Figure 5-52. - Turbine-driven tools.

Figure 5-53. - Roots growing into sewer pipe.

requires a handful of copper sulfate crystals. If the flow is greater than 10 gallons per minute, apply more copper sulfate or treat the line with repeated applications. If the chemical fails to remove the roots, use power-driven equipment.

REPAIRING

Sewer breaks and obstructions must be repaired at once. Sewers under roadways, crushed by settling, must be encased in concrete or sleeved with steel piping. In difficult situations get technical assistance from higher authority.

Bypassing the sewage flow is usually required during repairs. The usual method is by blocking the upper manhole outlet with sand bags or an expandable rubber test plug, using portable pumps to discharge the sewage to a lower manhole through a fire hose or a temporary pipeline.

Excavations over 5 feet must be shored and ladders provided under safety requirements for excavation, building, and construction. Adequate guards and warning signs must be placed around the excavations in roadways. Details on the requirements mentioned are found in EM 385-1-1, Safety and Health Requirements Manual.

Q20. What is the first step to correct a problem in a sewer line?

Q21. You should use what size fire hose to do most sewer flushing jobs?

Q22. Accumulated sand and grit deposits should be removed at what point in the sewer system?

CLEARING STOPPAGES IN FIXTURES

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize different types of equipment and methods for clearing fixture stoppages.

Stoppages in fixtures are usually caused by materials lodged in the drain, trap, or waste line. Obstructions often can be removed by manually operated devices, chemicals, or both.

The method depends upon the seriousness and nature of the stoppage. The obstruction should be entirely removed and not merely moved from one place to another in the line. After the stoppage has been relieved, pour boiling water into the fixture to ensure complete clearance. Some of the methods used in clearing stoppages in fixtures are explained below.

When using a snake or sewer tape, keep track of the length of tape in the pipe, so you can determine the break or stoppage location. Also, with plastic pipe, exercise care not to use sharp ends to-avoid cutting through the wall of a pipe or fitting.

The FORCE CUP, or the PLUMBER'S FRIEND, is commonly used for clearing stoppages in service sinks, lavatories, bathtubs, and water closets. One type of force cup has a round, rubber suction cup, about 5 inches in diameter, fastened to a wooden handle, as shown in view A, figure 5-54. When using the force cup, partly fill the fixture with water. Now, place the force cup over the drain opening and work the handle