Hydro jetting is a powerful plumbing technique that involves using high-pressure water to clear out clogs and blockages in your home pipes and drains. Over time, debris, grease, and other materials can accumulate in your pipes and plumbing, leading to slow drains, backups, and other issues that make it difficult to keep your home plumbing system functional. Hydro jetting is a safe, effective way to remove these blockages, restore proper water flow, and prevent future plumbing problems that can lead to system failure.
Why should you consider hydro jetting for your home? Let’s look at some circumstances where it is preferred to ensure your plumbing system’s proper function.
The Process of Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting involves using a specialized machine that pressurizes water and forces it through a hose and nozzle into your home’s pipes and drains. The high-pressure water stream can reach up to 4,000 PSI (pounds per square inch), which is usually strong enough to clear out even the toughest clogs and blockages.
Before beginning the process, a plumber will typically inspect your plumbing system to identify the location and cause of the clog. They will then insert the hydro jetting machine’s hose and nozzle into the affected pipe or drain and begin the process of blasting away at the blockage. Water pressure from the hydro jetting machine will break apart and flush out debris, grease, and other materials from the pipes, restoring proper water flow and preventing future clogs. Hydro jetting is a safe and effective method that does not use any harmful chemicals, making it an eco-friendly choice for clearing out your home’s plumbing system.
When Is Hydro Jetting Necessary?
Hydro jetting may be preferred to improve the condition and function of your plumbing in the following scenarios:
Your Pipes and Fixtures Keep Clogging
Hydro jetting is commonly used to clean out drains and pipes that repeatedly clog, even with prior attempts to clear the lines. When your pipes continually clog, it is a symptom of build-up inside the walls of your pipes. You may be able to remove large obstructions with a tool like a drain snake, but you are not addressing the root cause of the problem of slow, partially obstructed drains. To completely restore and clean the inside of your pipes and plumbing, you’ll need to treat them to a thorough hydro-jetting session, which will clean out all the additional crud that your pipe snake won’t reach or fails to break apart.
You Can’t Recall the Last Time You Cleaned Your Lines
If you are new to your home, or you can’t remember the last time that your drain lines have been thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to consider hydro jetting as a reset for your entire plumbing system. Regular care and maintenance should be done at least once every couple of years to avoid more catastrophic plumbing emergencies. Hydro jetting is intended to be a long-reaching plumbing solution; once you incorporate it into your regular maintenance schedule, you should have much fewer drain or line problems.
Sinks and Tubs Don’t Drain as They Used To
If water remains in your sink long after you’ve brushed your teeth, or if you don’t need the tub plug to fill up your bath, it’s time to call a plumber. These slow-draining pipes need to be hydro jetted to work as they were intended to. Build-ups may turn into more extensive blockages if ignored; hydro jetting can be a solution to avoid more costly, comprehensive repairs and inconvenience.
Your Plumbing Is Making Noise
If you hear hissing and gurgling sounds when using your plumbing fixtures, you likely have a problem in your lines that needs attention. Hissing sounds indicate that the water pressure within your pipes is too high, which may be caused by debris or clogs. Gurgling sounds mean that your water is trying its hardest to make its way through, but there are obstructions and debris along the way that are making it hard to do so.
In situations where the water pressure is too high in your lines, a professional will recommend a solution that does not involve hydro jetting because this method could cause more issues than you had to begin with. Other types of obstructions are fine to work through with hydro jetting, as there is little risk of damaging your pipes by moving blockages and obstructions through with pressurized water.
Are There Risks Associated With Hydro Jetting?
While hydro jetting is generally considered safe and effective, there are some risks associated with the process. One potential risk is that the high-pressure water stream can damage older or weakened pipes, especially if you have any cracks or leaks in your plumbing. A professional plumber will inspect your plumbing system before performing a hydro-jetting session to ensure that your pipes are in good condition and can withstand the pressure. Another risk of hydro jetting is that it can cause debris or clogs to become dislodged and travel further down the plumbing system, potentially causing blockages or damage in other areas.
To minimize these risks, it’s important to hire a licensed and experienced plumber who is trained in the proper use of hydro-jetting equipment. They can also use video camera inspections to identify any potential problems and ensure that the hydro-jetting process is performed safely and effectively.
Is Hydro Jetting a Whole-House Process?
Hydro jetting can be performed on a whole house plumbing system, but it’s not typically necessary in an emergency situation unless there is a severe blockage or build-up throughout the entire system. In most cases, hydro jetting is used to clear out specific clogs or blockages in individual pipes or drains. If you have noticed that multiple drains throughout your home are running slow or backing up, however, it may be an indication of a larger issue in your plumbing system. In this case, a licensed plumber can perform a video camera inspection to identify the source of the problem and determine if sectional or whole-system hydro jetting is necessary.
What Does Hydro Jetting Cost?
The cost of hydro jetting varies depending on several factors, such as the size of your plumbing system, the severity of the blockage, and your geographic location. On average, hydro jetting can cost between $300 to $600 per job. Prices can be higher for larger plumbing systems or more complex jobs, however. It’s important to note that while hydro jetting may seem more expensive than traditional plumbing methods like snaking, it can be a more effective and longer-lasting solution, especially for stubborn or recurring clogs.
The cost of hydro jetting can be offset by the potential savings from avoiding frequent drain cleaning or pipe repairs to your home. Before hiring a plumber to perform hydro jetting, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes and ask for references or reviews from previous customers to ensure that you’re getting a fair price and high-quality service.
Contact the Professionals
When it comes to matters of plumbing and home maintenance, trust the professionals at High 5 Plumbing to get the job done right. Serving our valued clients in the Denver area and beyond, we provide services such as plumbing repair and installation, sewer line maintenance, sump pump service, drain cleaning, and hydro jetting. We attend to all of your plumbing needs to make sure your home plumbing system works the way it should. Contact us today to see how we can get things flowing freely again for you and your family.
