Will “Pipe Cleaning Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-4071.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 38,870.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 18.00
• Currently, there are 26,320 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners”.

Also Known As…

• Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
• Utility Worker
• Sewer and Drain Technician
• Sewer and Drain Cleaner
• Service Technician
• Septic Pump Truck Driver
• Septic Cleaner
• Public Works Technician
• Maintenance Worker
• Drain Cleaner
• Transport Tank Technician
• Sewer Pipe Cleaner
• Sewer Line Repairer
• Sewer Cleaner
• Sewage Screen Operator
• Servicer
• Septic Technician
• Septic Tank Cleaner
• Roto Rooter Operator
• Plumber
• Pipe Cleaning and Priming Machine Operator
• Operator
• High Reach Operator
• Electric Sewer Cleaning Machine Operator
• Drain Technician

Tasks for “Pipe Cleaning Machine Operator”

• Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
• Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
• Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
• Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
• Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
• Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
• Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
• Update sewer maps and manhole charts.
• Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
• Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.
• Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
• Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
• Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
• Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
• Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
• Requisition or order tools and equipment.
• Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
• Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.
• Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
• Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
• Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.
• Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.

Related Technology & Tools

• Portable concrete mixers
• Mobile tracked excavators
• Air tampers
• Septic pumping trucks
• Claw hammers
• Global positioning system GPS receivers
• Caulk dispensing tools
• Power screeds
• End pipe wrenches
• Liquid pumps
• Personal computers
• Prying bars
• Bucket machines
• Sewer cleaners
• Material pumping hoses
• High velocity water jetters
• Mobile radios
• Sewer surveillance cameras
• Power rodders
• Portable drills
• Dirt shovels
• Power trowels
• Air hammers
• Sewer cleaning rods
• Pipe cutters
• Measuring tapes
• Portable sewer cleaning machines

• Work scheduling software
• Word processing software
• Web browser software
• Route mapping software
• Data entry software
• Intuit QuickBooks