Hydro jetting can be a lifesaver whenever you’re dealing with clogged pipes. However, given the high pressure involved, is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?

Read on as trusted plumbers in Clayton, OH, take a closer look at hydro jetting to help you determine whether it’s the right solution for you.

What Is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting is one of the best ways to clear blockages from your home’s plumbing system. The process utilizes a device called a jetter, which features a pressurized nozzle, a high-capacity water tank, and a long hose.

The jetter also includes a high-definition camera, enabling efficient plumbing inspections and sewer line cleaning.

Your plumber inserts the nozzle into your home’s plumbing, spraying a highly pressurized stream of water to blast through the toughest clogs.

Is Hydro Jetting Safe for the Old Pipes in Your Clayton Home?

Its effectiveness makes hydro jetting a favorite option among Clayton homeowners looking to clear their plumbing of stubborn clogs. If you’ve got old pipes, though, you might be a bit hesitant.

With pressure levels easily surpassing 4,000 psi, your reservations are more than warranted. After all, if the stream can cut through tree roots, what would it do to your old, fragile pipes? While rare, you do run the risk of ending up with burst pipes and severe water damage.

Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes? It depends on the material, age, and maintenance of your pipes.

Here are the key considerations to keep in mind when evaluating the safety of hydro jetting.

Pipe Material Compatibility

Pipes are available in various materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. For example, your Clayton home might have:

• Clay pipes: While durable, they can be quite porous and tend to disintegrate over time.
• Copper pipes: Many prefer copper pipes for their strength and durability. However, they are susceptible to rust and corrosion.
• Polymer composite pipes: While these pipes don’t rust or corrode, they can become brittle, especially when you expose them to cold temperatures.

Why does material matter? If you’ve got clay pipes, high-pressure water streams can cause breakage. Too much pressure can also cause your copper pipes to crack or collapse.

Pipe Integrity

How well maintained are your pipes? If you’ve left them unattended for years, they are probably in a fragile state. In such a case, exposing them to pressurized streams of water could leave you in a much worse position.

Pipe Age

Age also matters. Yes, your pipes are old, but how old are they? If they are older than 50 years, how much you’ve cared for them won’t matter. Hydro jetting might still not be ideal.

How You Can Tell If Hydro Jetting Is Safe

Guess work and plumbing don’t mix. Before trying hydro jetting out or crossing it off completely, it helps to be sure.

If you’re still asking yourself, “Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?” reach out to a certified plumber and have them inspect your plumbing system.

They’ll start by conducting an external inspection, visually checking your exposed, above-ground pipes for cracks and other types of damage.

Then, using a high-definition camera, they’ll assess the inside of your pipes. This not only helps them determine the exact location of the clog but also provides valuable insights. It’ll also give them a chance to evaluate the structural integrity of your pipes.

The Benefits of Hydro Jetting for Your Old Pipes

All this talk of safety might make you focus more on the risks that hydro jetting poses to your old pipes. However, there are numerous benefits to consider.

Complete Cleaning

Want to avoid dealing with clogs all over again after a short while? Hydro jetting certainly helps. Tough blockages, such as grease or even tree roots, stand no chance.

Chemical-Free

Hydro jetting is much safer than using chemical cleaners that can easily corrode old pipes, making it better for the environment.

Ideal Preventative Maintenance

If done correctly, with the right water pressure control, hydro jetting can preserve the integrity of your pipes, extending their longevity by preventing corrosion and future damage.