Understanding the Benefits of Hydro-jetting
Dealing with a clogged sewer line can be a nightmare. In many cases, the pipe gets clogged due to tree roots growing inside it. As the roots grow inside the sewer line, they will start to trap toilet paper and any other solids and can eventually lead to a total blockage. Should this happen, it won’t be that long until you’re dealing with sewage backing up inside your shower and drains or potentially overflowing out of a toilet. For serious sewer line issues, hydro-jetting is usually the best solution and can quickly unclog the pipe without causing any damage. Let’s now take a closer look at exactly how hydro-jetting works and what benefits it can provide.
How Does Hydro-jetting Work?
There are generally two different options when dealing with a clogged sewer line. The most common method for clearing a blocked sewer line is rooting. This method uses a special rooting machine that feeds a pipe snake into the sewer line through the plumbing cleanout. The machine forces the snake past the clog, and it is then retracted to pull the clog back out of the pipe. In most cases, the snake will need to continually be inserted and retracted at least a few times to fully remove the clog.
The only issue with rooting is that the machine is generally not strong enough to cut through any larger tree roots. Smaller roots typically aren’t much of a problem, but thick roots can be nearly impossible to remove. This is a fairly common issue as tree roots can get inside the sewer line in various ways. Any small cracks, holes in the pipe, or loose fittings make it easy for tiny roots to penetrate the pipe in search of water and nutrients. Tree roots themselves can also crack the pipe as they grow. Once the roots get inside the pipe, the waste and water flowing through it feed the roots and act as fertilizer, causing them to quickly grow much bigger and fill up the pipe.
Hydro-jetting is always the best solution for getting rid of thick or stronger roots and stubborn clogs. It works by using a special hydro-jetting machine that produces an extremely powerful stream of water that can easily cut through even the thickest tree roots in a matter of seconds. As the water blasts through roots and clogs, it flushes any solids inside the pipe further down so that they flow out into the sewer main in the street.
Hydro-jetting is sometimes used in conjunction with rooting. In this case, the rooting machine is first used to get rid of as much of the clog as possible, and then hydro-jetting is performed to blast the pipe fully clean and remove any remaining roots and other solids.
Benefits of Hydro-jetting
Compared to rooting, hydro-jetting is generally far more effective at removing thick tree roots and clearing stubborn clogs. It also has another major benefit by fully cleaning out the inside of the sewer line and thus helping to reduce the risk of future clogs.
If you ever wash fat, oil, or grease down the sink, it will usually solidify as it makes its way through your plumbing system and begin to collect on the insides of your pipe. This most commonly occurs in your main sewer line. Whenever additional fats are washed down the drain, they will often stick to the greasy mass on the inside of the pipe and slowly begin the clog the sewer line.
This mass can also trap food particles, toilet paper, and other solids and further increase the risk of clogging. The problem can be especially bad if you flush things like wipes, feminine hygiene products, tissues, paper towels, condoms, and really anything other than toilet paper and human waste.
Rooting can be useful for helping to pull out the clog and clear the pipe. However, all of that fat will still remain stuck on the inside of the pipe. This is where hydro-jetting can be extremely beneficial. Not only will it quickly clear the clog and flush any solids out of the pipe, but it will also blast away any fat and grease stuck on the sides of the pipe. This will greatly reduce the risk of further clogging since there won’t be anything for the solids to get stuck to.
Hydro-jetting is also a good preventative measure even if you’re not currently experiencing any sewer issues. By having your sewer line hydro-jetted every few years, you should be able to prevent tree roots and most clogging issues so that you’ll never have to worry about sewage suddenly backing up inside your home.
Hydro-jetting is also perfectly safe as long as you hire an experienced professional. Even though the blast of water is strong enough to cut through tree roots, it shouldn’t damage your sewer line as long as it is done correctly. This is because the jet of water is sent down the length of the pipe at an angle. The only way it could really cause any damage is if the stream of water hit the pipe straight on.
How to Know When You Need Hydro-jetting
The most obvious sign that your sewer line is clogged is if all of the drains in your home stop working. In this situation, you should try not to use your plumbing again until you can have your sewer line rooted or hydro-jetted. If you continue to use it when your sewer line is clogged, all of the waste will have nowhere to go and eventually start to back up inside your home and overflow out of your drains.
Luckily, there are a number of signs that can indicate that your sewer line is beginning to clog up before things get to this point. Slow drains are sure signs of a partially blocked sewer line, and the same is true if you hear gurgling noises coming from your toilet, drains, and pipes.
If you only experience this issue in one or a few of your fixtures, this indicates that there is a clog in one of the drain lines inside your house and not in the main sewer line itself. In this case, the solution is to use a plumber’s snake to remove the clog and clear the pipe.
Your Local Home Services Experts
If you’re experiencing any issues with your sewer line, HB Home Service Team specializes in hydro-jetting as well as sewer line repair and replacements for customers in Randallstown and throughout Central Maryland. We also offer a full range of plumbing repair and installation services, and we work on water heaters, sump pumps, garbage disposals, water softeners, and other plumbing appliances.
Our team of certified HVAC technicians can also maintain and repair your heating and cooling system. If you need to replace your old HVAC unit, we install gas and oil furnaces, air conditioners, ductless mini-splits, gas and oil boilers, and geothermal HVAC systems. Give us a call today to learn more about how hydro-jetting can help you overcome your sewer issues or if you need any other plumbing, heating, or cooling service.
