Most drains and sewer pipes for domestic and light industrial use are 4 inch (100ml) and 6 inch (150ml), going up to and beyond 9 inch (225ml). Blockages can occur anywhere along the length of the pipe, for any number of reasons – from soft tissue expanding as it absorbs water, like throw away nappies, to debris clinging to obstructions like tree roots that have grown into a drainpipe or sewer – and clearing them can involve a number of methods from the spinning nozzles to root-cutting devices with saw blades attached.

Water jetting at up to 4000psi will clear most blockages, the nozzles having forward and reverse jet patterns to break up the blockage and then flush away the debris.

Click here to see a video of jetting a drain.

After clearing the blockage the pipe is cleaned using the water jetting machine with different nozzles. A good survey of the clean pipe can then be undertaken (with our drain inspection cameras!) to establish that no further obstructions remain to cause future blockages. This will often be required for insurance purposes, with many insurers demanding the original, blocked pipe survey to compare against.

Jetmasters provides all the equipment needed for drain cleaning and surveying, from the simple drain-rods to all types of jetters to camera inspection equipment with recorders to show owners/occupiers that the job is done and is all clear.

The Drain & Sewer Cleaning Course gives the trainees a full appreciation of the problems that may be encountered and the different methods of overcoming the difficulties by using the correct pressures, nozzles and accessories to ensure that the task is carried out safely & efficiently. After the theoretical session, including a questionaire, is completed in the classroom the trainees are then moved outside to carry out the practical part of the course.

Certificates are issued to those trainees who reach the required standards and do NOT need renewing. However, to be valid it MUST be accompanied by an in-date Safety Awareness Certificate and Photocard.

Please visit the Book Courses page to book training courses.

Go back to the Safety Awareness page course to review.

You can see the Drain & Sewer Cleaning Certificate issued by the Water Jetting Association on this page, it is awarded to successful candidates passing the practical test and completing the questionnaire. This certificate only has to be taken once and it remains valid as long as a valid Safety Awareness Certificate is in force.

Typical of problems encountered down the drain is this 8 ft section of tree root that was completely occupying a 9 inch pipe and feeding well on material washed down and over it.

After removing the invading root, the next problem was to seal the hole or crack through which the root squeezed itself into the drain.

A camera survey with a tractor was required using a Pan and Rotate camera head. Obstructions, or protrusions, were trimmed off with a rotating saw, then a liner was inserted and cured.

Another camera survey was performed and this was recorded to show that the treatment had cured the broken section of pipe.

WJA Drain and Sewer Cleaning Course – Contents

1. REGISTRATION & INTRODUCTION
2. REVIEW KEY SAFETY AWARENESS ISSUES

(include only when presented as a ‘Stand-Alone’ Course):

Nozzles & Jets, Pumps & Ancillaries, Pressure Controls, High Pressure Hose, Hazards & Injuries, Personal Protective Equipment, Operational Procedures.

3. APPLICATIONS & MACHINES: 
Scope of drain & sewer cleaning applications; other pipeline systems. Range of cleaning requirements & standards. Range of Jetting Machines suitable for drain & sewer cleaning.

4. JETTING EQUIPMENT – NOZZLES & ANCILLARIES: 
Review nozzle principles – fixed jet nozzles, rotating nozzles, life & wear characteristics, driven rotating nozzles, associated ancillary equipment.

5. JETTING EQUIPMENT – HIGH PRESSURE HOSE: 
Hose used in drain & sewer applications, damage & wear possibilities; hose ancillaries. Bore size & flow capabilities.

6. JETTING EQUIPMENT – MACHINES: 
Range of jetting machines used, engine controls & instruments. Pump pressure controls, review dump/dry shut & selector / fail safe types, pressure safety relief. Water supply/delivery features – filtration requirements, boost feed pumps, built-in anti-freeze provisions.

7. JOB ASSESSMENT & PLANNING:
Information & assessment – site location, access to & layout of pipeline; construction material & nature of contaminants – initial condition and require finished condition; water provision, waste disposal, hazards. Selection of equipment & manning levels – jetting machine / nozzles / accessories, number & duties of operators, single person operation. Determine job method, based on safe system of work.

8. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES 
Daily checks – manufacturer’s instructions, other items requiring regular checks. Setting-up – permits / authorisations, barriers & warning signs, positioning of machine & equipment, team duties & signals, flushing, leaks check, preparation for entry of nozzle. Nozzle entry & advance into pipe; control & monitoring during cleaning, debris extraction, standard of finish. Release of hose if trapped by debris; removal of nozzle on completion. Job completion – client inspection, waste removal, equipment decontamination, return site to safe condition.

9. PRACTICAL EXERCISES: 
Jetting machine & equipment – review features, and demonstrate daily checks, start / run / stop. Job assessment – review & discuss, site location & constraints, accessibility, pipeline layout & features. Pipe construction, nature of contamination, required finishing condition. Water supply, effluent drainage & waste disposal. Hazards & use of PPE. Discussion of options, agree job method.

Site preparation – setting up work area. Team talk – review job method, signal, set up team(s). Position jetting machine, layout & check equipment. Demonstrate all procedures to full group. For all teams, instruct each operator in each duty. Trainees carry out exercise, each team following instructions to set up, flush, check for leaks, prep for nozzle entry, proceed with operation. Rotate team members through duties. Review at each rotation and final review. Disconnect equipment & clear site.

10. SUMMARY: 
Review of course content as above, with opportunity for any further discussion before Questionnaire.

The Drain & Sewer Cleaning Certificate