Hydro Jetting Vs. Snaking: Which is Better For Clearing Clogged Drains?

As a home or business owner, one of the last things you want to find out is that you’ve got a clogged drain. When it does happen, it’s important to act quickly to get things back to normal in the impacted fixture. In today’s blog, we’ll look at the two most common ways of clearing clogged drains: snaking or hydro jetting.

What is Hydro Jetting and How Does it Help?

Hydro jetting is a process that uses water pressure to clear clogged drains. It utilized water pressure that reaches between 3,000 and 8,000 psi to clean the walls of your pipe system. A water stream can create enough pressure to uproot a healthy tree, so it’s important to take care when using this method. It’s an option that plumbers will use for private and commercial pipes. It’s fast and effective!

What is Snaking and How Does it Work?

Snaking involves using an auger, which is a long piece of steel with a coil at the end. The coiled end of the steel digs into any obstructions like hair, grease, or other debris. Snaking has been used successfully throughout the history of modern plumbing. It can be utilized for a variety of plumbing situations, but it’s particularly useful for older pipe systems.

How Do I Choose Between Snaking and Hydro Jetting?

While snaking is the old-fashioned method, it can be used as a first step for all kinds of pipes. Homeowners can also use homemade snaking tools to attempt to clear small clogs. While hydro jetting is the new industry standard, it can do damage to older pipes due to the intense psi of the water. Snaking is the slower method, but it can only clear clogs that appear in the path of the auger. Hydro jetting, on the other hand, is designed to clear the entire pipe, including the walls. As long as your pipes are strong enough to withstand the pressure, hydro jetting is the best method due to its speed and success in clearing pipe systems. 

Have A Complicated Clog That Needs Hydro Jetting or Snaking? Call Team Rooter!

Now that you’ve learned a bit more about the differences between snaking and hydro jetting your clogged drains, call our team of experts to get your pipes serviced. Team Rooter has been cleaning tough clogs throughout the Orange County area for more than 20 years. When you need a problem found and removed, contact our experts. We’re available when you need us, 24/7/365. Call Team Rooter. We’ll be there!

Everything You Need to Know About Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting
Photo by Bruce Warrington on Unsplash

It’s likely that the first time you heard the phrase “hydro jetting” was from a plumber delivering unwelcome news during a visit. Your pipes experienced a problem like clogging or back up. The plumber explained that the hydro jetting process will use high-pressure water. Forcing the water under pressure into the pipes clears blockage and contaminants in its path. Before you agree with their diagnosis and treatment plan, if you have questions we are here to help answer them.

When Is Hydro Jetting Used?

Hydro jetting is proposed by a professional when the standard process of snaking or other methods would not be effective. Only trained professionals should treat pipes in this manner. Please note that this is not a complicated process, but if not done correctly, it can cause more damage. This process shoots water between 1500 PSI and 4000 PSI, depending on pipe dimensions and application through the pipes. Professional plumbers will adjust the nozzles for drain size, type of clogs, and other factors for the best results. Knowing how to make small adjustments and other considerations to successfully hydro jetting requires someone with specialized knowledge in this area.

Benefits of Hydro Jetting

Snaking moves through the pipes and removes clogs. Hydro jetting cleans pipes and fixes any known clogging issues. This cleansing causes better overall water flow. Also, cleaning the pipes will help cut down on bacteria that pipes develop over time and use. Snaking can remove simple root intrusions if cutting heads are applied. Due to the water pressure used, hydro jetting cuts both residue and root intrusion down extensively.

Can Hydro Jetting Damage Pipes?

Old houses and those with extensive tree root issues could be at risk of added damage if hydro jetting is allowed. This is why only a professional should do this service. Further, ensure that the plumbing professional has done a thorough inspection of your system. Professionals must take cracks or other safety issues with your pipes into consideration. Choosing a licensed and insured professional is necessary for your peace of mind.

Precautions You Need to Take

If you have a septic system, hydro jetting may not be your best option. Hydro jetting cleanses the pipes of bacteria, which septic systems rely on to break down waste. If you do have a septic tank and wish to do jetting, ensure you ask questions about the professionals’ credentials. How often have they done this service? What precautions are they taking to protect the septic system and pipes?

Additionally, pipes with extensive tree infiltrations could be at risk for damage from hydro jetting. If this is a known contributing factor to your plumbing concerns, ask about using a camera. A camera is sent through the pipes to better see damage already in place. It can show whether there are tree roots and help determine if this process could cause added damage.

Finally, always ask for references and credentials. Ensuring the professional does due diligence should alleviate risks. Unfortunately, pipes are areas that are not easily accessible. Damage to these can be a time-consuming and expensive fix. Always hire the best professionals for hydro jetting or any plumbing service.

Contact Team Rooter Today

Hydro jetting may be an option to clear that nasty clog you have, but the benefits go beyond that simple fix. It can also clear bacteria, residue, and even tree infiltrations. Because of this, you must always do due diligence to hire the right professional. If you want to know whether it may be right for you, contact Team Rooter today!

 

4 Ways Hydro Jetting Can Ensure Clean Pipes

Hydro jetting is the choice procedure of cleaning and removing blockages from your pipes. It fixes stinky, slow, and clogged drains. It puts your pipes in order, even when tree roots are blocking them. You know what hydro jetting does but it’s time to find out how it’s done, and how hydro jetting can ensure your pipes are clean.

Camera Line Inspection

Hydro jetting starts with an effective, non-invasive procedure called a camera line inspection. A camera line inspection identifies the issues with your pipes via HD camera, letting your plumber know all of the problems that need tending to. With a camera line inspection, you know when your pipes are all better.

Hydro Jetting Unclogs

During a hydrating period, the pressure can get up to 60,000 PSI, completely clearing any gunk or garbage in your pipes. No blockage can withstand that much pressure so you can rest assured that your pipes will be clean. Also, you won’t have to worry about the pipes because your plumber will know how much pressure they can take after the camera line inspection.

Hydro Jetting Cleans

Your pipes don’t have to be clogged to need hydro jetting; sometimes pipes just need a good cleaning to work properly. Gross, cluttered pipes can smell and drain too slowly. To clarify, with hydro jetting’s power, no matter the problem, you’re in good hands. It will even rid your pipes of bacterial growth.

Professional

If you hire the right company your plumber will be a certified professional. It is a bad idea to let a novice fool around with your pipes because you risk much more extensive damage. Trust a professional plumber to get the job done, ensuring your pipes are clean and making your life simple.

Hydro jetting is the best way of knowing your pipes are clean and healthy, starting with a camera line inspection, revealing all of your system’s rough spots. Then, the water pressure will turn up, and shoot cleansing water through all your pipes, both cleaning and unclogging them. This is not such an easy task. It requires a professional to avoid damaging your pipes. Hire a certified company; you can find one here. Team rooter is a professional, friendly, and affordable company, with all of the tools to help you. If you have problems or are due for a cleaning, click on the link above and see what they can offer you.