Blocked drains in Bournemouth can arise from a variety of causes—fat build-up, foreign objects, tree roots, collapsed pipes, or scale deposits. No matter the issue, Bournemouth Drains24 uses the best industry-grade tools to restore flow and prevent future problems.
Here’s a deeper look at the key tools we use in professional drain unblocking:
1. High-Pressure Water Jetters
What it is:
Jetters use highly pressurized water—often up to 4,000 PSI—to blast through debris and blockages.
How it works:
A flexible hose is inserted into the drain. The water pressure scours the inside of the pipe, breaking up grease, scale, and sediment, and flushing it away safely.
Best for:
- Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) blockages
- Sand and silt build-up in storm drains
- General maintenance cleaning of larger drainage systems
Advantages:
✅ No chemicals needed – eco-friendly
✅ Removes residue from pipe walls (prevents re-blocking)
✅ Suitable for domestic and commercial drains
✅ Reaches long pipe runs efficiently
2. Manual & Rigid Drain Rods
What it is:
Stiff, extendable rods made of polypropylene or steel, often with screw-on attachments like plungers or corkscrews.
How it works:
Inserted manually into the drain to push or hook blockages. Rods can be extended deep into pipes and rotated to dislodge stubborn obstructions.
Best for:
- Blocked sinks and toilets
- Localised obstructions
- Small-diameter residential pipes
Advantages:
✅ Quick deployment for minor blockages
✅ Inexpensive and highly maneuverable
✅ Ideal for emergency home callouts
✅ No power source required
3. Root Cutting Tools
What it is:
Powered cutting heads that attach to jetter hoses or mechanical systems. Equipped with rotating blades or chains.
How it works:
Inserted via access points, the cutters spin rapidly to slice through tree roots that have penetrated pipe joints or fractures—without damaging the pipe.
Best for:
- Root ingress in older clay or pitch fibre pipes
- Restoring flow in rural or tree-surrounded properties
- Pre-lining preparation
Advantages:
✅ Prevents long-term pipe damage
✅ Works in hard-to-reach underground lines
✅ Often combined with jetting or relining
✅ Can be used proactively for maintenance
4. CCTV Drain Survey Equipment
What it is:
Waterproof cameras mounted on wheeled crawlers or push rods, with high-definition video feed and depth/location sensors.
How it works:
The camera is fed into the drainage system and transmits a live view to engineers above ground. Video is often recorded and used to generate inspection reports.
Best for:
- Diagnosing recurring drainage issues
- Locating fractures, sags, and intrusions
- Mapping drainage systems and pipe layout
- Pre-sale property inspections
Advantages:
✅ Accurate fault detection
✅ No digging or excavation required
✅ Saves time and money by targeting the issue
✅ Often required for insurance claims or planning
5. Electro-Mechanical (Rotary) Machines
What it is:
Drain snakes or augers powered by electric motors that rotate a steel cable with a cutting head.
How it works:
The cable is fed into the drain, and the cutting head shreds through solid obstructions such as hardened grease or soap deposits.
Best for:
- Restaurants or catering venues
- Cast iron or narrow pipework
- Internal kitchen and bathroom drains
Advantages:
✅ More powerful than manual rodding
✅ Ideal for interior pipework
✅ Minimal water use
✅ Suitable for pipes where jetting isn’t feasible
6. Vacuum Tankers & Wet Vacs
What it is:
Industrial suction units mounted on lorries or mobile vacuums designed to remove large volumes of waste or floodwater.
How it works:
Used to extract sewage, sludge, or floodwater after a blockage or system failure.
Best for:
- Large-scale commercial or public drain issues
- Flooded cellars, car parks, and basements
- Septic tank and interceptor cleaning
Advantages:
✅ Quick waste removal
✅ Can operate in emergencies
✅ Helps prepare drains for further inspection or repair
Why Tools Alone Aren’t Enough
While each of these tools serves a purpose, professional expertise is what makes them truly effective. At Bournemouth Drains24, our team is fully trained, insured, and certified to use this equipment safely and efficiently—24/7.
Whether it’s a stubborn domestic blockage or a major commercial drainage issue, we have the tools—and the experience—to get things flowing again.
Need help now?
For fast and reliable drain unblocking in Bournemouth, call Bournemouth Drains24 today.
📞 No call-out charges
📍 Local engineers available now
🔧 Fully equipped vans for same-day resolution
