Having issues with slow drains or clogs in your home? If you have old pipes, you may be concerned about hydrojetting and whether or not it’s a safe technique. The short answer is yes.
Hydrojetting is safe if plumbers perform the procedure with proper inspection and care. With an external and professional video inspection, the jetting procedure can clean your pipes thoroughly without causing any damage.
What Is Hydro Jetting & How Does It Work?
Hydrojetting is a procedure plumbers use to clear out tough clogs and debris from pipes. The procedure involves using high-pressure water, typically at 4,000 PSI or pounds per square inch. This blast of water can remove tough clogs, years of mineral buildup, tree roots, and grease. After plumbers flush your pipes with water, you’ll get a clean pipe with no residue or blockages.
Is Hydro Jetting Safe for Old Pipes?
Yes, while hydrojetting is generally safe for old pipes, it does depend on the material of your pipes and how old they are. Here’s how the procedure affects different types of materials.
Clay
While vitrified clay sewer pipes can be a very effective material for pipes and can handle the jetting procedure, older clay pipes may crack under pressure if they are brittle. To ensure your clay pipes can withstand the hydrojetting procedure, have our plumbers perform both an external and a video inspection.
Cast Iron
Also known as “quiet pipes,” cast iron pipes are typically long-lasting and reliable and can handle the force of hydrojetting. However, some problems these face over time include corrosion and rust. If you have old cast iron pipes, our plumbers can ensure the walls are thick enough to withstand the jetting procedure.
PVC/ABS
White PVC pipes and black ABS pipes are made from smooth, plastic material and typically handle the jetting procedure very well. Unless the pipes are cracked or were not installed properly, the jetting procedure shouldn’t damage them. To be safe, however, have our plumbers inspect your PVC/ABS pipes with an external and video inspection.
Orangeburg
Orangeburg pipes are made of layers of wood pulp in between layers of tar. Unfortunately, these pipes don’t do well under any kind of pressure and won’t handle the jetting procedure very well. If you have Orangeburg pipes, you’re better off replacing them rather than trying to clean them with high blasts of water.
Is Hydro Jetting Safe for Your Home?
Yes, hydrojetting is generally safe for your home. Having said that, pipes are made from different materials, and the procedure will affect them differently. Therefore, before you schedule a hydrojetting procedure, have a professional plumber perform the following:
External Inspection
Our plumbers can note the age of your plumbing system and the material. They will also identify any exterior damage and ensure no tree roots are penetrating the main sewer line. Lastly, they’ll identify your sewer line’s main entry points.
Video Inspection
Next, our plumbers can get a view of the interior of your pipes with a small camera. This live view will identify both the location and cause of any clogs. The footage can also reveal any rust or corrosion inside your pipes.
Risks of Hydro Jetting (If Not Done Correctly)
While hydrojetting can be a great way to clean the inside of your pipes, it can also cause damage if it isn’t done correctly. Here are some risks of hydrojetting.
Damaging Old Pipes
High blasts of water could crack or destroy your pipes if they’re old, have cracks, or are corroded. Old clay or Orangeburg pipes are especially vulnerable.
Pushing the Clogs in Deeper
If plumbers didn’t identify the exact location of the blockage, the high blasts of water may push the clog in further, making the problem worse.
Causing a Backflow
If the block is large or impenetrable, the water could flow backwards, back into your home.
Damaging Plumbing Seals
If the pressure from the hose is too high, the blast of water could damage your plumbing seals and fixtures.
Benefits of Hydro Jetting
If you need to give your plumbing system a thorough cleaning, hydrojetting is probably the best option. Here are some benefits the technique offers.
Effective Cleaning
Unlike other methods of cleaning your plumbing system, such as snaking, hydrojetting is more thorough and effective.
Eco-Friendly Procedure
One major advantage of the jetting procedure is that it doesn’t use any harsh chemicals, making it safe for the environment.
Excellent Way to Prevent Future Clogs
By pushing out all the gunk in your pipes, jetting can prevent future clogs from building up. This results in fewer plumbing problems.
Can Diagnose Plumbing Issues
Since hydrojetting begins with a video camera inspection, plumbers can identify any problems with your pipes, such as corrosion, root intrusions, cracks, or rust.
If you need hydro jetting services in Clearwater, FL, trust Benjamin Franklin and our punctual plumbers to do the job right.
Final Thoughts
Hydrojetting is a great solution if you’re looking for a way to clean out stubborn clogs from your plumbing system. Our plumbers offer external and video inspections to ensure even old pipes can withstand the procedure. Contact us to find out more about this effective and eco-friendly plumbing technique.