3 Key Benefits of Hydro Jetting

Drain snakes and chemical cleaners can both prove effective in the short term. Yet both techniques present serious limitations when it comes to long-term results. Drain snakes clear up pipes by punching holes through clogged areas. Yet this process often leaves large portions of grease and other clogging materials.

As a result, clogs tend to close up again within a relatively short span of time. Chemical drain cleaners often run into the same problem. These acidic cleaners excel at chewing through grease and other clog problems. However, once the cleaner has broken through the weakest part of the clog, the cleaner dribbles away down the pipe, leaving much of the clog material still in place.

Hydro jetting delivers unparalleled results compared to these other two methods. The high-pressure stream of water effectively scours every last big of the clog from the walls of the pipe. As a result, the problem likely won't recur for a long time.

Drain snakes possess another key drawback in terms of time. Feeding a drain snake into a pipe often requires disassembling plumbing fixtures. Then you have to twist and push the snake until it reaches the clog. Navigating past bends in pipes can also take a lot of time. Finally, you must thoroughly clean the snake once finished.

Chemical drain cleaners require less labor, but they often take just as long to accomplish their task. In fact, many chemical cleaners require that you discontinue use of a plumbing fixture for several hours - even overnight.

Hydro jetting, by contrast, offers speedy results. The lengthiest part of the process involves attaching the hydro jet machine. Once the plumber has accomplished that, the high-powered stream of water can blast away clogs within minutes.

In addition to the drawbacks discussed above, chemical drain cleaners pose serious safety threats to both your family and your pipes. Chemical drain cleaners contain highly corrosive chemicals such as lye and sodium hydroxide. These chemicals rank among the most hazardous products available to consumers today.

Physical exposure to the liquid itself can lead to burns, pain, and other skin problems. Many people make the mistake of plunging a drain after using chemical drain cleaner. This strategy often causes drain cleaner to splash on their body. Even breathing in the fumes given off by chemical cleaners can lead to serious health threats.

The strength of chemical drain cleaners can also present issues for your pipes. Certain chemicals may react with pipes coated in aluminum oxide, leading to problematic corrosion. Even worse problems may ensue for those who mix different types of drain cleaners. Such mixtures often produce reactions that create even more toxic byproducts.

Hydro jetting avoids all of these potential safety threats. When conducted by a trained professional, hydro jetting offers exceptional results with little risk of injury to your family or your pipes. For more information about whether hydro jetting can solve your plumbing issues, please contact the San Fernando Valley's plumbing experts at Express Plumbing & Drain Service.