How Blow Bags Can Damage Your Plumbing

As a leading plumbing service provider in the Phoenix area, our team at Robins Plumbing is proud to educate our customers in all aspects of plumbing. This education includes the dangers that may be lurking about within your current plumbing, as well as hazards associated with DIY plumbing. One of the most challenging things to deal with is a pipe blockage, and many homeowners attempt to fix the issue by using a blow bag. Unfortunately, most homeowners end up causing more damage, which is why we are here to share how blow bags can damage your plumbing! 

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What Is a Blowbag?

A blow bag, also known as a plumber’s bag, is a tool that is used to clear blockages in pipes. It is a rubber or PVC bag that is filled with air and inserted into a pipe. The bag is then inflated and used to push the blockage out of the pipe. For many licensed plumbing professionals, blow bags are seen as a tool for do-it-yourselfers or handymen, not a tool to be used by a professional in the field, even though they have been around for a long time.

Is a Blow Bag Effective?

While a blow bag can be an effective tool for clearing blockages, there are some associated risks. For example, picture a straw, and something stuck inside of it. Now picture blowing through that straw to push the object out of the straw. That is similar to how a blow bag effectively removes stoppages from drain lines. The trade-off is that it can also damage plumbing, even if used properly.

How Do Blow Bags Cause Damage?

Sticking with the theme of straws, imagine that you had a string of straws put together with tape connecting them. Include bendy straws in the mix and put a solid blockage within the string of taped-together straws. Now, blow through the straws to release the obstruction.

The pressure at the taped connections will often break versus the obstruction pushing through. Even if the connections hold, they will weaken. This is often the same for drain lines that have air pressure applied to them. Drain lines are not meant to hold pressure, so older connections can weaken or break during the process of attempting to clear a blockage with pressurized air.

Another way that a blow bag can damage plumbing is by rupturing the pipe. If the blow bag is inflated too much or if it becomes lodged in a tight bend in the pipe, the pressure can cause the pipe to break, which can lead to significant water damage and costly repairs.

A blow bag must be used with extreme caution and only by a professional plumber or a person with proper training, who knows the capacity of the pipe and the appropriate pressure to use, to avoid causing damage to your plumbing system.

Trust Our Team For The Job

If your home is currently dealing with a blocked pipe, our team at Robins Plumbing offers solutions that will mitigate the risk associated with releasing the blockage. Our ultimate goal is to keep your current plumbing system intact to help you avoid costly repairs. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help, do not hesitate to give us a call. We offer 24/7 services so no matter the time of day, we have got you covered!