HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT CABLE FOR THE JOB

The simple drain cable is one of the most used tools for drain cleaning professionals. Also called a sewer snake or auger, these tough flexible cables build up torque as they wind their way through pipes and bust through clogs caused by tree roots, grease buildup, hair, food, or foreign objects.

Fighting extremely stubborn clogs, the inevitable wear of snaking through pipes over time, or improper use and maintenance can cause cables to kink and break. When you are looking for a drain snake cable replacement, Duracable has the supplies you need.

All sizes and types of drain pipes are subject to buildup and clogging. From narrow 1-1/4” residential sink drains, to 4” main lines, even larger 10” commercial drain or municipal sewer lines, any drain pipe can clog. You’ll need an appropriate drain cable to clear the clog, depending on several factors. To be prepared to tackle any job with confidence, professional drain technicians keep a wide variety of cables on hand.

The smallest drains you will deal with are residential pipes in kitchens and bathrooms. Typical residential pipes run between 1 to 2 inches in diameter. These small diameter pipes will require either a 1/4” or 5/16” diameter cable. Some residential lines, like showers, might have drains with up to a 3 inch diameter. These larger lines may require a slightly larger cable, usually around 3/8” in diameter. Using cable larger than that on these lines can damage the pipes and possibly your equipment as well.

Floor drains usually run between 3 to 6 inches in diameter. These drains are found in basements, restaurants, production floors and other business areas that may require water drainage. Tackling clogs and buildup in these pipes will require a 3/8” to 5/8” diameter drain cable. Because many floor drains are used in food service businesses that deal with a lot of oil and fat, adding a grease cutter to your cable end might be a good idea when unclogging drains for these customers. Fats, oils, and grease are leading causes of blockages in drain lines.

Cleaning large mainlines will require heavy-duty cables. Sewer lines between 6 and 10 inches in diameter will need thick cables, especially if you are cutting through roots. Drain cables ranging from 5/8” to 3/4” are best suited for these jobs. If you are cutting through roots, be sure to have a variety of blades ready to help cut through the obstruction.

Aside from diameter and length, you also need to consider the construction of your cable. Almost all cables feature a coiled spring-like design. Hollow core cables are extremely flexible and are a great option for winding through bends to reach a clog. One additional feature of some cable is an added inner nylon core, which gives a little extra rigidity. These cables are still flexible but will offer extra pushing power that can help you get through even the toughest clogs.

When choosing a drain snake cable replacement, buying a high-quality option will save you time and money in the long run. At Duracable manufacturing, we make sure that every one of our DuraFlex drain cables meets the highest standards in the industry. Every cable we make starts with a spool of our proprietary high-tensile, hard-drawn wire. We stress test every coil of wire to ensure it will not break under the strain of navigating bends in pipes and fighting clogs. If a batch of wire fails our tests, it is never spun into DuraFlex cables. We are so confident in our manufacturing process that we guarantee it. Every cable you purchase for us comes with a 30-day warranty against material defects. If your cable breaks within that timeframe because of a flaw on our end, simply contact us and we will make it right.

To put the power behind your cables, we offer a line of eight drain cleaning machine models. Our machines range from small sink machines and traditional sled-style machines to heavy-duty upright sewer machines. Our cables are compatible with drain cleaning machines from other manufacturers, and our sales team is very knowledgeable in helping you find the right DuraFlex cable for ANY machine, regardless of brand. We also offer a huge range of open and enclosed cable reels and drums, blades, and other useful tools of the drain cleaning trade.

Duracable has been helping drain cleaning professionals get their equipment for over 40 years and we know the ins and outs of the business. For more information about our drain cables and other products, give our team a call at 1-800-247-4081 or email us at sales@duracable.com. Don’t risk the reputation of your business on cheaply made products - depend on Duracable and get manufacturer-direct deals on the reliable equipment your business needs.