Have you ever had clogging on your pipes that chemical cleaners can’t seem to fix? When chemicals and plungers are no match to the blockage, hydro jetting will be the ultimate solution. It can break down and dislodge anything – and literally anything – that’s getting in the way of your pipes.
For this post, we talked with our plumbers to help you understand how hydro jetting works, when you need it, and where you can get it if you’re in Los Angeles. Keep reading to see how amazing this plumbing solution is!
What is hydro jetting?
Hydro jetting is also known as high-pressure water jetting. It’s a technique that our plumber uses to remove clogging along sewage lines and pipes.
The awesome thing about hydro jetting is it only uses two things: water and air pressure. It doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals that can damage or contaminate your plumbing system.
A hydro jetting has a hose that can shoot pressurized water up to 4,000 psi to eliminate any clogging. Also, the water is blasting forward and backward to help propel the hose down the pipe and successfully remove any stuck debris.
Moreover, a hydro jetting session may take around 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how intense the clogging your pipes have. Rest assured that our plumbers will perform the service in the least invasive manner to avoid any disruptions on your home or business.
Overall, hydro jetting works for almost any clogs imaginable in the fastest way possible. It can dislodge a buildup of sanitary products, tree roots, gunk, and so on. Hydro jetting can do this without damaging your pipes, but if you lines are already broken or damage, we will not recommend this solution.
How hydro jetting works
If you haven’t done drain cleaning with hydro jetting before – don’t fret! Below is what you can expect from our hydro jetting plumber:
Step 1. We determine the access point
Once we arrive in your property, the first thing we would look for is the point of entry for our hydro jetting hose. Ideally, we look for an entry point outside to avoid any mess inside your home or business.
But in cases where we have to do indoor hydro jetting, we secure the area first to minimize the mess. Our plumbers will also clean up after.
Step 2. We inspect the pipe with a drain camera
Once we’ve found an entry point, we will inspect the affected pipes using a drain camera. This camera is attached to a flexible snake rod that can run through a long stretch of your plumbing system. It uses a radio transmission feed to tell us the depth of the clog and what kind of matter it is.
Aside from determining the clogging, our plumbing camera inspection can also see if your pipes are corroded or cracked. This way, you can consider proactive repairs before more problems occur.
Step 3. We prepare the necessary equipment
Next, we came up with a strategy for how we would perform hydro jetting based on what we saw on the camera. First off, it will help us choose the correct hydro jetting hose and nozzle to use in order to spray the right amount of water pressure that will break down the blockage.
Overall, we have a standard nozzle for routine cleaning and chain flail cutters that can tackle the most difficult plumbing obstructions.
Also, we adjust the water pressure based on the size of your pipes. The narrower the pipe, the lower the psi and hose size should be to avoid possible damage.
Step 4. We start the hydro jetting process
Once we have all our equipment and tools ready, we will start feeding the hose down to the pipe. We only feed a few feet inside the pipe and we will turn the hydro jetting machine on. The water pressure will then propel the hose further into the pipe until it reaches the depth of the clog we saw during the camera inspection earlier.
During this process, you can expect to hear a loud noise as our equipment sprays pressurized water and the hose twists, turns, and pushes inside the pipe.
Step 5. We will conduct another camera inspection
After the first round of hydro jetting, we will pull out the hose and see if there are debris that come with it. Next, we will conduct another camera inspection to see if the blockage has been fully removed or it needs another round of spraying.
Also, it’s very important to conduct a camera inspection before and after hydro jetting to see if it’s working.
Step 6. We repeat the hydro jetting process
If we still spot any remaining blockage or if you’re still having slow-draining issues, we will repeat the hydro jetting and camera inspection process. But overall, one or two rounds of hydro jetting is enough to get rid of most obstructions on plumbing systems we’ve serviced.
Hydro jetting vs. drain snaking
Take note that hydro jetting services are different from another plumbing solution called drain snaking. Nevertheless, both are effective in removing clogs and available at Pacific Plumbing Team.
With drain snaking or snaking method, our plumber will use a flexible metal tube called ‘snake’ to break up clogs on your pipe. This metal tube has a screw-like auger at its tip to help break down any debris that gets on its way.
Aside from that, the plumbing snake will twist, push, and pull intensely as it crawls through your pipes. This motion will add to its ability to dislodge clogging.
Overall, drain snaking is used over hydro jetting if the clogging isn’t severe or if your home has old pipes that could get damaged by the latter.
However, you should also know that drain snaking isn’t always applicable to all clogs. More stubborn blockages like tree roots may not budge with just snaking alone. In this case, hydro jetting would be the more efficient solution.
When do you need hydro jetting for your pipes?
Now, you’re probably wondering, when do you actually need to call a plumber for hydro jet drain cleaning? Here are some of the usual scenarios where we have to provide hydro jetting services to our customers in Los Angeles:
1. Recurring clogs
If you’re getting frequent and recurring clogs on your drains, it’s best to hydro jetting drain cleaning. It’s possible that the previous weren’t fully removed and still causing the same problem to your household or business.
Also, it’s possible that you’re flushing items you’re not supposed to flush like sanitary pads, tampons, diapers, hair clumps, and so on. All these may buildup excessively and require hydro jetting to remove fully.
2. Suspected tree root intrusion
Tree roots are probably the toughest clogging to remove, and snaking alone won’t do the job. For this, we usually use hydro jetting to break down the roots and flush them down your pipes.
But before we start spraying pressurized water on your pipes, we will first perform a camera inspection to confirm if you really have roots blocking your pipes. This way, we can also see what other problems are on your sewer line that need immediate repairs.
When it comes to tree root intrusions, hydro jetting eliminates the need for us to dig up your pipes just to remove the clogging. The hose can go through these hidden pipes and remove the growth in the least invasive way possible.
3. Main sewer line issues
If you’re having multiple drain issues and backups around the house, the problem might be on your main sewer line. There could be a huge blockage that prevents water from flowing properly.
In this case, hydro jetting would be the most convenient solution. It can get through your sewer line without having to dig up your pipes.
4. You’re selling your home.
If you’re selling your home and your pipes haven’t been cleaned for years, we recommend a water jetting drain cleaning. This way, you can guarantee that your plumbing is well-maintained and working properly.
This could also be a good selling point, and it also prevents potential buyers from negotiating a lower price if they discover issues with your plumbing.
5. You have a commercial establishment.
Over the years, we’ve provided hydro jetting services to many businesses around Los Angeles. For example, commercial kitchens often deal grease buildup, which can only be removed through hydro jetting.
So, if you’re running a commercial establishment that drains various fluids, it’s best to schedule annual hydro jetting to prevent backups or clogging in the future.
Benefits of hydro jetting for your plumbing
- It’s non-invasive. Instead of digging up your pipes to remove clogs, hydro jetting can do it in a non-invasive manner. A high-pressure hose will crawl down your plumbing work to dislodge the obstructions fast and easily. In less than an hour, your drains will be working as usual – way faster than digging and doing all the elbow grease.
- It doesn’t use chemicals. As we’ve mentioned earlier, hydro jetting is just water and air pressure. It will not cause any contamination to your plumbing system, which is why it’s the safest solution, especially for commercial kitchens.
- It offers accurate results. Thanks to the combination of camera inspections and pressurized water, hydro jetting can get right to the root of the problem. Unlike drain cleaners, where you pour and hope for the best, hydro jetting shreds and flushes out the clogging efficiently.
- It’s eco-friendly. Hydro jetting is a green plumbing solution. It doesn’t produce any hazardous wastes since it doesn’t involve any kind of chemical cleaners or products.
- It’s a long-term solution. Since hydro jetting eliminates the blockage fully, you won’t have to call for repetitive repairs. This helps you save time and money, not to mention that it’s a more convenient solution.
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
Hydro pipe cleaning is considerably safe for almost all pipes and plumbing systems. However, there are some situations where we would advise against it after a thorough inspection.
For example, we may not recommend hydro jetting if you have severe pipe damage, old pipes, and so on. If your pipes are older than 50 years, it might be too brittle for hydro jetting at this point. In that case, snaking might be a safer option.
The best thing to do is to call us so our plumbers can inspect your current plumbing and advise you about the best solution. Aside from hydro jetting, we have other methods to eliminate clogging without damaging outdated or fragile pipes. We will be happy to discuss all these options with you.
After our inspection, we can list down recommendations and give you a quote for each one. This way, you can decide which plumbing solution will work best for your property and your budget.
Have stubborn clogging on your pipes? Call us for same-day hydro jetting!
If you have clogging on your pipes or you want to know if hydro jetting is the right solution, call us at Pacific Plumbing Team today! We are available for same-day service, be it for hydro jetting or other plumbing services you need.
All our plumbers are dual licensed to provide efficient plumbing solutions for both residential and commercial properties. And as a family-owned and locally operated plumbing contractor, you can expect us to deliver the same high-quality service as we would in our own home and business.
Our plumbers can reach in as fast as one hour, depending on your location and our availability. Also, we never charge extra for overtime work – we go the extra mile without the extra bucks!
So, if you’re looking for hydro jetting services in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, Pacific Plumbing Team is the one to call! We are fully licensed and insured for your peace of mind. With us, the solution to your plumbing problem is just a call away!
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Don't let a clogged sink disrupt your daily routine. Contact Pacific Plumbing Company today for efficient and reliable solutions. Our experienced team is ready to tackle any plumbing challenge, providing prompt service and peace of mind. Let us handle the clogs so you can get back to what matters most.
