Professional drain cables with T-Nut - Which ones do I need?

Even professionals sometimes wonder what the differences are between the professional drain cables with T-Nut. We from ROKA Store explain them to you in this article. So you get to know the differences and find the best drain cable for your requirements!

Overview of the variants of T-Nut drain cables

Professional drain cleaning cables with T-Nut is available in four different versions. Depending on the manufacturer, these may be called slightly different, but basically they all follow the same system. The following designations have become generally accepted for the T-Nut drain cables:

• Standard drain cables
• Standard drain cables with core (SMK) / Drain cables with black core
• S drain cables
• S drain cables with core (S-SMK) / Drain cables with red core

 
But where exactly are the differences between these variants?

Standard drain cleaning cables vs. S drain cables: The wire thickness is decisive!

The difference between the standard version and the S-drain cable lies in the wire thickness: The S-drain cable is manufactured with a stronger wire than the standard drain cleaning cable. This means that the drain cable is harder, does not twist as much and can be subjected to higher loads. The S drain cables are therefore often referred to as "professional cables". They are particularly suitable for work with heavy drain cleaning tools, which must be used for stubborn drain blockages such as through roots, urine scale, concrete, heavy calcification and other hard incrustations. They are also very well suited for preparatory work for rehabilitation with inliners. At the everyday drain cleaning S-drain cleaning cables usually also have a longer service life. Why then are "S-cables" not always used? The reason is simple: The higher hardness means above all higher rigidity. This means that standard drain cleaning cables glide more easily through pipes and bends. For drain blockages in the drain of the house area they are often completely sufficient: Blockages caused by grease, soap, hair, toilet paper, wet wipes and food leftovers are also easily removed from the drain by standard drain cleaning cable. The lower wire thickness of drain cables also means less weight: standard drain cleaning cables are easier to carry and push. And finally: They are cheaper than the S drain cables.

Drain cables with core: increased stability and protection against soiling

Also T-Nut drain cables are offered with core (SMK or S-SMK) and without core. The core inside, also called core, does two things: First, drain cable becomes more stable, it bends much more heavily, but also becomes stiffer and less bowable. Secondly, less dirt can accumulate inside the drain cable, especially annoying wet wipes and other foreign bodies can wrap themselves up much more badly. One of the most frequently asked questions is also: What is the difference between the black core (SMK) and the red core (S-SMK)? This is quickly answered: standard drain cleaning cables have a black core, S drain cables with a stronger wire diameter have a red core. The color of the core is therefore a distinguishing feature that indicates the type of drain cleaning cable. If the drain cable is particularly stable, it has a red core.

2m vs. 2.3m and 4m vs. 4.5m - what length does the drain cable need?

Besides the wire thickness and the core, the T-Nut drain cables also differ in length: 16mm drain cables are available with 2m or 2.3m length, 22mm drain cables with 4m or 4.5m. The appropriate length is basically a matter of taste: the sanitary craftsman usually uses the longer version with 2.3m or 4.5m, while for sewer cleaning the versions with 2m or 4m are usually used. The longer version has the advantage that in a basket with 5 drain cleaning cables, a total working length of 22.5m is given with a length of 4.5m, while the 4m version "only" comes to 20m. The weight of the 22,5m is of course higher again, they are more difficult to transport. Therefore it remains: The length is a matter of taste.

And which T-Nut drain cable do I need now?

The answer to the question, which is the right drain cleaning cable can only be "It depends". The standard drain cleaning cables are completely sufficient for the frequently occurring drain blockages by soft foreign bodies, as they occur thus particularly in the house and in the catering trade range. The standard drain cleaning cable with black core offers additionally a higher rigidity and protection from clogging the inside of the drain cleaning cable with dirt from the pipe. If you occasionally use this type of drain cleaning, you will be satisfied with the standard drain cleaning cables. Professionals drain cleaner, who work with the machines on a variety of different drain cleaning jobs every day, usually use the drain cables with red core. They are thus prepared for any type of drain blockage from the outset. It removes slight blockages of the drain as well as root networks and incrustations. Any kind of drain cleaning tool, up to the carbide miller or milling cutter, can be used with the S- and the S-SMK drain cable They are also particularly suitable for use with chain knockers. And finally, the longer service life of the professionaldrain cables is also noticeable during continuous use. If the drain cable with the red core seems too stiff to you, you can also choose the S-drain cable with a higher wire thickness as a more flexible professional variant.

Finally: Which T-Nut drain cables are compatible with each other?

All drain cables, which have the designation "16mm T-Nut", "22mm T-Nut" or "32mm T-Nut" are compatible with each other. It does not matter whether they are offered by ROWO, rak, ROTHENBERGER, REMS, RIDGID, RIS or VIRAX: All drain cleaning cables and tools can be coupled together and used in all machines. Even different designations such as "ASF coupling" at rak offer full compatibility.