Should I Hydro Jet My Sewer Line?
What Is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jetting is one of the most effective approaches for cleaning sewer lines. During the process, plumbers insert a hose with a specialized nozzle into the sewer line. The nozzle releases water at extremely high pressures, blasting away all clogs, tree roots, debris, and buildup inside your sewer line.
Hydro jetting has numerous benefits. Plumbers will hydro jet sewer lines when traditional methods like snaking are not an effective option. Hydro jetting will clean the entire line. Therefore, it will also remove grease, scale, and other buildups. It is also the fastest way to clean stubborn clogs.
Perhaps most importantly, hydro jetting allows you to clean up your sewer lines without using any harsh chemicals.
Signs You Need to Hydro Jet Sewer Line
Imagine coming home to sewage streaming out onto your landscape. It’s not a pretty sight. Knowing when your sewer line is due for hydro jetting can help you avoid plumbing emergencies. You should call a plumber to discuss hydro jetting if you notice any of the following:
- Frequent clogs. If you’re always dealing with drain clogs, then you likely have a significant blockage deep in your sewer line.
- Slow drains. Water draining away slowly from your fixtures can also signal buildup within your sewer pipes.
- Sewer backups. This is the clearest sign that your sewer line needs immediate attention from a qualified professional.
- Bad odors. Foul smells coming from your yard or drains point to a blockage in your sewer lines or sewage buildup somewhere along the line.
Hydro Jetting vs. Traditional Methods
Hydro jetting isn’t the only solution to sewer pipe blockages. However, looking at the pros and cons of the traditional methods, it’s easy to see why it’s the preferred choice for debris removal.
Snaking is a less expensive alternative, but it’s only effective for minor clogs. It won’t work for grease or mineral deposits and in some cases, you may only succeed in pushing the debris further down the line.
Chemical cleaners are easy to use. However, they are harmful to the environment and are often just a temporary solution. Chemical cleaners can’t help when you have severe clogs. Increasing the quantity of the chemicals used will only damage your pipes.
Hydro jetting costs more upfront, but the pressurized water guarantees thorough cleaning and will help you avoid future clogs. You can also count on it to work regardless of the type of blockages you’re dealing with. Therefore, hydro jetting remains the best choice for severe or recurring issues.
Is Hydro Jetting Safe for All Sewer Lines?
Hydro jetting is highly effective, but it’s not suitable for all sewer lines. The high-pressure water can damage old, corroded, or cracked pipes. Also, pipe materials like clay or cast iron can crack under the pressure of hydro jetting, even when they didn’t have any issues before.
To avoid worsening your plumbing issues, it’s always best to listen to your plumber’s guidance before you choose to hydro jet sewer lines. They will assess the condition of the lines through a video inspection and then determine if hydro jetting is the best choice in your case.
