Cleaning a Pigtail???

AdmiralYoda

So I intend to take my P-trol off and install a union with a T so I can add a 30 psi gauge to comply with code.  The union will also make cleaning the pigtail easier in the future.

I'm probably going to just replace the pigtail....but for future reference I want to buy the appropriate brush to clean it out.  I'm having a hard time finding a long flexible brush for cleaning a 1/4" pigtail.

Can someone point me in the right direction?  Thanks!

EBEBRATT-Ed

There is no brush I know of. Some use a wire or a plastic zip tie to loosen up the crud and the blow it out.

Use a brass pigtail and fittings

AdmiralYoda

Thank you @EBEBRATT-Ed!  I actually answered my own question.  I first searched for pigtail brush, then pipe brush....the correct term is flexible tube brush.  Plenty of flavors out there.

Quick question...why brass and not black iron?

EBEBRATT-Ed

The pigtail sits with water in it and the iron ones will plug up a lot faster. Brass is more $$ but well worth the price

AdmiralYoda

Thank you!

ethicalpaul

If you clean it out every year or two you won't need a brush because it won't be able to really build up seriously hardened gunk. You'll just be flushing out some dirty water and a bit of soft mud at worst I would think.

Gsmith

I use a large size pipe cleaner (like the kids use for art classes), long wire with fuzzy stuff attached. Also a zip tie can work.

Jells

Why screw around when the right item costs $5?

Jamie Hall

Jells said:

Why screw around when the right item costs $5?

Because sometimes they can be next to impossible to get off.

Jells

Jamie Hall said:

show previous quotes

Jells said:

Why screw around when the right item costs $5?

Because sometimes they can be next to impossible to get off.

I was talking about the flexible shaft brush, what are you talking about??

Steamhead

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

The pigtail sits with water in it and the iron ones will plug up a lot faster. Brass is more $$ but well worth the price

This!

If a steel pigtail is plugged, we replace it with a brass one. It's not worth it to try to clear a steel one.

EBEBRATT-Ed

If I have a steel one that's plugged (and I had 3 on 1 process boiler) i take it off or cut it off and replace with brass pigtails. If I am out of pigtails. i pipe it with 1/4" fittings and then get back and replace it