Clogs and blockages in residential or commercial drain lines are a common but highly disruptive problem. Clogs and blockages happen as the almost inevitable outcome of the normal function of these plumbing systems. They result when solid or semi-solid content of wastewater is left behind inside pipes as water flows through them.
Over time, this continuous deposit of debris within the pipes will cause them to narrow until wastewater can no longer flow freely. When this happens, the drains and plumbing fixtures in the building will start to experience all kinds of problems. To fix the issues, drainpipes and sewer lines must be cleaned to get rid of the buildup.
There are different ways to do this, including traditional and modern methods. Traditional methods include those solutions that have been used for many decades, such as drain snaking and drain rodding. These two methods work in the same way: a rod or coil of wire is inserted into the drain to break up the material clogging it.
The limitations of these methods are that they take time, can be messy, and most importantly, are not very effective. Sometimes, all the wire or rod does is bore a hole in the clog to let water pass through temporarily. Because the offending material is not removed completely, the clog soon reappears, and as Abilene Management explain, the issues can become chronic causing you more expenses in the long run.
These problems are solved when you use a modern method like Hydro Jetting.
What is hydro jetting?
Hydro jetting is a drain cleaning method that uses high-pressure water to clear buildup from drains while washing the drain pipes. A specialized nozzle mounted on a flexible metal pipe is inserted into the drain, and a jet stream of water is continuously delivered into the blocked drain to blast away obstructions within the pipe.
The water pressure used in hydro-jetting varies and ranges between 2000 and 7000 psi, depending on the type of blockage and condition of the pipe. By switching the type of stainless steel nozzle used in the operation, the spray pattern can also be altered – narrow, wide, backward, or forward – depending on the kind of blockage inside the pipe.
To hydro jet a blocked drain line, these are the usual steps:
Initial inspection
The drain line is visually inspected via a sewer camera inspection. In this process, a video camera is fed into the pipe, and a live feed from the device is monitored to see the true condition of the pipes. That helps to identify the problems and pinpoint their exact location.
Precautionary measures
The plumber ensures adequate access via a cleanout or other sewer access point. They also check for obstructions or problems in the sewer line that may prevent the free flow of water.
The pipes are cleaned
After setting up the hydro jetting equipment, the actual cleaning can commence. This water jet propelled into the pipes is powerful enough to remove scale, grease, sludge, silt, or tree roots. All that debris is washed out of the sewer line.
Post-operation inspection
Hydro jetting does not take a lot of time, and once the process is completed, a final inspection is done to confirm the success of the operation.
Benefits of hydro jetting
Compared to other drain-cleaning methods, hydro jetting has the following advantages:
Thorough cleaning
Hydro jetting is the only drain cleaning method that will break up the buildup inside drainpipes and completely remove the debris from the pipes.
Accuracy
Hydro jetting can be used to target clogs and blockages hidden in the most inaccessible parts of a sewer line.
Non-invasive
This method lets you avoid the costly and time-consuming process of digging up your yard to gain access to a blocked pipe.
Lasting results
Because hydro jetting clears the debris out of the sewer line, the potential for future clogs is greatly reduced.
Can be used as preventive care
Hydro jetting drain lines once a year will prolong their life, improve their function, and prevent major issues.
Safe for your pipes
Due to the range of water pressures that may be used during hydro jetting, the jet stream can be adjusted to avoid damage to the pipes.
Environmentally safe
Since it uses only water (and heat sometimes) hydro jetting will not harm the environment. There are no harmful residues that can leech into the soil.
Cost-effective
Hydro jetting helps you save money because it prolongs the life of your drainage system and prevents future clogs.
Versatility
Hydro jetting can be used in residential and commercial plumbing systems to get rid of any kind of clogs, blockages, or contaminants.
Should you hire a professional plumber to clean your sewer line by hydro jetting the pipes today? Yes, you should. Hydro jetting is not just for clearing clogged pipes. You can use hydro jetting as a safe and affordable method of maintaining your pipes to prevent future issues.