Let’s get one thing straight: hydro jetting is miles better than using drain cleaners!
Why?
Drain cleaners are great, but sometimes they’re not enough to clear clogged underground drains for several reasons.
First, drain cleaners work best on inorganic blockages like hair, grease or soap scum. But not so much for inorganic objects like rust buildup or severe blocks like tree roots. Second, there are many risk factors to using drain cleaners for yourself and your plumbing system.
Thankfully, drain line contractors have an alternative solution— hydro jetting.
In many ways, hydro jetting is better for your plumbing than pursuing DIY solutions for your pipes. But if you’re at a crossroads about whether hydro jetting is worth it, let Drain Magic clarify your inquiries.
Stay tuned because we’ll explore everything there is to know about jetting pipes in this article.
What Is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jetting is a plumbing technique that utilizes pressurized water streams to clear blockages and clean drain lines. It involves using a specialized machine and nozzle that emits water at extremely high pressures. This is enough to dislodge and remove stubborn clogs like vegetation, debris or buildup.
In essence, hydro jetting restores the original structure of your pipeline— free of grease, food particles, sludge, scale and roots. As a result, your drains will flow correctly and your fixtures’ water pressure will be restored. Hydro jetting is also a long-term solution against backups or pipe damage, extending your system’s lifespan.
While the concept is simple, there are more layers to the hydro jetting process. Let’s look at how it works below:
How Does Hydro Jetting Work?
Clogs can happen even to the best underground pipes or plumbing systems. Knowing how hydro jetting works educates you on what to expect during a service and prevents sleazy contractors and plumbers from taking advantage of you:
Step #1: A drain specialist examines your plumbing system
Plumbers and sewer contractors begin the process with a sewer camera inspection first.
Using push cameras, they diagnose your pipes to locate the root cause of the blockage. They may insert the device directly into your fixtures’ drains or through a cleanout in your basement.
At Drain Magic, we use remote robotics to reach inaccessible areas throughout your sewer line.
However, there’s more to examining your sewer system than just locating the main problem. Sometimes, specialists will refrain from hydro jetting if the pipes are beyond repair. During these cases, they recommend trenchless plumbing or non-invasive repair solutions instead, which may either be:
- Pipe relining or creating a new layer inside the existing pipes
- Pipe bursting or the simultaneous shattering of your existing lines while pulling a new one into its place
Seeking a specialist’s professional advice can help you stay on top of your drain problems.
Step #2: Pumping of highly pressurized water
Only when contractors find that your pipes are fit for jetting will they proceed with the hydro jetting process.
Contractors will pump highly pressurized water into your plumbing system using a specialized machine and nozzle. Hydro jetting extracts all debris on your pipes’ front, side and rear using an all-side-facing nozzle. This is often done through an existing cleanout or directly into your fixtures’ drains.
The water pressure itself can range from 1,500 psi and go as high as 5,000 psi. Plumbers will adjust accordingly depending on the pipe’s materials, the severity of blockage or the existing pipe condition.
Step #3: Flushing out of pipe debris
Finally, flushing is all left to do once the plumbers have dealt with the debris and deposits. While the pressurized water and gravity may push some waste out from your pipes, flushing eliminates the remaining sludge.
Continuous water flow can flush out anything stuck in your drain lines. Ideally, this should restore your plumbing system to its original form— free from clogs and pipe backup issues.
However, if roots have penetrated your pipes, pursuing other pipe rehabilitation means is necessary. This includes CIPP lining to seal off any cracks, holes or crevices in your pipeline.
Advantages of Hydro Jetting
Are you still second-guessing the worth of a hydro jetting service on your plumbing system? Here are the advantages you may want to consider:
- Highly effective cleaning method: Stubborn clogs require more pressure than homemade drain cleaners or chemical solutions. Pressurized water does just that!
- Versatility: Hydro jetting applies to different types of pipes, like PVC, copper, cast iron and more. Moreover, it can work for various damages or degrees of clog severity.
- Preventive measure: Because hydro jetting happens after inspection, plumbers can provide professional advice on the best action. Plus, they can offer add-ons to strengthen your pipeline further.
- Environmental friendliness: Hydro jetting eliminates the need for chemical solutions, so choosing this process is safer for the environment.
- Non-invasive: Perhaps the most overlooked benefit is its non-invasive nature. With hydro jetting, you don’t need to get your yard transformed into a battlefield.
The advantages of hydro jetting outweigh the service cost you may incur. Additionally, it paves the way for the appropriate trenchless solutions to your pipeline. Some pipes beyond repair are better off replaced.
With the new trenchless approach, repairing or replacing your pipes doesn’t have to be invasive. At Drain Magic, we help South Central Pennsylvania homeowners with their underground drain or sewer line problems. Whether you need a hydro jetting service, pipe repair or replacement, we have you covered.