Are you thinking of having your drainpipes and sewer lines cleaned professionally? Are
you planning to use hydro jetting as your drain cleaning method of choice? But your
drain pipes and sewer line are old, and you worry that hydro jetting will damage them.
We are here to help. In this post, we answer all your lingering questions and explain the
things you should consider before using hydro jetting to clean old pipes. We also outline
the important steps to take if you do decide to clean your pipes.
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
Hydro jetting is safe for old pipes if those pipes are in good condition. That is because
hydro jetting uses pressurized water to dislodge the clogs inside a drainage line. If the
pipes in the system are weak or damaged, the high pressure of the water can cause
problems, notes Rentifi Property Management (Fort Myers FL).
A hydro jetting machine is a lot like a power washer, except that instead of being used
to blast away the grime on walls, driveways, and sidewalks, a hydro jetting machine is
used to clear debris out of drainage lines. The water used in the operation can have
pressures of up to 4,00 psi.
At such high pressures, water possesses enough power to slice through tough tree
roots and other stubborn debris inside a drainage line. The jet is also powerful enough
to slice off a person’s hand. Aiming this water at the sides of brittle drainpipes will
definitely cause problems.
If your pipes are made of PVC, you have nothing to worry about. Except on rare
occasions, PVC pipes can easily handle the pressure of being hydro jetted. But it is
different if your drain line is made of old cast iron, clay, or polybutylene pipes, because
those tend to degrade over time.
Basically, hydro jetting is not a safe option for your drainage system if the line has:
Weak or brittle pipes, such as are found in old cast-iron or clay sewer lines.
These older pipe materials may not be able to withstand the pressurized water
stream from a hydro jetting machine. Using hydro jetting in this situation may
result in serious damage.
Severe damage, such as a line that is full of cracks, pinholes, and weak joints.
The pressure from a hydro jetting machine may worsen the issues in the line,
leading to terrible drainage problems in your home and expensive sewer line
repair or replacement.
That being said, hydro jetting is still the best method for cleaning your drainpipes and
sewer line. Hydro jetting the drainage system will not just dislodge the debris inside it,
but it will scour the pipe walls and flush all the debris completely out of your drain pipes
and sewer line.
However, to be entirely safe and ensure that hydro jetting does not damage your pipes
or sewer line while cleaning them, it is essential to do a sewer camera inspection before
thinking of hydro jetting a line. What is a sewer camera inspection, and why is it
important?
Why is sewer camera inspection essential before hydro jetting?
Before hydro jetting a drainage pipe, whether it is in good condition or old, it is
recommended that you do a sewer camera inspection. This step helps assess the
condition of the pipes, determine the type of blockage inside them, and select the best
cleaning method.
Sewer camera inspection ensures that the drain-cleaning method you use will be
effective. It not only helps you save time and money, but it also protects your drainage
lines. That is because a mismatch in the condition of the pipes and the drainage method
can cause costly problems.
How is sewer camera inspection done?
A specialized waterproof camera is inserted into the drain. Using an attached cable, the
plumber guides it through the line as it returns a high-resolution image of the inside of
the line to an above-ground screen in real time. This step is essential before cleaning a
drainage line.
Alternatives to hydro jetting
If, after doing a sewer camera inspection, it is determined that your pipes are too old to
handle hydro jetting, what are your options? A safe option for clearing out the debris
from your drainage pipe is sewer rodding. Sewer rodding operates in a different way
from hydro jetting.
To clear a drainage line using this method, a set of stackable cables known as sewer
rods is inserted into the line and guided through the bends of the pipe until they reach
the location of the clog. The Chicago Ridge, IL plumber then uses the hard end of the rod to dislodge the
debris inside the pipe.
Sewer rodding is a safer option for old pipes with weak or brittle spots. Although it will
not flush out the debris from the line, it will break it up so that you can easily wash the
dirt out of the pipes by flushing the entire drainage system.
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Are you dealing with drainage problems in your Chicago Ridge, IL home, and you are
not sure what steps to take? No need to worry. Just give us a call at 708-775-2566, and our experienced plumbers will visit your home immediately and guide you through the best options to fix
the issues.