When you think of a plumber, you can picture someone in work boots, holding a toolbox, walking through your door to fix your pipes. But there is more to plumbing than repairing your sink or switching out toilets. Some plumbing issues require specialized tools to fix ailments within your plumbing system. We all know you can use a plunger for a clogged toilet, a snake to remove hair trapped in your sink or shower, and even chemicals to break down grease, mineral deposits, and other stubborn blockages.
When all those remedies fail, you need to call the professionals of the plumbing trade. The goal is to resolve the blockage quickly, safely, and effectively. This is where plumbing services come in and examine your pipes to identify the source and location of the problem. In most cases, this is an excellent solution to clear out your pipes. A plumber trained in hydro jetting will bring your pipes from sickness back to health.
If you have never heard of hydro jetting before, then you’re in the right place! We’re going to go over what it is, how it works, and what it can do for your plumbing. By the end of this article you’ll learn everything there is to know about it, just don’t do this at home – leave that to the professional hydro jetting plumbers!
What is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jetting is a highly effective and efficient plumbing technique used to clean and clear out blocked sewer and drain lines. If a blockage occurs, this minimally invasive solution is excellent for clearing not only the trapped contents in your pipes but also providing maintenance clean for the entire plumbing system. Some blockages are further in the network of pipes that supply water to your home or business and out of reach, and could be a combination of grease, hair, tissue paper, or even tree roots that may have penetrated the walls of external pipes underground. This build up needs high-powered tools to release the blockage.
How Does Hydro Jetting Work?
This plumbing technique involves a high-pressure water stream that is fed through a rotating nozzle, which shoots the water through the piping system. Depending on the severity of the blockage, the water pressure can range from 1,500-4,000 psi – that’s enough to sever a finger off your hand! PSI is pounds per square inch, so the water is pressurized at 1,500 to 4,000 pounds per square inch, which means that whatever is in the way won’t be for long. The hose is inserted into the plumbing line, and then the pressurized water is adjusted until the pipeline is cleared out and water flow within the property is normalized.
Is Hydro Jetting Bad for my Pipes?
Usually, hydro jetting is a safe process, and is great in giving your piping system a thorough cleanse. But if you have an out-of-date material for your pipes or an older plumbing system, this efficient solution may do more harm than good. Here are a few examples of pipes that a plumber determines unsuitable for hydro jetting during the initial inspection:
- Old or brittle pipes: Old, corroded, or brittle pipes may be at risk of cracking or breaking under the pressure of a hydro jetting water stream. Homes constructed before 1975 are highly likely to possess outdated plumbing systems, necessitating addressing to avert additional damage.
- Damaged pipes: If your pipes are already damaged, then hydro jetting is only going to exacerbate the problem. Cracks and holes are definite weak points, and could cause significant leakage issues into the environment surrounding those pipes.
- PVC pipes: Plastic pipes are not ideal candidates for hydro jetting simply because they are at risk of being warped or even melted under high temperature water used during the process. Hot water is effective when dealing with grease and breaking apart other materials causing the build up, just as you would use when washing a greasy pan after cooking.
- Pipes with joints or connections: Joints and connections are potential weak points within the plumbing system that can separate or sustain damage with the high-pressure water stream from hydro jetting.
Benefits of Hydro-Jetting
There are several benefits to using hydro jetting plumbers to clear blockages from your plumbing lines, if none of the above applies to your piping system.
- Efficiency and effectiveness: Hydro jetting is one of the most effective ways to clear a blockage in sewer and drain lines. Due to its high pressure, the water has the capability to flush out most culprits behind your plumbing system’s failure. By clearing your piping system from blockages, it eliminates unknown blockages down the line, acting as maintenance for your pipes, saving you time and money in the long run.
- Safety: Since it only uses water, it is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical drain cleaners. It is also much faster in flushing any blockages out of pipes, and less likely to cause damage like harsh chemicals could. However, it is genuinely safe only when performed by a licensed professional to prevent potential pipe damage.
- Long-lasting results: With the high-powered clean provided by a hydro jetting service, it will leave the plumbing system inside and outside of the building good as new! Not only does it destroy the cause of the blockage, but it will clear out any build ups that are forming and could cause frustration in the future.
- Versatility: The immense power of hydro jetting allows it to effectively clear blockages in various environments. Not only the pipes and sewer lines in your home and neighborhood, but the piping in industrial and commercial settings as well.
How do I Know if Hydro-Jetting is the Solution?
That’s a good question. When it comes to identifying the source of the blockage, a plumber has several key steps in determining the proper method to manage and resolve it. First, the specialist will perform a camera inspection to locate the problem area. Then, once the blockage is located, the plumber will make an assessment for the proper treatment to implement. If everything is in good condition and the pipes are confirmed to have no vulnerabilities while being made of sturdy material, hydro jetting becomes the ideal treatment.
In Conclusion…
Hydro jetting commonly serves as an effective solution for persistent blockages and finds application in various scenarios. If the piping system is in good shape, then you’re good to go! It is efficient, safe, versatile, and low cost. Nonetheless, it’s imperative to employ trusted hydro jetting plumbers when utilizing this high-powered tool.
Call The Pipe Doctor for Hydro Jetting Service!
This is why you want to hire trained and licensed professionals to do this job, and that’s where hydro jetting plumbers come in. Hydro jetting plumbers are professionals who are experienced and equipped to use high-pressure water streams to resolve blockages affecting the water flow in your home or business. If you happen to be in the greater Seattle area, then The Pipe Doctor is just a call away!