Clogged pipes are a common plumbing problem that can cause severe water damage to your home. Unlike liquid drain cleaners that only provide temporary relief, Hydro Jetting Los Angeles uses powerful water jets to clear clogs.
A plumber inserts a durable hose downstream into your household, sewer, or septic pipes and pumps up to 35,000 psi in high-pressured water. The water sources the pipe walls, and gravity pulls the debris downward to be safely flushed away.
Unlike other drain cleaning techniques, hydro jetting is safe and non-invasive. It is used to clear stubborn, hard-to-reach clogs in your pipes without digging up your yard or breaking through walls. It also eliminates the need for dangerous chemicals that can cause damage to your pipes and the environment.
Hydro jetting flushes away not only the major clog, but also the residue that sticks to your pipe walls. This prevents future clogs from forming, making it a long-lasting solution to your problem. Unlike liquid drain cleaners, which only dissolve the surface of your clog and don’t remove the debris that caused it, hydro jetting cleans out the entire pipe.
Because it is so effective, hydro jetting can help you avoid costly repairs or replacements. Severe clogs can damage your pipes, causing them to become more brittle or prone to cracking and leaks. Hydro jetting eliminates these damaging clogs and can save you thousands of dollars in repairs or replacement costs.
With hydro jetting, plumbers access your plumbing and sewer system through a special opening called a cleanout. The plumber uses a camera to locate and determine the severity of the clog, then places a specialized nozzle on the end of a water hose capable of withstanding high psi forces. The nozzle directs the powerful blast of water into the pipes, breaking up and removing the clog, debris, and grease.
This technique is also less invasive than other methods, such as cable drain cleaning, which can cause damage to older and fragile pipes. It is more effective than chemical drain cleaners, which can only dislodge a portion of the clog and may require multiple attempts to break it up completely.
Hydro jetting can be used to clean a wide variety of drain lines, including kitchen and laundry drains, bathroom sinks and tubs, floor drains, and even the main sewer line. However, it is important to have a thorough video inspection performed before hydro jetting your sewer lines to ensure that the process won’t harm them. It is particularly useful for clearing tree root penetrations, as the high-powered water breaks up and removes roots from inside of the pipes.
It’s Effective
The high water pressure of hydro jetting is more than enough to blast away any type of blockage or debris that’s clogging your drain lines. Grease, soap scum, mineral deposits, and even tree roots are no match for this powerful method of pipe cleaning. Plus, hydro jetting thoroughly cleans the residue stuck to the insides of pipes, making it less likely that future clogs will form.
Your plumber accesses your plumbing and sewer system through a cleanout (an opening specifically designed to allow for easy plumbing maintenance). Then, he or she inserts a camera and passes it through your drains, getting a better idea of the severity of the problem. Then, the plumber can locate the perfect spot to insert a hose and start pumping.
This hose connects to a nozzle capable of withstanding high psi forces, which is then connected to a water tank that’s pressurized with a specialized machine. Once the nozzle is in place, the plumber can start shooting water at the problematic clog or obstruction. The powerful jets of water can dissolve grease accumulations, disintegrate and remove clogs, and clear out your entire sewer line.
It’s important to note, however, that the high water pressure used during hydro jetting can damage aging or fragile pipes. So, before using this approach to your clog or blockage, your plumber may recommend alternative methods, such as a rooter service, to help prevent extensive pipe damage.
The high-pressure water blasts of hydro jetting are also effective at removing stubborn blockages in restaurant kitchens. Fatty food residues and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a big reason for clogged sewer lines in restaurants. When these greasy messes aren’t handled properly, they can build up and congeal on pipe walls, leading to backups, odors, and structural damage. In these situations, hydro jetting is an ideal way to tackle the problem without the need for costly and time-consuming excavation and replacement services. A combination of a rooter service and hydro jetting can be all it takes to get your restaurant plumbing back in shape.
It’s Affordable
Unlike snaking, which can require several attempts and still leave clogs behind, Hydro jetting can clear serious clogs quickly and easily. This makes it a cost-effective option compared to invasive and expensive excavation techniques for addressing severe clogs or sewer line backups.
The amount of time it takes to clean your drains is one of the biggest factors that determines how much hydro jetting costs. A plumber will use a video inspection to first locate the source of your clog, which can take more time if the pipes are curved or have odd angles.
Another factor that impacts the cost is how accessible your pipes are. If the clog is located in a hard-to-reach area, or if the plumber needs to access your sewer line through your basement or crawlspace, it will increase the overall cost. If your home has a sewer cleanout that is easy to get to (most have them near the foundation, in your landscaping or on the curb), this will decrease the overall cost of hydro jetting.
How well-maintained your plumbing system is also a factor in how expensive hydro jetting will be. If you regularly flush large items like baby wipes or cooking grease and use a snake to unclog your drains, you can avoid more severe clogs and costly repair work down the road. Similarly, if your clogs are caused by tree roots, regular maintenance with a snake will be enough to stop them from growing into full-blown blockages.
The hourly rates of plumbers are also a major component in how much you can expect to pay for hydro jetting services. Highly skilled or specialized plumbers will usually charge higher rates than newer and less experienced workers. Regardless of what your plumber charges, however, hydro jetting is more affordable than digging up and replacing your entire pipe system, which can be very costly. It’s also less expensive than repeated snaking attempts that will still leave some particles of clog stuck on the pipe walls. If you’re thinking about having your drains hydro jetted to prevent future clogs, consider asking for a warranty. It’s likely your plumber will be happy to give you a 30 days or more guarantee on the service, since they know that it will effectively clean your pipes.
It’s Safe
Unlike chemical drain cleaners, hydro jetting does not require you to place dangerous and harmful chemicals into your home. The highly pressurized water sprayed through your pipes is safe and effective for cleaning out debris, sludge, and even tree roots that have penetrated the sewer line. Because of this, it is also the most effective way to prevent clogs from occurring in the future.
It also offers long-lasting results that make it a wise investment for homeowners. While traditional plumbing methods leave behind residue that can lead to slow draining or another clog, hydro jetting completely cleans your pipes. This ensures that your pipes remain free of bacteria and other materials that can cause odd smells, health issues, and general unpleasantness.
You can also save money on costly repair bills by avoiding serious damage to your plumbing system. Rather than having to dig up your yard or cut into your old pipes, the plumber simply inserts a hose through the cleanout and begins spraying. This technique can easily clear blockages in hard to reach areas of your home, such as the far corners of your basement.
The hose can also be directed to specific areas of your home that need special attention. This makes it possible to tackle clogs in your kitchen, bathroom, or other drains without having to remove and replace entire sections of pipe. This is a great option for older homes that have endured significant wear and tear over the years.
Before the plumber reaches for the hydro jetting hose, however, they will first perform a video inspection to determine the type and location of the clog. They will also check for any pre-existing damage to the pipes. This is important because PVC and clay pipes are susceptible to cracking and becoming brittle with age. If the pipe has been damaged, the plumber will usually recommend using a drain snake or other non-invasive techniques instead of hydro jetting.
Hydro jetting is a safe and effective option for clogged drains, but it is not the right solution for every homeowner. Talk to your local plumber to find out if this is a good option for your home and budget.