A bad sewer clog is a major inconvenience. Worse than that, a bad clog can cause sewage to back up in your home or yard. Since you can’t live comfortably without a working toilet and sink drains, a clogged sewer line must be cleared out fast. Your plumber might choose to use a hydro jet tool for the job. Here’s how a hydro jet is different from a drain snake and how hydro jetting works.
How Snaking and Jetting Differ
A drain snake or auger has a role in drain clearing too. An auger is a long cable with blades on the end that cut through clogs so they can be washed down the drain. Some snakes have spirals for snagging hair and pulling it out of the drain. A snake is an effective drain-cleaning tool, but a hydro jet is different and sometimes more effective.
A hydro jet cuts through a clog with water and also scrubs the walls of the sewer pipe to get rid of scale, grease, and soap scum. Your plumber will assess your plumbing problem and choose the safest and most effective way to clear your drain clog.
How Hydro Jet Equipment Works
Hydro jet equipment consists of a long cable on a reel, a nozzle on the end, and a tank that holds water. The tank is mounted on a trailer or truck so the reel with the cable is the only thing that needs to be brought on your property.
The plumber can take the reel indoors if needed, but it’s common for the plumber to work outside through the cleanout opening so no equipment needs to come inside your home.
The cable is unwound and sent down the cleanout through the sewer pipe to the clog. The nozzle forces water out in all directions under high pressure so the water is capable of cutting through tough clogs and scouring the insides of the drain. The water also flushes the debris to the city sewer main so the drain line is clear of all obstructions.
Why Hydro Jetting Should be Done by a Plumber
The jets of water that come out of the nozzle are so strong they can cause damage to your pipes if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s best to let a professional plumber use a hydro jet on your sewer line. A plumber may send a camera down the line first to see what’s causing the clog and to check on the condition of the pipe.
If the pipe looks fragile or is already damaged, the plumber may use a snake instead to avoid damaging the sewer pipe. Another important reason to let a plumber handle a hydro jet is that the equipment is dangerous to use if it isn’t controlled properly. A plumber wears safety equipment to protect themselves from powerful streams of water and has undergone the proper training to handle the task safely.
When Hydro Jetting Is Useful
Hydro jetting can be used to clear clogs on all drains as long as the drains are in good shape. In addition, the water cleans the sides of the clogs to get rid of buildup that causes foul odors to waft into your home. A hydro jet is useful for unclogging drains, getting rid of drain odors, and for general drain maintenance.
The equipment only uses water so there are no harmful chemicals added to your drains. Jetting is a natural cleaning method that is effective at clearing all kinds of debris from pipes, including hair, grease, paper, toys, and tree roots. If you’re dealing with a clogged or slow drain, contact A-1 Affordable Plumbing Inc. We can clear your drain and take care of any plumbing problems you may have. We even offer emergency plumbing services.
