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what is a plumbing blow bag

by Miss Evelyn Murphy Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

A blow bag (also referred to as a drain flush bag, plumbing bladder, or pipe bladder) is a heavy-duty rubber balloon that is attached to a garden hose to clear drain clogs using water pressure. It looks like a rubber pickle with the hose fitting at one end. The bladder is like an uninflated balloon.Oct 6, 2016

Full Answer

What is a blow bag?

A: A blow bag (also called flush bag) is a heavy-duty rubber bladder that attaches to a hose to clear clogs using water pressure.

What is a blow bag drain cleaner?

A blow bag is a heavy duty rubber bladder that attaches to a hose, is inserted into a drain and uses water pressure to clear a clogged drain. Blow bags are very effective for clearing slow or completely clogged drains. They can be effective in situations where drain snakes are not, like on greasy or gooey clogs.

Can you put a blow bag in a toilet bowl?

However, blow bags come in sizes to match plastic pipes and aren’t designed to be inserted into a toilet, so it probably won’t get enough friction to hold in place. It’s better to insert the blow bag directly into the drain pipe by removing the toilet from the flange underneath.

How do you use a blow bag on a hot water heater?

Attach the blow bag to a garden hose. A cold water source will be fine, but sometimes hot water can be very effective at dissolving clogs. To use hot water, attach the garden hose to the hot water heater's drain valve. The blow bag will be inserted into the drain pipe.

How do you use a plumbers blow bag?

0:321:24Clearing a Drain with a Garden Hose & Bladder - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis drain bladder by brass craft was available at Home Depot for about $11. You just screw it onMoreThis drain bladder by brass craft was available at Home Depot for about $11. You just screw it on here and then insert it at least six inches into your drain. Then you turn the water on slow at first

How does a blow bag work?

Blow bags attach to your hose, the water goes into your drain line and if the water pressure isn't strong enough it doesn't push through the stoppage but rather builds up and goes through your vent and onto the roof.

What is a sewer bag?

A blow bag (also called a sewer flush bag or a drain cleaning bladder) is an expansion balloon that utilizes high water pressure to unclog blocked drains. It looks like a deflated balloon and it's made from heavy-duty rubber or a heavy canvas type fabric.

How does a plumbing balloon work?

0:532:04How to Use a BrassCraft® Drain Cleaning Bladder - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the bladder is completely filled the accumulated water pressure is forced out of the bladderMoreOnce the bladder is completely filled the accumulated water pressure is forced out of the bladder against the clog. This sudden pressure displacement works to dislodge the debris.

Can a drain bladder break a pipe?

While a drain bladder can be safely and effectively used in any type of drain pipe (including PVC, steel and cast-iron), it's possible the pressurized water emitted from the drain bladder can break fragile pipes.

How long should you let a drain bladder run?

about three to five minutesWhen it reaches a high enough pressure, the other end will open and begin spraying pressurized water into the drain to cut through the clog. Run the water for about three to five minutes, or until you are satisfied that the drain is clear.

Can you use a drain bladder on a toilet?

DO NOT use in toilet fixtures. The drain cleaning bladder could damage the porcelain. DO NOT use after chemicals have been used to try to clear the clog. Residual chemicals could cause injury.

How do you use a drain bladder in a kitchen sink?

0:156:25Unclog Drain with Drain Cleaning Bladder - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo here's how it. Works. It's got this attachment you attach right here to the end of your hose. AndMoreSo here's how it. Works. It's got this attachment you attach right here to the end of your hose. And this part goes in the pipe.

How do I unclog my main sewer without a cleanout?

All you need to do is take a cupful of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Consequently, pour a cupful of white vinegar down the same drain. Thereafter, wait for around 10-15 minutes for the baking soda and vinegar solution to break up and clear the clog.

How do you unclog a drain with air pressure?

In most cases, running the air for three to five minutes provides enough pressure to clear the clog. After several minutes, turn off the compressor and remove the rags and wand from the drain. Run the water to see if the drain is clear. If the clog is still present, repeat the process until it is successfully removed.

How do I clear my main drain line?

Steps For How to Clear A Main Sewer Line ClogLoosen the Drain Pipe Cap (Cleanout Pipe) The first step is to find your main drain cleanout location. ... Remove Cap, Allow Build-Up to Drain. Once you remove the cleanout cap, step away quickly. ... Insert the Snake into Pipe. ... Run the Tool Until Clog Is Gone. ... Clean Up.

What is a blow bag?

Blow bags are very effective for clearing slow or completely clogged drains. They can be effective in situations where drain snakes are not, like on greasy or gooey clogs. The bladder is like an uninflated balloon. It fits easily into a drain pipe.

How to use blow bag in drain pipe?

This can be done by removing the "P" trap under a sink, removing a toilet from the flange underneath or accessing a "clean out" in your waste system. Once you have access to the waste pipe, insert the blow bag and hose into the pipe as far as it will go.

How to use blow bag for hot water?

Blow bags come in various sizes, to fit different drain pipe diameters. Select the correct size for the drain you need to clear. Attach the blow bag to a garden hose. A cold water source will be fine, but sometimes hot water can be very effective at dissolving clogs. To use hot water, attach the garden hose to the hot water heater's drain valve. ...

How to get a clogged drain out of a hose?

Let the hose run for half an hour or more to give it time to push the clog out. To remove the blow bag, turn off the water, wait a few seconds for it to deflate and then gently pull it out from the drain. Again, if it gets stuck, turn it clockwise while pulling to get it past any obstacles.

What happens when a water pipe breaks?

The water supply pipes always have internal pressure. When a pipe breaks, you get a leak, or a flood. A home's drain, waste and vent system is not pressurized. Water flows through by gravity alone. The drain can withstand pressure, but most of the time the only pressure it is subjected to is the weight of draining water.

What happens when you use a pressure device to clear a clog?

When you use a pressure device to clear a clog, you are putting pressure on the drain pipes. There is a risk of a weak connection or corroded pipe bursting. The risk is not large, but it does exist. Likewise, a drain snake or chemicals can also damage pipes.

Can you put a blow bag in a toilet?

The blow bag will be inserted into the drain pipe. Do not insert it into a toilet or a sink drain. It may not be able to create enough friction to hold itself in place. Also, it might damage materials that cannot withstand the strain placed by the expansion of the bladder. Instead, it is better to insert the blow bag directly into the drain pipe.

What is a blow bag?

A blow bag (also referred to as a drain flush bag, plumbing bladder, or pipe bladder) is a heavy-duty rubber balloon that is attached to a garden hose to clear drain clogs using water pressure. It looks like a rubber pickle with the hose fitting at one end. The bladder is like an uninflated balloon. It fits easily into a drain pipe.

How does a blow bag work?

It fits easily into a drain pipe. When the water is turned on, the bladder inflates with water and fills up within the pipe. Then, the bladder releases pressurized water through the pipe and pushes clogs out of the pipe. Plumbing blow bags are often used in situations where a drain snake isn’t as effective, such as grease clogs, ...

How to use a blow bag for a hot water heater?

However, cold water will work too. To use hot water, attach the hose to the hot water heater’s drain valve. Insert the blow bag into the drain pipe. (Note: Never insert the blow bag into a toilet or a sink drain.

Why use a blow bag for drain snake?

Plumbing blow bags are often used in situations where a drain snake isn’t as effective, such as grease clogs, because a grease clog will let the snake pass right through but the grease stays in place and continues to clog the pipe. Keep reading to learn how to use a drain bladder! Contact AC by J’s Phoenix and Scottsdale plumbers to keep ...

How to get a bladder to inflate?

Hold Hose in Place & Turn On Water. Once the blow bag is inserted, hold the hose in place and turn on the water. The hose is placed in one side of the bladder and the whole thing is pushed down into the drain until it hits the clog. Once the blow bag is right against the clog, the water is turned on. This causes the bladder to inflate like ...

How to tell if a blow bag is working?

You should hear a buzzing sound when the blow bag is working, and this will cease once the clog has been successfully blasted out.

How long does it take for a blow bag to clear a drain?

We recommend allowing the water to run for at least 30 minutes to fully dissolve the clog. Turn Off the Water, Deflate the Blow Bag & Remove It from the Drain. To remove the blow bag, turn off the water, wait a few seconds for it to deflate, and then gently pull it out from the drain.

What is a Sewer Blow Bag a Useful Drain Cleaning Tool?

A blow bag (also called a sewer flush bag or a drain cleaning bladder) is an expansion balloon that utilizes high water pressure to unclog blocked drains. It looks like a deflated balloon and it’s made from heavy-duty rubber or a heavy canvas type fabric. One end of the blow bag has a standard hose attachment that connects it to a water source.

How to Operate a Sewer Blow Bag

It’s crucial that you understand how to operate the sewer blow bag or drain cleaning bladder. This is to avoid possible hazardous mishaps. Here are the necessary steps to follow when using a sewer flush bag to get rid of your drain clogs.

Important Things to Know About Using a Sewer Blow Bag to Clear Drain Clogs

The sewer blow bag or the drain cleaning bladder has a maximum point of safe water pressure. If the bag gets filled past the safe point, the bag can burst due to excessive pressure buildup. You need to properly check the pressure specifications of the specific product you want to use, as well as the pressure of water inside your property.

Consider a Professional Drain Cleaner

Do you have a drain that’s backed up or slow? Don’t wait for the clogging problem to get worse. A sewer blow bag costs the fraction of calling a professional and is a no-fuss way to clear out hard drain clogs and all sorts of stoppages.

Trust the Professionals, Always!

Even the professionals rarely use a blow bag and here’s why. Blow bags attach to your hose, the water goes into your drain line and if the water pressure isn’t strong enough it doesn’t push through the stoppage but rather builds up and goes through your vent and onto the roof.

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing to provide you with prompt and expert care, contact our team today! In addition to our toilet services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning , water heater repair and replacement , sewer camera inspection and locating , backflow prevention , commercial and residential jetting , water treatments, and more.

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