Compact, lightweight jetter saves contractor time, trouble and money

Problem: Craig Casteen of Casteen Plumbing & Repair in North Carolina faced working in a residential crawl space that didn’t allow much room to maneuver. He needed a jetting unit compact enough to get into tight areas, and powerful enough to dislodge blockages from small lines.

Solution: Casteen chose the JM-1000 Mini-Jet from General Pipe Cleaners. The compact, lightweight, electric-powered unit lets him clear grease, sand and ice from small, 1 1/2- to 3-inch lines up to 50 feet long. It provides 1,500 psi of cleaning power. Pulse technology helps slide the hose around tight bends and down lines. It breaks the initial tension between the hose surface and pipe walls, increasing cleaning power. The JM-1000 weighs 23 pounds for easy carrying and is convenient for jobs completed by one person.

Result: Casteen used the unit in the crawl space to quickly clear the blockage. 800/245-6200; www.drainbrain.com.

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Camera system allows company to expand services and operate more efficiently

Problem: C.A. Taciak & Sons in Towson, Maryland, has always been on the lookout for solutions to understand how existing pipes are run on a job site, and how to more easily locate drainline blockages to help avoid ruptured pipes, excessive property damage and wasted service time. In the company’s early days they had to strap sondes to cables and send them down lines, using locators to find obstructions. They wanted a less-complicated alternative.

Solution: For owner Frank Taciak, the solution is the RIDGID SeeSnake rM200 camera system paired with the CS65 digital reporting monitor for on-site reporting. The rM200 is capable of inspecting lines up to 200 feet in length and 1 1/2 to 6 inches in diameter, and has an integrated transport system for easy portability. The CS65 has one-touch image recording for fast, efficient documentation of inspections.

Result: The camera system and being able to digitally record inspections has enabled Taciak to be more efficient and strengthen customer relationships. Inspection services allow Taciak to build trust by including visual proof with any service recommendation. 800/769-7743; www.ridgid.com.

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Technician quickly solves basement backup issue

Problem: A residential customer in Indianapolis, Indiana, was experiencing a catastrophic backup that caused several inches of sewage in the basement of his home. Raw sewage had backed up into the home caused by paper and minor root intrusion. The homeowner called Hamm and Sons, and their technician, Dave Depew, was dispatched to help open the blockage.

Solution: Depew quickly determined that they would need to build up a platform to keep his 1065 drain cleaner from Spartan Tool out of the water to avoid electrical shock hazards. After locating the 4-inch clean-out in the floor, he quickly got to work and cleared the blockage. The 1065 had more than enough cable and power to quickly eliminate the paper and roots that had caused the backup, allowing the flooding condition to subside.

Result: While the homeowner had a major cleanup project ahead of him, he was thrilled that Depew was able to come out so quickly and remedy the problem. 800/435-3866; www.spartantool.com.