A clean and well-maintained sewer system ensures your home remains safe, functional, and free from unpleasant sewage surprises. Unfortunately, issues like sewer backups can arise, potentially leading to costly repairs and health risks. One common problem homeowners face is a clogged sewer line, often caused by buildups of grease, hair, or sediment, as well as problems like tree root intrusions. In this guide, you’ll learn what sewer jetting involves and how it can be the right method to keep your home’s plumbing in top condition.
What Is Sewer Jetting?
Plumbers use high-pressure water to clean the interior of sewer lines during the sewer jetting process. While mechanical methods like snaking can be effective, they are time-consuming, and there is also a risk they will damage your pipes. On the other hand, plunging can push blockages deeper into your plumbing system instead of solving the problem. Sewer jetting is fast, effective, and safe for most plumbing. It can remove sand, grease, silt, sludge, and tree roots from your home’s drainage system.
How Does Sewer Jetting Work?
When you have a plumbing issue, sewer jetting begins with a camera inspection to identify the nature and location of the blockage. The camera is attached to the end of a flexible cable that can be pushed through bends and turns in the pipes while transmitting video back to your plumber. It has lights to provide a clear image in dark, tight spaces so they can diagnose the issue accurately. The major advantage of using this technique is that a professional will not have to tear up your lawn to find the clog. They will then decide if sewer jetting is the best approach. It may not be suitable for older pipes, aggressive root intrusions, or collapsed pipes.
If the plumber determines that sewer jetting is the way to go, they’ll use a powerful cleaning machine known as a hydro jetter. It is similar to the pressure washer many homeowners use to clean their siding. However, a plumber’s equipment can create water pressure up to 4,000 PSI, though they will use much less pressure in many situations to avoid damaging your pipes.
Plumbers use specialized nozzles or heads based on the pipe material, the severity of the issue, and the type of blockage. They may begin by using a penetrating nozzle. It has a sharp, narrow jet that can punch through tough clogs like roots or hardened gunk. Alternatively, a rotating nozzle spins through a pipe, providing a 360-degree cleaning action ideal for clearing grease, sludge, and scale buildup from pipe walls. Finally, your plumber will employ a flushing nozzle to remove loose debris after clearing the primary blockage. This nozzle has jets that help push anything that remains toward your septic tank or the municipal sewer system.
When Sewer Jetting Is Necessary
A plumber can solve many causes of sewer backups with sewer jetting. If the clog is only affecting a single drain, the obstruction may be easy to clear. However, if you have sewage backing up into the drains in your kitchen and bathrooms, it is likely a systemic issue. Your plumber will have to clear your main sewer line and the pipes leading to it, which is a more involved process.
Signs of a Sewer Backup
Sewage backups take place when the water in your home can’t move through the main sewer line without issue. There are several signs you should look out for to determine if you need to call a plumber and request sewer jetting services. If, for example, you smell a pungent odor in your home but don’t know where it’s coming from, this might indicate a backup.
The same is true if your toilets make a gurgling sound. Air bubbles are created when there’s a clog in the main sewer line. These bubbles burst when they reach the water’s surface in toilet bowls. Alternatively, an obvious sign of a sewer backup is multiple slow-moving drains in your home.
You can see some of the most visible signs of sewer line issues in your yard. Your line might be blocked if you notice pooling water in unexpected places or small sinkholes. You should also check the floor drains in your basement or laundry area for signs of a backup. When sewage backs up, it will first enter your home through these drains. Once the sewage reaches your sinks and toilets, there’s a good chance it has already entered your basement.
Issues Caused by a Sewer Backup
Sewage backups can lead to a considerable amount of damage in your home. They might also cause health problems. For instance, E. Coli or Hepatitis A infections are transmitted through direct contact with contaminated water. Even if you don’t come into direct contact with the sewage, you may inhale sewage gases, such as methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. These gases can cause respiratory issues, dizziness, headaches, and other symptoms.
Since sewage consists of water along with organic material, it can also lead to mold growth. After a sewage backup, you may have to hire professionals for remediation services to ensure the health of your home. Fortunately, you can contact a plumber for sewer jetting as soon as you identify signs of a sewer problem. They will use this method to help you avoid damage to your home and potential health risks.
Advantages of Sewer Jetting
There are numerous reasons why you should consider sewer jetting for your home. For example, it’s an environmentally friendly and non-invasive solution that can clear obstructions without causing any additional damage to your plumbing system or home.
Sewer jetting is more time-efficient as well. For instance, a sewer repair project involving traditional methods like excavating your yard can take days, and it may be weeks before your yard and landscaping are restored to their original condition. With sewer jetting, a plumber can often solve sewer problems in less than a day.
Frequency of Sewer Jetting
Sewer jetting is for more than just emergencies. It’s also a maintenance option that can help keep your plumbing system in good shape. Regular jetting can clear out buildup before it causes problems, extending the life of your pipes and preventing unexpected backups.
The recommended frequency for sewer jetting depends on factors such as the age of your plumbing system, how many people live in your household, and any past damage. As a general guideline, consider scheduling jetting every 18 to 24 months. Even if there are no apparent signs of a blockage, proactive maintenance can prevent the accumulation of grease, scale, debris, and other materials that could eventually clog your lines. Routine sewer jetting can be a valuable part of maintaining a trouble-free plumbing system and avoiding costly repairs and damage to your home down the road.
Contact Your Local Professionals
At Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter, we are a locally-owned plumbing company that has been serving the residents of Nanaimo and the surrounding areas since 2019. We provide drain cleaning, leak detection, and plumbing repair services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members for sewer repair.
