If you have a clog in your sink, toilet or shower that you are unable to free yourself, you should call in a plumber to remove the clog. If you haven't had a clog in a long time, you may think that the plumber will use a plumbing snake or cable machine to remove the clog. However, these days, many plumbers are turning to water jets or hydro jets to remove clogs. If the plumber you have hired recommends this, you may have many questions. Here are a few questions you may have and the answers to them.

What Is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting involves sticking a thin hose down a pipe. When turned on, the hose sprays pressurized water into the pipe. This can help break up a clog or push the clog out of the pipe. Hydro jetting can also be done to clean pipes, especially those covered in grease or soapy residues.

What Are the Benefits to Using a Water Jet?

If a plumber suggests that you have your plumbing line hydro jetted, rather than snaked, you may be wondering what the benefits to hydro jetting are. Learning what these benefits are will help you understand where the plumber is coming from and decide whether a hydro jet is the best solution to your plumbing problem.

One of the benefits to using a water jet to clean your pipes is that it is clean. A snake works by drilling into the clog to break it up. When the snake is pulled up from the pipe, it can still contain remnants of the clog and bring that up with it. This can be messy and smell. A water jet breaks up the clog and/or pushes it all the way through the pipe with the force of the water, making it a cleaner option.

Another benefit to using a hydro jet is that it doesn't scratch up or scrape your pipes. A snake or cable is made from metal and is designed to fit snugly within the pipe. This helps it to grab a hold of any clog. However, this can also cause it to scratch or scrape against your plumbing pipes. If you need your drain lines snaked once in a great while and they are in good condition, this may not be a big deal. But if your pipes are older or clogs develop often, the use of a snake can create wear and tear and be damaging.

The last benefit to using a hydro jet is that you are able to thoroughly clean the pipe. When a snake is used, the large blockage that is causing the clog is removed. This may be hair or food particles. But, because of how a snake is designed, the walls of the pipes aren't cleaned. Unfortunately, the walls of the pipe can be home to grease, soap residue or sludge. And these items can trap items like hair and food particles. This means that clogs may very likely develop again. However, when hydro jetting is done, the pipe is sprayed down with water, removing this sludge and build up. This reduces the likelihood of a clog reforming in the same areas in your pipes and helps ensure the opening of the pipe is not narrowed by these items.

When Would a Hydro Jet Be Recommended?

Snakes and plumbing cables are still used if the clog is near the opening of the drain and/or this is an isolated problem with your plumbing. However, if the snake can't reach the clog, if your drains have not been cleaned in a few years, or if you have recurrent clogs, a plumber will likely suggest you have your drains hydro jetted to remove the clog and get your pipes cleaned.

If you aren't familiar with plumbing terms, you may have never heard of hydro jetting. But should a clog develop in your home, there is a chance that term will come up. Familiarizing yourself with it will help you to understand what it is, what its benefits are and when this device would be recommended. For more information, contact a local plumbing service like A Absolute Plumbing & Heating.