What Happens During the Hydrojetting Process?
Hydrojetting is a service performed by plumbers to clear out stubborn drain clogs and debris using highly pressurized water blasted through specialized equipment. If you're experiencing backed-up sinks or toilets, excessively slow draining, gurgling sounds coming from pipes, foul sewage odors, or flooding inside the home, this indicates a blockage that hydrojetting can likely fix.
Unlike snaking, which just clears a partial path, hydrojetting scours the full inner pipe walls with streams of high-powered water pressure. This process can pulverize years of built-up grease, soap residue, tree roots, and other organic materials into tiny particles that can be flushed away for good. As a homeowner, you may be wondering what exactly happens when you call a professional to perform hydrojetting services. Here is a step-by-step overview of the process.
Scheduling the Appointment
The first step is contacting a licensed plumber or drain cleaning company to schedule your hydrojetting appointment. Describe the issues you're experiencing, such as chronic clogs, gurgling drains, or backed-up sewer lines. The technician will likely ask clarifying questions and recommend the best service based on your unique situation. Expect to schedule about two hours for residential hydrojetting or longer for extensive commercial jobs.
Arriving to the Site
On the scheduled day, the hydrojetting technician will arrive in a specially equipped truck complete with a tank of fresh water, a high-powered jetting machine, and at least 100 feet of hose, in our experience. They'll also be outfitted with protective equipment like a uniform, gloves, glasses, and ear protection. After a quick consultation, they'll conduct an inspection of the area needing service, locate access points, and discuss a service plan with you.
Setting up Equipment
Before turning on the water, the technician must situate the jetting machine near an access point outside your home. This may mean placing it in your driveway, yard, or parking lot with the hose threaded through a window or other access point. Safety cones and signs will be set up to define the work zone. The high-pressure hose gets securely connected to the jetting machine.
Jetting at Full Force
Here's when the real action begins! The technician will power up the hydrojetting machine to full force, sending water blasting through the hose. These pressures are usually between 1,500 and 5,000 PSI, according to Today's Homeowner. This extreme water pressure efficiently scours pipe walls, propelling itself through the line to disintegrate and flush out debris. You may hear loud equipment noise and vibrating pipes. This is normal.
Inspecting the Lines
After thoroughly jetting the pipes, the drainage lines will be inspected. The technician inserts a waterproof camera mounted on a cord through the freshly scrubbed system. This provides a view of the inner walls and lets them confirm all grease, soap buildup, tree roots, and other gunk have been wiped clean. If any evidence of cracks, holes, or other damage is discovered, they will advise you on the next steps for repair.
Wrapping Up
In the final moments on site, the hydrojetting pro will disconnect all equipment, coil up hoses, and load the jetter machine back onto the truck. Before leaving, they can provide additional maintenance tips to keep drains free-flowing, such as avoiding pouring fats and oils down sinks, restricting the use of garbage disposals, and periodically flushing pipes with baking soda and vinegar. Don't be alarmed if you experience temporary drainage issues from mineral deposits or loose debris that have been shaken up. It's normal to have some residual gunk dislodged. Run hot water for a few minutes to clear it out. This quickly resolves within a day or two.
While it may sound intense, hydrojetting using highly pressurized water is an extremely effective and low-risk way to refresh your plumbing system. Entrusting this job to a professional service ensures proper setup, operation, and cleanup. Before you know it, water will be flowing freely once more throughout your freshly scrubbed pipes. If you notice the water is draining slowly from your drains, or you have a clog you cannot remove on your own, it's time to think about hiring a plumber to perform a hydrojetting service for your property. Call Cruz Plumbing & Rooter Services now to obtain an estimate or to schedule your appointment. We look forward to working with you!
