How To Use A Drain Cleaning Bladder

A Bladder Can Potentially Damage Your Drain Lines

In some cases, a properly used drain-cleaning bladder may simply fail to clear a heavy clog. If this happens, the pressure generated by the stream of water must go somewhere. Unfortunately, this somewhere may be the joints of your drain line, especially if those joints are already weak. If the water doesnt force itself through the drain line joints, it may shoot back up the line toward you .

What Happens If Drano Sits Too Long

Liquid Plumber can corrode and damage your pipes if you leave them in for too long because its caustic. Liquid Plumr, or Liquid Plumber, and products like Drano are useful but potentially damaging to pipes. Leaving any chemical drain cleaner in a drain for longer than instructed can cause expensive pipe damage.

Reason : Wrong Drain Bladder Size

This is usually the most common reason why the drain bladder gets stuck in the pipe.

The typical case is that the drain bladder you are using is larger than the pipe you are using to clean.

People end up forcing the drain bladder down the pipe without realizing that. That is how it ends up getting stuck.

So, you should know the right size of the drain bladder and the pipe you want to clean.

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How To Use The Drain Cleaning Bladder The Right Way

You must know how to use the drain cleaning bladder without having it stuck in the pipe. So here is a brief step by step guide on how to use this appliance:

• Choosing The Right Size Of Drain Bladder

As you already know now, the wrong size of drain bladder can put you in a lot of trouble. So here is a guide to the size measurements:

• For 1-to-2-inch pipes, use small drain bladders.
• For pipes that are 1.5 inches to 3 inches, you can use medium drain cleaning bladders.
• For 3-to-6-inch pipes, you can use the large drain cleaning bladders.

So, once you determine which size your pipes are off and which size of the drain bladder you are going to be using, there are some preparations you need to make.

• Laying the Groundwork

Your aim is to make as little mess as possible while getting the job done. So, you can put some rags or old clothes underneath your working area.

Also, keep a bucket on standby to catch any water coming out while cleaning.

You will also need a headlamp in case the pipe you are going to clean is in a low-lit area like under the sink or any indoor location.

• Connecting The Hose

As mentioned before, one end of the drain bladder is attached to the hose. So, we recommend you ensure the hose is tightly attached to the drain bladder to avoid any leakage.

Usually, people use channel locks to avoid any leakage. And if the hose is connected to an outdoor faucet, you must have someone helping you out to operate the faucet.

• Disconnecting the Plumbing

• Testing The Drain

What Is A Drain

Essentially, a drain-cleaning bladder is an expansion balloon made from heavy-duty rubber. A standard metal hose attachment sits at one end of the bladder. At the other end sits a component called a pressure-sensitive valve release. When the flow of water expands the bladder past a certain point, a buildup of pressure will push this valve open and release a powerful stream of water. It is this stream that provides the force required to clean heavy drain clogs. You can find drain-cleaning bladders in a range of sizes. Just match the size you buy to the diameter of your clogged drain.

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Do Drain Cleaning Bladders Work

A drain-cleaning bladder only works in situations where it completely blocks the affected drain when filled with water. Otherwise, it will fail to generate the pressure required to clear a severe clog. In addition, there are two situations in which a bladder won’t work even if it does fill the drain interior.

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Prevent Future Drain Clogs

Here are a few proven methods to keep your drains clear and buildup-free for the foreseeable future:

1. Use Drain Screens

These devices allow water and other small particles to pass through your drain. But they block out hair, large particles of food, and other scum. Drain screens are ideal for the kitchen sink, the bathtub, and shower.

2. Never Pour Grease Down Your Drain

Liquid grease will harden over time and clog your drain. Worse still, grease can cause sewer clogs too. Make sure you wipe down greasy dishes with a paper towel before rinsing them. Use plenty of hot water and detergent when washing greasy dishes.

3. Perform Regular Maintenance on Drains and Stoppers

Make an effort to keep your drains clean and clear on a regular basis. Pour a few gallons of boiling water down your sink once a week. Clean your sink stoppers regularly too as they tend to gather grime, hair, and other particles.

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How Do You Remove The Stuck Drain Bladder

Now that you know the reasons why the drain bladder can get stuck in the pipe, let us talk about how to retrieve the drain bladder.

So, we recommend you follow these steps to remove the drain bladder from the pipe. We do suggest you follow the steps cautiously to avoid any more mishaps.

In case the high-water pressure has caused the bladder to get stuck, this is what you can do:

In most cases, these two quick solutions do the work. However, if you find that none of these has worked, please do not be hasty with it.

It could be that the bladder is still stuck due to the wrong size of it.

Do not try pulling or tugging the bladder it will just worsen the situation. Instead, call a professional plumber to solve the problem so that pipes dont get damaged.

Connect The Garden Hose

One end of the drain cleaning bladder has a male hose attachment that can be used to connect a garden hose directly to the bladder. Typically you can hand tighten the garden hose, though if you want a snug fit to avoid any leaks, then it’s advised to use a set of channel locks.

Run the hose to an outdoor faucet or to a nearby sink faucet. If you need to run the hose outdoors, make sure that you have a second person to operate the faucet, or that you have a hose valve nearby, so you can control the water.

If you are connecting the garden hose to a sink faucet, you will likely need to remove the aerator with a set of channel locks in order to access the threads on the faucet.

Connect the hose and tighten it with channel locks to prevent leaks. Just don’t overtighten the hose and damage the fixture.

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Disconnect The Existing Plumbing

Drain cleaning bladders work best when they have direct access to the clog, though this isn’t always possible. Locate the closest possible area where you could disconnect the plumbing without causing damage. For example, if the clog is in the drainage pipe running from the kitchen sink, then disconnect the slip nuts on the P-trap and the trap arm to access the drain line directly.

Some professionals state that you can insert a drain cleaning bladder directly into the sink drain. In fact, there are drain cleaning bladder kits that come with a sink crossbar adapter for use on kitchen sinks. However, this method can also cause damage to the sink, the P-trap, and the trap arm, so proceed with caution if you choose to insert the bladder directly into the sink drain.

How Does A Drain Cleaner Bladder Work

It should be inserted a minimum of 6 inches down the drain. While standing a safe distance away, turn the water on slowly until it is at full pressure. After it fills, the drain bladder will force water pressure into the line and the drain should clear. Once the water is off, the bladder will deflate.

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A Bladder Can Burst If Subjected To Too Much Water Pressure

All drain-cleaning bladders have a maximum safe water pressure. If you fill a bladder past this point, it can burst. Before you begin, you must know the pressure specifications of the product you intend to use, as well as the water pressure inside your building. If the pressure in your home or workplace is too high, you can reduce it to acceptable levels if the buildings plumbing system is outfitted with a water pressure regulator.

Why Does The Drain Bladder Get Stuck In The Pipe

The drain bladder can seem like a very easy-to-use appliance. And you can use it very easily if you know how to.

So, the drain bladder can get stuck in the pipe for two major reasons.

Keep on reading to know more about these reasons and how to do the DIY plumbing right by avoiding these mistakes.

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How To Remove The Bladder From The Pipe

Removing the bladder isnt that hard. But you should be super careful while youre discarding the stuck bladder. Because doing it incorrectly can cause further damage.

By the way, a clogged drain will also attract centipedes in drains. If this happens you then have to get rid of pesky centipedes.

Nonetheless, for removing the bladder, follow these easy methods-

Sink Tub & Shower Plunger

Securely cover and seal the overflow drain with a wet cloth. If the obstruction is in a sink place a towel around the sink in precaution of any backsplash. Place the plunger over the drain, making sure to completely cover the opening. Push down on the plunger with quick and powerful thrusts, to create pressure down the drain towards the obstruction. Repeat this step until the obstruction is cleared.

Clog Location Numbers: 1, 5

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Does Baking Soda Unclog Drains

For minor clogs, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean the drain. To clean the drain, hot water is first poured down it, followed by a solution of vinegar and water and baking soda. As the vinegar and baking soda bubbles, it loosens the clog. Insert the drain plug for about 5 to 10 minutes before flushing with boiling water. The process may need to be repeated until the clog is cleared.

How Often Should You Use Drain Cleaner

It is recommended that household drains be professionally cleaned every few years, with more frequent cleaning for areas such as sewer or basement drains. Cleaning should also be performed more often if the plumbing system is especially old, or if there is a large root system near the main sewer line.

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Tips For Using A Drain Bladder

Drain bladders are incredibly easy to use. Once youve acquired the properly sized drain bladder for your clogged pipe, take the following steps to blast away the clog:

If the drain fails to clear after several attempts, try another drain clearing tool or consider contacting a professional plumber.

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Reason : High Water Pressure

Sometimes it might blow off and get stuck in the pipe or drain that you wish to clear. This might happen because you might not have followed the instructions properly. And create high water pressure.

So what happens is the bladder might have got segmented inside the clogged pipe. This happens due to the high water pressure from the hose. The valve might get detached from the hose and stuck in the pipe.

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Solution : Use Dish Soap

Even after the first solution, your bladder is still stuck. This could be possible.

But no worries! Theres another solution. This will make solution 1 easier.

To remove that bladder easily, use automatic dishwasher detergent or dish soap. Automatic dishwasher detergent has many uses and its available in gel and liquid form too.

Thats why it works as a really good lubricant. You just need to pour the gel or liquid detergent on the hose. This will loosen it up.

Once it seems to loosen up, twist and pull again. Make sure youre pulling in a clockwise direction. This should be enough to get the bladder out.

But your bladder might still be stuck in the pipe. If this happens, you have used a different sized bladder.

As a solution, you might think of cutting the pipe. But dont!

Instead, call a plumber and take his help to get it out.

How Does A Husky Drain Bladder Work

HuskyDrain Bladderdrainsdrainbladder

. In this way, how does a drain cleaning bladder work?

Push the bladder down into the drain. It should be inserted a minimum of 6 inches down the drain. While standing a safe distance away, turn the water on slowly until it is at full pressure. After it fills, the drain bladder will force water pressure into the line and the drain should clear.

Also, are drain bladders safe? All drain-cleaning bladders have a maximum safe water pressure. If you fill a bladder past this point, it can burst.

Regarding this, can you use a drain bladder on a toilet?

Excessive pressure may cause the drain cleaning bladder to burst. DO NOT use in toilet fixtures. The drain cleaning bladder could damage the porcelain. DO NOT use after chemicals have been used to try to clear the clog.

How effective is hydro jetting?

One of hydro–jetting’s biggest advantages, however, is that it’s entirely chemical-free, and causes zero damage to inner pipe walls. It’s not only effective for cleaning pipes, but also 100% safe for all types of pipe line, including: Cement sewer lines.

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Reconnect The Plumbing And Clean Up

Once the clog has been cleared you can reconnect the plumbing and begin to clean up. Remember to disconnect the garden hose and reinstall the sink aerator, if applicable. The drain cleaning bladder will also need to be washed to remove any remaining waste, then it should be left to dry. Clean up the towels, rags, cloths, and any buckets to finish the job.

Insert The Drain Bladder Into The Wall

• Insert the tip of the bladder into the wall, and carefully press and wiggle it as far down into the drain as possible.
• The bladder should be inserted a minimum of six inches into the drain. It’s recommended to insert the bladder far enough into the drain to bypass the point where the branches off to the roof vent. If you don’t push the bladder past this tee, the water may travel up toward the roof if it encounters enough resistance at the clog. Ideally, the bladder should be inserted until it meets resistance from the clog.

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What Is A Drain Bladder

Drain bladders are heavy-duty rubber expansion balloons that inject pressurized water into clogged plumbing drains. One end is connected to a standard garden or water hose, and the other end is inserted into the clogged drain.

Once the water is turned on, the bladder builds up water pressure as it expands like a water balloon inside the drain. After the bladder has fully expanded to encompass the entire diameter of the drain, it shoots the pressurized water down the drain until the clog has cleared.

Drain bladders are so effective and easy to operate that they can be used on everything from clogged kitchen sinks to heavy clogs from grease or compacted toilet paper that chemicals, drain snakes and plungers cant bust through. Drain bladders are also less messy than other drain cleaning methods . Although some residual drain waste material may cling to the drain bladder after use, its often minimal because you dont have to insert the bladder as deeply into the drain.

While a drain bladder can be safely and effectively used in any type of drain pipe , its possible the pressurized water emitted from the drain bladder can break fragile pipes. Cast-iron and PVC pipes that are old, brittle or have existing cracks are prone to rupturing under high water pressure, especially when attempting to clear a heavy clog. Its not recommended to use drain bladders on old drains of questionable quality.

Choose A Suitable Drain Cleaning Bladder

If you start trying to clear a clog with the wrong drain cleaning bladder, you could end up causing a bigger mess, so take a look at the size of the pipes and choose an appropriate bladder.

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