Clogged drains and pipes can be frustrating for any homeowner. If the plunger and the baking soda just isn’t enough to dislodge stubborn blockage, you may need a stronger way of dispatching your clog. Hydro jetting offers an innovative way of busting up clogs that prove difficult to remove using other methods. But before you get in touch with us to set up your hydro jetting appointment, you should know a few things about the process, from how it works to the results you can expect. The following explains the ins and outs of hydro jetting so you can decide if it’s right for your plumbing needs.
Advantages of Hydro Jetting
With the holidays coming up, you want your home’s plumbing to be in the best shape possible. More guests usually mean your plumbing system will see more use than usual. An unexpected clog or even a slow drain can put a damper on party or dinner plans, plus emergency plumbing services can also be more expensive this time of year. Having your pipes hydro jetted not only removes clogs that are giving your plumbing system trouble, but it’s also a helpful preventative step against future clogs and blockages.
Functions of Hydro Jetting
What makes hydro jetting so unique and effective is the way that it deals with clogs when compared to ordinary snaking. As the name implies, the hydro jetting process relies on water and its ability to cut through tough materials when subjected to high pressures. Instead of a mechanical auger, a hydro jet uses a specialized nozzle that forces out water at pressures of around 4,000 PSI or more. A typical hydro jetting usually starts off with a thorough video inspection of your clogged pipes. This not only gives your plumber a better idea of the state of your plumbing, but the inspection also helps pinpoint the exact location of the blockage and how much pressure is needed to blast it away. A video inspection can also help plumbers spot areas where root intrusion has taken place and avoid damaging fragile pipes. Once the inspection is complete, your plumber will feed the hydro jetting tool through the drain or a nearby cut-out. As the forward-facing nozzle fires a high-powered stream of water through the clog, two or more backward-facing jets help sweep the resulting debris out of the pipe while blasting the pipe walls clean.
Traditional Sewer Clearing vs Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting offers a safer and more effective alternative to traditional sewer clearing methods. Whereas a mechanical auger may damage PVC drain pipes, for example, a hydro jet offers much less risk of damage to pipe walls when used properly. Hydro jetting is also more effective at removing certain types of materials that often contribute to drain clogs. A hydro jet tool can sweep out fat and grease deposits with relative ease, whereas a mechanical auger could leave behind small deposits. Hydro jets also have a longer, more powerful reach than mechanical augers, allowing them to clean larger sections of pipe more thoroughly. Another area where hydro jetting excels is tree root intrusion. Mechanical augers often have trouble cutting through fibrous and invasive root growth, making an otherwise simple job more time-consuming for plumbers and homeowners alike. In comparison, a powerful hydro jet can make short work of tree roots and other dense, fibrous growth thanks to its high-pressure cutting action. If you’re constantly dealing with foul odors coming from your drains, hydro jetting may offer a great way of neutralizing those odors. Hydro jets not only break up clogs and other blockages, but the scouring action of the hydro jet nozzles also removes food particles that provide odor-causing bacteria with a food source. Take away that food source and you’ll end up with a plumbing system that smells better than before.
Potential Drawbacks of Hydro Jetting
As with any type of plumbing service, there are plenty of drawbacks to consider. For instance, you might not be able to use hydro jetting for parts of your plumbing system that are made from clay pipes. The sheer force of the water jet might not harm steel, copper or PVC pipe, but it could cut through or break clay pipes by accident. If your home uses its own septic system instead of a municipal sewer hookup, you may want to avoid hydro jetting. Hydro jetting uses large amounts of water, some of which could be forced into the septic holding tanks. This could upset the balance of beneficial bacteria in the septic system, resulting in more blockages and other problems down the road. Hydro jetting costs more than other traditional methods of drain clearing. Nevertheless, hydro jetting makes a worthwhile investment for homeowners in search of a healthy plumbing system. Ready to give your plumbing the hydro jetting it needs to stay in shape? Contact us at Magnolia Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
