Hydro-jetting is a trusted and effective method for removing clogs from drain pipes. It is generally used in both residential and commercial buildings to clean out dirty drain pipes. Hydro-jetting is pretty effective for dislodging stubborn clogs and debris, including tree roots, from the walls of sewer pipes.
The hydro-jetting technique involves the use of water flowing at very high pressure, usually 4000 psi, and pumped into the pipes to clean out all kinds of debris from sewer drain pipes. The pressurized water is introduced into the pipes from one opening and let out through the exit point for wastewater flowing through the pipes.
Although hydro-jetting is effective, it may not be the ideal pipe cleaning solution for every situation. Considering that the water is flowing at very high pressure, chances are, it might fracture weak pipes and if not handled by a professional, it could lead to severe damage to the climbing system of your home.
Where and When Can Hydro-jetting be Used?
Sewer and drain specialists prefer to use hydro-jetting when the water system is often restricted with severe clogs that keep recurring. The interior of the pipes often scales up with debris, grease, and mineral buildup, which causes clogging and slow draining. If this issue is not addressed early enough, it can lead to sewer backups, meaning that dirty water may make its way into your home if the drains become blocked.
Hydro-jetting uses pressurized water to dislodge the clogs and most items causing the blockage in the pipes. The jet works with gravity and forces the pipes to clear up. There are some indicators that you may need hydro-jetting. Examples include a smelly kitchen sink, a slow-moving drain that repetitively clogs up, and a gurgling sound in your drains whenever you flush. Hydro-jetting typically works best in intact pipes. By consulting an experienced sewer and drain specialist, you can eradicate the obstructions in your pipes and prevent the problem from escalating. After an initial inspection of the pipes, the contractor should tell you if hydro-jetting is a suitable solution for cleaning your pipes.
When Is Hydro-jetting Not Safe to Clean My Pipes?
While hydro-jetting is generally considered very safe and effective for cleaning blockages in your pipe, it is best to consult an experienced sewer and drain expert to know if you can use the technique. This is because the pressurized water can cause further damage to already fragile pipes. People who live in old properties are most at risk of damaging their drain pipes with a technique like hydro-jetting.
You can also explore other drain cleaning methods like snaking, but that also is capable of causing as much stress to the pipes as hydro-jetting. Also, if you suspect the structural integrity of the pipes has been compromised, hydro-jetting might not be a safe cleaning option as well. They might not be able to withstand the high pressure of the water. You might need to start replacing sections of your drain pipes that are weak or the entire pipes, depending on how far you can stretch your budget. Consider speaking with a local contractor to advise you on which cleaning method to use.
What is Considered Older Pipe?
If your home was built more than 50 years ago, your plumbing fixtures are probably getting old. Therefore, it’s important to consider the condition of the pipes and other plumbing installations before choosing a particular cleaning method. Modern pipes, unlike the older ones, are more resilient to adverse weather conditions, including corrosion. These pipes are made of PVC, galvanized steel, etc. Items such as cast iron and clay pipes used in older pipes are not as durable as the more recent materials used in making plumbing pipes.
Importance of Sewer Camera Inspections
When it comes to cleaning old pipes, the sewer and drain specialist will most likely use a specialized sewer camera to determine if the pipe is old or not. A sewer camera inspection is a preliminary examination of your sewer line using a special camera that is inserted into the drain pipes.
The camera is passed through the entire length of the pipes and the images are viewed on a screen positioned above the ground. This procedure is often used as a preliminary procedure to determine where the fault in a drain line is located. It is also typically used as part of the process of removing blockages from the drain pipes.
Advantages of Hydro-jetting
While there are definitely some risks to using hydro-jetting, there are also some very good sides to using hydro-jetting to clean your drain.
- Non-invasive: Hydro-jetting is non-invasive; it does not involve digging of trenches in your yard, and it is very effective.
- Cost-friendly: Not only is hydro-jetting more efficient than other methods like the use of cleaning chemicals and snaking, but it also helps you to save money in the long run, including the inconvenience of future service calls.
- Eco-friendly: Compared to chemicals and other traditional drain-cleaning procedures involved, hydro jetting is much more environmentally friendly.
- It is versatile: Whether for commercial or residential buildings, hydro-jetting is a suitable method for removing blockages from drain systems.
- Preventative maintenance: Using hydro-jetting helps to clean out the entire drain pipes, saving the cost of future maintenance. Depending on the severity of the blockage, it may be more expensive than snaking and chemical cleaners, but it yields the best results.
In general, hydro-jetting is considered safe for clearing the entire diameter of the pipes, provided the pipes are not old or previously damaged.
How To Fix Your Old Sewer Pipe?
It is best to consult an experienced local sewer and drain cleaning company to advise you on what method is best for cleaning out your drain system. At N.W. Sewer & Drain, we have a well-trained and ready-to-move team on standby. We serve the Seattle metropolitan area, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Renton, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Auburn, Everett, Marysville, Mount Vernon and other surrounding areas.
N.W. Sewer & Drain provides top-notch drain cleaning and sewer repair services in the greater Seattle area, and we’ve been in the business for nearly 20 years. Contact us today at 206-931-7728 to schedule an inspection of your sewer line and pipes.