How to Hydro Jet a Sewer Line

There are many things about owning your own home that are wonderful…but having to deal with plumbing problems isn’t one of them. You can paint the walls any color you choose, you earn equity every month, and someday you will own the property free and clear. The trade-off is that you also have to plunge the toilet yourself.

If you’re lucky, you can avoid major plumbing problems. Things like minor clogs are pretty routine, though; almost everyone has to deal with them at some point. If you have a clog, your first step will be to try the trusty plunger. If that doesn’t do the trick, it may be time to pull out the big guns – like a hydro jet.

A hydro jet uses pressured water to blast blockages out of a sewer line. It’s a great way to remove blockages caused by grease, debris, and foreign objects. Before you use a hydro jet, make sure that the line you are working on actually leads to the sewer and doesn’t dead-end. Once you are clear on that issue, you can use these step-by-step directions to help you hydro jet your sewer line.

  1. 1. First, you need to figure out where the sewer opening is in your yard. Every home has an opening to the sewer line somewhere on the property. Find yours, and then remove the cover from it. You can do this using a wrench or a crowbar.
  2. 2. If you don’t know exactly where the clog is located, the best place to start is the drain in the home that is closest to the outside sewer line. In many cases, this is a bathroom floor drain.
  3. 3. Next, insert a plumber’s snake into the sewer line. Put it into the opening, and then turn the handle. Turning the handle will extend the snake into the sewer line. The snake will help to begin the process of removing the clog.
  4. 4. Now you can start getting the hydro jet ready. There are many different models, and they each set up a little bit differently. Follow the directions for your model. When the jet is filled and ready to go, turn on the pressure. Wait until the gauge reaches the pressure level recommended by the manufacturer.
  5. 5. Before you turn on the hydro jet, make sure that you are wearing appropriate protective gear. Always wear gloves and goggles.
  6. 6. Insert the hydro jet’s nozzle into the opening of the sewer line. Carefully start spraying the hydro jet into the sewer line. Be prepared for there to be some back spray; when the water from the hydro jet hits the clog, it will spray back at you. This back spray can contain harmful bacteria, which is why it is so important to wear protective gear, like goggles and gloves. When the back spray stops and the water is running easily through the sewer line, then the clog has been removed. This should get rid of your stubborn clog and have your sewer line flowing freely again.

If you have a problem with a clogged drain in your home, call the experts at Scott English Plumbing for help. We can help you locate the clog using our video inspection service, and then we will remove it with our high-powered hydro jet. Plumbing woes are a headache for homeowners, and a lack of experience in dealing with them can cause the problem to drag on for far too long. Call Scott English Plumbing, and we will resolve the problem promptly so that you can get back to normal.