Hydro Jetting Vs. Snaking

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Cleaning the main drain of your sewer line is something that many homeowners need to do on a regular basis. This type of maintenance prevents sewer backups, removes tree roots from the pipe and is a good way to keep tabs on the state of the sewer line.

There are two standard methods for cleaning the sewage line: hydro jetting and snaking. Both methods are a common service offered by plumbing and drain cleaning companies. Understanding the differences between hydro jetting and snaking can help homeowners pick the right method for their sewer.

The Hydro Jetting Method

Hydro jetting is achieved when a very forceful stream of water between 3,000 and 8,000 PSI is forced into the sewer line. This stream of water is strong enough to clear out any debris or clogs in its way, including tree roots, grease and hair.

Advantages of Hydro jetting:

• Hydro jetting is extremely effective: High water pressure is highly effective for cleaning out clogged sewers and maintaining a clean sewer line. A strong enough jet of water can even remove tree roots.
• Hydro jetting services are versatile: With a high enough PSI, water pressure is strong enough to clear commercial sewer lines as well as domestic lines.

Disadvantages of Hydro jetting:

• Too much water pressure can damage some pipes: Sometimes hydro jetting works a little too well. Older, fragile pipes and damaged pipes may not be able to withstand the force from such a powerful stream of water. Luckily, hydro jetting is not a do-it-yourself activity. Plumbing companies that offer hydro jetting services know to inspect pipes and determine the strength of pipes before using hydro jetting equipment.

The Snaking Method

Snaking is done with an auger. An auger looks like a long steel cable with a cork-screw like coil at one end. When the auger is inserted into the sewer line, the coil at the end pierces obstructions it encounters and clears a path through the pipe.

Advantages of Snaking:

• Snaking is historically effective: It is a time-tested, proven method for clearing basic clogs in sewer drains.
• It won’t damage fragile pipes: Snaking is relatively gentle and poses no threat to older pipes.

Disadvantages of Snaking:

• Snaking only clears a path as wide as the tip of the auger: While snaking is an effective method for clearing basic clogs and increasing drainage speeds in slow sewer drains, snaking is only a temporary fix for many problems that homeowners experience with their sewer lines.

Picking A Method

Snaking and hydro jetting both clear basic clogs and improve drainage speeds. However, hydro jetting is a more powerful and versatile method for sewer cleaning. Hydro jetting not only removes clogs but also reduces the natural build-up of grease and minerals lining the interior of any sewer line. Whether your sewer is completely blocked, or just draining slowly, hydro jetting works in all cases.