As your home ages, debris and other pieces of junk naturally pile up in your pipes. If you let this go unattended, it will form blockages that could take ages to get rid of. It’s essential to address this issue right away, and hydro jetting is one of the latest ways to do so. Hydro jetting is a powerful process that restores your pipes to their original state. Hydro jetting is an alternative to other options and is a solid choice for a lot of homeowners. Let’s take a look at what hydro jetting is and the pros and cons that it offers.
What is Hydro Jetting?
Simply put, hydro jetting is the process of shooting a high-pressure stream of water through pipes to clear out any debris inside. You might be familiar with weaker forms of hydro jetting. If food has ever gotten stuck in your kitchen sink, you’ve likely plunged it with hot water to break up the stoppage. If your toilet has clogged in the past, you’ve probably used a plunger to open it up with a strong force of water.
Hydro jetting takes this concept to the next level. Hydro jetting uses a special machine, a contraption that attaches a hose to a source of water. When a technician turns on the machine, an extremely high-pressured stream of water comes out of the nozzle. This stream is directed into the pipe to clear it of any gunk. People often use warm water in tandem with hydro jetting to loosen the stoppage as much as possible.
Contrary to popular belief, the goal of hydro jetting doesn’t have to be to break through a heavy blockage that has been plaguing your pipes for ages. Hydro jetting is a very sensible option to clean the interior of your pipes simply. Although water might flow normally, mold and mildew could be lining the pipe’s interior. This leads to corrosion in the long run and potentially even contaminated water if these particles are near the water source.
Why Use Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jetting is useful for several reasons. First of all, it is extremely powerful. It’s hard to emphasize just how strong that stream of water is and how much force it generates. If there are many years’ worth of debris lining the inside of a pipe, you’ll need an equally serious method of getting it out. Hydro jetting achieves just that. In addition, hydro jetting is well known to be friendly to the pipe itself. In comparison, driving some sort of snake through the pipe can cause permanent damage to the surface of your pipes.
For older homes, the metal is already likely to be corroding, and friction between the snake and the pipe can cause a rupture. This will force you to buy a new pipe altogether, which is much worse than a small clog, to begin with. Hydro jetting is also known to be relatively inexpensive. There aren’t any other costs besides the hydro jetter itself and a supply of water. The energy cost that hydro jetting uses is minimal compared to much more extravagant projects. Setting up hydro jetting is a very straightforward process as well. Once you have the device, all you need to do is plug it in and aim the nozzle at the appropriate place. You can either attempt this yourself or call upon a professional service for guidance.
Cautions While Hydrojetting
At the same time, hydro jetting isn’t a magical solution to all of your clogging problems. While it’s effective, you have to use a certain degree of caution while using this equipment. Water and electricity don’t fundamentally mix. You are going to be shooting a large volume of water while operating a motor on the other end. If the two come into contact, this is a recipe for disaster. Although there are precautionary measures such as rubber guards on the handle and engine, you need to be careful.
Before starting the stream of water, make sure you know where the nozzle is pointed towards. If you ever lose control of the device, immediately shut it off so you can regain control. Hydro jetting can also damage the pipe if done improperly. A professional technician will know how to correctly aim the stream of water so as not to come in contact with the wrong parts of the pipe. As discussed earlier, snaking can be harmful if done carelessly. Similarly, hydro jetting is a safe procedure if you know what you are doing. Anything less, and you’re back to step one with dangerous ways of clearing your pipes.
When to Hydro Jet
It’s crucial to note that there are situations where you should and should not hydro jet. For starters, hydro jetting is a great idea when you can’t see the clog. If the backup is within sight or a straight line, it might be simpler to try another method of clearing the clog that has less effort involved to get the job done. There’s no need to escalate the issue when a simple solution will do.
For backups that are further down the pipe, hydro jetting is well worth considering. The main question is whether your pipes will be able to sustain the pressure of hydro jetting. The sheer force of the water could cause permanent damage to utilities in older homes. If you know for a fact that your pipes are already unstable, hydro jetting introduces a serious risk of collapse. At that point, you’re better off just replacing the pipes altogether as no solution will be gentle enough.
Lastly, hydro jetting is generally recommended for indoor pipes. When everything is indoors, you are looking at a controlled environment that isn’t at the mercy of the natural elements and climate. Hydro jetting in an indoor setting ensures that the setting is room temperature, and the water won’t be overly warm or cold. On the other hand, if the pipes are outdoors, the environment is much more volatile. In freezing temperatures, hydro jetting could result in icicles or frost. This is the absolute worst thing that can happen to pipes, and you’ll undoubtedly need to replace them. If the outdoor temperature is anywhere near freezing, think twice about hydro jetting pipes that run through the ground.
Hydro Jetting in Your Home
By now, you might be interested in hydro jetting in your own home. Perhaps you’ve lived in the house for many years, and it is about time to renovate the kitchen and the bathroom. You want to clear things up before you make any significant changes. As mentioned above, hydro jetting isn’t the most straightforward task if you’ve never done anything like it before. It’s in your best interest to contact a professional service such as Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical in Glendale, AZ. We know all about hydro jetting and why it is the solution to your clogging issues. Our team members are experienced with all the proper equipment and procedures and can hydro jet your pipes in a matter of hours.
In addition to hydro jetting, we offer burst pipe repair, outdoor lighting services, and emergency plumbing repair, as well as indoor air quality assessments and solutions. For a free and quick consultation, please call us as soon as possible! We’d love to work with you and introduce you to the fantastic world of hydro jetting.
