Everything You Need to Know About Hydro Jetting Drain Cleaning

What is hydro jetting?

Hydro jetting is used to clean out clogged drains and sewer lines. This technique utilizes pressurized water jets to break down and flush away the waste material that accumulates inside the pipes. A hydro jetter is a device that creates the high-pressure water stream needed to perform this task.

Who do you call for drains and sewer hydro jetting ? If your drain or sewer line needs cleaning, you can contact us at any time, including nights and weekends. We are available 24/7. Our technicians will arrive on-site to inspect the clog and provide the best course of action.

How Does Hydro Jetting Work?

The process begins with an operator using a handheld hydro jetter to locate the blockage in your drain line. The operator then uses a handheld tool called a "hydro-jet" to create a small hole through which the water can flow freely. Once the hole has been made, the operator inserts a flexible tube into the opening and injects the cleaning solution directly into the pipe. As the solution flows down the drain, it breaks up any debris or other obstructions blocking the pipe. After cleaning, the operator removes the tube from the drain line and seals off the hole with a patch of epoxy resin.

Step 1: The Plumber Inspects Your System and Locates Major Blockages

You've got a problem with your water drains or sewers, causing severe damage to your home. How will AK Water Works fix these problems?

The answer is simple: they look inside your pipes. A plumber performs what's called a video inspection. This involves placing a camera down your sewer and drain lines to inspect the area. They can identify the location of the most significant blockage and pinpoint potential root causes.

Once they've found the source of the issue, they'll take action to resolve it. For example, they might inject chemicals into the pipe to cut away any hard deposits. Or they might use a device known as a "hydro jetter." This tool uses high-pressure water to dislodge debris from your pipes.

Either way, the goal is to clear the clog and prevent future blockages. Once the job is done, your plumber will ensure everything works properly again.

Step 2: High-Pressure Water Cleans the Pipes

As you might imagine, your home has many different types of pipes. Each type of pipe is designed differently, from copper piping to PVC piping to galvanized steel piping. For example, copper piping is typically used for hot water systems, while PVC piping is generally used for cold water systems. However, despite their differences, both types of pipes work well together.

Hydro jetting machines use high-pressure water to clean pipes. These machines can pressurize the flow of water up to 35,000 PSI. They accomplish this by pumping water through small nozzles, known as jets. When the water hits the pipe wall, it pushes the material away from the wall. With enough force behind the water, the material gets pushed toward the center of the pipe, where it falls due to gravity. This process continues until the entire pipe is cleaned.

Does Hydro Jetting Work on Tree Roots?

Hydro jetting is commonly used to clean out clogged drains and sewer lines. But it can also be effective for clearing tree roots from water drainage systems -- especially those with PVC pipe. If the roots are causing blockages, they can cause serious damage to your plumbing system . Tree roots can grow into pipes and even burst them completely. To prevent such issues, you must identify and repair the problem quickly. One way to achieve this is to use hydro jetting .

The process involves sending pressurized water down your drain or sewage line using a high-pressure pump. This action dislodges dirt and debris built up inside the pipes over time. While it can be done manually, most people prefer to hire professional plumbers for this task because it requires specialized equipment.

What's the Difference Between Hydro Jetting and Snaking a Drain?

Hydro jetting is a plumbing technique used to clean drains and pipes. This process involves cleaning out the blockages inside the pipes and removing the residue left behind. It uses high-pressure water jets to break up the clog and flush everything into the sewer.

Snaking is another type of plumbing repair that is typically done to clear blocked sewers. It involves inserting a long plumber's snake into the drain and pushing it around to locate and remove the clog.

While both techniques are effective, there are some differences between them. Snaking punctures clogs, but it doesn't go deep enough into the pipes to break up the debris inside. Instead, it reaches the pipe wall, where it grabs super stubborn debris. Hydro jetting cleans pipes and drains more comprehensively than a drain snake, as it aggressively flushes the entire system. This process utilizes high-pressure streams of water to dislodge debris and clear clogged pipes. A combination of both methods is used for stubborn sewer and strain clogs. However, snaking is often used for older homes or those with weak pipes because it's less intensive and doesn't put pressure on the pipes as hydro jetting does.