Wöhler cleaning tools for chimneys, ventilation ducts, boilers and drains
Wöhler cleaning tools are professional, German-made systems for removing soot, creosote, dust and blockages from chimneys, flue pipes, ventilation ducts, boilers and waste water pipes. They range from hand-operated vipers and drill-driven rotary tools to compressed air duct cleaning sets, sweeping stars and electric drain cleaning machines.
This page covers 25 tools across five cleaning methods. Each description explains what the tool does, which jobs it suits and how to choose between similar models. All are supplied across South Africa and to neighbouring countries from our Cape Town base.
Manufacturer: Wöhler Technik GmbH of Bad Wünnenberg, Germany, a family-owned company founded in 1932 that develops cleaning tools, inspection cameras and measuring instruments with and for chimney sweeps and building services trades.
Also written as: Woehler and Wohler. The model names are identical under every spelling.
Cleaning methods covered: manual rods, rotary brushing, compressed air, negative pressure extraction, mechanical drain augers and high-pressure water jetting.
Questions? Call +27 21 911 5835 or email sales@ecotao.co.za
How to choose the right Wöhler cleaning tool
Start with what you are cleaning and how heavy the deposits are. The table matches common cleaning jobs to the Wöhler tool designed for them.
← Scroll to see full table →
| Job | Recommended tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep a narrow flue or cooker flue pipe with tight bends | Viper S with small hole stars | Thin flexible rod passes tight bends |
| Sweep a domestic chimney or stove liner | Viper M or Snap & Sweep Regular | Viper M for flues up to 250 mm; Snap & Sweep for stubborn soot |
| Remove glazed creosote or tar | Rotary Viper Heavy-Duty, or Snap & Sweep with Strong rods | Rotating heads break hard deposits |
| Clean a tall stack or long duct run | Viper XL / XXL | 30 m to 100 m rods |
| Clean a pellet stove flue | Rotary Viper Pellet M5 | Sized for small pellet flues |
| Clean a tumble dryer vent | Rotary Viper Vent | Flexible shaft through bends |
| Use rotary cleaning with existing M10 stars and brushes | Rotary Viper M10 | 1.5 m to 15 m shafts, M10 thread |
| Clean ventilation ducts with brushes | Snap & Sweep Soft with SF 300 | Rotary brushing with dust extraction |
| Clean small round or rectangular ducts | Compressed Air Cleaning with SF 300 | Helicopter nozzle under negative pressure |
| Clean boiler tubes and heat exchanger passes | Boiler Brushes, or the Powered Boiler Cleaning Brush for heavy fouling | Restores heat transfer |
| Clear a blocked basin or kitchen waste pipe | PU 100, then RM 200 | Pump for light blockages; machine for stubborn ones |
| Clear an outdoor or main drain | RM 300 or RM 400 | Up to 150 mm pipes; RM 400 adds auto-feed |
| Flush grease and silt from a drain | HR 300 | Water jet with 30 m hose reel |
4 tools
Wöhler hand-operated vipers
A viper is a reel-mounted, flexible glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) rod that a single technician feeds by hand into a chimney, flue pipe, ventilation duct or drain. A star or threaded brush on the end scrapes soot, dust or deposits off the inside wall as the rod is pushed and pulled. The size of the viper sets the rod thickness and length, which in turn decides how large a flue it can clean and how heavy a brush it can drive.
Compact viper for narrow flues
Wöhler Viper S
The Viper S is the smallest and lightest Wöhler viper, built for narrow flue pipes, small ventilation ducts and pipework. Its thin 4.5 mm GRP rod is flexible enough to follow tight sweeping bends that stiffer rods cannot pass, which makes it well suited to range cookers, stove connecting pipes and small-bore vents. The rod has a resistant PA coating and distance marking, so you always know how far into the flue you are. The ergonomic reel is light enough to hold in one hand.
- 4.5 mm GRP rod, 15 m long
- Resistant PA coating with distance marking
- Stainless steel M5 end piece
- Stars and brushes sold separately
Best for: Narrow flues, cooker flue pipes and small vents with tight bends
All-round viper
Wöhler Viper M
The Viper M is the versatile, portable middle size for flue gas systems and chimneys up to 250 mm diameter, as well as ducts and pipework. Rods come in 15 m and 20 m. A precisely adjustable brake, patented by the German chimney sweeps' guild (DGBM), controls how freely the rod pays out, so it does not spring off the reel. An integrated holder carries up to two stars. The Viper M PLUS and H 420 versions add a digital meter counter that shows how far the rod has travelled into the flue.
- Rod lengths: 15 m and 20 m
- For chimneys and flues up to 250 mm Ø
- Precisely adjustable DGBM-patented brake
- Viper M PLUS and H 420 add a digital meter counter
- Integrated holder for up to 2 stars
Best for: Everyday sweeping of domestic chimneys, stove liners and gas flues
Viper for medium chimneys and ducts
Wöhler Viper L
The Viper L has a thicker 9 mm GRP rod that can push larger and stiffer cleaning attachments than the Viper M. It is designed for medium-sized chimneys, pipes and ventilation ducts, with a choice of 15 m or 20 m rods. An adjustable brake with a safety lock holds the rod securely when you stop feeding. The M10 stainless steel end pieces accept the wider range of heavier stars and threaded brushes.
- 9 mm GRP rod in 15 m or 20 m
- Adjustable brake with safety lock
- Stainless steel M10 end pieces
- Takes larger cleaning attachments
Best for: Medium chimneys, larger ducts and heavier brush work
Long-reach viper
Wöhler Viper XL / XXL
The Viper XL and XXL carry the longest rods in the Wöhler range for large chimneys, tall stacks, long ventilation runs and pipes. The XL is available with 30 m or 50 m rods and the XXL with a 100 m rod. A push rod helps drive the brush through long runs, and the reel supports large star brushes and threaded brushes.
- XL with 30 m or 50 m rod; XXL with 100 m rod
- GRP rod with resistant coating
- Push rod for long runs
- Supports large stars and threaded brushes
Best for: Tall stacks, commercial chimneys and long duct runs
Wöhler vipers compared
← Scroll to see full table →
| Viper S | Viper M | Viper L | Viper XL / XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Narrow flues, small vents | Domestic chimneys and flues to 250 mm Ø | Medium chimneys, pipes, ducts | Large chimneys, tall stacks, long runs |
| Rod | 4.5 mm GRP | GRP with length marking | 9 mm GRP | GRP with push rod |
| Lengths available | 15 m | 15 m, 20 m | 15 m, 20 m | XL 30 m, 50 m; XXL 100 m |
| End piece thread | M5 | See data sheet | M10 | See data sheet |
| Brake | Not listed | Adjustable, DGBM patented | Adjustable with safety lock | Push rod for long runs |
| Meter counter | No | On Viper M PLUS and H 420 | No | No |
| Strength | Flexible through tight bends | Portable and versatile | Drives larger attachments | Maximum reach |
8 tools
Wöhler rotary vipers and Snap & Sweep
Rotary cleaning tools are turned by a cordless drill instead of being pushed by hand. A spinning brush or whip removes hard, glazed deposits, such as creosote or baked-on soot, far better than a static brush. It also cleans the full circumference of a flue evenly. Snap & Sweep is one modular system: short rods click together to the length needed, and the same kit takes Soft, Regular or Strong rods depending on how flexible or stiff you need them. Rotary vipers, by contrast, come as a single length.
Heavy-duty rotary viper
Wöhler Rotary Viper Heavy-Duty
The Rotary Viper Heavy-Duty is the longest and toughest rotary viper, built for chimney sweeping where deposits are too stubborn for a hand-pushed brush. Driven by a cordless drill, its rotating shaft and cleaning head loosen hard soot and tar deposits from the flue wall. It is available in 10 m and 13 m for tall chimneys and multi-storey stacks.
- Available lengths: 10 m and 13 m
- Cordless drill driven
- Built for heavy chimney sweeping
- Removes stubborn soot and tar deposits
Best for: Chimneys with heavy or glazed deposits
Rotary chimney viperNew to this page
Wöhler Rotary Viper Chimney
The Rotary Viper Chimney brings drill-driven rotary cleaning to everyday domestic chimney work. Three lengths cover short stove connecting flues through to full house chimneys: 2.5 m, 4 m and 7 m. The shortest length that still reaches the far end of the flue is the easiest to control, so a stove flue is usually better served by the 2.5 m or 4 m version. Rotating cleaning removes deposits evenly around the whole flue wall.
- Available lengths: 2.5 m, 4 m and 7 m
- Cordless drill driven
- Even cleaning around the full flue wall
- For 10 m and 13 m shafts, see the Rotary Viper Heavy-Duty
Best for: Domestic chimney and stove flue sweeping
General purpose rotary viperNew to this page
Wöhler Rotary Viper M10
The Rotary Viper M10 is the general purpose rotary viper, using the same M10 thread as the Viper L so it accepts the standard range of stars and threaded brushes. It comes in the widest choice of lengths in the range, from 1.5 m for a short connecting pipe up to 15 m for a full chimney or long duct run, and there is a dedicated 5 m Ventilation Set. It is the one to choose when you want drill-driven cleaning with your existing M10 attachments.
- Available lengths: 1.5 m, 3 m, 5 m, 10 m and 15 m
- 5 m Ventilation Set version
- M10 thread, as used on the Viper L
- Cordless drill driven
Best for: Flue pipes, chimneys and ducts where M10 attachments are already in use
Rotary viper for vents and ducts
Wöhler Rotary Viper Vent
The Rotary Viper Vent cleans tumble dryer vents, ventilation ducts and piping. It comes in 5 m and 15 m, each with a wipe and brush head. The extremely flexible shaft and small end piece pass through narrow bends, and a battery-driven drill spins the wiper and brush head. Clockwise and anticlockwise rotation let you work deposits loose and then back the tool out cleanly. Removing lint from dryer vents restores airflow and reduces the fire risk that lint build-up creates.
- Available lengths: 5 m and 15 m, each with wipe and brush head
- Extremely flexible shaft with small end piece
- Clockwise and anticlockwise rotation
- Operated with a cordless drill
Best for: Dryer vents, extract ducts and small ventilation pipes
Rotary viper for pellet systemsNew to this page
Wöhler Rotary Viper Pellet M5
The Rotary Viper Pellet M5 is the rotary viper for pellet stove and pellet boiler flues, which are typically small in diameter and have tight connecting pipes. It uses M5 fittings, the same thread as the Viper S attachments, and a 2.5 m Pellet Systems version covers the flue pipe itself. Rotating cleaning keeps the fine ash from pellet combustion off the flue walls so the appliance keeps drawing properly.
- Designed for pellet systems
- M5 fittings, as used on the Viper S
- 2.5 m Pellet Systems version available
- Cordless drill driven
Best for: Pellet stoves and pellet boiler flues
Soft rods for the Snap & Sweep system
Wöhler Snap & Sweep Soft
Soft is the most flexible of the three Snap & Sweep rod types. The rods click together to the length needed and are spun by a cordless drill, and their extra flexibility lets them follow the bends in ventilation ductwork while still transmitting torque to the brush. They also sweep stainless steel chimneys without scratching the liner. The carrying bag keeps rods and heads clean in the vehicle and doubles as a mat to protect the customer's floor.
- The most flexible Snap & Sweep rod type
- Follows bends in ventilation ductwork
- Scratch-free on stainless steel liners
- Carrying bag doubles as work mat
Best for: Residential and commercial ventilation duct cleaning
Rod system for chimneys
Wöhler Snap & Sweep Regular
Regular is the standard Snap & Sweep rod, and the usual starting point for chimney sweeping. Snap-in connectors join the rods and cleaning heads, and a cordless drill spins them to remove stubborn soot. Extra rods add length in seconds, so the same kit handles short stove flues and taller chimneys. Attachments include a universal rotary head that takes stainless steel chains for persistent soot in masonry chimneys, Perlon brushes for stainless steel and plastic liners, and heads for jobs such as removing bird nests. A Chimney Liner Set version is also available.
- Snap-in rod connectors
- Cordless drill rotation removes stubborn soot
- Length extended by adding rods
- Chimney Liner Set version available
- Attachments for soot and bird nests
Best for: Chimney sweeping from the fireplace or from the roof
Heavy-duty rod systemNew to this page
Wöhler Snap & Sweep Strong
Strong is the stiffest of the three Snap & Sweep rod types. The extra stiffness transmits more torque to the cleaning head, which helps where deposits are hard or where a long rod train would otherwise flex. Rods, heads and the drill adapter are shared across the whole Snap & Sweep system, so Strong rods can be added to a kit you already own. Wöhler notes the system also suits chimneys with particularly large diameters.
- The stiffest Snap & Sweep rod type
- More torque to the cleaning head
- Interchangeable with Soft and Regular rods
- Suits large-diameter chimneys
Best for: Demanding chimney work and larger flues
Snap & Sweep rod types compared
← Scroll to see full table →
| Soft | Regular | Strong | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rod stiffness | Most flexible | Standard | Stiffest |
| Suits | Ventilation ductwork and bends | General chimney sweeping | Hard deposits and long rod trains |
| Liners | Scratch-free on stainless steel | Perlon brushes for stainless and plastic | Chains for masonry soot |
| Drive | Cordless drill | Cordless drill | Cordless drill |
| Interchangeable | Yes, same connectors | Yes, same connectors | Yes, same connectors |
Wöhler rotary vipers compared
← Scroll to see full table →
| Rotary Viper Chimney | Rotary Viper Heavy-Duty | Rotary Viper M10 | Rotary Viper Vent | Rotary Viper Pellet M5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main use | Domestic chimneys | Heavy chimney sweeping | General flues, chimneys and ducts | Dryer vents and small ducts | Pellet system flues |
| Lengths | 2.5 m, 4 m, 7 m | 10 m, 13 m | 1.5, 3, 5, 10, 15 m | 5 m, 15 m | Pellet Systems 2.5 m |
| Thread | See data sheet | See data sheet | M10 | M5 head | M5 |
| Attachments | Cleaning head | Cleaning head | Takes M10 stars and brushes | Wipe and brush head | M5 attachments |
| Sets | 5 m Ventilation Set |
3 tools
Wöhler compressed air duct cleaning
Compressed air cleaning uses the thrust of air leaving a rotating nozzle or whip to loosen dust and drive the tool along a ventilation duct. It reaches round and rectangular ducts that a brush cannot turn inside. The work is normally done under negative pressure: openings are sealed and a dust collector draws air through the system, so loosened dust is captured rather than blown into the building.
Compressed air duct cleaning sets
Wöhler Compressed Air Cleaning
Wöhler Compressed Air Cleaning comes in two sets. The Standard Set suits small round ventilation pipes up to 125 mm diameter. Its backward-rotating helicopter nozzle pulls itself forward through the pipe and cleans runs of up to 7 m. The Professional Set handles both round and rectangular ducts, small and large, and includes a belt holder for hands-free operation; its hose reel adds about another 20 m of reach. Overall the system suits round ducts of roughly 75 to 400 mm as well as rectangular ductwork. Nozzles come in two rotations: the anticlockwise nozzle sends air backwards and pulls itself deeper into the duct, while the clockwise nozzle blows debris back towards the opening. The compressor should deliver at least about 5 bar (70 psi), around 15 cfm and a tank of about 50 litres.
- Standard Set: round pipes to 125 mm Ø, runs to 7 m
- Professional Set: round and rectangular ducts, plus 20 m hose reel
- Anticlockwise nozzle pulls in; clockwise nozzle blows debris out
- Needs a compressor of about 5 bar, 15 cfm and a 50 litre tank
Best for: Cleaning kitchen, bathroom and building ventilation ducts
Pneumatic viperNew to this page
Wöhler DH 420 Pneumatic Viper
The DH 420 Pneumatic Viper reels a 10 m compressed air hose in and out like a viper, making compressed air cleaning quick to handle. The glass-fibre reinforced outer jacket of the hose and the forward thrust of the air let the cleaning head glide easily along the duct. The reel can also be run with water where wet cleaning is preferred.
- 10 m compressed air hose on a reel
- Glass-fibre reinforced hose jacket
- Air thrust helps feed the hose
- Can also be run with water
Best for: Frequent duct cleaning where hose handling speed matters
Duct cleaning dust collector
Wöhler SF 300 Dust Collector
The SF 300 creates strong negative pressure in a ventilation line up to 300 mm diameter, extracting dirt and dust particles as they are loosened during brush or compressed air cleaning. This protects the building from the dust being removed. Two hoses can be connected at once, the unit is easy to transport and set up, and a hose extension reaches awkward vents.
- For ventilation lines up to 300 mm Ø
- Strong negative pressure extraction
- Two hoses can be connected simultaneously
- Supplied with 5 m hose Ø 200 mm with integrated filter
Best for: Dust-free duct cleaning in occupied buildings
5 tools
Wöhler stars and brushes
Stars and brushes are the cleaning heads that screw onto a viper, rod or rotary tool. The choice of material sets how aggressive the cleaning is: soft bristles for ventilation ducts and stainless or plastic-lined flues, and stiff flat-wire steel for heavy soot in masonry chimneys. The size should match the flue so the brush touches the wall all round.
Chimney sweeping stars
Wöhler Stars
Stars are flat, radial sweeping heads that fit on vipers and rods. They are available in several materials and diameters, from softer versions for light deposits and sensitive flue liners to stiff flat-wire stars for heavy soot. Choose a diameter to suit the chimney so the bristles contact the entire flue wall.
- Several materials for light to heavy deposits
- Range of diameters
- Fit Wöhler vipers and rods
Best for: Routine chimney and flue sweeping
Stars for the powered boiler brushNew to this page
Wöhler Small Hole and Mini Hole Stars
Small hole stars and mini hole stars have a 10 mm inner hole and are made for the Powered Boiler Cleaning Brush rather than for rod vipers. They come in several materials and hardnesses, from soft spring steel flat wire for delicate surfaces to harder grades for baked-on deposits, so the same drive unit handles light and heavy boiler fouling. The Mini Hole Star 15 cm has 120 wire ends.
- 10 mm inner hole
- For use with the Powered Boiler Cleaning Brush
- Several materials and hardnesses
- Mini Hole Star 15 cm has 120 wire ends
Best for: Boiler cleaning with the powered brush drive
Threaded cylindrical brush
Wöhler Threaded Brush
Threaded brushes are cylindrical brushes with a threaded end that screws directly onto viper, rod and rotary tool end pieces. Their full-length bristle contact cleans pipes and ducts evenly. They are available in different materials and sizes to match deposit type and pipe diameter.
- Screw onto M5 and M10 end pieces
- Available in different materials and sizes
- Even cleaning along the pipe wall
Best for: Pipes, ventilation ducts and flue pipes
Boiler cleaning brushes
Wöhler Boiler Brushes
Boiler brushes clean the heat exchanger passes and flue tubes inside oil, gas and solid-fuel boilers. Soot and scale on these surfaces act as insulation and reduce the heat transferred to the water, so regular brushing keeps the boiler efficient. They are available in different materials and sizes to fit the boiler's passages.
- Different materials and sizes
- Cleans boiler tubes and heat exchanger passes
- Helps restore heat transfer efficiency
Best for: Boiler servicing by heating technicians
Powered boiler brush setNew to this page
Wöhler Powered Boiler Cleaning Brush
The Powered Boiler Cleaning Brush drives the brush with a 550 W drill instead of by hand, so baked-on deposits in boiler passes come off with far less effort. The set includes the drill, a bushing with a short M10 shaft, three 400 mm guide tubes, three 366 mm shafts, hard and medium cup brushes and a 3 mm boiler brush spring. Small hole and mini hole stars fit the same drive for different deposit types.
- Supplied with a 550 W drill
- 3 guide tubes (400 mm) and 3 shafts (366 mm)
- Hard and medium cup brushes, plus M10 boiler brush spring
- Takes small hole and mini hole stars
Best for: Frequent boiler servicing
5 tools
Wöhler drain cleaning machines
A drain cleaning machine spins a steel spiral cable inside a blocked waste pipe. The rotating auger or cutter on the tip bores through or pulls out the blockage, whether that is grease, hair, scale or roots. The machine size is chosen by pipe diameter: small machines and thin cables for basins and kitchen waste pipes, and larger machines with thicker cables for main drains and outdoor pipes.
Compact drain cleaner
Wöhler RM 200 Drain Cleaning Machine
The RM 200 is the smallest and lightest machine in the Wöhler drain cleaning range, easy for a plumber to carry anywhere in the house. It clears blockages in indoor pipes from 40 to 100 mm diameter using 16 mm cables that click together to the length required. A small 8 mm cable masters tight bends. The rotation direction switches within arm's reach, and a protective hose keeps the kitchen clean while you work.
- Indoor pipes Ø 40–100 mm
- 16 mm click-together cables; 8 mm cable for tight bends
- Snap-lock augers for every blockage type
- Protective hose for clean work
Best for: Kitchen, basin and bathroom waste pipes
All-round drain cleaner
Wöhler RM 300 Drain Cleaning Machine
The RM 300 is a compact 570 W machine that clears blockages in both indoor and outdoor pipes from 40 to 150 mm diameter. Three cable diameters, 8 mm, 16 mm and 22 mm, let you match the cable to each pipe, and the drill attachments click into place. The full set includes straight and bulb augers, spade and C-cutters in two sizes, cables, a cable reel, protective hose, gloves and a carrying case.
- 570 W motor
- Indoor and outdoor pipes Ø 40–150 mm
- 8 mm, 16 mm and 22 mm cables
- Full set of augers and cutters available
Best for: Plumbers who need one machine for most domestic drains
Drum drain cleaner with auto-feed
Wöhler RM 400 Drain Cleaning Machine
The RM 400 keeps the cleaning cable inside a drum, so transport, set-up and cleaning stay clean and quick. It is pulled on wheels like a trolley. On site you pull the cable out of the drum, and after cleaning you push it back in, so dirty cable never touches the vehicle. An auto-feed helps drive the cable into the pipe, and attachments change with a snap lock.
- Cable enclosed in a drum
- Auto-feed assists cable insertion
- Wheeled trolley transport
- Snap-lock attachments; indoor and outdoor use
Best for: Longer drain runs and frequent call-outs
High pressure drain jetterNew to this page
Wöhler HR 300 High Pressure Cleaner
The HR 300 cleans pipes with a water jet instead of a cable. A hose reel carries a 30 m hose so the jet reaches deep into the pipe and rinses it while cleaning, and the adjustable pressure, up to around 100 bar, loosens blockages that a brush would slide past. The set is supplied with high-pressure and pipe cleaning nozzles plus a gun and lance. The hose reel detaches for surface cleaning, and nozzles, lance and reel store on the wheeled machine.
- 30 m hose on a removable hose reel
- Adjustable pressure up to about 100 bar
- High-pressure and pipe cleaning nozzles, gun and lance
- Wheeled with on-board storage
Best for: Flushing grease and silt from drains after mechanical cleaning
Manual drain pump
Wöhler PU 100 Pipe Cleaning Pump
The PU 100 is a hand-operated pump that clears light blockages using positive or negative pressure, with no power needed. Three easy-to-change adapters fit different drains, and an adjustable handle makes it comfortable to use. It is the inexpensive first step before reaching for a drain cleaning machine.
- Clears light blockages with pressure or suction
- Three interchangeable adapters
- Adjustable handle
Best for: Quick fixes on sinks, basins and showers
Wöhler drain cleaning machines compared
← Scroll to see full table →
| RM 200 | RM 300 | RM 400 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe diameter | Ø 40–100 mm | Ø 40–150 mm | Ø 50–110 mm |
| Where | Indoor pipes | Indoor and outdoor | Indoor and outdoor |
| Cable | 16 mm click-together; 8 mm for bends | 8, 16 and 22 mm | Built into drum |
| Feed | Manual | Manual | Auto-feed |
| Transport | Carried by hand | Carrying case | Wheeled trolley |
Cleaning chimneys, ducts and drains in South Africa
Wöhler tools are designed for European chimney sweeps and building services contractors, and they transfer directly to South African work. Local building practice and climate shape where they are most useful.
Fireplaces and wood stoves
Closed combustion stoves and open fireplaces are common in Highveld, Free State and Western Cape homes, and heavy winter use builds soot and creosote quickly. Fireplaces and chimneys fall under SANS 10400-V (space heating). A Viper M with a suitable star handles routine sweeping, while Snap & Sweep or a rotary viper removes glazed creosote left by damp or softwood fuel.
Commercial kitchen extraction
Restaurant and hotel extract ducts collect grease that is a known fire risk if left to build up. Compressed air cleaning with the SF 300 dust collector, or Snap & Sweep Soft, lets contractors clean long, bending duct runs without dismantling ceilings.
Ventilation in buildings
SANS 10400-O sets ventilation requirements for buildings. Dirty ducts reduce airflow, and fans are often simply turned up to compensate, which wastes electricity. Cleaning restores design airflow without the extra energy cost.
Drains and plumbing
Drainage installations are covered by SANS 10400-P. Grease, fibrous waste and tree roots are frequent causes of blockages in older properties. The RM 300 handles indoor and outdoor pipes up to 150 mm, and the HR 300 flushes the pipe clean after the blockage is cleared.
Inspect before and after cleaning: Wöhler cameras in our store
A camera inspection shows where deposits or blockages are before you start and proves the result afterwards. These Wöhler video endoscopes and inspection cameras are listed in the Ecotao online store. For flue gas analysers and leak testers, see our Wöhler measuring instruments page, and for the full camera range see Wöhler inspection systems.
Frequently asked questions about Wöhler cleaning tools
Is it Woehler, Wöhler or Wohler?
All three spellings refer to the same German manufacturer, Wöhler Technik GmbH of Bad Wünnenberg. The ö is written oe in German when the umlaut is unavailable, and many English sites simply drop it. Product names such as Viper M or RM 300 are the same under every spelling.
What is a chimney sweeping viper?
A viper is a flexible glass-fibre (GRP) rod wound on a hand-held reel. A sweeping star or brush is screwed onto the end and the rod is fed into the chimney, flue or duct, then pushed and pulled to scrape deposits from the wall. Because the rod stays on the reel, one person can sweep without assembling separate rods.
Which Wöhler viper should I choose?
Choose the Viper S for narrow flues and tight bends, the Viper M for everyday domestic chimneys and flues up to 250 mm diameter, the Viper L when you need a thicker rod for larger or stiffer brushes, and the Viper XL or XXL for tall stacks and long duct runs where 30 m, 50 m or 100 m of rod is needed.
When should I use a rotary tool instead of a hand-pushed viper?
Use a hand-pushed viper with a star for routine sweeping of loose soot. Switch to a drill-driven rotary tool such as a Rotary Viper or Snap & Sweep for glazed creosote, tar or baked-on soot, which a static brush tends to slide over. Wöhler also recommends stiff flat-wire stars, Snap & Sweep or a rotary viper for heavy deposits.
What is the difference between Snap & Sweep Soft, Regular and Strong?
They are three rod types within the same Snap & Sweep system, not three separate systems, and they share connectors, heads and the drill adapter. Soft rods are the most flexible, which suits ventilation ductwork and bends and sweeps stainless steel liners without scratching them. Regular rods are the standard choice for chimney sweeping. Strong rods are the stiffest and transmit the most torque to the cleaning head. Rods can be mixed and added to a kit you already own.
Which stars and brushes fit which tool?
Stars and threaded brushes screw onto the end pieces of vipers and rods, so the thread decides what fits: M5 on the Viper S and the Rotary Viper Pellet, and M10 on the Viper L and Rotary Viper M10. Snap & Sweep uses its own click-lock heads rather than threaded stars. Small hole and mini hole stars have a 10 mm inner hole and are made for the Powered Boiler Cleaning Brush, not for rod vipers.
Should ventilation ducts be cleaned with brushes or compressed air?
A visual inspection decides. Round ducts with loose dust clean well with brushes on rods or rotary tools. Small round and rectangular ducts, and ducts with many bends, are often better suited to compressed air cleaning with a helicopter nozzle or air whip. In both cases a dust collector such as the SF 300 should hold the duct under negative pressure so dust is captured.
What compressor do I need for Wöhler compressed air cleaning?
The compressor should supply at least about 5 bar (70 psi) with an air delivery of around 15 cfm, roughly 420 litres per minute, and a tank of at least about 50 litres. Undersized compressors cannot keep the helicopter nozzle turning over a full duct run.
What is the difference between the clockwise and anticlockwise helicopter nozzles?
The anticlockwise nozzle directs air backwards, which creates forward thrust and pulls the hose deeper into the duct. The clockwise nozzle directs air forwards, which drives dust and debris ahead of the nozzle and back towards the duct opening where extraction can capture it.
How often should a chimney be swept?
A widely used benchmark is the US standard NFPA 211, which calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year and cleaned when deposits are found. Wood-burning stoves used heavily through a Highveld winter, or appliances burning damp wood, may need sweeping more than once a season.
What lengths do Wöhler vipers and rotary vipers come in?
Vipers: Viper S 15 m; Viper M 15 m and 20 m, with the Viper M PLUS and H 420 adding a digital meter counter; Viper L 15 m and 20 m; Viper XL 30 m and 50 m; Viper XXL 100 m. Rotary vipers: Rotary Viper Chimney 2.5 m, 4 m and 7 m; Rotary Viper Heavy-Duty 10 m and 13 m; Rotary Viper M10 1.5 m, 3 m, 5 m, 10 m and 15 m plus a 5 m Ventilation Set; Rotary Viper Vent 5 m and 15 m; and a 2.5 m Rotary Viper Pellet Systems M5.
What length viper or rotary viper do I need?
Measure the full run you have to clean, from the access point to the far end, and choose the next length up. Too short will not reach the top of the chimney; much too long adds weight and slack that makes the tool harder to control, particularly with a rotary shaft. For a typical single-storey stove flue a 2.5 m or 4 m rotary shaft is usually enough, while a double-storey chimney or a long duct run calls for 7 m or more.
Which Wöhler drain cleaning machine is right for my pipes?
Use the RM 200 for indoor waste pipes from 40 to 100 mm, the RM 300 for indoor and outdoor pipes from 40 to 150 mm with three cable sizes, and the RM 400 when you want the cable enclosed in a wheeled drum with auto-feed. For light blockages, try the hand-operated PU 100 first.
Do you supply Wöhler cleaning tools outside South Africa?
Ecotao supplies equipment across South Africa and to neighbouring countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini. Contact the sales team with the tool you need for availability and lead time.
Need help choosing a Wöhler cleaning tool?
Tell us what you are cleaning, the flue, duct or pipe diameter and the type of deposits, and we will recommend the right tool and brushes and confirm availability and lead time. Wöhler cleaning tools are supplied across South Africa and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Head Office: +27 21 911 5835
Zak: 086 142 8716
Zaid: 082 390 3989
Email: sales@ecotao.co.za or aqua@ecotao.co.za