For operators cleaning municipal sewer, storm, and sanitary lines, dreaded “blown toilets” can quickly become a public relations nightmare.
“A ‘blown toilet’ can leave sewer material on a homeowner’s floor and toilet seat, raising tensions in the community,” says Dan Story, Operations Manager at KEG Technologies, a manufacturer of sewer and storm line products including nozzles, chain cutters, and camera nozzle systems.
Blown toilets typically result when operators rush up sewer lines on the first pass, creating debris piles that trap air. As the nozzle returns, compressed air blasts up residential laterals—leading to messy overflows. Failing to open upstream manholes can worsen the issue, increasing pressure throughout the system.
To address this, KEG previously developed the Equalizer nozzle—an effective but costly specialty item. It used twelve forward jets to create an umbrella pattern that blocks airflow and six rear jets for powerful propulsion and cleaning.
Now, KEG has released a more affordable and improved version: the Toilet Tamer. “I designed it specifically to prevent blown toilets,” says Story. The nozzle’s engineered jet angles dramatically reduce airflow, preventing pressurized air from entering service lines. A tapered, football-shaped design eliminates hang-ups, making it ideal even for misaligned pipes.
Rated Tier 3 with 90% water efficiency, the Toilet Tamer cleans more line per day with fewer tank refills. Most significantly, it costs about one-third the price of its predecessor—yet performs better.
Field tests with a California municipality showed minimal vacuum even at lateral connections and confirmed almost no air movement—evidence of its effectiveness. Impressed, the city ordered more for its fleet.
“We’re applying science to solve one of the most aggravating problems in the industry—economically and effectively,” concludes Story.
KEG Technologies is a NASSCO member and national trainer of sewer best practices.
Call KEG Technologies at 866-595-0515 or visit www.kegtechnologies.net for details.