The Pros and Cons of Hydro Jetting

A clogged drain can be a big hassle for any homeowner, and you’ll likely have to handle quite a few of these while living in your own home. If you are finding that your drains are not clearing as quickly as they used to, or if the water pressure in your taps and shower has dropped, you’ll need to determine the cause of the blockage. There are many things that can cause troubles with your home’s water system so you’ll need to identify the problem before you can decide how best to handle it.

Cleaning your drains, pipes and home plumbing system is essential for your property. But did you know that there are different ways to keep your system running efficiently? Hydro jetting is fast and affordable but it does have some shortcomings. We will look at the pros and cons of the process so you can decide if it is right for you.

What is hydro jetting?

Hydro jetting is a cleaning process that uses high-pressure water to break up debris, grease and other items from drainage pipes. With up to 4,000psi, it has the power to break down nearly anything. It is similar to pressure washing, only more powerful.

A hydro jet is made up of a machine, hose and nozzle. There are no chemicals needed, just plenty of water. It is an environmentally friendly process.

How Hydro Jetting Works

The cleaning process will begin with your plumber using a small camera to take a look inside your pipes and to check their condition. It is important for your plumber to determine if the pipe has collapsed or is simply clogged. Hydro jetting will not work if the pipe has collapsed. It will need to be repaired.

As soon as your plumber has decided it is safe to go ahead, he will power up the hydro jet. The nozzle and jet will be inserted into the pipe and the hydro-jet will shoot pressurized water at any obstruction it comes up against until the pipe is cleared.

Pros of Hydro Jetting

Using hydro jetting to clean your plumbing system has many advantages such as:

Clears stubborn stains: The pressure of the water is powerful enough to break through the toughest clogs, including small tree roots.

Powerful enough to cut through tree roots: Hydro jetting is one of the most efficient ways to fully clean a pipe. Compared to plumbing snakes, which only puncture holes in the debris, hydro jetting clears the blockage away completely. Hydro jetting is powerful enough to remove small tree roots before they become a big problem. Moreover, the entire pipe will be clean after the process.

Can be used on residential and commercial drains: A major benefit of hydro jetting is that the process is gentle enough to use on residential drains and yet powerful enough to clear commercial pipes.

Environmentally safe: There are no chemicals involved, just water and pressure. It means there will be no added elements put into the water supply or the environment that could be damaging.

Cleans the entire system, not just a portion: After hydro jetting, your pipe will be completely clean. The water pressure doesn’t just clear away a blockage, but actually washes away all debris and waste material in the pipe.

Cons of Hydro Jetting

While there are many benefits to using hydro jetting, there are some cons:

Pipe damage: Hydro jetting can be too powerful for pipes and plumbing systems that are older or weak. Unfortunately, the older pipes get, the frailer they are and the more likely they are to be damaged by the water pressure. If that happens, you’ll have a more serious plumbing problem. If you don’t know how old your piping system is, you can always ask a professional plumber to have a look. They will be able to tell you if hydro jetting is a good option for your pipes.

Big blockages: While the water pressure is powerful enough to move almost any clog, it may not be capable of clearing away more serious blockages like a bellied line. The best way to know if hydro jetting will work to clean and clear your pipes is to have a plumber send a camera down the pipe to see what is causing the blockage.

Less effective: Hydro jetting processes may be less effective than rooter or auger draining cleaning methods. There are many different ways of clearing your pipes and some are better suited to a task than others. It depends largely on the age of your pipes and the cause of the problem. This is something that only an experienced plumber can do. Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor if hydro jetting is the right technique in your case. Discuss all your options before making a decision.

Not DIY option: Unlike snaking a drain, hydro jetting should never be something that a homeowner tries to do on their own. It requires an expert hand and the right equipment. Find a plumber who is experienced in hydro jetting to do the job. You can also check with past clients to see how things worked out for them.

Water usage: Although hydro jetting is an environmentally friendly process because it does not use chemicals, it does require a lot of water. So, if there are water restrictions in your area or a drought, it may not be your best option to clean your pipes.

Keeping your drains flowing and your water running is essential for your comfort. For homeowners looking for a safe, powerful, effective and environmentally-friendly way to handle clogs or blockages in pipes, hydro jetting provides the solution.

For more information about power jetting, call Brothers Plumbing at 1-800-742-8471 or contact us here.