Quick Summary
- Most homes: Every 18 to 24 months
- Heavy-use homes/businesses: Every 6 to 12 months
- Old or root-prone lines: Every 6 months
- Warning signs: Slow drains, backups, gurgling, odors
What Is Hydro Jetting, Exactly?
Hydro jetting is a method that uses highly pressurized water to clear blocked or dirty sewer lines. It shoots high pressure water streams — up to 60,000 PSI — through a nozzle inside the pipe. This scours the pipe walls, breaks apart clogs, and clears grease, soap scum, and tree roots.
It’s not a drain snake. Snakes poke holes through blockages. Jetting blasts the entire pipe clean.
It’s not augering either. This is more like pressure-washing your pipes from the inside — with a firehose.
How Hydro Jetting Works in a Sewer Line
First, a technician runs a camera through the line. This shows where the clog is and whether the pipe can handle the pressure. If it can, they feed a hose into the cleanout or another entry point. A special nozzle with backward-facing jets pulls itself forward as it scrubs.
If the pipe is broken, misaligned, or already collapsing, hydro jetting won’t fix it. It might make it worse. That’s why the inspection comes first.
Recommended Frequency: General Guidelines
So how often should you hydro jet your sewer line?
- Standard homes: Every 18–24 months
- Restaurants or businesses: Every 3–6 months
- Older homes (pre-1970s): Every 6–12 months
- Homes with trees nearby: Every 6–12 months
- After events like construction or floods: Once things settle
Waiting until it backs up is too late. Hydro jet before it’s a plumbing emergency.
What Affects Hydro Jetting Frequency?
Some people need it more often than others. Here’s why:
Usage Patterns
A house with five kids and three bathrooms needs it more than a single retiree. Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and laundromats? Even more.
Plumbing Material
PVC is slick and modern. Cast iron rusts and builds up gunk. Clay pipes attract roots. That affects how fast your line gets clogged.
Pipe Age
Old pipes mean more corrosion, more buildup, more chances something will block. Age affects everything — and your sewer line is no exception.
Location & Environment
Live in an area with tree roots, shifting soil, or sand-heavy ground? Your sewer line is working overtime. Keep it clean more often.
Previous Problems
If you’ve had slow drains or backups before, assume it’s going to happen again. Regular hydro jetting reduces the likelihood.
Warning Signs You Might Need Hydro Jetting Now
Your sewer line is not subtle. If there’s a problem, it’ll let you know:
- Water drains slow in your kitchen or bathroom
- Your toilet backs up more than once
- You smell sewer gas indoors or outside
- Gurgling or bubbling sounds come from drains
- Two or more fixtures clog at the same time
- Water starts pooling in your basement or yard
If any of these happen, stop waiting. Schedule a hydro jetting service now.
Benefits of Regular Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting is not just for emergencies. Do it regularly, and you’ll:
- Avoid huge plumbing bills from backups
- Keep sewer lines in better shape longer
- Clear tree roots without digging
- Skip the harsh chemicals
- Improve water flow across your plumbing system
- Choose an environmentally friendly drain cleaning option
It’s cheaper to keep pipes clean than to replace them. Regular hydro jet = fewer surprises.
DIY vs. Professional Hydro Jetting
Don’t do this yourself. Seriously.
These are not garden hoses. These are high pressure water jets strong enough to cut through grease, gunk — and if used wrong — pipe walls.
You need the camera inspection. You need experience. You need the right nozzle. And most importantly, you need to not explode your sewer line trying to save a few bucks.
FAQs
Can hydro jetting damage old pipes?
Yes, if the pipes are already cracked, misaligned, or rotted. That’s why a camera inspection happens first.
Does hydro jetting remove tree roots?
Yes. It shreds small roots and flushes them out. Bigger roots may need to be cut and then jetted.
Is hydro jetting safe for septic systems?
It depends. You can jet the lines, but don’t aim that PSI at the septic tank itself.
Will insurance cover hydro jetting services?
Usually not unless it’s part of a covered backup or flood claim. Ask your provider.
Can you hydro jet cast iron pipes?
Yes, but carefully. Cast iron is strong, but old cast iron can be brittle.
Clearing Drains Like MAGIC With Expert Hydro Jetting Services
Hydro jetting every 18–24 months keeps sewer lines clear, drains flowing, and you off the phone with emergency plumbers.
At Clog Wizards, we inspect before we jet. No guessing. No overkill. Just smart, safe service that keeps your plumbing system clean.
We serve Wilmington, DE and surrounding areas. If your drains are slow, smelly, or screaming for help — let us blast them clean.
Schedule your hydro jetting service today.