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Hydro Jetting and Why Your Pipes May Need It



When one thinks of home, the first thing that comes to mind is comfort. The comfort of home may include cooking for your family, taking a warm bath, or even watering your plants. Yet, you often take for granted one of the most fundamental aspects of being at home. Plumbing, which includes water transportation in and out of your home, plays a significant role in what you do in your home. Although seen as a basic necessity to live, it is also essential to help your home run smoothly.

Home Maintenance

Plumbing is one of the vital parts in maintaining a home. Plumbing will ensure that water will correctly enter and exit your home. But, unfortunately, it is also taken for granted or overlooked until there is a problem.

For this reason, experts advise that you should have someone look at your plumbing and pipes every few months to assure proper maintenance and running. Hiring professional and experienced plumbers will guarantee that the upkeep of your plumbing system meets all required standards.

Companies such as Omaha Drain provide their customers with trusted licensed technicians that ensure quality service and help keep your plumbing issues at bay. However, it is important to note that a quality plumbing company will also advise its customers what they can do themselves as preventive measures.

Preventive Measures

There are many preventive measures that you can take to help maintain the plumbing in your home and business. Some actions you can take include looking out for leaks, being mindful of what you throw down drains, and flush down the toilet. Taking these small steps can help you avoid a more significant problem in the long run.


Unfortunately, however, as we all know, even with preventive measures, things can go wrong. If you regularly experience blocked drains or notice slow drainage, you may need to clean your pipes. Another issue that many people face is blocked sewer lines. These plumbing problems may build up slowly and end up causing significant damage. Today the most effective method to unclog pipes and sewer lines is to hydro jet.

What is Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is the process of unclogging and cleaning the pipes in your home. When you hydro-jet, the machine used employs intense water pressure to remove all debris and elements clogging the pipes.

How It Works

A hydro-jet machine is a high-powered tool. The machinery consists of a hose and a nozzle. The technician will place the hose, and the attached nozzle in the pipe or sewer line opening called the cleanout. When the hydro jet nozzle enters the pipe, it will spray highly pressurized water to dislocate any debris or material that clogs up the pipe or line.


The hydro jetting system is particularly efficient in removing stubborn material other methods have a hard time removing. Most hydro jet machines come with 3500 - 4000 psi. The psi of the jetting machine is crucial as it calculates the amount of pressure needed for cutting. Therefore, the psi is an essential factor when looking at clearing out stubborn debris and materials from your pipes and sewage lines.

In addition to the cutting power of the machinery, another vital part of the hydro jet is the gallons per minute power (gpm). While the machine's psi or pressure provides the cutting power, the gpm determines the flushing power. Therefore, having a device with a good gpm will ensure volume that will flush out all the cut material.

Hydro Jet vs. Snake

Snaking is another standard method used to clear and clean your pipes. The auger, or more commonly known as the plumbing snake, has been a staple for plumbing jobs for many years. The snake is used to fix simple clogs such as those left by hair, small debris, and more. Unfortunately, it cannot measure up to the cleaning power of the hydro jet.


The snake is a small thin metal tube with a blade attached to one end. The other end consists of a crank, which breaks down the material that clogs the pipe or drains. Due to its slight width, the snake can only unclog the material it comes into contact with. Therefore a pipe may be cleared based only on the snake's size, and the surrounding debris may remain.

A hydro jet system, on the other hand, can meticulously clean your pipe. The pressurized water spray that the hydro-jet machine uses will unclog the debris that was causing the issue and clear the surrounding debris. The water will not only solve the problem at hand but perhaps future problems that may arise. The dual psi and gpm action separates a hydro-jet system from other standard plumbing solutions on the market.

The Benefits of Hydro Jetting

The most critical feature of the hydro jet machine, and what sets it apart from others, is its effectiveness. Hydro jetting can clear out minor problems, but the tougher your clog, the more you need the powerful pressure cleaning that comes with the hydro jet.

Not only will your system be flushed clean, but it also does it quickly and thoroughly. Hydro jetting will not only rid you of the grease, gunk, and debris that have clogged your system, but it will also clean the wall of your pipe. In addition, there is virtually little material that hydro jetting cannot pulverize.

Sewer Lines and Tree Roots


In addition to the usual debris that usually clogs up a plumbing system, you may also face some more severe issues that call for hydro jetting. One of the most challenging issues that may arise is a blocked or clogged sewer line due to tree roots. Tree roots grow thick, and they grow long. So, they can stop your sewer line and cause extensive damage to your home, yard, and pipes. In addition, tree roots in your sewer line will cause blockage and generate backflow, which is detrimental to your health.

The hydro-jet machine and its water pressure are strong and intense. As a result, the machine can cut and move tree roots that are blocking your sewage system. However, it is essential to get to tree roots early enough to ensure that the water pressure will remove the root.

Environmental Benefits

Hydro jetting is also good for the environment. Many times, when a drain or a pipe is clogged, harsh chemicals and products are used to break up whatever caused the clog. Unfortunately, these crude materials are bad for the environment as they are often toxic.

These toxic chemicals can end up in the water supply and put people and the planet at risk. Because hydro jetting uses only water and pressure to clean and clear pipes, it is one of the most eco-friendly ways to unclog your drains. Using this method will not adversely affect the environment in any way.

Worth the Cost

In addition to all the other benefits, hydro jetting is also cost-effective. Compared to some of its counterparts, such as snaking, hydro jetting can seem more expensive at first glance. However, if you calculate the costs involved based on all of your options, hydro jetting is more cost-effective in the long run.

Due to the extensive cleaning you get when you hydro-jet, your pipes will stay clear of debris for a more extended period. Therefore, the longer your lines and drain remain unclogged, the least likely you will need professional service.

When Should You Hydro Jet

Plumbers typically use hydro jetting for more complex jobs where other methods have not been able to unclog pipes or sewer lines. However, you do not need to use other methods first before deciding to go with this more effective method. Hydro jet machines and the stream of water that pulsates through pipes and drains are usually a suitable method for all jobs.

Constantly fighting a clogged pipe or drain, noisy pipes, or foul smells from your kitchen or bathroom sink, are all signs that you may be dealing with a more significant issue. If you are experiencing any of these things, you may want to look into hydro jetting before the problem becomes more serious.


Many people hydro jet their sewage lines and pipes once or twice a year as a preventive measure. Although some issues and problems are unforeseeable, preventive measures such as hydro jetting can save you both headaches and money in the long run. Furthermore, depending on how you care for your pipes after the hydro-jet, your system can remain clear of debris for several months, if not longer.

Why It's Important to Hire a Professional to Hydro Jet

If you are thinking of using a hydro jet system to unclog your pipes or sewer line, it is crucial to seek the help of a professional. Although the benefits of the hydro jet are undeniable, it is essential to beware of the damage that hydro jetting can do if not done correctly.

Hydro jet systems are powerful tools, and the water that they disburse is strong. While the powerful surge can easily break up stubborn debris, it can also cause damage if done improperly. A professional plumber will ensure that your pipes can withstand the power of the water jet by inserting a camera to look at the pipe or sewage line before starting the job.

If your pipes are too old or already have extensive damage, a hydro jet treatment may cause more strain to an already frail line or even damage them altogether.

Things to Look For When Hiring a Professional

When hiring a professional plumber, there are several factors that you should keep in mind. One of the most important is whether the company is licensed and certified to work in their state.

In addition, you should look at how many years the company has been servicing the community. Experience matters in these types of jobs, and a knowledgeable plumber will make sure that the work you are receiving meets professional standards. Another way to ensure that you are going to get quality service is to look for references or customer reviews.

Finally, you can also determine which plumbing company to use based on the price and warranty that they provide. While all of these factors cannot guarantee the caliber of work, they are a good starting point when looking for quality work.

Omaha Drain

Omaha Drain meets all of these requirements. Omaha Drain provides various plumbing services such as drain cleaning, sewer repair, and hydro jetting. A family-owned business that has been a staple in Nebraska for more than twenty years, Omaha Drain is your one-stop shop for everything plumbing. Customers can rest assured that the service that they are getting is guaranteed to be done professionally and with the client in mind.

With them specializing in both drain and sewer cleaning, Omaha Drain is the company to go to for hydro jetting treatments. Their hydro-jet system holds 18 gpm at 4000 psi, making it one of the most powerful machinery in the business.

If you need to clean the most stubborn debris, tree root, grease, and more, Omaha Drain can help. Their experienced technicians will conduct video inspections both before the job and after ensuring that your pipes and sewer remain unclogged, clear, and healthy.

The Bottom Line

Plumbing is one of the necessities of life that everyone often overlooks until something goes wrong. However, plumbing and maintaining your pipes are essential in keeping a home and business running smoothly. If you are experiencing clogged drains, slow drainage, smelly pipes, and more, you may need to look into treating your plumbing system.

Although there are several different methods to clear drains and sewers, if you are looking for a thorough cleaning job and an eco-friendly approach, hydro-jetting may be the best solution for you.

Omaha Drain is a company that you can trust to hydro jet the drains and sewer lines of your home and business. Omaha Drains provides its customers with the best technicians and service with years of experience in the industry. Contact them today to make an appointment.


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