What hydro jetting is
A jetter is a pump that sends water at high pressure down a hose. The hose has a nozzle with jets that point backwards and sideways. The water pulls the hose along the pipe and scours the walls as it goes.
It is a different tool from a drain machine, which uses a spinning cable with a cutting head. Both have a place. Which one suits depends on what is in the pipe.
What it is good at
- Fat and grease that coats the pipe wall
- Silt, sand and leaf matter in stormwater lines
- Fine roots and root hairs at the edge of a joint
- General build-up that narrows a pipe without fully blocking it
Because water reaches the whole pipe wall, jetting can leave a line cleaner than a cable that only punches a hole through the middle.
When it may not suit
Jetting is not right for every pipe. Old, cracked or collapsed pipe can be harmed by pressure. Thick, hard roots may need cutting first. A pipe with a broken section can send water into the soil.
In older Mountains cottages with clay or fibre pipes, a plumber will often check the pipe condition first, sometimes with a camera, before choosing the pressure. Ask whether jetting suits your job, and ask what pressure and nozzle will be used. Not every plumber carries a jetter, so ask when you call.
How a jetting job goes
The plumber finds a way into the line. That may be an inspection opening, a gully trap or a cleaning eye. The hose goes in with the nozzle facing back, and water is turned on slowly.
The hose is fed along the pipe, then drawn back while the water works. Debris washes towards the exit point, where it can be caught or flushed to the right place.
Water use is high, so the plumber needs a tap or a tank. Tell them if your property runs on tank water, so the job does not drain your supply.
Stormwater and gutters
Jetting is common for stormwater lines because they fill with silt and leaf litter after storms. It is also used to clear downpipe connections that a cable cannot reach. See stormwater drains.
What it costs
The price depends on pipe length, access, how blocked the line is and the time needed. Ask for a quote before work starts. Ask what is included, such as a follow-up check of the line.
Questions to ask
- Is jetting the right tool for my pipe?
- What happens if the pipe turns out to be damaged?
- Will you check the line afterwards?
- Do you need access to my water supply, and how much will it use?
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Call 0495 053 644Hydro jetting questions
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
It depends on the pipe. Sound clay and cast iron often cope well. Cracked or collapsed pipe can be damaged, so ask the plumber to check first.
Does jetting remove tree roots?
It can clear fine roots and thin growth. Thick roots often need cutting first, and roots may regrow.
Is jetting better than a drain machine?
Neither is always better. A cable suits a firm plug. Water suits build-up on the pipe wall. A plumber often picks by what is in the line.
Will it make a mess?
Water and debris can come out at the access point, so the plumber should plan where it goes. Ask how they will manage it.
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