As a homeowner in Bedford, TX, you will likely encounter many clogged drains in your house. Wastes like fats accumulate over time and can cause severe blockages if not taken care of.
On a national scale, the EPA estimates that 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary system overflows happen yearly and are mainly due to blockages. As for homeowners, water damage caused by burst pipes and clogs can be very costly. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that between 2016 and 2020, water damage was the second most common homeowner insurance claim.
Every homeowner is responsible for their property’s water pipes and sewer lines. To save a lot of headaches and expensive repairs, you must regularly maintain the sewer lines. This can be as simple as removing clogs and blockages in the drain.
When you encounter a clogged or slow drain, and a plunger doesn’t seem to help, there are two other options available; hydro-jetting and drain snaking. Please continue reading to learn more about each method and why a local plumber may recommend one.
What Is Hydro-Jetting?
Hydro-jetting involves a machine pushing highly pressurized water through a hose and nozzle. This forceful water stream clears debris, grease, clogs, and scale buildup. More robust units can even break up tree roots. The water pushes anything in its way down the drain.
Hydro-jetting is usually done through an opening on a pipe called the cleanout. Before opting for hydro-jetting, a plumber will usually inspect the pipes with a camera to ensure they aren’t damaged. The high pressure caused by hydro-jetting can damage fragile pipes.
Advantages of Hydro-Jetting
- Hydro-jetting is very effective.
Hydro-jetting can get rid of almost any clog. It is usually the preferred method as the water removes and flushes any obstructions out of the system.
- Hydro-jetting can be used almost anywhere.
A hydro-jetting machine can be fitted with different nozzles to clean out different types and sizes of pipes. Hydro-jetting is suitable for both residential and commercial properties.
Disadvantages of Hydro-Jetting
- Hydro-jetting can damage some pipes.
Hydro-jetting will only worsen the damage if the pipes are already fragile or cracked.
- A professional plumber can only do hydro-jetting.
A plumber has the tools to inspect the pipes before cleaning them. The professional will also know what type of nozzle is needed and how much pressure the pipe can withhold.
Someone who doesn’t have the experience and skills might end up causing more damage. Hydro-jetting machines and their different attachments can be pretty costly, too.
What Is Drain Snaking?
Drain snakes, also called plumbing augers, are long metal cables with a head or tip inserted into a drain. A manual or electrical crank is turned to feed the cable down the drain.
You will feel some resistance once you reach the clog and will need to push through it to either pull it out or create an opening for water to seep through. Plumbing experts also use drain snake tips to retrieve an object that has fallen down the drain.
Drain snakes are usually smaller, lighter, and more effective in many different spaces. They are also much more cost-effective and can be helpful where a plunger cannot remove a clog. Straight snakes are ideal for unclogging a drain, while J-shaped snakes are used in the toilet.
Advantages of Snaking
- Snaking doesn’t damage pipes.
Because drain snaking is manually powered, the pressure exerted on the pipes is minimal, making it the perfect choice to unclog damaged or fragile pipes.
- Snaking is cheaper and easier to use.
Some plumbers recommend that homeowners should have a plunger and a plumbing snake. They are easy to use and do not need special skills to operate.
Disadvantages of Drain Snaking
- Drain snaking is only a temporary solution.
Drain snakes do not clean pipes. They remove soft clogs and won’t remove build-up and hardened debris.
- Drain snaking can be messy.
Unlike hydro-jetting, drain snakes do not use water. Any clogs and wastes pulled out will have to be discarded appropriately.
Which One Is Best?
Choosing the best drain cleaning method will depend on what type of clog you are dealing with. A drain snake will work fine if it’s a soft clog, hair, or toilet paper. It could also be effective where the pipes are in poor condition and could be damaged by extra pressure.
Sometimes a drain snake can take care of a slow drain as you wait for a plumber. You can also use a drain snake to retrieve small items stuck in the pipe.
On the other hand, hydro-jetting is used for hardened clogs of grease and wastes, scale buildup in metal pipes, and tree roots intruding sewer pipes. It is also used to thoroughly clean sewer lines.
In some cases, a plumber might use both. Hydro-jetting would only add to the mess if a sink is overflowing. The plumber might insert the auger first to make way for the pooled water to subside. Once the water flows, the professional plumbing contractor can clear the clog with hydro-jetting
Tioga Plumbing & Electric Is Your Drain Cleaning Expert
Plumbing issues always appear out of nowhere with no warning sign, causing stress and panic. As a homeowner in Bedford, TX, you need a reliable plumbing expert who will take care of any plumbing issue promptly and efficiently.
Tioga Plumbing & Electric has been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area for almost 70 years. Our expert plumbers are trained and licensed to deal with all residential and commercial plumbing issues. You can rely on us for leak detection, water heater installation, drain cleaning, plumbing repairs, gas leak inspections, and emergency services. Call us at Tioga Plumbing & Electric today for the most trusted plumbing services in Bedford, TX.
Photo By ronstik at Shutterstock
