Kinetic Water Ram - Applications

Once you've purchased a Kinetic Water Ram, it's easy to begin using it in various locations and on various types of clogged drains. The Water Ram is ideal for locations with many drains, such as restaurants, dormitories, apartment buildings, hotels, and schools. It is much more efficient than a chemical drain cleaner, and it even works on airplanes! Anywhere you've got a clog, you can use the Water Ram.

Below, we've outlined some specific applications for varying types of drains. If you need help figuring out how to get the best results, you can call 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300, or click here to download the Kinetic Water Ram Operating Instructions in PDF format. The Water Ram is capable of removing even the toughest blockages, unlike most other drain cleaning tools.

Sinks

In sinks, you must block the overflow vent with a wet rag or towel before firing the Water Ram. Apply as much pressure as possible to rag or towel at the moment when you snap the trigger. There must be some water in the basin, so that the nozzle of the Water Ram is under water when placed in the drain opening. Use low pressure at first to make sure you have any splash back under control. Then increase at 10 lb. increments until stoppage has been cleared. Flush line with warm water. Water Ram does what most chemical drain cleaners and drain cleaning snakes can’t!

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Combination Sinks

To unclog double compartment sinks, use the Water Ram in the sink section leading directly into the trap and stack. To avoid splash back, seal off adjacent sink using an expansion plug. If you do not have an expansion plug, block the adjacent drain by covering firmly with large towel or rag.

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Toilets

Toilet bowls have an oval shaped opening that can make it difficult to form a good seal around the 4" rubber cone. It often helps to stuff a rag around the cone. A better solution is to use the optional toilet attachment. Use 30 lbs. of pressure at first to make sure splash back is under control. Press down firmly, putting your weight behind the Water Ram and snap the trigger. If low pressure is not successful, increase to 60 lbs. If toilet is only partly blocked by an object such as a toothbrush or pencil, loosely wad up a double page of newspaper and stuff into the bowl. When Water Ram is fired, the balled-up newspaper will break up the blockage and clear the line.

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Bathtubs

Remove pop-up cover from tub drain and position Water Ram. Use low pressure at first to make sure splash back is under control. Make sure there is some water in the tub so that the nozzle of Water Ram is under water when placed in drain opening. If not, as with a slow draining tub, clamp water supply hose over faucet and connect to the Water Ram check valve. Turn faucet wide open so that water is supplied faster than it can drain off. If you're having difficulty with splash back, follow the same basic procedure as for clearing sinks. Remove overflow screen and with screwdriver push 8 to 10 inches of thin wet rag down overflow pipe and replace screen.

In some tubs, excellent results can be obtained by unscrewing pop-up lever, and turning the lock nuts on Water Ram nozzle so that the rubber cone can be screwed back far enough to attach the caulking hose in front of the cone, then inserting caulking hose into the pop-up valve opening. This will aim kinetic force directly down the drain. Be sure to cover drain opening before snapping trigger. The Kinetic Water Ram is capable of clearing some of the toughest clogs.

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Two-to-Four-Inch Sewers

In case Water Ram is used at the clean-out or floor drain, connect Ram to expansion plug. A four-inch floor drain is frequently a bit oversized for the four-inch expansion plug. In that case, wrap a piece of gasket rubber around the expansion plug and make a snug fit before tightening plug.

Where there is more than one outlet, always apply Water Ram where water backs up first. Do not discharge Water Ram until water appears on floor at next opening. Other drain openings should be covered to protect against splash back.

Extreme Blockages

If the line is severely blocked, insert the caulking hose furnished with the Water Ram into the drain pipe. An excellent seal can be made by caulking the hose into the drain pipe by means of a wet rag and screwdriver. Then, while you hold the hose down, fire the Water Ram using 30 to 40 lbs. of pressure. In extreme stoppages, remove the trap, attach a half inch reducing coupling to drain pipe and connect Water Ram. Attach water supply hose between faucet and check valve on Water Ram. Turn on faucet so that the vent is filled with water. A two to three foot head in vent or stack is sufficient. Turn off faucet. Apply 50 to 75 lbs. of pressure.

Maintenance

The leather seal in the Water Ram's pump should be oiled occasionally to keep it from drying out. This can be done by lifting the pump rod up and then applying a few drops of Neat's-Foot (leather) oil through the air hole. The best method for cleaning rubber accessories is to wash them in hot water with soap or detergent. The best method for cleaning rubber accessories is to wash them in hot water with soap or detergent.