Is Hydro-jetting Bad for My Pipes?

Are you experiencing blockages or clogs in your plumbing system but aren’t sure if hydro-jetting is the right choice for you? Then you’ve come to the right place!

We here at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric are dedicated to helping clients with any of their plumbing needs, including deciding whether or not hydro-jetting is right for them.

In this article, we’re going to briefly touch on what hydro-jetting is, signs it’s time to get a hydro-jet service, along with its benefits and drawbacks. We’ll also answer that burning question: will hydro-jetting damage your pipes or not?
Let’s get started!

What Is Hydro-Jetting?

It also works well on roots that grow into your pipes as it spins and cuts the growing roots better than a snake would. But we won’t drown you with too much information on what a hydro-jet is and what it does. Read more about it here as we go more in-depth about the ins and outs of a hydro-jet.

When Should I Hydro-Jet My Pipes?

If you have a clogged drain, a plunger is usually the first thing you should reach for. If that doesn’t work, give snaking a try. It is usually very effective at removing your typical blockages or clogs caused by things like food and toilet paper. If that doesn’t work, you may need to think about getting a plumber out for a camera inspection. From there, your options most likely will be hydro-jet, repairing a section of piping, or replacing your sewer line.

We do not recommend you hydro-jetting your pipes on your own as it can be a dangerous machine to operate, and you could potentially damage your pipes.

Will Hydro-Jetting Damage My Pipes?

While it may seem like a straightforward answer, it depends on two key factors if it will damage your pipes: the age and condition of the pipes in your plumbing system. If your pipes are old or if your pipes are already in bad condition, hydro-jetting could potentially damage your pipes. The amount of water pressure produced by a hydro-jet is too much for old pipes or pipes that are in bad shape. We do not recommend that you hydro-jet your pipes if this is your particular situation.

However, if your pipes are in good condition and/or are fairly new, then hydro-jetting is recommended to remove any blockages or clogs in your plumbing system. While hydro-jetting will often clear your backup, it’s important to figure out the root cause of the blockage to prevent issues in the future.

Benefits of Hydro-Jetting

Hydro-jetting has many benefits. Some of the benefits of hydro-jetting include:

• Safety: If the hydro-jet is operated by a professional plumber or technician, there is little risk of causing damage to your plumbing. You will also keep yourself safe as the hydro-jet can be dangerous to operate.
• Time-Saving: Hydro-jetting is often the quickest way to dislodge a clog or block.
• Long-Lasting Benefits: Not only will the hydro-jet clear a blockage in your pipes, but the hydro-jet will also clean the build-up sticking to your pipe walls. Clean pipes are less likely to clog. In short, hydro-jetting might protect you against future plumbing issues.
• Versatile Use: Hydro-jetting can be done to both commercial and residential drain lines. While some devices or cleaning materials can only be used in one or the other, a hydro-jet can do both. With so much versatility, you can count on hydro-jetting to get your plumbing system flowing smoothly again, no matter where the clog is located.

Drawbacks of Hydro-Jetting

With all the benefits of having a hydro-jet service, there, of course, will be some drawbacks.

Some of the drawbacks of having a hydro-jet service include:

• Less Effective: We know, we know. We just said in the previous section that hydro-jetting is efficient at removing clogs and blockages from pipes, but that does not mean it gets the job done every time. A hydro-jet isn’t so great at removing extra serious drain blockages like a bellied line or a sag.
• Damaged Pipes: Even though hydro-jetting is often a safe process, depending on the condition of your pipes, they can sometimes be damaged. If the pipes in your plumbing system are old or if they are in poor condition, hydro-jetting your pipes can seriously damage them due to the heavy water pressure.
• Needs Professional: Unlike other methods of unclogging your drains, a hydro-jet needs to be done by a licensed plumber or technician. The hydro-jet pushes out over 4000 PSI of water pressure which could potentially cut off your hand. It also could further damage your pipes if done incorrectly.

To Hydro-Jet or Not To Hydro-Jet? That Is The Question

To recap, we briefly touched on what hydro-jetting is, when you should get the service done, along with its benefits and drawbacks. We also discussed whether or not hydro-jetting will damage your pipes, and If your pipes are old or in bad condition, hydro-jetting is probably not the best option.

We know that having clogging or blockage issues can be frustrating, but we here at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric are experienced in all things plumbing and are here to help you. If you’re curious about what kind of stoppage you are experiencing, maybe using a drain cleaner for your pipes, and want to know what to do if your pipes burst, read the articles below for more information.
Local vs Main Stoppage
Drain Cleaners: Is it bad for my pipes?
Three Ways To Fix a Pipe Burst
If you live in the L.A. area and are experiencing any issues with your drains and may need a hydro-jet service or have any other questions regarding any of your plumbing needs, hit the ‘Book’ button below to request an appointment. Or you can call us at (818) 213-1773, and one of our call center representatives would be happy to help you.