sewer blockage
How Hydro Jetting Can Deal with Severe Sewer Blockages!
It pays to use the right tool for the right job. With advances in plumbing technology, you might not be aware of how far beyond snakes and plungers things have progressed.
Severe blockages often cannot be snaked and need more aggressive methods of removing the issue. Hydro jetting accomplishes removing tough blockages fast, saving time and money.
If you run a business or manage a property, you know how quickly clogs can turn into major emergencies that can result in down time while being expensive to fix. Being proactive with drain cleaning can avoid all this frustration.
This blog explains the ins and outs of hydro jetting and how it saves you headaches by dealing with severe sewer blockages.
The Versatility of Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting works internally in your drains, with no need to cut or drill pipes and surrounding construction. This approach cuts costs and reduces the need for expensive excavation. However, if the debris in the drain is bad enough, it must be physically pulled out, often into a pit or open pipe. High levels of debris could be caused from construction or rust if the drains are cast iron.
A specialized nozzle feeds into pipes with diameters between 1 1/2″ to 18″. High-pressure water then pushes against the walls of the pipe to clear and clean from the inside. We have many specialized nozzles meant for cutting through all types of blockages.
Not only does this service remove obstructions but it also cleans residue that can build up inside a pipe over time. Resulting in a smoother surface for better flow.
Spotting Blockages
Good indications you have a severe blockage could be: slow drains, lingering smells, and water backing up in more than one location. These issues indicate more than a simple clogged drain.
The first step in the hydro jetting process is for a plumber to take a look inside the pipes and determine information about the blockage. They’ll also look at the pipe size and composition.
While hydro jetting is effective and less expensive than excavation, it is not possible if the pipe has collapsed or is broken.
Hydro jetting utilizes enough pressure to clean the pipe and wash out debris without causing damage. Generally speaking, blockages come from two broad categories of substance.
Contaminates
This includes anything put down a drain that shouldn’t be:
- Oils, fats and grease from cooking
- Paint, plaster or other construction materials
- Calcium build up
Objects best thrown in the trash also end up here. Paper products, hygiene products, and especially wet wipes can create thick, firm clogs.
Intrusions
Tree and shrub roots can travel up to 20ft looking for nutrient rich water, pushing into a pipe through joints or cracks to soak up the available water.
Calcified blockage in drain line before flushing.
Expelling Waste and Wear
To effectively clear a pipe, hydro jetting debris is only one solution. The pressure needs to be high enough to de-scale mineral accumulations that narrow the pipe. It also needs to be high enough to cut through intrusive roots.
In a city like Toronto, which has medium-hard water, mineral accumulation is a constant threat that amplifies deposits of grease, fats, and oils. Over time these can cause severe blockages.
Descaling pipes, especially further into the sewer line, is used when there needs to be a more aggressive approach to cleaning a pipe. This is usually the case when a pipe is very rusty, old or just before relining. Descaling uses more pressurized hydro jetting equipment in conjunction with a specialized Flexshaft machine.
Schedule Hydro Jetting Services
Though hydro jetting clogged pipes is effective, it can’t roll back a broken clock. If you see signs of clogged drains and backing up sewage, get help sooner than later.
Flooding caused by backed up drains can leave behind expensive damage. Contact Trouble Shooters Plumbing & Drains for hydro jetting services throughout the Greater Toronto area to clear severe sewer blockages.
