Why is hydro jetting so expensive? Hydro jetting is usually pricier than other options, including snaking and chemical drain cleaners. This is because there is expensive technology, plus a very advanced level of skill required.
It's usually necessary to hydro jet your sewer line when other methods, like chemicals, have failed. One benefit of hydro jetting is that it not only breaks up the clog, but the water also pushes the clog farther down the line to the city main.
Hydro jetting completely breaks down and removes the toughest clogs from your drain. Since hydro jetting can completely clear away the build-up and debris, hydro jetting can last for several years.
You should consider hydro-jetting your sewer lines, and other high traffic drains once every couple of years to avoid a plumbing emergency. Hydro-jetting is a long-lasting solution, so once you start your regular maintenance, you shouldn't have any more problems.
Advantages of Snaking
Snaking is the best option in clearing basic and minor clogs. It's also the most suitable choice for homes that don't have a modern plumbing system. Older homes usually have fragile pipes that are too weak to endure the powerful pressure of hydro jetting.
If it's a deep sewer line clog, your only real choice is hydro-jetting. While drain snakes do work well on shallow clogs, they aren't going to 100% cure the problem. The snake won't completely scour the inside of the pipe like the hydro-jetting tool.
Connect your water line to your power washer like you would normally do. Then use the quick connect coupler that should be included in your sewer jetter kit to your spray wand. At the other end of your jetter hose, use the quick connector to connect the nozzle you would like to use.
If your pipes are old or if your pipes are already in bad condition, hydro-jetting could potentially damage your pipes. The amount of water pressure produced by a hydro-jet is too much for old pipes or pipes that are in bad shape. We do not recommend that you hydro-jet your pipes if this is your particular situation.
If your home does not have older pipes, you may wonder if hydro jetting is safe for newer pipes, specifically PVC pipes. According to professional plumbers, the answer is yes, it is safe for PVC pipes and most other types of plumbing.
Finally, drain cleaning with hydro-jetters is more complicated than it sounds. Only people who have training will know the way to thoroughly and effectively clean drains using this method. Trying it on your own, aside from its physical risks, will not result in the quality cleaning that you need.
Hydro jetting a sewer line involves using highly pressurized water to break apart and cut the tree roots so they can then be flushed out of the pipes. Many hydro jets have around 4,000 per square inch (psi).
Hydro jet sewer cleaning relies on the power of pressurized water and nothing more. In fact, many industries use pressurized water to cut different materials, including metal and diamond. However, sewer water jet machines pressurize water at about 3,500 to 4,000 psi, while it takes at least 20,000 psi to cut steel.
Potential Drawbacks of Hydro Jetting
The sheer force of the water jet might not harm steel, copper or PVC pipe, but it could cut through or break clay pipes by accident. If your home uses its own septic system instead of a municipal sewer hookup, you may want to avoid hydro jetting.
“Cost for hydro jetting can vary between $250 to $800 for a residential application, and $500 to $2500 for commercial,” she notes. “Obviously it depends on the severity of the clog to determine pricing. We do offer free estimates for difficult clogs, including whole house clogs.”
The Cons of Hydro-Jetting
Hydro-jetting can be too much for older and weaker pipelines to handle. It can't help clear drain lines that have been obstructed by serious damage like a bellied line. Hydro-jetting can be less effective at removing extra serious drain obstructions than rooter or auger drain cleaning services.
If the bottom of the pipe or fittings are missing this can cause the snake to catch and break the pipe. It can also cause the equipment to get stuck. Broken PVC pipe is another issue with drains. If PVC is installed correctly there is usually no issues.
As one of the most-used plumbing materials, PVC pipe is known for being very durable and long-lasting. In fact, PVC pipes last approximately 100 years.
Plumbing components made from cast iron, galvanized steel and brass can last as long as 80-100 years, whereas PVC pipes typically last only 24-45 years. Every homeowner must know the average lifespan of common plumbing components.
In most cases, a single use of Liquid-Plumr or Drano will not cause any issues with your pipes, though you should avoid using them in your toilet.
Because Hydro-jetting uses water, the insides of a pipe can be cleaned out and simultaneously washed out. The streams of water are also pressurized enough to break up debris, grease, and tree roots, removing them from a pipe's inner walls.
There are a lot of advantages that the HydroJet has over the traditional plumbing snake. For one, it can be easily used in both sinks and toilet bowls without needing special variations.
The 'GPM-to-pipe-diameter ratio' is another good rule of thumb in choosing minimum jetter GPM: The GPM of the jetter & nozzle should be at least equal to the diameter in inches of the largest pipe you clean, and the best cleaning is a 2/1 ratio (i.e. 8gpm/4″ pipe).