What Is Hydro Jetting And How Does It Work?

Hydro jetting, as you might expect, involves lots of high-pressure water. This plumbing technique could come in handy if your drains are slowing down and you suspect you have a sewer clog.

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Before you dial up a plumber to hydro jet your pipes, you should know what you’re getting yourself into. Here’s a primer.

What Is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting is a sewer-cleaning method professional plumbers use. It requires special equipment that shoots water down the sewer line at very high pressures. That high-pressure water breaks up clogs and cleans the gunk off the sides of the sewer lines. It can improve your drains and prevent frequent clogging.

While you can rent equipment to hydro jet your lines yourself, it's best left to professional plumbers. Using the equipment incorrectly could damage your sewer lines, creating a very expensive repair situation. The process can be particularly damaging for old, fragile or already broken sewer pipes. Always hire a qualified plumber to do the work.

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What Does Hydro Jetting Do?

You typically have a plumber hydro jet your sewer lines if they're clogged, or you suspect there's a lot of gunk building up in the lines. Sewer lines can get clogged in lots of ways. Many homeowners develop an issue if they flush things other than toilet paper and human waste. Anything else you flush can get stuck in the lines, including wipes that claim to be flushable.

Debris can naturally build up along the sewer pipe and grow until it becomes a problem. You can also cause an issue if you put grease or fat down your drains or if you misuse your garbage disposal. No matter what the reason, a clogged or partially blocked sewer line eventually causes problems inside your home. Your drains might be slower or start backing up regularly, and your kitchen might start to smell. You could also notice gurgling, bubbling or other issues with your toilets.

When your sewer lines start to get clogged, hydro jetting is used to clean out the gunk. It can break through the toughest clogs in the line. Hydro jetting is also effective for removing buildup along the sides of the sewer line. You can use it if you know you have a clog, or you can have your lines hydro jetted as a preventative maintenance service to avoid a clog.

Hydro jetting is often more effective than alternatives, such as snaking the line. While snaking can help remove many clogs, it often can't remove really tough clogs. It also doesn't clean off the buildup in the pipes. Because it leaves some debris behind, snaking could allow the clog to build up again. Choosing hydro jetting often gives you longer-lasting results and can prevent future clogs.

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What Does the Process Look Like?

Your plumber will show up with professional-grade hydro jetting equipment that includes a large water tank, a hose and a nozzle. They might have a few different nozzles, which can help in different situations based on how bad the clog is. The plumber puts the hose into your sewer line and directs the high-pressure water toward the clog.

Plumbers typically use the sewer cleanout as the access point for hydro jetting. The process is easiest if the cleanout is outdoors and easily accessible. If it's inside the house, especially if it's in a difficult-to-reach space, the plumbing company might charge more for the service.

Some plumbers start the process with a video inspection of the sewer line. This lets them visualize the situation. They can locate the clog, see how bad it is and look for other issues, such as tree roots or cracks in the line. Hydro jetting clears blockages, but it doesn't help with damaged sewer lines.

Once the plumber understands the situation, they'll direct the nozzle and hose into the sewer line through the cleanout. They turn on the pressurized water and direct it toward the clog and buildup. It pushes all the debris through the line and cleans out the inside of the pipe. Hydro jetting is typically a safe, effective procedure that an experienced plumber can handle quickly to get your sewer moving again.