Mr Drains #41 - Ridgid K9-204 FlexShaft Machine - Lessons Learnt

I had a call out to a kitchen sink that had blocked up four months after the new owners had moved in.
I came out at 8pm the previous night & tried vacuuming the line, sucking out large amounts of fat. They have young children & I was concerned about waking them so arranged to attend the following morning to use the Flex Shaft machine.
The next morning I ran the machine through the short length of 40mm waste-pipe into the 65mm drain, which then connects to the 100mm main drain.
I also used a camera but the lens got smudged up pretty quickly & I missed seeing that I actually got the drain flowing earlier than I thought. In hindsight I should also have used a hose with a on/off valve to run water into the line to wash the fat & pipe scum off the camera lens & out of the drain.
Once I realised the drain was unblocked I then focused on getting the pipe nice & clean for the new home owners.
Moral of the story, if you are running Flex Shaft with or without a camera use a hose that you can turn on & off to keep the camera lens clean & check the line is flowing & wash away the debris.

Пікірлер: 73

  • @rtsolution11
    @rtsolution112 жыл бұрын

    Also, clean it in reverse. Push ahead as much as possible through the blockage if possible, the clean on the way back with water running upstream. This method is really effective in clearing grease for me.

  • @johnakaoldguy3158
    @johnakaoldguy31584 жыл бұрын

    Haven’t seen any new vids in a while. I hope you are still making them. You were off to a good start!

  • @Madhu1305
    @Madhu13054 жыл бұрын

    👌 perfect demo. Great feeling to watch you work. It's positive energy you radiate. Keep it up. 💯

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, will do.

  • @kempingerrohrreinigungberlin
    @kempingerrohrreinigungberlin4 жыл бұрын

    Thats my man in New Zeeland...Well done

  • @robmez
    @robmez4 жыл бұрын

    Excellent once again , machine going well again , combined with the camera let’s the customer see what a good thrower job they are paying for, why people put fat and wet wipes down their drains is beyond me

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Camera really ads another element when it can fit in the pipe at the same time & as you says shows the customer the root cause. According to the plans the kitchen drain was supposed to run out pretty much under the front door by itself to the pump station, but instead went to the back of the house to connect with the rest of the houses drainage so having the camera & being able to trace it was very helpful.

  • @johnakaoldguy3158
    @johnakaoldguy31584 жыл бұрын

    Great job, I like how you try to keep everything so clean and contained. I am enjoying your vid's!

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you OG. Anything I can do to keep the job tidy indoors is a plus.

  • @garywaters6356
    @garywaters6356 Жыл бұрын

    Great job. Gary new jersey. U.S.A

  • @exavierlopez805
    @exavierlopez8054 жыл бұрын

    Does your camera still work I wonder why not

  • @redcarone1341
    @redcarone13414 ай бұрын

    shane did you mark the red sheath for distance. or did the flex shaft come that way. btw. great job always like watching these.

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    3 ай бұрын

    I marked it wit a permanent marker, but the marker outlasted the cable lol.

  • @timothypirnat3754
    @timothypirnat37544 жыл бұрын

    Breakfast with Drainspotters!

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Good morning Big T.

  • @tarikpompy8984
    @tarikpompy89844 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video. What kind of camera are you using to get down 40mm pipe, and what size flex shaft do you use.

  • @tarikpompy8984

    @tarikpompy8984

    4 жыл бұрын

    Also what size flex shaft do you use.

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Its a Ridgid 200' Mini, but I could only use it because the 40mm was just a few cm or inches long without a bend before it dropped into a 65mm (just over 2-1/2") pipe. I have my eye on another camera that can do multiple 32mm - 40mm bends but have to wait until I have a few more $$$ available. I use a 3/8" (10mm) loose section of flex shaft for outside jobs & the Ridgid is 5/16" (8mm) for lighter duty type work.

  • @Cameron-ur2tk
    @Cameron-ur2tk4 жыл бұрын

    Do you prefer the flex shaft over the milwauke backpack auger? Why would you choose one over the other for certain drains? If you had to choose one which one would it be?

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Gidday Willow. I love the Milwaukee, but had been using a length of 3/8' (10mm) flex shaft for outside drains & was interested in seeing what flex shaft could do inside so I threw down the cash for the Ridgid machine, even though I've heard mixed reviews on its cables etc. If you are cleaning a smaller drain that has several bends & possibly some distance to push out the flex shaft feels more of a work out so far, as you have to push the sheath against the resistance of the bends & you only have one hand free with the Ridgid designed machine, whereas a cable machine is constantly spinning & wanting to move forward & I have both hands free with the Milwaukee. I like the potential for flex shaft being neater etc, I just need to do a seperate drive unit with a foot pedal that I can connect to the Ridgid instead of a drill & possibly look at a slipperier cover as I don't want to have to add their cover lube every time I want to use it. I will keep testing it, but at the moment the Milwaukee is easier to run, but that could just be me having to adjust my technique to the a new machine, we'll know within the month.

  • @Cameron-ur2tk

    @Cameron-ur2tk

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@mrdrains2088 Thanks for the reply and knowledge, being that there so many different augers and methods for clearing drains i was interested in your opinion since you seem to have experience with all of them. Having a few properties I am clearing mostly outdoor drains that handle rain / run off and occasionally the main 4 inch line through outdoor cleanouts with a small jetter i made 4,000psi at 4 gpm that seems to work reasonably well. I've been thinking about picking up some sort of small auger like that Milwaukee backpack auger for interior drains as it looks pretty sweet.

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@Cameron-ur2tk I'v been happy with it, its earn't its place of honour as one of my favourites.

  • @irishman485
    @irishman4853 жыл бұрын

    How do you like those flex shaft machines I’ve heard the cables can break easy? Is that true

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes they can. The key is to use speed, not torque & have the drill set to the screw function on a low to medium low setting. They are great, but were over-hyped as the next best thing, I have my own homemade version that I can run on higher setting, but it doesn't have the finesse. Ultimately FS will get better & better & its just another good tool to have available, especially for going around toilet pan.

  • @matthewperry5524
    @matthewperry552411 ай бұрын

    Did u see that fat berg in detroit ? It was huge think it was over 6 ft thick forgot the rest of the size but there was a short news article on it. It was nuts it was fat wipes & white sewer mice & all kinds of other stuff that should go in a bin & not the sewer just started following u on ur latest vid & went back & watched all ur old ones

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    11 ай бұрын

    I must Google that & check it out - cheers.

  • @paulkosta1332
    @paulkosta13324 жыл бұрын

    Hello mate great work just wondering if you recommend the flexshaft ?? Thinking of buying one.

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    If you unblock drains on a regular basis definitely. you based in Aussie or somewhere else?

  • @MrDmadness

    @MrDmadness

    3 жыл бұрын

    They break way too easy

  • @AmishHitman73.Archive

    @AmishHitman73.Archive

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MrDmadness they do if you treat them like they are cable lol

  • @MrDmadness

    @MrDmadness

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AmishHitman73.Archive no bud, they're just not that good for clearing any real obstructions. I've been doing this for over 20 years, and they have their place but a k 50 is a far better investment

  • @AmishHitman73.Archive

    @AmishHitman73.Archive

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@MrDmadnessthe k 50 is essentially artillery vs a sniper bullet. surely 20 years has taught you that much. i kinda laugh like you have to be joking. it makes me think of crocodile dundee "thats not a knife,....this is a knife". we know its not an elephant knife but it pokes holes in a fellah just as much. but i get it, youd rather throw a stick of dynamite for a minnow. you see the k 50 isnt close to the same league... really, why use the k 50 and not just use the Leto jetter? wont *that* be more effective? much like you, i have done this since 98 and i cant help but giggle at the murica crowd, sorry dont mean to hurt your feelings

  • @JuanOrruel
    @JuanOrruel13 күн бұрын

    Will damage the camera head. Or cable.

  • @phillipbateman2284
    @phillipbateman2284 Жыл бұрын

    Is that a fat trap in the man hole with chains? Great job as usual, take care.

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    Жыл бұрын

    Pump station to pump up to the road. All the fat was from the previous owner as these guys only had the house for several weeks.

  • @davidmelton7574
    @davidmelton75743 жыл бұрын

    Can you use a corded drill with it?

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    3 жыл бұрын

    Not recommended on the Ridgid machines as you need a slip clutch drill to minimise the chance of destroying the cable. I actually need to open my up as it started making a strange noise from inside the other day.

  • @PARKERBROTHERSPLUMBING
    @PARKERBROTHERSPLUMBING4 жыл бұрын

    looking for some recommendations, new to jetting. got a 9gpm 4000 psi, at what pressure should we jet a 4" cast iron or a 6" clay pipe or does it matter? any commenters would be greatly appreciated.

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    That sounds like a well spect machine. We don'y have to deal with orangeburg pipe so I can't comment on that, but for cast or clay 4000 psi is great. If you know the cast is solid, you can also use a concrete pulsing nozzle to knock scale off the pipe walls.

  • @timothypirnat3754
    @timothypirnat37544 жыл бұрын

    Hey brother, are you OK? If you're in jail I can come bail you out lol.

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Free now ;)

  • @tishfourseam2890
    @tishfourseam28904 жыл бұрын

    What is the pump's purpose? I don't think I have seen one before. If you mentioned it...my apologies. Sometimes I get lost in translation. Nice work. Love your tidying...cleaner when you leave!

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    The property is roughly a meter or so below the top of the cul de sac (dead end) road so requires the waste to be pump up into the public sewer & thats why they have a large holding / pump chamber. I don't come across them very often on residential city properties so it was interesting.

  • @englishruraldoggynerd
    @englishruraldoggynerd4 жыл бұрын

    If the outlet pipe keeps getting submerged.... and blocking.... and blocking rather close to the tank, I’d wager those things are linked somehow. And I don’t mean pipe 😀

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    I was waiting for someone to spot that. I actually noticed the pump trying to pump out the tank, but the water level just kept building. I checked then panel & the alarm light was on. I had to remove the pump, check it, run a few tests & found the non-return ball valve was not working properly so removed it until a new one can be installed. Fortunately its not a long line from the outlet side of the pump to city main so the back-flow from when the pump stops was not sufficient to reactivate the float switch.

  • @mattcat231
    @mattcat2314 жыл бұрын

    the more i see of the Rigid the more i don't like it, just looks so cumbersome to use, i would take the Milwaukee any day

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Its different, but yes with the drill in that position it can be awkward - I think Ridgid should have taken a little more time with the design even if that meant waiting to launch their machines.

  • @sukram75
    @sukram754 жыл бұрын

    Onces again Bottels under the sink 😅

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Its cool Markus, there were just a couple & they were out of the way. It was a beautiful house & so so clean & pristine.

  • @pooler347
    @pooler3474 жыл бұрын

    How are you today/tonight

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Excellent, how about you?

  • @abc32167
    @abc321674 жыл бұрын

    41?

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    More please?

  • @abc32167

    @abc32167

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@mrdrains2088 I meant that now there is two #40 :) Shouldn't it be #41?

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@abc32167 ah.. Good spotting, I shouldn't stay up til past midnight lol. Will fix it now.

  • @anshardeman3967
    @anshardeman39674 жыл бұрын

    why do you throw fat down the drain .... people still don't understand that fat solidifies with water

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    The previous owner was very liberal with pouring fat down the drain thats for sure.

  • @savannahphil

    @savannahphil

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@mrdrains2088 any more videos?

  • @tannerwest6823

    @tannerwest6823

    Жыл бұрын

    Every time someone washes a pot or pan that light film of grease comes off and over time that adds up and adds up. It’s almost impossible to get all the grease off a dish before you wash it off in the sink. I have customers all the time telling me”but I don’t put grease down my kitchen sink”.

  • @danielkim8685
    @danielkim86853 жыл бұрын

    U need 102

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Daniel. The entry pipe of about a foot was 40mm, but the pipe under the floor was 65mm.

  • @divinicus
    @divinicus11 ай бұрын

    horrible camera

  • @plumbcrazy375
    @plumbcrazy3754 жыл бұрын

    Sorry but isn't the snake used to clear the drain not the Damm camera

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    On this job I demonstrated the Ridgid K9-204 FlexShaft machine. The recommendation is to run a camera behind the machine to ensure a full clean of the pipe. The pipe was full of fat from the previous owners, tons of it.

  • @plumbcrazy375

    @plumbcrazy375

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@mrdrains2088 you had the camera in first don't try to tell a plumber how to use tools I've been a plumber for 35 years

  • @mrdrains2088

    @mrdrains2088

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@plumbcrazy375 The entry waste-pipe is only 40mm & changes to 65mm at the base - If I inserted the FlexShaft first, it didn't leave enough space for the camera head/spring to slip past the FlexShaft cable in the 40mm pipe section, hence this is why I inserted the camera down & into the 65mm first & then the FlexShaft - once in the 65mm I could either pull the camera back behind the FlexShaft or push the FlexShaft past the camera to clean the line - hopefully this clarify's why the camera went in first.