What additional features do pipe-cleaning brushes have?

There are numerous variations of the standard pipe-cleaning brush. This means pipe-cleaning brushes can be used for all sorts of different jobs.

Flexible stem on a pipe-cleaning brush

Hosepipe and aquarium filter pipe-cleaning brushes have long flexible stems. This allows the brushes to clean the item thoroughly by manoeuvring around bends in the pipe.  

Double-ended pipe-cleaning brushes

Some pipe-cleaning brushes have two heads, one at each end of the stem, and no handle or loop.The brushes will be two different shapes or sizes to carry out different jobs.  

Threaded end of a pipe-cleaning brush

Some pipe-cleaning brushes have threaded ends which allow handles or stem extensions to be added  

Shank end of a pipe-cleaning brush

Pipe-cleaning brushes designed as attachments to power tools have a shank, instead of a handle, allowing them to be locked into the drill chuck tightly.

How does a pipe-cleaning brush work?

The pipe-cleaning brush is inserted into the tube to be cleaned and moved in and out.

Using a brush slightly greater in diameter than the tube to be cleaned allows the tips of the bristles to rub against the inside of the tube.

If you are using an abrasive pipe-cleaning brush to prepare metal for soldering, the bristles scratch the surface creating tiny grooves which the solder can attach to and create a strong join.

If you are cleaning a pipe or fitting, the bristles dislodge the sediment and the movement of the brush sweeps it out of the tube.