Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking for the Clearest Drains
Maintaining the integrity of your home’s main sewer line and ensuring that there are no clogs which could cause your toilets, sinks, or floor drains to begin backing up and overflowing is an important plumbing maintenance step.
If you’ve noticed that your drains aren’t emptying as quickly as they once did, or that water is backing up from one drain as you leave another, then there is a clog present in your sewer line which needs to be resolved.
Below are the two most common methods of clog removal, and their benefits and drawbacks. Which is the right choice for you?
What is Snaking?
‘Snaking,' or using a plumber’s snake, is a traditional method of clog removal which involves using a long metal tube with a rod inside to get deep inside your sewer line. One end of the snake is equipped with a coil, and the other end has a hand crank. As you turn the hand crank the snake moves farther into the pipe, and the coil at the end breaks apart any clogs which get in the way.
Some benefits of ‘snaking’ are:
- Time tested methods. Plumber’s snakes have been popular tools for a long time because they work so well.
- Noninvasive methods. Using a snake is a “gentle” method of clog removal.
Some drawbacks of this approach are:
- No tree root removal. Plumber’s snakes are inefficient means of removing tree roots from your sewer lines.
- Limited in range. The coil can only remove what is directly in front of it, which means if your pipes are larger than the coil, some of the clogs may remain.
When Should You Use ‘Snaking’ for Clog Removal?
Snaking is ideal for homeowners who are budget-conscious, and who have old pipes which may be damaged by other, more intense, methods of clog removal. They are a good intermediary step between trying to remove a clog with a plunger and turning to a more aggressive process like hydro jetting.
Not sure what hydro jetting is? Let’s learn more:
What is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro Jetting is a professional plumbing technique for clog removal which involves using specialized tools to spray highly pressurized water into your main sewer line. The pressure from the water can scrape away even the most stubborn clogs, leaving your pipes clean and clear.
Some of the benefits associated with hydro jetting are:
- Great results. Hydro jetting will remove years of caked-on grime, oil, debris, and anything else which may have accumulated inside your pipes.
- Easy tree root removal. Hydro jetting is the only method of clog removal which can also eliminate the presence of tree roots from your pipes.
The downsides to this approach involve:
- Costs. Hydro jetting is more expensive than other clog removal methods due to the professional equipment required.
- Not suitable for old pipes. Older pipes may not be able to withstand the spray of water and may begin leaking as a result.
Why Should You Hire a Professional for Hydro jetting?
Specialized training is necessary to use the tools required for hydro jetting, as it can be challenging to know the appropriate amount of pressure required to solve the problem without overwhelming the integrity of your pipes.
Call Ira Hansen and Sons Plumbing in Reno, NV today at (775)-624-8378 and enjoy high-quality solutions to a variety of your plumbing needs.