Hydraulic root cutter clears tough pipe blockage

Problem: The American Embassy Tunisia in Washington, D.C., was experiencing a major sewer blockage in one of their 8-inch lines. Over time, massive root intrusions blocked the pipe. The problem was compounded by hardened grease and calcium buildup on the pipe walls. A standard approach using a mechanical cable machine was not feasible due to the heavily impacted roots, and using a high-pressure sewer jetter alone would also be very time-consuming and require a significant number of man-hours to complete. The embassy needed a quick solution that wouldn’t damage the pipe walls in the process.

Solution: Spartan Tool’s 468 hydraulic root cutter with an 8-inch saw blade was used in conjunction with a high-pressure water jetter to clear the root mass effectively. The unit operates at 2,000 psi; at this pressure the risk of damage to pipe walls and seals was significantly reduced in comparison to using a rotating nozzle at 4,000 psi. As the cutter moves through the pipe, roots are pinned against the pipe wall and the steel saw blade rips and tears them away. Combined with a flow rate of up to 15 gpm, the unit flushes the root pieces out of the sewer line. The final step involves using a high-pressure water jetter to remove any remaining roots or buildup from the pipe walls.

Result: The unit cut through the roots and the sewer line’s flow was restored. The embassy resolved their drain problem without damage to the pipe walls, and the job was completed in less time than using a single cleaning tool alone. 800/435-3866; www.spartantool.com.