There are times when a stubborn blockage in a drain will not be vanquished simply because the water is running again. In certain plumbing systems, you may still have grease, sludge, mineral deposits, or other debris left on the pipe walls that are primed to cause another clog down the road.
For a more complete solution there is hydro jetting. At DWV Plumbing Services LLC we put high-pressure water to work to tackle particular sewer line and drain issues while getting at the buildup inside the pipe. We are not looking to just make a small hole in an obstruction; with a hydro jet service we can strip material from the interior of the pipe and put the plumbing system back to proper flow.
How It Works
The process is much like pressure washing the inside of a pipe. A specialized hose and nozzle are fed into the drain or sewer line to deliver water at between 1,500 and 3,500 PSI, depending on the application. The nozzle does the work of breaking apart what is in the way and flushing the loosened matter through the drainage system.
While a conventional drain snake is perfectly capable of mechanically breaking up or pulling out a clog in many instances, hydro jetting can do more in the right kind of pipe. It washes the walls clean rather than only making a path through the problem. This is of use when recurring issues are being caused by material coating the line.
Grease and Stubborn Blockages
Kitchen lines are prone to developing layers of soap, food residue, sludge, and grease over time. The rougher and narrower the inside of the pipe gets, the more opportunity there is for debris to catch and lead to a backup or slow drain. Hydro jetting is well suited to this. By running high-pressure water along the inside of the pipe, it offers a deeper clean than a snake run through the middle of a clog would. For commercial properties with kitchen systems that see regular grease, or for residential cases where other methods have not been lasting, professional hydrojetting is a valuable tool.
A Word on Camera Inspection
We do not advocate hydro jetting every pipe as a matter of course. An older cast iron line, for instance, may have rusted or developed weak spots. Putting powerful water pressure on a compromised pipe is asking for damage. A plumber will often start with a camera to see the state of the sewer line and what is behind the blockage. If the camera shows a belly in the pipe, broken sections, or root intrusion, cleaning alone is not going to fix it. You might get temporary relief, but the structural issue remains.
Hydro Jetting Versus a Snake
They are for different things. A properly sized machine with a snake is a good way to cut through a straightforward clog and get things moving. But if there is a layer of sludge and grease on the bottom of a pipe, a hydro jet will remove it from a wider area of the wall. The choice comes down to what the camera reveals about the condition of your lines.
Tree Roots
These are a frequent cause of sewer backups, entering the line through a crack or a joint that has failed. They will trap paper and debris until you have a major blockage. Hydro jetting can clear some of that out, but it does not mend the opening the roots came through. If our inspection shows the pipe is damaged, we can advise on whether a repair is in order to keep the problem from coming back. Cleaning the obstruction is one thing; repairing the cause of the intrusion is another.
Will It Stop Future Clogs?
To some extent, yes. When you have smooth walls, waste and water move freely. Sludge and grease create rough patches for more to collect on. Removing them with a hydro jet can head off some of the repeat trouble. That said, it is not something you need to put on a calendar if the system is otherwise in good order. The sensible thing to do is to address why the drain is giving you trouble and pick the method to suit.
Schedule With Us in Forney
Whether it is a sewer backup, slow drains, or grease you are dealing with, let DWV Plumbing Services LLC take a look. We make it a point to find the source before we put forward a solution, be it a camera check, a repair, or some form of professional cleaning. Give us a call to set up an appointment in Forney, TX. We will assess the situation and show you a safe way to clear the line without putting your plumbing at risk.
