DWV (Drainage, Waste and Vent) testing is often a crucial procedure in drain cleaning to ensure the integrity and water tightness of the drain, waste, and vent piping system in a building. This testing verifies that the system is free from leaks, which can lead to sewer gas exposure or other plumbing issues. To make that testing process easier, Cherne, a part of the Oatey family of brands, launched its Mechanical Cleanout Plugs, whose durable, effective and easy-to-use features make it simple to test a DWV system.
Available in 2-, 3- or 4-inch configurations, Cherne Mechanical Cleanout Plugs are built for quick and easy mechanical operation. The plug’s two-stage locking mechanism locks in firmly for both test and drain positions, allowing for high-pressure testing up to 150 foot head/65 psi/15 floors (at 10 feet head per floor). Built with durable and replaceable rubber pads, the plugs fit PVC, ABS and cast iron clean-out tees. They can be installed or removed in seconds without requiring any tools, and no backsplash draining will occur.
“When you insert it all the way down, you have it fully sealed in the pipe,” says Brady Burby, an Oatey engineer on Cherne products. “The interesting feature about it is with the two-stage mechanism, you can release the water behind and it stays sealed across the front while draining all the contents behind, so you don’t get any water or backsplash through the product.”
While DWV systems are typically tested after the rough piping installation to ensure their water tightness, they should also be tested after drain cleaning to ensure joints and elbows remained secure and watertight during the process. That DWV testing helps identify any leaks in the system, which can lead to water damage, sewer gas leaks or other problems.
According to Burby, with best-in-class material strength and durability, as well as high testing pressure capabilities, Cherne Mechanical Cleanout Plugs are an easy choice for simplified DWV testing.
“This product is so simple to use,” he says. “As soon as you are fully drained, you simply pull the product back out, and you’re done, simple as that.”
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