When most people think of drain cleaning, they envision bottles of chemicals being poured down the drain. Those chemicals are not only hard on the pipes, but they’re also hard on the environment. Hydro jetting is touted as an eco-friendly way to clean a home’s drains and pipes. But does it live up to its claims?
How Hydro Jetting Works
Hydro jetting is the process of blasting water through pipes at high pressure. The process is one that needs to be carried out by a knowledgeable, experienced professional, but the results are impressive. According to Marvel Sewer & Drain, “novice plumbers cannot reliably undertake this procedure, which is why we impart special training in the procedure to our team” The process of hydro jetting removes build-up and debris that can lead to clogs in the future.
The high-velocity water works well to remove dirt, rust, sludge, grease, debris, sand, minor tree roots, hardened scale and more.
The process is similar to pressure washing a home. Pressure washing can make a home look brand new again after just one cleaning. Hydro jetting works in the same way.
Hydro jetting forces water out at pressures of 4,000 PSI or more. The hydro jetting tool is fed through the drain to a nearby cut-out. The forward-facing nozzle will shoot out a high-powered stream of water through the clog. Then, the backward-facing jets sweep the resulting debris out of the pipe and blasting the walls clean.
Before the hydro jetting can occur, a video inspection must be performed. The plumber will send a camera through the pipe to pinpoint the location of the clog or tree roots. The video inspection will also ensure that the water pressure does not destroy damage fragile pipes.
If your drains are emitting foul odors, hydro jetting can neutralize those smells. Food particles can be removed in the process, which creates odor-causing bacteria. With that bacteria removed, odors will disappear.
Is Hydro Jetting Environmentally-Friendly?
Because hydro jetting only uses water, it’s an environmentally-friendly option. Furthermore, the water can often be reused. If the water can’t be reused, it can be disposed of in a responsible and safe manner.
The practice keeps chemicals and debris out of the environment.
Other Benefits of Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting also offers other benefits in addition to being eco-friendly.
One benefit is money savings. The cost may be higher upfront, but ultimately, the practice saves money. Hydro jetting cleans the entire pipe, which helps prevent future calls to the plumber.
The process is also pretty quick compared to more traditional methods, which equates to savings on labor costs.
Another major benefit is that hydro jetting is highly effective at cleaning pipes and drains. With conventional methods, a cable is passed through the pipe and moves around the sludge and debris. The water-jetting actually removes the build-up instead of spreading it through the pipe.
And as far as tree root infiltration goes, hydro jetting is highly effective at cutting roots.
Hydro jetting can handle any clog, but it’s important to note that it can’t fix every clog. In some cases, it can cause flooding. But for most clogs, this process is the most effective.
