Mamaku, Bay of Plenty2 Drain technicians near you

The drain cleaner is often confused with the plumber when in fact it is a separate profession in its own right. The confusion between the two professions comes from the fact that plumbers also provide services such as unclogging pipes, cleaning pipes, unclogging sinks, basins, or sewers, etc. However, when the problem becomes more serious and cannot be solved using baking soda, white vinegar, boiling water, household caustic soda, sulfuric acid, or other products, the drain cleaner comes into play to perform a video inspection to identify the problem and implement the most appropriate solution. To practice as a drain cleaner, it is necessary to have prior professional experience in plumbing or drain cleaning. This can be acquired through various training programs or through employment with a drain cleaning company. As for the title of sanitation operator, it is accessible after the last year of secondary school with a CAP (vocational training certificate) in sanitation and collection of special liquid waste, CAP installer of sanitary facilities or CAP water quality agent. Other training programs are available at the BAC (high school diploma) and BAC+2 (associate degree) levels, including BAC Pro (professional baccalaureate) in pollution management and environmental protection, BP (professional certificate) in installation of heating and plumbing systems, BTS (advanced technician's certificate) in water professions or BTS in environmental services professions.

A plumber intervenes to unclog a pipe obstructed by various materials (toilet paper, organic waste, dirt, food scraps...) and emitting foul odors. They remove obstructions from various types of drains and pipes (sink, siphon, bathtub, toilet, urinal, septic tank, flexible pipes, access chambers...). To do so, they use various equipment and complete toolkits, such as an electric snake, a pipe snake, a plunger, a hand-crank, high-pressure water jets using a gun (Karcher), a hook, an auger with a long rod, a lifting pump, a vacuum and a camera to inspect drainage systems. They also often resort to various conventional or chemical products such as baking soda, coffee grounds, cold water, coarse salt, elbow grease, modified dish soap, bleach... Other tasks include steam thawing and repair of frozen pipes, cleaning of pipes filled with limestone deposits, septic tank emptying, pumping of stagnant water or rainwater, repair of pipe flow blockages, cleaning of clogged pipes, leak detection through camera inspection, etc.

Sometimes, water flows slowly in the bathtub, accumulating a lot of liters of water, bad smells can be sensed in the bathroom, the plumbing system regurgitates, water stagnates under the sink, or leaks can occur in the bathroom hoses. All of these signs indicate clogged installations. While one can use chemicals sold in hardware stores, supermarkets, or large retail stores, this may not solve the problem, and may even exacerbate it, as some products are not compatible with certain obstructions. To avoid wasting time and allowing the clog to become more significant, it is recommended to call upon a professional drain cleaner. With a drain cleaner, one can benefit from a quick intervention by a specialist in drain maintenance. Without a play on words, they can unclog an effective solution to solve any problems concerning pipes, toilets, sewerage, and other plumbing and sanitation installations (tanks, grinders, faucets, sinks, toilets, flushes, etc.).

To find a drain cleaner or a sewage operator, you can use a directory such as StarOfService where many professionals offer their services. Simply follow the instructions to get in touch with several drain cleaners in your area and choose the one who will intervene to solve the problem.

On average, the price for clearing a blocked pipeline is 120 €, with a range between 50 € and 300 € including all costs. Tariffs depend on several parameters: the type of intervention, the difficulty of the intervention, and the technique used. For example, for dismantling a siphon, the cost will be between 50 € and 100 €, while unblocking with a plunger will cost between 100 € and 150 €. Snake unblocking ranges from 150 € to 250 €, and hydro-jetting costs between 200 € and 300 €. The price for using chemical products ranges from 3 € to 10 € per liter of product used.

To choose the right drain cleaner or drainage company, several criteria need to be taken into account. The first of these is the reputation of the professional or company. We can try to find out about their reputation and credibility by checking social media, looking at customer reviews, etc. Next, there is the quality of customer service, whether it is by phone, email, or instant messaging. It is important to take advantage of this opportunity to inquire about the services offered, rates, and skills. Lastly, the ability to provide an estimate is also important.

- What is your experience in drain unclogging? - How do you identify a blocked pipeline? - What kind of technique do you use to unclog a drain? - Do you use chemical products?