Is Hydro-Jetting Bad For My Pipes?
When you find yourself dealing with clogged pipes in your home, you want to get this problem solved as fast as possible so that you can do laundry, wash dishes, or take a bath or shower without delay. While some clogs can be easily resolved with DIY methods, others that are more stubborn are best done away with by having a professional plumber perform hydro-jetting on your clogged pipes.
A process that uses a pressurized water flow to break up clogs inside pipes, hydro-jetting is environmentally-friendly because it does not require the use of harsh chemicals, thus making it the choice of many homeowners who have tough clogs in their home’s pipes. But should you have an older home, you may be wondering if hydro-jetting is safe for old pipes. Can it lead to damaged plumbing? To find out, our Boss Plumbing team has all the answers you need.
Is Hydro-Jetting Safe for My Pipes?
In most plumbing situations we encounter here at Boss Plumbing concerning tough clogs that lead to backups or have homeowners dealing with a clogged toilet or clogged drain, we believe hydro-jetting services are perfectly safe for their pipes.
Of course, if our plumbers are working in an older home that has cast-iron pipes that are around 50 years old or that are showing signs of rust or other damage, they examine the plumbing system very closely before deciding whether or not to use hydro-jetting.
Even in situations where there is no clear sign of rust or corrosion on pipes, our Boss Plumbing technicians realize the pressurized water used in hydro-jetting drains or sewer lines could possibly expose weaknesses within the pipes, which could ultimately result in damage. However, if your home is one that contains PVC pipes or other modern types of pipes, our hydro-jetting services are well-suited for the toughest of clogs. Should you be dealing with a clog and wonder what would be the best way to solve the problem, we suggest you call a professional here at Boss Plumbing and let us answer your questions.
Pros and Cons of Hydro-Jetting
Like virtually any type of plumbing technique in use today, hydro-jetting has its pros and cons. If you’re thinking this service may be exactly what you need to solve those recurring clogging problems in your home’s plumbing system, here are some things to keep in mind when making your decision.
Pros of Hydro-Jetting
- No Harsh Chemicals
Since hydro-jetting does not require the use of harsh chemicals, it is good for the environment and also means your family members and pets won’t be exposed to any harmful substances during the process.
- Can be Done Quickly
In many situations, a clog inside a pipe can be cleared within minutes using the hydro-jetting technique. Should the clog be severe, it may take two or three hours to fully break up the clog.
- No Clog is Too Tough
When we use hydro-jetting to clear your pipes, keep in mind that about 20 gallons of water per minute will be pumped into the pipe containing the clog. Even if the clog has hardened or takes up quite a bit of space within the pipe, our hydro-jetting technique can win the battle each and every time, meaning no clog can withstand a Boss Plumbing hydro-jetting session.
Cons of of Hydro-Jetting
- Can Damage Older Pipes
Since old pipes may have rust or corrosion or be constructed of materials less durable than today’s modern piping, the sheer force of hydro-jetting may damage older pipes that are already fragile.
- DIY Hydro-Jetting Can Cause Injuries
If there is one thing our Boss Plumbing team agrees on, it’s that you should never try to do hydro-jetting as a DIY plumbing project. If you do, you could risk being seriously injured, especially if you do so on older pipes that may burst under the pressure. If you notice obvious rust or corrosion on your older pipes, it’s a good bet you should talk to us about replacing your cast-iron pipes with more modern copper pipes or PVC pipes.
When You Should Avoid Hydro-Jetting
There are some instances where you should avoid using hydro-jetting services.
Damaged Pipes or Plumbing
Whether your pipes are older or newer, we strongly recommend you avoid the use of hydro-jetting when you have pipes or other parts of your plumbing system that are damaged due to rust, corrosion, or other factors.
Trying the DIY
As we stated earlier, making hydro-jetting a DIY plumbing project is never a good idea. Along with not possessing the skills, experience, and knowledge needed to perform this highly-specialized task, you run the risk of bursting pipes and damaging other parts of your plumbing system. Instead, call a professional plumber here at Boss Plumbing for assistance.
Your Home is Older
If your home was built at least 50 years ago, hydro-jetting may not be the best way to rid your pipes of clogs. Older homes have pipes that are usually rusted or corroded, and may also contain materials within the plumbing system that were never intended to withstand the water pressure associated with hydro-jetting.
Safer Options for Older Pipes
If you’re wondering how to unclog a blocked drain in an older home, we here at Boss Plumbing believe the old-school method of snaking your drain will be the most logical way to solve your clogging problem. Though it may take a little longer in some cases, our team of experienced plumbers are some of the best when it comes to drain cleaning services in Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
Hello Boss Plumbing, Goodbye Clogs
If you’re eager to say goodbye to stubborn clogs in your home’s pipes, then pick up the phone and say hello to our team of professionals here at Boss Plumbing. With our more than 30 years of experience and the latest training in hydro-jetting and all types of residential plumbing systems, we can offer same-day service, get the job done right the first time, and do so at an affordable price.
