What Is Hydrojetting? And When Do You Need It?

Accessing a clean-out, an area of the plumbing system that allows a specialist to easily gain access to the pipes, the plumber inserts a hose that's connected to a tank of water. The hose can withstand the high-pressured water that's sent into the pipes, and a specialized machine pressurizes water from the tank.

The plumber should have the expertise to deliver the right water pressure for the problem at hand, which varies depending on the condition of the pipes. In general, a plumber may pressurize the water up to a 5,000 psi, or more, and deliver as many as 20 gallons of water per minute.

The process of removing buildup involves working with gravity. The majority of home plumbing systems use gravity to pull wastewater out of the home and into the local sewer system. The hydrojetting tool works from the bottom up. Inserted into the downstream portion of the system, it moves upstream, working its way up through the system. As the water scours the pipes, the debris that's dislodged then moves down, with gravity, safely flushing the debris out of the system.

In most cases, hydrojetting is a safe way to remove blockages that cause clogging. However, it is possible to cause further problems if a novice plumber employs hydrojetting in the sewer lines when tree-root penetration is significant.

Always work with a plumber who will visually inspect the indoor plumbing system and the sewer lines using video camera equipment to assess the root of the problem before implementing any solution. If tree root infiltration has led to pipe damage or compromised the pipe's waterproof coating, hydrojetting will not solve the problem, and can even lead to more problems, such as causing infiltration of rocks and soil through perforated septic lines.

The plumber should also use video inspection after cleaning out plumbing pipes to assess the effectiveness of the hydrojetting, and the general condition of the pipes.

If you're experiencing problems with your plumbing system, work with an experienced, knowledgeable plumbing specialist. Using diagnostic tools, hydrojetting allows plumbers to accurately and effectively clean out debris from the plumbing system and sewer lines. Contact your local plumber today to find out more about hydrojetting.