What is hydro jetting?
Hydro jetting is the process of using a high-pressured flow of water to scour the interior surfaces of the plumbing pipes, removing scale, grease and other debris that's built up inside the pipe walls over time. As opposed to rodding, where a plumber uses a tool to power a hole through the buildup, hydro jetting achieves a comprehensive cleaning of the pipes.
An inside look at how it works
Accessing a clean out, an area of the plumbing system that allows a specialist to easily gain access to the pipes, the plumber inserts a hose that's connected to a tank of water. The hose can withstand the high-pressured water that's sent into the pipes, and a specialized machine pressurizes water from the tank.
The plumber should have the expertise to deliver the right water pressure for the problem at hand, which varies depending on the condition of the pipes. In general, a plumber may pressurize the water up to a 5,000 psi, or more, and deliver as many as 20 gallons of water per minute.
The process of removing buildup involves working with gravity. The majority of home plumbing systems use gravity to pull wastewater out of the home and into the local sewer system. The hydro jetting tool works from the bottom up. Inserted into the downstream portion of the system, it moves upstream, working its way up through the system. As the water scours the pipes, the debris that's dislodged then moves down, with gravity, safely flushing the debris out of the system.
Getting the job done
The process of hydro jetting works to resolve a number of common plumbing problems. It successfully removes debris that accumulates in the home's plumbing pipes due to hair, soap residue, grease and more. In addition, it resolves tree root infiltration and mineral and scale buildup in the sewer drains.
Precautions
In most cases, hydro jetting is a safe way to remove blockages that cause clogging. However, it is possible to cause further problems if a novice plumber employs hydro jetting in the sewer lines when tree-root penetration is significant.
Always work with a plumber who will visually inspect the indoor plumbing system and the sewer lines using video camera equipment to assess the root of the problem before implementing any solution. If tree root infiltration has led to pipe damage or compromised the pipe's waterproof coating, hydro jetting will not solve the problem, and can even lead to more problems, such as causing infiltration of rocks and soil through perforated septic lines.
The plumber should also use video inspection after cleaning out plumbing pipes to assess the effectiveness of the hydro jetting, and the general condition of the pipes.
If you're experiencing problems with your plumbing system, work with an experienced, knowledgeable plumbing specialist. Using diagnostic tools, hydro jetting allows plumbers to accurately and effectively clean out debris from the plumbing system and sewer lines. Contact your local plumber today to find out more about hydro jetting.
