Drain and sewer issues are something that almost every homeowner will encounter at some point. In the past, the only option for tackling clogs and other problems was to use a pipe snake or drain auger. Nowadays, many plumbing companies have instead turned to hydro-jetting, as it offers a more effective and long-lasting solution. In this article, we’ll discuss all you should know about hydro-jetting, including what applications it’s used for, how it’s done, and when it’s necessary.
What Is Hydro-Jetting Used For?
Our plumbers use hydro-jetting to clear stubborn clogs in sewer lines and, occasionally, indoor drain lines. It’s also an effective preventative measure when included as part of a regular drain cleaning service. By thoroughly scouring the inside of the pipes, hydro-jetting helps reduce the risk of future blockages and keeps your plumbing system running smoothly. While a pipe snake or drain auger can remove clogs, they don’t clean the pipes as thoroughly as hydro-jetting.
Understanding the Hydro-Jetting Process
The easiest way to understand hydro-jetting is that it’s like pressure washing the inside of your plumbing to blast away anything stuck to the walls of the pipes and blast away clogs. The job is done using a special machine, usually referred to as a jetter, which is connected to a large tank of water. When the plumber turns the jetting machine on, it starts drawing in water from the tank and greatly increasing its pressure. They then insert a hose and specially designed nozzle into the pipe and start spraying water out of the nozzle. They’ll then continue to feed the nozzle down through the entire length of the pipe so that everything gets cleaned and washed away into your sewer system.
Our plumbers have a few different nozzles they can use depending on the size and type of the pipe they’re jetting and what they’re trying to accomplish. Most commonly, they’ll use a nozzle that produces multiple jets of water. One jet sprays forward directly out of the end of the nozzle to blast through clogs. The other jets spray out backward at an angle to essentially scour the insides of the pipe and blast away any fat, hair, or whatever else may be stuck to the pipe.
Our plumber can also adjust the pressure of the water coming out of the nozzle as needed. When jetting drain lines inside a house, they’ll typically set the pressure lower than they would when jetting a sewer line. If they encounter tree roots in a sewer line, they can then turn the pressure up to the point where the jet of water easily cuts through the roots. In these situations, they may also use a special cutting head designed to slice through roots more effectively and clear the line without damaging the pipe.
What Type of Pipes Can You Hydro Jet?
Generally speaking, plumbers can hydro jet almost any type of drain or sewer pipe. However, the pipe must be in good condition and not too old or brittle, as otherwise the water pressure could cause it to crack or break. This is why hydro-jetting isn’t recommended for clay sewer lines, as the clay pipes still in use today are often old and brittle.
While it’s sometimes possible to safely hydro-jet an old cast iron sewer line, it depends on the extent of rust and corrosion. Since most cast iron lines are already aged and have weak spots, our plumber may use a drain auger or rooting machine instead to clear your sewer line.
Hydro-jetting is safe for most PVC pipes. However, if the PVC pipe is already cracked or damaged, jetting it can result in increased damage and create more problems than it solves.
The Importance of Drain and Sewer Camera Inspections
The fact that hydro-jetting could result in damage is why our plumbers always perform a thorough camera inspection before deciding to hydro-jet any pipe. This type of inspection involves inserting a waterproof fiber-optic camera through the pipe. At the same time, the plumber monitors the video feed to check the condition of your sewer line or interior plumbing and look for issues like weakened piping.
If the tree roots are just growing in through a joint or pipe fitting, hydro-jetting can be an effective option for removing them. If they’ve punched a hole in the pipe, using a sewer auger will be safer. That’s because the auger should be able to cut through the roots without causing further damage. That way, you may be able to get your sewer line repaired instead of needing to pay for a full sewer replacement.
Signs That You Need Professional Drain or Sewer Cleaning
Drain and sewer issues can be a major hassle and also a big expense should they get worse. That’s why you want to monitor your plumbing so that you can quickly spot any potential problem and get it taken care of before it turns into a much bigger issue, like your sewer system backing up.
The most urgent sign that you need to call a plumbing service immediately is sewage backing up into one or more drains in your home. It usually means you have a major blockage in your main sewer line, preventing wastewater from flowing to the city sewer or your septic system. When the line is clogged, sewage has nowhere to go and begins to reverse course, often appearing in the lowest drains first, such as basement floor drains.
Slow sink and appliance drains are another thing to watch out for, as this issue usually indicates there’s a blockage or partial clog somewhere in your plumbing. The same can be true if your toilet won’t flush completely or you hear a chugging or gurgling sound coming from a drain or toilet. If these sorts of issues are confined to a single drain or toilet, it means that the drain pipe for that fixture needs to be cleaned. If you’re experiencing these issues throughout your house, you may need drain cleaning services to solve the problem.
Sewage odors inside your house can be another sign that you need a drain cleaning or hydro-jetting service. In some cases, a sewage odor just means that the P-trap under the drain is dry and needs to be refilled with water. If pouring water down the drain doesn’t eliminate the smell or you smell sewage in multiple places, it’s definitely time to have a professional inspect your plumbing.
Contact Your Local Plumbing Experts
For prompt, honest, and reliable plumbing, drain, and sewer services in Minneapolis-St. Paul, look to the experienced team at Drain Works Plumbing. We have over 75 years of combined experience and will do whatever is necessary to help you tackle your problem. We provide professional drain cleaning and hydro-jetting services for both residential and commercial customers and won’t rest until you’re fully satisfied and your plumbing works as it should. Contact us today to get help from one of our experienced plumbers.
