Hydro jetting is one of the most thorough and efficient methods of sewer and drain cleaning. Essentially, it is a power washer for the inside of your pipes. More specifically, a water jet unit consists of a motor, high-pressure pump, water tank, high-pressure hose, and special nozzles affixed to the hose end. These nozzles are what make the cleaning possible and are application-specific. Some nozzles are best suited for cutting tree roots while others are best at flushing debris and sediment from your drain line. These nozzles scrub the interior of your pipe walls, and simultaneously cut and flush debris. The end result should be a sewer or drain line that has been entirely scoured.
Do You Really Need Hydro Jetting?
I often get asked the question: “do I really need a hydro jet cleaning, or will a traditional electric snake do the trick?” The answer is, it depends upon the situation. In many instances, an electric snake will do just fine. If your line has an excessive amount of grease, tree roots, or an especially long pipe, then hydro jetting is the way to go. Keep in mind that an electric snake generally removes about 75% of tree roots, whereas a water jet equipped with the proper nozzle will remove 99% of roots. If you need a fully restored pipe because you are selling or buying a home, or if you are particularly proactive, then hydro jetting is probably a good fit for you.
The Importance of Quality Equipment and Nozzles
A point that I would like to make is that not all hydro jet cleanings are created equal. A hydro jet’s efficacy is greatly impacted by the operator and nozzle selection. Proper nozzles will do a far better job of cleaning a pipe than lower-tier nozzles. For instance, we use the best nozzles available. Most are engineered and manufactured in Switzerland to exacting standards and tolerances. Our American-made nozzles excel at root cutting. At the risk of overcomplicating this topic, I have to add that using lower quality nozzles is akin to putting cheap tires on a race car; plenty of power but you’re not going anywhere. We also have to consider the specifications of the machine being used. Many of our lower-priced competitors are using subpar equipment and that leads to a subpar cleaning. Our water jet unit is capable of effectively and efficiently cleaning a wide range of pipes. A proper hydro jet unit that can effectively clean a typical residential sewer is quite large in size. Generally, they are truck or trailer mounted. Beware if your drain cleaner is attempting to jet your sewer with a cart-mounted jetter. With only a few exceptions, cart-mounted machines are not effective for a residential sewer, especially if they run on electricity.
The Importance of Video Inspections
I always recommend that a video drain line inspection is performed before and after a jet cleaning. By doing this, you can see exactly how well the pipe was cleaned and if any additional steps are necessary. Beware of contractors who won’t video a line after cleaning. It’s usually because they don’t want you to observe their subpar cleaning. A good contractor is always transparent and would be proud to show off their work.
When to Opt for Hydro Jet Cleaning
Now to reiterate the question: do I need a hydro jet cleaning? My answer is if you have a residential home, with no root intrusions, and your sewer line is less than 100 feet to the street connection; no, you most likely will be wasting money on a hydro jet cleaning. If your sewer is in excess of 100 feet, contains a significant amount of tree roots, or if an electric drain cleaning machine has already failed to restore flow; yes, a hydro jet cleaning is most likely the way to go. There is one final residential application where a hydro jet really shines, and that is storm drains. Whether it is a French drain system, driveway drain, catch basin, or roof leader line, a hydro jet will almost always clean these lines far better than an electric drain cleaning machine. That is because a hydro jet will flush out mud and sediment while an electric snake will mostly just churn it up. Tree roots are also a concern for outside drains and as discussed earlier, hydro jetting is superior in root removal.
Thanks For Reading
I hope that you have found this helpful and informative in making your decision to hydro jet or not. It is hard to be definitive about this as each scenario may be unique. The above should be taken as a general guideline. If you are still unsure, feel free to reach out to me anytime for advice. I always love assisting customers.
