When you think about a sewer backup, you probably think about plungers, drain cleaners, and maybe drain snakes. You definitely think about big messes and big headaches. What you might not think about is the possibility that a new technology called hydro jetting might be the solution to your drain cleaning problems. Let’s talk about it…
What Is Hydro Jetting?
Our team uses high pressure water jetting to break apart whatever is clogging your pipe. Whether it’s a buildup of grease or some type of solid obstruction, the powerful stream of water breaks it up and pushes it on down the line where it can get to the municipal sewer line. The result is a clear sewer line that flows efficiently and doesn’t back up into your house.
How Does Hydro Jetting Work?
The process is very similar to the high-pressure washers you may have used to clean your sidewalks or vehicles. The operator simply inserts the nozzle into the affected pipe, typically through a cleanout, and applies a high-pressure stream of water to the clog or buildup inside.
One key step takes place before the nozzle ever goes in. The operator inserts a video camera into the pipe first, getting an idea of the location of the backup and the condition of the pipe. This assessment of the situation is critical for preventing damage to the pipe and making sure that the problem can actually be corrected with this technique.
The Benefits of Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting offers several benefits over other options for dealing with sewer backups.
It’s effective
Most important, it works. After the technician evaluates your situation and determines that it’s the right solution to your specific problem, the problem will resolve easily. Your slow drains will be restored to normal function quickly and reliably.
No chemical use
Many times, people uses bottle after bottle of dangerous chemical drain cleaners trying to deal with a backup or clog. They end up creating a lot of pollution and possibly damaging their pipes without making any headway on the clog. With nothing but water and high pressure, jetting gets the job done cleanly and safely.
Long-term benefits
Sometimes a snake or chemical solution will improve the problem without completely resolving it. There will still be grease residue or foreign objects in the pipe, setting the stage for your next clog. The jetting process leaves nothing behind, offering years of trouble-free operation.
How Is Hydro Jetting Used?
When you call us with a slow or backed-up drain, we’ll send a plumber to your home as soon as possible. The first step is the video examination of the pipe, as we mentioned earlier. This helps pinpoint the size, location, and type of clog that you’re dealing with.
In some cases, the plumber may need to use a drain snake to break up parts of the clog, such as when tree roots have penetrated the pipe. If the pipe is in good condition and able to withstand the high pressure of the nozzle, the plumber will move to the next step.
Normally, the nozzle will be inserted through a cleanout plug. The plumber will direct it toward the problem area, then discharge water into the line. The powerful stream of water will break up the clog and any nearby buildup.
Unlike with plunging or routine snaking, there may not be a single moment when the drain breaks free and starts working. Instead, our plumber will spend time breaking up the blockage a little at a time and cleaning the inside of the pipe to reduce the chances of trouble in the future.
Where Hydro Jetting Most Effective?
The process is usually not necessary on the everyday clogs that you can resolve with a plunger. The most common use is for those problems that have gradually become worse over weeks or months.
In that situation, the culprit is usually an accumulation of grease, silt, or solids like baby wipes. Drains start out by flowing slowly, then they eventually back up. Situations like these are a perfect opportunity to get things fixed with hydro jetting.
Let Us Help You!
You can spend lots of time and money trying to come up with a solution to your drain cleaning problems on your own, but some jobs call for a professional. Our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Clearwater, FL has years of experience dealing with jobs just like yours. With just one call, you can put our experience and tools to work for you and get your home back to normal quickly and safely.
FAQs
Is hydro jetting effective?
In the right situation, hydro jetting does an outstanding job of clearing away obstructions in sewer drain lines and restoring normal flow. We’ll use video technology and our experience to determine if jetting will correct your problem.
Is hydro jetting expensive?
Every job is a little different, with some requiring more time than others. It’s definitely cheaper than using several jugs of drain cleaner or damaging pipes trying to remove a clog yourself. Our pledge is to provide fair and transparent pricing for our customers.
Can hydro jetting be used in every home?
That’s the first question we’ll answer when we arrive. If your sewer line is corroded or collapsed, we won’t be able to hydro jet your clog. Other factors may keep us from hydro jetting your line. Whatever the case, we’ll be open and honest, and we won’t try to hydro jet your lines if we know it won’t help.
Final Thoughts
If a child flushed the remote control and clogs up the toilet, you can probably handle that yourself. When the problem affects the whole house and has gotten gradually worse over time, you’re dealing with something that a homeowner can’t handle. That’s when it’s time to get expert help to come in and provide a safe, clean, and effective solution to your drain problem.