Karcher 7.5m Drain Cleaner - any good?

[Chud]

I've just managed to borrow one of these off a friend at work - I've got a well and truly blocked kitchen drain (not the pipework in the kitchen!).

I am planning to feed this up the pipe from the inspection chamber rather than trying to get it round the sharp bend of the trap - is this the right way to go about it?

Any tips/tricks anyone would care to share?

Cheers

Richard

 

[MANDATE]

I used one years back and I managed to feed it round the bend of the trap (no manhole). There was plenty of backwash for a minute or so then 'all gone'
With the water pressure on it almost pulled itself along the pipe
What you're planning seems ideal, the backwash will be on the clear side.
I think I'd cover the trap so when it breaks through.
I'd come and watch if you were nearer, any excuse to go to Dorset.

 

[Chud]

lol - well by the time I really got to it it was dark so there wouldn't be much to see! The neighbours must of thought I was mad mucking about with manholes and pressure washers wearing a head torch.

I've got a 100bar Karcher and even this provided enough pressure for the cleaner to pull itself along the pipe you just need to twist it where you get to pipe junctions etc. to get it down one pipe or the other - after about an hour of trying to find the trap about 6 metres away I had success of a sort and it's now draining - albeit a bit slowly.

I'll try some more chemicals in it this week and if no better I'll try tying half a cork to some braided fishing line and popping it round the bend in the trap then run the taps to get it down to the manhole - I'll then tie on the drain cleaner and pull it back so I know it's getting to where it needs to go...

 

[MANDATE]

I think it's worth trying to hand feed it over the trap (before you switch on)and try to use it from the trap end.
The nozzle having four backward facing holes will be pushing whatever back to where it come from and you may have more success.
It all depends if what is causing the blockage is solid or can be broken down.
Good luck! (Worked many years in good old Dorset)