Are you suffering from recurring drain clogs, grease buildup or sewer line blockages? Are traditional methods, such as snaking, not effective or long-lasting? Hydro jetting may be exactly what you’re looking for as this powerful professional drain cleaning method thoroughly clears pipes of buildup with high-pressure water.
But how long do hydro jetting’s benefits last? That’s a common question, and the answer depends on several factors. These include the condition of your pipes, how much debris tends to go into your plumbing system and, importantly, what type of debris it is.
We’ll discuss what that timeline tends to be and factors that can influence that.
Quick Takeaways
- In most cases, especially in home environments, hydro jetting keeps pipes clear for one to several years.
- The exact timeline depends on what’s building up, the condition of the pipes and other factors.
- The most common culprits that shorten how long results will last are grease, sludge, mineral scale and roots.
- Conversely, proper maintenance and responsible use of your drains can extend this effectiveness period.
- A professional inspection will help determine if hydro jetting is recommended for you.
How Long Does Hydro Jetting Last?
In general, the positive effects of hydro jetting last one to two years. That extensive time frame is partially the result of hydro jetting removing buildup from pipe walls as opposed to, for example, snaking simply pushing through clogs.
However, keep in mind that this longevity depends on usage habits – i.e. how much your pipes are being used and what’s going down them – as well as the overall condition of your plumbing system.
Also, if you instead oversee a commercial property that’s home to pipes that are regularly filled with grease or a substantial amount of non-greasy waste, that timeline can be reduced to around six months.
What Is Hydro Jetting?
What exactly is hydro jetting?
Hydro jetting involves the professional inserting of a specialized hose into a pipe and spraying water in multiple directions simultaneously. That water pressure is often measured in thousands of PSI.
As it does this, the water breaks grease, sludge, mineral deposits and debris from the surface of the pipe walls. This is different from traditional drain snaking as the later tends to break through the middle of a clog while leaving the bigger issue, what’s stuck to the walls, there. That often results in more clogs occurring soon after.
Factors That Affect How Long Hydro Jetting Lasts
Here are five of the most significant factors that can affect how long hydro jetting’s benefits last.
Pipe Condition and Age
In many cases, older pipes accumulate buildup fast. Additionally, corrosion and scaling negatively influence how long pipes can stay clean following hydro jetting.
Types of Debris in the Pipes
The exact types of debris that are in your pipes can influence this timeline since grease, sludge and soap residue build up differently. Also, organic waste and food debris have the potential to reform quickly.
Tree Root Intrusion
Roots can enter pipes through small cracks and joints. In fact, you may be surprised at just how small a crack or joint can be for a root to get inside your plumbing system. Hydro jetting usually can but may not be able to completely clear this type of blockage.
Household Drain Usage
High-usage kitchens and bathrooms tend to naturally accumulate buildup faster, and the more buildup that happens, the more quickly blockages will form. Properly disposing of grease and debris is a way that you can lengthen this time frame.
Routine Plumbing Maintenance
Preventative drain maintenance helps extend hydro jetting’s positive results. That’s because it catches buildup early and keeps a potentially bad situation from quickly worsening.
Signs You May Need Hydro Jetting Again
Here are a few signs that you may need hydro jetting again:
- Recurring slow drains
- Gurgling sounds coming from your pipes
- Drain clogs in multiple fixtures
- Your drains smelling like sewer water
- Water backing up into your sinks and tubs
How Hydro Jetting Compares to Traditional Drain Cleaning
The best way to think of the differences between hydro jetting and traditional drain cleaning, like snaking, is to envision the latter opening a path but not removing what’s surrounding that path while the former removes everything. As a result, hydro jetting provides you with long-term clog prevention.
However, snaking is great for simple, soft clogs. Plus, it may be the best option if you have fragile pipes. In that scenario, we may recommend that you not do hydro jetting as it could stress and severely damage your pipes.
How to Extend the Results of Hydro Jetting
If you do get hydro jetting done, consider these ways of extending those results:
- Put grease in a sealed container and throw it in the trash; don’t pour it down your drain
- Use drain strainers
- Take advantage of regular plumbing inspections and preventive maintenance procedures
- Responsibly dispose of food waste, throwing food out that can stick to your pipes
When to Schedule Professional Hydro Jetting
Those experiencing any of these situations may want to schedule professional hydro jetting:
- Persistent clogs
- Sewer line blockage
- Grease buildup
- Root intrusion
FAQ’s – Hydro Jetting
How long does hydro jetting last for residential plumbing systems?
Generally, hydro jetting’s effects will last in residential settings for one to two years; sometimes, it’s even several years. Conversely, that timeline may instead be less than a year for homes and businesses with high pipe usage.
Is hydro jetting better than snaking?
Snaking works well with simple, soft clogs or if your pipes are fragile. In most other cases, hydro jetting will be a more effective cleaning method.
Can hydro jetting remove tree roots?
Hydro jetting can effectively remove many types of tree roots from your plumbing system. Its effectiveness in doing so depends on how dense those roots are.
Is hydro jetting safe for older pipes?
Whether hydro jetting is safe for specific older pipes or not depends on a number of factors, not just their age. A professional inspection will quickly determine if hydro jetting is recommended for an older system.
How often should hydro jetting be done?
Hydro jetting should be done every year or two in most situations. Some can wait longer between hydro jetting sessions while others, such as restaurants, may want to get it done every six months or so.
Contact Orlando’s Punctual Plumbers for a Hydro Jetting Consultation
If you’re experiencing recurring clogs or sewer issues, contact Orlando Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to discuss your situation and schedule service.
We serve homeowners and business owners throughout the metropolitan area.