If you’re wondering how much does it cost to hydro jet a sewer line, the cost of hydro jetting a clogged sewer line or drain depends upon the extent of the blockage. Here’s a simple rule of thumb to keep in mind. The more accessible the obstruction, the quicker is the pipe unclogged and the lesser is the cost.
The nature of the blockage determines what hydro jetting equipment is required and the overall cost. So, a small obstruction which is closer to the drain may cost you $150 to clear up.
However, if the clogging is not apparent, a plumber may need to use a camera to look around and detect the level of congestion. This potentially increases the cost of the service.
How Much Does it Cost to Hydro Jet a Sewer Line?
A typical hydro jetting plumbing service costs between $200 and $600.
A plumber determines the cost of hydro jetting a sewer line by checking,
- Location of the blockage
- Requirement of use of camera
- Severity of clogging
What is Hydro Jet Plumbing?
Hydro jet plumbing uses a high-pressured jet of water to unclog drains, pipes and sewer lines. The technique is more cost-effective at clearing blockages in inaccessible places than conventional measures such as snaking and plunging. (1)
Most hydro jetting equipment includes,
- A hose spanning more than 150 meters
- Versatile nozzles for different types of clogs
- High pressure jetter
- Water storage tank of 200 gallons for bigger properties
The nozzle can squirt water under immense pressure to blast any obstructions in its path.
The force that hydro jetting wields is quite formidable. The technique implements 4000 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure for residential purposes which can be ramped up for commercial use.
To get a perspective of the sheer pressure in hydro jetting plumbing, note that a fireman’s hose works at 300 psi. You can refer to hydro jetting as a power cleaning of the piping system.
Hydro Jet Drain Cleaning Cost Factors
The factors that have a bearing on the cost of hydro jetting a clogged drain are,
- The age of the pipes and the material
- The size of the property and landscape
- The property type, whether residential or commercial (2)
Pipes
Pipes that are more than twenty-five years in age tend to get clogged frequently due to wear and tear. A cast iron, copper or concrete pipe past its effectiveness will accumulate more grime and dirt in its crevices.
Such pipes require heavy-duty cleaning on a regular basis to prevent clogging. Newer steel or PVC pipes are more efficient in getting rid of debris with their smoother design and finish.
Also, if your pipes are old, the plumber will first check their condition to determine if they can withstand the extreme pressure of the hydro jet stream.
The time spent in locating the obstruction and determining the feasibility of using a hydro jet may increase the service cost.
Property Size
Large buildings and sprawling properties with an extensive network of pipes present more challenges in locating the blockage. If the clogs are not obvious using traditional techniques, your plumber may prefer to use a camera.
Often, the pipes could be clogged in multiple places and require a thorough cleansing of the entire system to get things back on track. And if the property has a front or backyard with trees, invasive roots can cause obstructions in unforeseen places.
Hydro jetting is quite effective in removing such blockages. The high-pressurized stream cuts off tree roots with a laser like precision.
The method obliterates the tangled mass of roots, mud and dirt obstructing the free flow of water. It ensures that any soil stuck to the pipes is swept away with the stream of water to prevent any future incursions in the pipes.
An extensive hydro jetting operation of this magnitude may cost more than the average, exceeding $600.
Property Type
Residential properties often have lesser number of people and the blockages are simpler to get rid of. Commercial establishments with more footfall and constant use of restrooms invariably need regular maintenance of pipes.
Restaurants that dispose of grease and oil require more forceful measures such as hydro jetting to unclog pipes. Industrial units that discharge chemical waste and effluents also need regular hydro jetting of the drains and sewers to prevent corrosion.
The hydro jetting cost to clear a sewer line or drain for commercial properties is between $400 and $1000 on average.
What are the Benefits of Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jetting is an evolution in terms of previous measures such as snaking, plunging and use of chemicals to unclog pipes.
To put it simply, hydro-jetting plumbing is,
- Precise
- Cost-effective
- Quick
- Safe
- Environment-friendly
- Non-invasive
Hydro jetting ensures that a plumber can easily reach the tightest and remotest spots in any pipe network or sewer lines. It’s much more accurate than snaking when blockages occur at a deeper level.
So you don’t have to dig up your property and tear apart the landscaping every time your pipes get clogged. This saves you thousands of dollars in trenching and repairing or replacing blocked pipes in traditional plumbing methods. (3)
A hydro jetting service functions in quick time. A plumber will typically use a camera to get a sense of the problem areas. The location of the blockage decides which nozzle is used.
An experienced plumber will complete the entire process within an hour in most cases. Contrast this with labor-intensive and time-consuming procedures such as snaking and plunging.
Hydro-jetting plumbing is an environment-friendly and safe technique to clear a sewer line compared to the use of chemicals.
The chemical cleaning method corrodes pipes and pollutes the environment. The fumes emanating from the application of chemical agents may pose a health hazard to your family and people in the neighborhood.
Plumbing experts also recommend hydro jetting metal pipes as part of regular maintenance as it helps remove rust and reduces corrosion.
When Is It Necessary to Hydro Jet Your Sewer Line?
The tell-tale signs that your pipes are clogged are,
- Slow emptying of water from sinks and in bathrooms
- Gurgling sounds from pipes after flushing
- Foul odor drifting from sewer line
- Water backing up and flooding drains
What’s more if such indicators persist even after you perform conventional plumbing, it means the measures are not working. This is when it’s time to opt for a more efficient technique such as hydro jetting your sewer line. (4)
If you manage a commercial property, you need not wait for such problems to crop up. Hydro jetting is equally effective as a preventive measure to ensure that your establishment complies with all health regulations and remains safe for your customers.
Call O’Grady Plumbing Today
If you haven’t had your sewer lines cleaned or serviced in the past few years, give our office a call. We’ll help you determine if hydro jetting is the right solution for your home or business. Our technicians are highly experienced and get the job done right every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hydro jetting worth it?
Hydro jetting has a much higher success rate in clearing up clogged sewer lines compared with other methods such as snaking, plunging and use of chemicals. The method is especially cost-effective for clearing up blockages in places that are difficult to access. (5)
A plumber may use different types of nozzles according to the nature of the blockage. Small and narrow pipes such as those below kitchen sinks call for a pencil nozzle to free the bunged up spaces.
Another apparatus known as a flush nozzle is best-equipped to clear blockages that occur at the surface of drains. The nozzle is equally effective at dislodging material from the joints of pipes where they connect with the main sewer line.
How often should you hydro jet?
Hydro jetting is not only a problem-solving measure to clear blocked sewers and pipes. It’s equally effective as a preventive method to avoid excess costs associated with pipe replacement.
For small and medium-sized residential properties you should get your pipes hydro jetted once every two years. This also depends upon the number of family members.
For commercial properties such as restaurants, manufacturing facilities and offices it’s recommended to hydro jet the plumbing system once a year.
This minimizes health risks such as backing up of hazardous material through the drains. It also curbs spread of diseases from unhygienic conditions and reduces accidents due to flooding.
Is hydro jetting better than snaking?
Hydro jetting is much more precise and reliable than snaking. Hydro jetting’s method of functioning complements the free flow of waste by using high-pressurized water streams to unclog pipes.
Snaking on the other hand proves to be counterproductive. It involves using an auger to puncture holes in the clogged material resulting in the obstruction lodging further in the pipes.
If the blockage is more subterranean, hydro jetting is the most accurate solution to free stopped up sewer lines. To clear such congestions a plumber often makes use of a versatile rotating nozzle.
The nozzle not only has a forward functioning mechanism but also shoots multiple jets from the rear end to create a whirlpool effect. This rinses the pipes and aids in pushing the debris ahead, clearing a path as the nozzle advances.
How much does it cost to hydro jet a clogged drain?
The cost of hydro jetting a clogged drain depends mainly on the accessibility and extent of blockage. If the pipes are clogged at a considerable extent from the drain, you will need a longer hose with more pressure and water.
The same situation arises if the clogs are particularly stubborn and comprised of oil, grease and industrial waste matter. This increases the cost of the entire procedure.
A basic hydro jetting plumbing service costs between $200 and $600. However, a lengthy hydro jetting operation may push the cost beyond the average.
The overall cost includes the service rate, usually by the hour, equipment fee and charges for supplies.
References
- https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/hydrojet-sewer-line-cost/
- https://www.howmuchisit.org/hydrojet-drain-cleaning-cost/
- https://drainservice.org/hydro-jet-drain-cleaning-cost/
- https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartmentliving/tips-tricks-renters/hydro-jetting/
- https://homeguide.com/costs/main-sewer-line-cleaning-cost
