Chimney rods and drain rods come in a variety of sizes depending on the material they are made from. Below are charts outlining the various sizes of the individual types of rod that are available.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene rods are available in the following sizes:
Rod length
Width
Width
Width
Width
1m (3’3″)
19mm (3/4 “)
22mm (7/8″)
25mm (1″)
28mm (1 1/8″)
1.5m (4’11”)
19mm (3/4 “)
22mm (7/8″)
25mm (1″)
28mm (1 1/8″)
2m (6’6″)
19mm (3/4 “)
22mm (7/8″)
25mm (1″)
28mm (1 1/8″)
3m (9’10”)
19mm (3/4 “)
22mm (7/8″)
25mm (1″)
28mm (1 1/8″)
1 metre and 1.5 metre (3’3″ and 4’11”) x 19mm (3⁄4″) rods are for general purpose use in small diameter drains or flues, and chimneys.
2 metre (6’6″) x 22mm (7⁄8″) rods are for 15.2cm (6″) and 20.3 (8″) diameter drains and septic tanks.
3 metre (9’10”) x 25mm and 28mm (1″) and (1 1⁄8″) rods are typically used in municipal and other heavy duty use.
The above is only a guide and the user should be aware that generally speaking, the narrower the width of the rod, the more flexible it will be.
Please note: 2 metre and 3 metre rods are more suitable for outside use as they are too cumbersome to be used in confined spaces.
Steel rods
Steel rods are available in the following sizes:
Rod length
Width
Width
Width
1m (3’3″)
6mm (15/64″)
8mm (5/8″)
10mm (3/8″)
1.5m (4’11”)
6mm (15/64″)
8mm (5/8″)
10mm (3/8″)
2m (6’6″)
6mm (15/64″)
8mm (5/8″)
10mm (3/8″)
A steel drill adaptor enables the steel rods to be attached to a drill.
Steel rods are typically used with a drill or similar power tool to remove blockages from drains when extra force is required.
Nylon rods
Nylon rods are available in the following sizes:
Rod length
Width
Width
1m (3’3″)
6mm (15/64″)
8mm (5/8″)
1.5m (4’11”)
6mm (15/64″)
8mm (5/8″)
Nylon rods are increasingly being used by professional sweeps as power sweepers. Their lightweight construction and flexibility make them ideal for attaching to power drills.
A drill adaptor is required to connect the rods to a drill. The steel bar is inserted into the drill chuck and the chuck is tightened.
Coiled spring rods
Coiled spring rods are available in the following sizes:
Rod length
Width
Width
Width
0.9 (3′)
13mm (1/2″)
19mm (3/4″)
1m (3’3″)
12mm (15/32″)
13mm (1/2″)
19mm (3/4″)
1.8m (6′)
12mm (15/32″)
13mm (1/2″)
19mm (3/4″)
Coiled spring rods are ideal for use where there are tight bends to manoeuvre around due to their flexibility.
Cane rods
Cane rods are available in the following sizes:
Rod length
Width
Width
Width
1m (3’3″)
19mm (3/4″)
22mm (3/4″)
25.4mm (1″)
1.5m (4’11”)
19mm (3/4″)
22mm (3/4″)
25.4mm (1″)
Cane is more environmentally friendly as it is a natural product and cane rods are still available from some companies, but they have very much been superseded by polypropylene.
They are reasonably strong but are not very flexible so are more suited to sweeping chimneys than clearing blocked drains.
