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Flat sewer rods

Dam_inspector | Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 1, 2008 06:37am

I had the mother of all stack clogs today. I got on the steep roof of my cape cod house in a near freezing rain, and found that the clog was too far down to reach with my drain auger, so I went out and bought a 50 foot flat rod. I liked the look of the big end for busting a clod.

The checkout lady that I know has worked at that store for 10 years said she never saw anyone buy one of those before. Well it worked, and believe me, it was a serious clog. Reading on a Rigid forum, plumbers don’t use them much anymore. Some even called them useless.

Anyone use them?

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  1. Boats234 | Dec 01, 2008 07:33am | #1

    I got 2 of them.

    I've had them so long, I forget how I acquired them.

    The big one I use twice a year on a restaurant I have. It's probably 3/4"-7/8" wide.

    I have 2 clean outs on one side of the building. and it's a straight shot to the other side.  Just a little over 100'

    One C/O goes to a grease trap and the other hits a tee and makes a 90 toward the sewer.

    The smaller rod looks like an over sized fish tape(1/2"?) and I don't remember ever using it.

    While it usually works for a quick fast fix, I more often then not need to go back with my sewer jetter hooked up to my pressure washer for the more permanent solution.

    Great, simple tool. Just rather specific for my application.

  2. rasconc | Dec 02, 2008 08:21am | #2

    The Credit Union that we did called me the other day and said they had a serious toilet problem.  They had called a local fairly large (for around here) plumbing company.  They did not get it.  I tried a few tricks to no avail. Went up the street to True Value owned by one of the best ever all around guys.  He had one of those with the two rollers on the tip (looked like ancient skate wheels).

    I had about three feet left out of 50 when I busted the clog.  Instant hero.  I even washed it off before I took it back. I had to do it through vent as there was no cleanout and did not want to pull one of the back to back toilets.  Saw them in Lowes for $29, later saw one on wall of a friend's shop so I know where to get one when I need one.

    I first tried it with garden hose with running water. Had DW helper watching for possible overflow in one restroom, should have stationed someone in both.  Bad high fiber mess. 

    For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
    1. User avater
      Dam_inspector | Dec 02, 2008 02:36pm | #3

      The one I got had the skate wheel on the end. I saw one with a plastic spear point, passed on it. I had a fairly straight run to the trap, and wanted a large end to bust through the clog. It was a pretty good sized one. Also had the huge mess to clean up from the overflow from the toilet in the bathroom, the crud that backed up into the tub, and the mess that drained to the basement.

    2. BilljustBill | Dec 02, 2008 08:29pm | #5

      I even washed it off before I took it back.....Saw them in Lowes for $29, later saw one on wall of a friend's shop so I know where to get one when I need one.

        Your're kidding about taking it back.....right?!!!

      Bill

      1. rasconc | Dec 02, 2008 08:36pm | #6

        It was a loaner, not a purchase. A very old used one.  No I would not buy, use, and return.  Unless there was a problem that is.  The owner was at lunch when I took it back and I just put it by the cabinet and told staff.  When I saw him I told him I cleaned it up and brought it back, he said he knew he did not need to worry.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

        1. BilljustBill | Dec 02, 2008 09:34pm | #7

          Went up the street to True Value owned by one of the best ever all around guys.  He had one of those with the two rollers on the tip.....

          Sorry, I misread the wording in your post.   The things I've seen and heard of that were purchased,USED, then returned,.....

            In the middle of pulling wire and setting up a new breaker box, I had to stop, cleanup, and take time to drive and return a switchout...  I was returning an outwardly new 120-amp breaker box because inside, it had an old, faded and cracked internal plastic part put back after they took the new part.  The clerk at the return desk at the local Home Depot told me a story she had to deal with.....  An older man (65+) brought back the bottom half of a boxed up commode.  When the clerk looked inside to check what there, she saw what the old codger did.  He put the old take-out toilet back in the box.....and was attempting to get money back on the returned part!!!!

             She looked up at him and told him that she couldn't take it back because it was an old used commode. Knowing he was caught, fellow didn't say a word.  Leaving the stinky old thing sitting on the floor, silently, he just turned toward the door and quickly walked out...

            WISDOM:  No matter what you buy, before you leave the store, take time to open the container and look over the item....

             Bill ;>)

          Edited 12/2/2008 1:37 pm ET by BilljustBill

          1. MikeRyan | Dec 02, 2008 10:11pm | #8

            When I was returning a refer water filter that was the wrong size at the blue box, the return clerk opened the box up and shook out the filter.  I asked her what she was doing and she said that it is common for people to swap out the new with the old.  I asked her if she was kidding and her response was "I wish I was...they think they can get all the water out, but they never can". 

            I am amazed everyday about some people's arrogance and low morals.

             

          2. User avater
            Sphere | Dec 02, 2008 10:33pm | #9

            I had a checker outter at Lowes that was on top of it, she looked at a drill I was fixin to buy and says "Open it up and check inside, it looks to me like it was opened already"

            I did, and it was minus the two batts.

            Good girl that one.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          3. rasconc | Dec 02, 2008 10:45pm | #10

            You did not misread, I left out the loaner part.  One would expect to buy something at most True Values.  This is a small town and he has a load of stuff he rents/loans.

            His family had a building and electrical company and Butch grew up in it. They did the hardware store and he is a super guy to work with, besides a neighbor and friend.  He is a local fountain of knowledge.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

          4. User avater
            Dam_inspector | Dec 02, 2008 11:06pm | #11

            We need more people like that in the hardware stores.

          5. rasconc | Dec 02, 2008 11:19pm | #12

            It is a classic neighborhood HW store.  It is very small but has an unbelieveable amount of stuff and most of the help is just that, help.

            On the other hand a cousin (I guess, son of my Aunts's husband) has a super big ACE the size of a grocery store.  I was in there the other day and a guy wanted some adhesive for a tub surround.  Guy was pretty clueless, I pointed out the designated tub surround stuff and he was skeptical and shocked.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

          6. kate | Dec 03, 2008 03:22am | #13

            Long may it wave!There is (was? I hope not, but I moved away 10 years ago) one like that in Somerset, NJ, right next to New Brunswick.

  3. LeeLamb | Dec 02, 2008 04:40pm | #4

    I got one and love it. I twist it around every so often and it reams and sweeps it the pipe.  If it has passed a bend it won't twist. I once wasted half an hour with a pipe wrench on it trying to get it to turn. Now if it is resistant I just ram it back and forth.  I have had mine for 38 years and rinse it, dry it, and oil it after use.

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