A common problem with unblocking drains with drain rods is when you end up with stuck drain rods. This is definitely a situation you want to avoid, as it will obviously make the drain blockage a lot worse than before.
What causes drain rods to get stuck?
The biggest reason for rods becoming detached whilst attempting a drain clearance is that they become unthreaded. As rods are generally screwed together, it is possible to inadvertently unscrew them by continually rotating the rods anti-clockwise. This is why it is important to maintain a steady clockwise direction when pushing and pulling on the rods.
Another cause of stuck drain rods is by applying far too much pressure on them. Whilst a drain rod is fairly durable, using excessive force whilst rodding a drain can lead to a rod snapping.
What can be done about stuck drain rods?
In a worst-case scenario, the drain would need to be accessed through excavation, but this option should only be considered as a last resort.
Thankfully, there are several alternative methods that can be tried first.
If the rods have become separated, it is possible to flush them through the drain system by using a high-pressure water jetter.
If rods becoming unscrewed have caused the problem, they can be retrieved by feeding through a similar set of rods that can then be used to attempt to rescrew in to the stuck rods. A special camera would be fed through with the rods to assist with this procedure.
Snapped rods can be retrieved by using a specialized set of rods. These rods, together with a retrieving head, can be used to attempt to pull out the blocked rods.
There are various other possible techniques that have proven effective in dealing with the problem of stuck drain rods. All of these methods mentioned are preferable to undertaking inconvenient and expensive excavation work.
Whichever method is employed to remedy stuck rods, it is highly advisable to seek the services of a professional.
Finally, don’t let the thought of stuck rods put you off from using drain rods in the first place. These rods are an effective and great value solution for unblocking drains, and if used correctly, you should never encounter stuck rods.