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A Guide to Sewer Jetting and Why It’s Good for Your Plumbing

A clogged drain or sewer obstruction can run the gamut from a minor problem to a neighbourhood-wide emergency. If not addressed promptly, consequences range from unpleasant odors to small-scale flooding and even contaminated water. The good news is with help from a reliable plumbing service like Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing, there are multiple solutions and sewer jetting is just one of the most effective. 

Also known as hydro jetting, sewer jetting employs a specially designed hose to force fast-moving water through obstructed pipes and sewer lines. The pressure of the water is powerful enough to punch through nearly any blockage and can blast tree roots right out of a property’s drainage system. Hydro jetting is quick, non-intrusive and capable of removing obstructions when snakes and augers fail to get the job done. 

In this article, the expert technicians from Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing explain how sewer jetting works and why you might need it.

What Is Sewer Jetting and How Does It Work

Sewer jetting (or hydro jetting) directs a high-pressure stream of water – much like a very powerful hose – through a pipe to dislodge clogs and debris. Think of it like a jet washer but instead of blasting dirt out of a driveway or deck, the water jet blasts away everything it encounters including cooking grease, hair, roots, leaves and limescale deposits. 

The force of a jet wash varies according to the severity of the clog but, typically, a psi of anywhere between 1500 and 5000 gets applied. It’s not uncommon for a plumber to flush twenty gallons of water per minute through a heavily impacted line. While most residential systems get cleared with a lot less liquid, some restaurants with years of fat buildup and breached pipes require maximum force and power. 

For this reason, sewer jetting must always be carried out by fully qualified and licensed professionals. It involves specialist equipment (hoses, nozzles, pumps, etc) and can be dangerous if attempted without the necessary training. Property owners should work closely with a plumber to inspect and assess the condition of their pipes before they start jetting because there may be a simpler alternative.

Some Benefits of Sewer Jetting for Your Property’s Plumbing

Cleaning underground pipes with powerful jets of water has many benefits. Compared with more manual solutions such as drain augers and snakes, there’s a lower risk of causing damage to the plumbing components themselves particularly if they’re fragile due to age or environmental damage. 

Here are some more advantages to consider:       

  • Applies powerful but uniform pressure (unlike snakes and augers which can snag and concentrate force in weaker sections of old and/or damaged sewers)
  • More than just an unclogging tool (the force of the jet scours the insides of the pipes leaving them clean, smooth and free of silt, minerals, dirt and grease
  • Non-invasive solution for plumbing problems that are difficult to access such as blockages deep in the main sewer line (no construction work required)
  • One of the only non-invasive (no dismantling of pipes) ways to dislodge and clear obstructive tree roots
  • Can be tailored to suit the property and the problem (a plumber will assess the environment and use the most suitable psi for the job making sure to safeguard the pipes’ integrity and avoid intense force unless absolutely required
  • Keeps the sewer lines and drains clean for four times longer than mechanical tools (snakes and augers) which helps property owners save money and time

Important Things to Know About Sewer Jetting 

Sewer jetting is a relatively simple process but it requires specialist equipment and the right knowledge and skills. You should never attempt to carry it out by yourself. The force of the jet could injure you or cause irreversible damage to the plumbing system that costs a lot more to repair than the original clog. 

Here are some basic steps involved in the process:    

  • The plumber accesses the sewer system via the property’s clean-out opening.
  • They insert a camera on a flexible cable and direct it through the affected pipe to determine the location and severity of the blockage.
  • Then, they insert a specialised nozzle with jets that spray high-pressure streams of water in every direction. The aim is to hit every section of the pipe with water that’s powerful enough to scour away dirt, debris and greasy oils. The plumber will tailor the water pressure to suit the condition and strength of the pipes (older components can withstand less pressure so gentler jets are applied).
  • Where possible, the plumber first blasts the water jets forcefully upstream. While travelling upwards, the water dislodges dirt and debris. When gravity brings it back down, it takes all of the dislodged material with it and flushes it out of the plumbing system. 

Does Your Plumbing System Need Sewer Jetting? Call Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing to Get a Quote Today 

Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing is a fully qualified and licensed plumbing service based in Melbourne. Every year, our plumbers use sewer jetting to clean hundreds of dirty and obstructed sewer lines. With our expertise and specialist hydro washing equipment, you can take your property’s plumbing from sluggish to spectacular. 

Call Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing today on 1300 931 384 to get a no-obligation quote and find out what our expert plumbers can do for you.

 

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