Watch This Video Before Using Bladder Type Tools To Clear Difficult Drain Pipe Clogs

www.homebuildingandrepairs.com Visit our website for more helpful tutorials about plumbing, building and repairs. Here's another educational video for do it yourselfer's who don't understand why all plumbing drain pipe clearing tools will solve your problems and clear your drains. Bladder type or expanding balloon tools that spray water can actually create bigger problems when pressurized water damages the plumbing pipes or other parts of your home. Keep learning and become smarter so that you don't always fall for products that might not work as well as suggested.

[@Mazel_Tov_888]

I connected the drain bladder to my sink plumbing, turned on the water, then I heard water running into my gutters. The drain bladder was causing lots of vibrations behind the walls and it was raining the day before, so I thought maybe there was water left in the gutters and when the vibrations started, that caused the water in the gutters to break free. Later on it hit me, the water hit the clog, not able to break it free, it then backed up to the air vent then went up about 8ft vertically, ran down the roof into the gutter down the downspout. I got the biggest laugh out of that. Never saw it coming. To add insult to injury, when I turned the water hose off, the bladder clasped, and the water drained out on the kitchen floor leaving a huge paddle. i ordered a 25 ft snake auger, too short. I ordered a 50 ft, it hasn't showed up yet. I tried 5 different things over abut 2 weeks, if i have to go in the crawl space with a hack saw I will, but the clog is getting out, Lord help me.

[@ward26102]

Sounds like every plumbing repair I ever did. Prepare for a mess! The great thing about this video is that it shows all the problems that can happen with one of these bladders, whereas some other videos just tell you how to use it and how great it works. Well, they can work great, but a DIYer must be aware of the pitfalls.

[@jeffrobertson3411]

What did you do? Cut the pipe out?

[@jih-shenshih5138]

Very useful, I got clear ideas about clogging and finally solved my problems, thanks

[@gregvancom]

You're welcome!!!!

[@mayssm]

I've got a sink drain that every 6-12 months gets to be slow draining because my wife can't comprehend the fact you can't put meat, rice, pasta and whatever else you feel like down the sink, even if you have a garbage disposal. I've tried hot water, foams, salt, vinegar/baking soda, etc., for hours. I pulled all the pipes apart until I get to the wall, where the pipe disappears behind some woodwork. All the pipes were clean. I ran a snake into the metal pipe but after about 3 feet it just hits a hard block, like a T. That pipe seems clear, too. I'm thinking that's going to have one pipe going down into the basement (behind some wood paneling), and likely another going up to the roof. No clue where the cleanout is..I suspect it's up in the drop ceiling in the basement. Going to try one of these, I think. I'm sure it will just shoot water up to the roof, though.

[@rolandofgilead8968]

Rarely, very very rarely do I come across the precise information I was searching for like this wonderful video. I knew there had to be some risk in Plummer’s bladder and I wanted to see and hear it. Awesome, informative and concise video. Well now I want to know some safety ideas or preventive measures for a water blowout other than human lookouts. Now I need to figure out how to seal off a floor drain that tees into my line. My clog is about 35’ from the clean out and it’s tough to get a rented snake to go that far. Not sure why I’m telling you all this or why you’re reading it. Open to ideas.

[@gregvancom]

Awesome!!!

[@jesscolliflower5531]

Like how you keep it simple and very informative at the same time. Great videos

[@gregvancom]

You're welcome and thanks for the kind words.

[@richapple777]

Thank you for the excellent video explanation. There doesn't seem to be shown a potential problem for using the bladder/hose method to hopefully unclog a sewer vent pipe that goes up to the roof (inserting into the roof end of the pipe). Auger from the rooftop just hasn't worked, and palm on the pipe opening not feeling any suction upon flushing or sink draining seems to indicate a vent clog. (As does distance auger reaches before it stops.)

[@gregvancom]

You're welcome and if you put the bladder tool into vent, there's a high probability that it will come out somewhere else, like toilet or sink or another roof vent. Let me know it that did not make sense, if you where asking a question.

[@richapple777]

@@gregvancom Thanks so much for the reply. So with the blockage (not sewage or anything from the plumbing, but likely pine needles or other outdoors debris that made its way into the roof vent pipe - a blocked sewer roof vent pipe is the problem) being above the point where the sewer vent pipe junctions with the drain line, if the bladder delivered water pressure does force the clog to move along, I guess then, from what you say, it would be a tiny bit unpredictable. I'd want it (the clog debris and the water) to flow in the normal drain direction and on out to wherever all that stuff goes. So perhaps running sink and bath water and even adding a toilet flush to the moment the hose is turned on can protect anything going the wrong direction?

[@777killakat]

what about using it on a frozen washer drain? I'm assuming mine is frozen because it's like -15 degrees out and my washer drain has never been clogged until now... I ran my washing machine yesterday and it flooded on the floor

[@gregvancom]

What about trying hot water mixed with salt or just salt mixed into overflowing fixtures.

[@wildcardjoker]

It’s about 88 ft to the main in the middle of street I rented a desent auger from tool rental I ran cutter 88 ft and back out then ran in again 104 ft and back out then 125 ft in and out it went in without force and didn’t seem to hit anything and still water will back up. I’m thinking of using this bladder today. Next on list is plumber with a jetter

[@youtalkalotofsh]

Did it work?

[@wildcardjoker]

@@youtalkalotofsh I was afraid might bust ended calling plumber and was broken tile 13 ft down. Line didn’t even run the way I thought it did like toward street. Cost me $6,700.00

[@franklagana4545]

As a plumber I would not let a drain bladder take the place of a snake. I will not use on main line clog or multiple fixture clog. I only use to help flush or a clog where you snake through and is reoccurring after using water. I have had a drain bladder kick back water under pressure once

[@mrgizmo7975]

Unless you can get one of these bladders right next to the blockage and forcing it back into/toward the house, like at cleanout, I wouldn't use it.

[@gregvancom]

Sometimes you can fill the pipes and force the clog to dislodge, but it sure seems like it would work better when spraying directly on the clog.

[@CitizenShane]

There's really no situation in which a bladder would be more effective than a snake or hydrojet...a good reason why you'll never see plumbers use them. I can only speak for the plumber circles I run in but I follow alot a plumbers on social media all over the United States and have never seen anyone use a bladder for drain cleaning

[@gregvancom]

I've never seen a plumber use one either and I also didn't mention other problems you could have when using drain bladder type tools.

[@pctechnoob8907]

My friend is a plumber and he recommends me using it and told me how to use it correctly.

[@Alex-gn7wd]

U don’t fucking stupid put hot water in it and put to much psi in it then you’re safe to use

[@angetodac]

Assuming u have a cleanout and people listening know what that is

[@angetodac]

Great. That means u need a plumber....ha,ha,ha....that means u need to use another method...DiY are meant for those who cannot afford plumbers fees