MyTana Blog

Purchasing an inspection camera can be one of your most important investments in the drain cleaning industry. Having the right camera in your toolset can boost your efficiency, productivity and ultimately, your profitability. If you are considering a push-cam, you want to make sure your investment is the right one, especially when you’re a self-employed professional. In addition to setting a realistic budget based on your business needs, you’ll want to consider three main areas: what your typical job site looks like (residential vs. commercial, etc.); what features are important to you, including video and display size; and the types and sizes of pipes you’ll normally be inspecting.

Amazingly, we’re already speeding toward the end of quarter one of 2022. After a rollercoaster two years, 2022 may be the one where the pandemic ends, and we move into “what’s next.” Though drain cleaning professionals have generally avoided some of the major downturns in work that other industries have experienced, the stress of 24 months of uncertainty have certainly still been felt. When setting your 2022 business goals, you may have been apprehensive about writing down anything “too lofty;” or perhaps you were the exact opposite, and decided to lean into the unknown and go all in. Either way, the end of Q1 offers a good opportunity to check in: are you on track to your goals?

The days of homeowners opening the phonebook and flipping through the yellow pages to find a plumber are long gone. The Covid-19 era proved that the drain professionals of today need to be active on social media to keep their businesses thriving as much of the world moved permanently online. While a plumber certainly can’t work from home, meeting potential customers where they are is more important than ever. Social media is a powerful form of word of mouth, and there is ample opportunity for today’s plumbers and drain cleaners to use social media marketing – without taking too much time or breaking the bank.

Jetters are an essential sewer and drain cleaning tool built to blast through soft obstructions like grease and sludge or melt through frozen lines. Each jetter consists of a motor, hose, pump and nozzle; and each attribute must be considered when purchasing a jetter. But none is more customizable than the jetter nozzle. Jetter nozzles are specialized to perform debris breaking and line clearing, and different designs all have individual advantages that impact price and use.

Push cameras can cost a pretty penny. So when you shell out that much for a piece of equipment, you should protect it. Our camera maintenance video shows tips for protecting your machine and how to take care of it before jobs.

Being a plumber or drain cleaner means being mobile. From switching between cleaning, jetting or inspecting tasks to traveling from job site to job site, this profession depends on your mobility, so your equipment should support being on the go. You can’t do your job without your equipment, and you can’t use your equipment if you can’t get it out of your truck. Staying injury free also plays a large role in keeping you going, so portability considerations help you make obstacles easier on yourself and on your equipment.

If you’re responsible for sewer and manhole inspection for a small town or a rural community, it’s likely that you don’t have the same budget or resources as larger municipalities. You might think the only way to get inspection capability is through expensive equipment. However, if you know which factors to look for, inspection capability doesn’t have to be a budget breaker—in fact, compared to hiring an inspection contractor, it can save your town money in the long run. Consider the following factors when evaluating your options.

Your website creates the first impression many customers will have of your business. Thankfully, designing an attractive and professional website is easier than ever, and following a few simple rules can keep your site looking neat, put together, and approachable. This article is second in a two part series. Check out Developing Your Business Website for tips and tricks on how to start building your website and the information you should include.

How you care for your equipment changes throughout the year. Your equipment faces a range of weather conditions, from blazing sun to subzero temperatures. Depending on where you live, you might even see both of these extremes within a calendar year! As the Northern Hemisphere heads into autumn, it’s time to start preparing for cold weather conditions.

To do a job right, you need the right tools. When it comes to cable machines, the appropriate blade type and proper application are essential to success. Before unclogging a drain, inspect both the blockage and the line to figure out which attachments will be best. The pipe diameter determines the cable size you should use, which end tools will work, and how the end tools attach.