Does hydro-jet work?
Sometimes, with a clogged drain or sewer line, all natural home remedies, basic household plunger, or even a plumber’s snake isn’t going to unclog them. That is when you call a plumber, and they use a hydro jet drain cleaner. What is hydro-jet cleaning, what is hydro-jet plumbing? This is the ‘big guns’ in plumbing.
Hydro-jet cleaning is using a hydro jet cleaner is a water-jetting process with a specialized cleaning solution used to unclog and open up drain and sewer lines. The process uses a high-pressure hose with a special nozzle that is connected to a machine. That machine directs high pressurized water through the hose and nozzle into clogged drain and sewer pipes. The end result, whatever was causing the clog is blasted out through the sewer line and on to the sewer.
Yes, using a hydro jet cleaner has proven to be a highly effective way to get a clog busted up and moving toward the sewer system. Thousands of pounds of water is blasting through a hydro jet cleaner, quickly clearing clogs. It is rare that a clog can’t be cleared by using this type of system. Businesses and all sizes of municipalities have needed the service of a hydro jet cleaner to get a sewer system clear and working again.
Can I hydro-jet myself?
In the hands of a professional plumber, a hydro jet cleaner can provide thorough cleaning of drain and sewer pipes. Trained technicians with plumbing experience and licensing have the knowledge and skills to use a hydro jet cleaner correctly and clean the drain and sewer lines effectively and thoroughly without causing damage.
If this still sounds like it isn’t that difficult to use a hydro jet cleaner, let’s review two strong reasons why a homeowner should never try this on their own:
- Safety: For the pipes and yourself. The water that will be coming out of the nozzle is 7500 psi (pounds per square inch) or higher. That high of a pressure has the potential of causing injuries for an untrained person. A professional plumber will have extensive protective gear when using a hydro jet cleaner. They also know the exact amount of pressure to set the hydro jet cleaner so that it doesn’t damage the pipes. One example to know even a fraction of how pressurized that water would be to place your hand in front of the car wash nozzle. This is only a fraction of the pressure that a hydro jet cleaner has.
- Cost Effective: To rent or purchase your own hydro jet cleaner is not effective for a homeowner. Chances are you will never use this system again, whereas a professional plumber will utilize this piece of equipment time and again on several jobs similar to yours. This allows them to recoup their expense.
Okay, maybe money isn’t as big of a factor for you as most homeowners. So, how much does a hydro-jet machine cost? You can purchase several different sizes with pricing varying between them, some examples of sizes and their costs are:
- M20T TrapBlast Jetter hydro jet cleaner for $2,100.00 will come with the ability to clean lines sizes between 1.5″ and 2″ lines with a 50′ of 1/8″ hose and provides 1,500psi.
- MS80 Jet Pro Skid hydro jet cleaner for $8,500.00 that comes as a skid mounted mainline jetter that is designed to clean line sizes between 3″ and 10″ lines. The 690CC motor and electric start will deliver 3,000 PSI through 250′ of hose on a reel cart.
Okay, so maybe that is a bit extravagant for a homeowner that will use it once, may be twice. So, how much does it cost to rent a hydro-jet? You can expect to pay a minimum of $200/per day and receive basic instructions with some warnings. You break it – you’ll buy it.
How do you use a hydro-jet cleaner?
Maybe you have an old house with a lot of trees around it, and you’ve had to have professional plumber several times over the past 2-3 years. You decide it is worth the cost to buy or rent a hydro jet cleaner and do the job yourself, how do you use a hydro jet cleaner?
First, we want to remind you this may look like a simple process, but that pressure coming from the hose can be dangerous if you’re not careful. You need to be sure you’re working on sewer leads that do not have a dead end, then follow these steps:
- Locate the sewer opening on your property and remove the cover with either a crowbar or wrench.
- If you aren’t 100% sure where the clog is, start at the drain closest to the outside sewer line.
- Now insert a plumber’s snake in the sewer line opening and turn the handle to extend the snake.
- Depending on the model of hydro jet cleaner you purchased or rented, the directions for set up will be different. Follow the directions that came with the unit.
- Once the hydro jet cleaner has reached the pressure recommended and you have your protective gear on, turn the unit on.
- Insert the hydro jet cleaner nozzle into the sewer line opening and carefully spray the hydro jet into the sewer line. There will be back spray, which is why you should never attempt without the protective gear. The back spray will have harmful bacteria that you do not want to get on you, in your eyes or mouth.
- Once the back spray quits and you can tell that water is running through the sewer line easily the clog is gone.
Can you hydro-jet a septic system?
Yes, but it must be with a low-pressure hydro jet cleaner that states it is specifically for septic lines. Most septic lines are made of PVC, a light material, and the pressure from a hydro jet cleaner must be safe to use on PVC.
Maybe you have had the exterior of your home or your driveway and walkways washed. The contractor was using a high pressure washer they referred to as a hydro-jet high-pressure power washer. What is hydro-jet high-pressure power washer and how is different than a hydro jet cleaner?
Basically they are the same with the exception of the PSI used. The hydro jet high-pressure that contractor used is designed for cleaning exteriors of houses, sidewalks, wooden fences, brick walls, and cars. But the PSI isn’t sufficient enough to get a stubborn clog pushed through a sewer line. Call 800-330-7686 today for your hydrojetting needs!