Nicolette Forbes

By: Nicolette Forbes on May 23rd, 2022

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What Is Hydro-Jetting?

Plumbing | Drains

Are you experiencing back ups in your home? Do you have roots in your sewer line? Your plumbing system is a complicated place, and we here at Monkey Wrench Plumbing know a thing or two about plumbing. Having helped thousands of clients since 2007, we have experience in several plumbing areas like wastewater and clearing out clogged pipes or drains. 

Hydro-jetting is a method for clearing out any blockages or clogs that you are experiencing in your pipes. In this article, we will discuss what a hydro-jet is, how it works, the costs surrounding a hydro-jet service, and some of its benefits. 

Let’s get going! 

 

Hydro-jet: What is it?

A hydro-jet is a machine used to clean out a clog or blockage in your plumbing system pipes. It can go up to four thousand PSI or pounds per square inch of water pressure and clears out the stoppage in your pipes. While any plumbing system can use a hydro-jet, it is used in both commercial buildings like restaurants for the built-up grease and sludge that is typically found in their pipes and residential homes as well that have a proper clean out. 

Hydro-jetting also works well on roots that grow into your pipes as it spins and cuts the growing roots better than a snake would. With a snake, the device itself cuts whatever it can within its reach but it will not always clear a full blockage. A hydro-jet on the other hand works in combination with a small camera that will allow us or your local plumber to see where the intrusion is coming from in your pipes and eliminate the blockage. 

But how did the roots even get there? We go more into detail about how roots grow into the pipes in your plumbing system in this article here. Hydro-jetting is not a permanent solution but can serve as a temporary fix to your problem. 

A hydro-jet head powered on

 

How Does a Hydro-Jet Work?

Now that you know what a hydro-jet is, you must be wondering “well, how does it work?” The hydro-jet works with a camera to first identify the problem. For example, if we’re dealing with a root blockage,  a local plumber will follow these steps: 

  1. A local plumber will run a camera through your main sewer line to find the exact “root” of the problem (Get it? “Root” of the problem” we’re hilarious).
  2. Once they have a visual of the problem, the hydro-jet will be placed in the exact spot of the blockage.
  3. The camera is then moved back, out of the way of the jet.
  4. The hydro-jet releases highly pressurized water, clearing the blockage.
  5. The camera is run through the pipe again to ensure that the blockage has been cleared.

A diagram showing the process of hydro-jetting

It can take up to a few hours for a plumbing contractor to hydro-jet a sewer line. Timing, of course, depends on many things, including: 

  1. Size of the blockage 
  2. Type of blockage
  3. Size of the pipe 
  4. Location of the pipe

A hydro-jet is not a solution to your problems but rather serves to buy the pipes in your plumbing system more time before they need to be replaced or repaired. For example, if you're having a backup in your home, using a hydro-jet can help to clear the line, but may not solve the real issue of why you're experiencing a backup in the first place.

We do not recommend that you hydro-jet your pipes on your own. For starters, the machine is not easily accessible in any store. It is also quite dangerous to operate as the hydro-jet pushes out 4,500 PSI of water pressure which could easily cut your hand off. Yikes! 

This is why we always recommend getting a professional out to help with your hydro-jetting needs.

 

Hydro-Jetting Costs

So how much will this cost you? To have your pipes hydro-jetted, will cost you around $895 to $1,495. While all plumbing companies are different and depending on your situation, to have your pipes hydro-jetted, will cost you around $895 to $1,495.

 

Benefits of Hydro Jetting

Hydro-jetting has many benefits including:

  • Safety
    •  If the hydro-jet is operated by a professional plumber or technician, there is little risk of causing damage to your plumbing. You will also keep yourself safe as the hydro-jet can be dangerous to operate. 

  • Time-Saving
    • Hydro-jetting is often the quickest way to dislodge a blockage in your sewer line.

  • Long-Lasting Benefits 
    • Not only will the hydro-jet clear a blockage in your pipes, but the hydro-jet will also clean the build-up sticking to your pipe walls. Clean pipes are less likely to clog. In short, hydro-jetting can help protect you against future plumbing issues.

Hydro-Jetting Outta Here

To recap this article, we discussed what a hydro-jet is, how it works, what it will cost to have your pipes hydro-jetted, and its benefits. While plumbing issues are always a hassle, hydro-jetting is a quick, easy, and affordable solution to clearing blockages in your pipes. 

Read the articles below to learn more about hydro-jetting, if it is safe for your pipes, and what to do if your pipe bursts.

Hydro-Jetting: Is it Safe For My Pipes?

Three Ways To Fix a Broken Sewer Line

If you are dealing with tree roots, sludge, or build-up in your main lines, call our team at Monkey Wrench Plumbing for a hydro-jetting service. Our certified technicians have worked with thousands of clients since 2007 and have significant experience in a wide range of plumbing subjects including wastewater. Click the 'Book' link below to schedule your appointment or call us at 310-853-8690, and one of our call center representatives would be happy to help you.

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