Tough, Durable General Drain Cleaning Tools Help Young Florida Plumbing Business Thrive

How important are rugged, reliable drain cleaning tools to career and business success? For Brad Bush, owner of Bush Family Plumbing LLC in Zephyrhills, FL, they are essential. “If equipment failures occur, customers never blame the machine,” he says. “They always blame you!” That’s why Brad and his wife Emily have built their fast-growing business around durable, dependable drain cleaning equipment from General Pipe Cleaners.

Real-Life Lessons Learned

Brad’s experience shaped his approach. Before founding his company, he worked for several years with a local plumbing and drain cleaning business. “I paid close attention to what worked – and what didn’t,” he recalls. “And I always saw competitors’ equipment in the shop – and never any General machines!”

Small-Line Wonders for Spot Stoppages

Serving customers within a 50-60 mile radius of their office between Tampa and Lakeland, FL, Bush Family Plumbing sets high standards for their tools. “We knew that durable, dependable equipment actually becomes the public face of our burgeoning business,” Emily asserts. For small-line stoppages, they rely on General’s handheld Super-Vee® and Power-Vee® machines.

Super-Vee®: Famed for Decades of Service

Easy-to-use and hand-held, the Super-Vee quickly clears sink, shower, toilet, and laundry lines up to 3” in diameter. Known for its durability, many units last 10, 20, or even 30 years without replacement. Introduced in 1971, the Super-Vee features General’s Slide-Action™ chuck, which engages and releases Flexicore® cable with a simple push or pull of the Grip-Shield—even as the cable rotates. The chuck also automatically adjusts to 1/4” through 3/8” diameter cables. Quick-change cartridges allow users to switch or clean cables without delay or mess.

Flexicore® Advantage

Switching to a different diameter Flexicore cable is simple: loosen three screws, pull off the front of the drum, and load another cartridge. The process takes less than a minute and keeps the job clean. General’s rugged, affordable cartridges are also used as storage containers for small-diameter drain cleaning cables. Flexicore cables are made of heavy-gauge wire coiled tightly around 49-strand aircraft-type wire rope, offering unmatched strength and flexibility. General’s design is so durable it includes a one-year warranty against defects or breakage.

“Flexicore is impressive!” Brad says. “No wonder it’s the industry leader!” He describes General’s design as “very robust and heavy-duty,” noting that compared to hollow-core cable and other “solid” cables, Flexicore offers great flexibility while stiffening under load—making a significant difference on tough stoppages.

Power-Vee®: Automatic Feed for Tight Areas

Brad and Emily were so pleased with their Super-Vee machines that, after winning General’s “Give Us Your Best Shot” photo and video contest, they chose a Power-Vee® with automatic cable feed to complement their existing unit. Much of their indoor work occurs under sinks and inside cabinets, where the compact, maneuverable Power-Vee excels. Its automatic feeding system acts like an “extra hand” in confined spaces, making small-line drain cleaning faster and easier than manual methods.

Like the Super-Vee, the Power-Vee easily unclogs sink, tub, toilet, and laundry lines 1-1/4” to 3” in diameter—up to 50 ft. long. “There isn’t anything we don’t love about it,” Brad grins. Their Handy-Stand™ from General further enhances its versatility.

Handy-Stand™: Versatility for Hand-Held Tools

General’s rugged Handy-Stand turns Super-Vee and Power-Vee into practical countertop or floor machines. It enhances versatility, safety, and stability—especially in tight, awkward spaces. “It’s really, really nice under sinks and in cabinets,” Brad says, noting that even lightweight tools can become fatiguing in cramped areas.

Features include:

• Quick-release clamp for securing the drain cleaner
• Four-point base for optimal stability and safety
• Power cord holder to reduce work obstructions
• Built-in cutter caddy for convenience
• Lightweight design with a lift handle that doubles as a spare cable cartridge holder
• Positionable horizontally or vertically for operator convenience

Part of Their Dependable Equipment Arsenal

“We consider reputation one pillar of our success,” Brad insists. “And it’s one of the main reasons we use only General tools!” Their growing equipment roster includes:

• Two Root 66® sectional drain cleaners
• A previously owned Easy Rooter® floor machine nicknamed “Big Bertha”
• A brand-new Gen-Eye Pod video inspection system with Wi-Fi capability and a Hot Spot digital locator

Rugged General tools play a key role in customer satisfaction. “Our customers count on us to fix issues right—the first time,” Brad stresses. “And General quality, reliability, and engineering help ensure that!”

For more information, contact the Drain Brains® at General at 800-245-6200 or by email at info@drainbrain.com.