use a Roto-Rooter so you have a better understanding of how it works.
What Is a Roto-Rooter?
The famous Roto-Rooter machine was invented to cut through sewer clogs caused by tree roots and other debris, then clean the entire length of an underground sewer pipe to get it flowing like new again. The machine was invented in 1933 and was patented by its founder, Samuel Blanc of West Des Moines, Iowa. These machines are not sold to the public and are only licensed for use by genuine Roto-Rooter branches and franchises.
How to Use a Roto-Rooter
Roto-Rooter machines feature a stiff but flexible cable, housed on a reel that is turned by an electric motor. The cable itself has a spring-loaded C-shaped cutting blade bolted to its end.
To use the machine effectively, the user inserts the blade and cable into a sewer cleanout access port, then pushes the cable several feet into the sewer pipe before turning on the Roto-Rooter machine. Tough work gloves must be worn to protect the hands, as the user is required to hold onto the cable while feeding more material into the pipe.
The electric motor spins the cable and blade like a drill bit. Being spring-loaded, the blade is designed to rest against the pipe walls so that as it spins, it cuts away roots right down to the pipe walls.
When You Need to Use a Roto-Rooter
If you’re only dealing with a single slow drain, smaller tools may do the job. But signs like the following mean it’s time to bring out (or call for) a Roto-Rooter:
- Multiple drains in your home are slow or backing up
- You notice foul odors coming from drains or your yard
- Plungers, drain cleaners, or hand snakes don’t clear the blockage
- Tree roots or heavy grease buildup are suspected in your sewer line
Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Roto-Rooter
Curious how to use a Roto-Rooter in a toilet, sink, or other drain? Here are the basic steps professionals take:
- Locate the cleanout. They’ll find the main sewer cleanout access, usually in the basement, crawl space, or outside near the foundation.
- Prepare the machine. Next, they’ll position the Roto-Rooter close to the cleanout, making sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
- Insert the cable. They’ll feed the cable into the cleanout opening until it meets resistance.
- Turn on the machine. It’s time to start the motor so the blade spins. They’ll slowly guide the cable farther in, letting the blade cut through the clog.
- Work carefully. The dangerous part comes when the blade meets thick roots or a hard obstruction. The cable often shudders as the blade struggles to cut through the clog. If the user is not careful, the blade can get stuck while the cable continues to spin. This can cause the cable to wrap around itself in a big knot. Or worse, the cable simply builds up torque until the blade finally cuts through the root mass. When this occurs, the cable can release its torque, and if the user isn’t gripping it right, it can get loose and wrap around the user’s finger, hand, or arm.
- Flush the line. Once the clog is cleared, they’ll run water through the system to confirm the blockage is gone.
How to clear a main sewer line clog yourself?
We definitely only recommend using a Roto-Rooter if you’ve had professional experience dealing with them. For regular DIY homeowners, there are other ways to unclog a main sewer line. You can try a less powerful plumbing snake or sewer auger. These work similarly, but they’re less dangerous. If the blockage is severe, you’ll likely need to call in the big guns for more help.
Plumbers Know How to Use a Roto-Rooter the Safe Way
Like any power tool, a Roto-Rooter, or other electric sewer cleaning machine can be dangerous for a layman to operate. That’s why we recommend that homeowners leave this often dangerous job to the professionals at Roto-Rooter. Call 800-768-6911 or click here to schedule fast, residential or commercial sewer and drain service 24/7/365.