When you have a clogged drain, your first instinct may be to reach for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner or a plunger. These solutions might seem like they work at first. However, a few weeks later, the problem returns. For tough, recurring clogs, you need more effective solutions. Our professional plumbing services at Linn Benton Plumbing can address and prevent clogs in your Albany, OR home. We offer both snaking and hydro jetting and can help you determine which drain cleaning method is the best option.
Understanding Traditional Drain Snaking
Drain snakes, or augers as they are also known, are a common tool plumbers use to clear clogged drains. Using a long, flexible metal cable with a specialized blade at the end of it, a plumber clears the obstruction by feeding it through the debris to break it apart. This is a great method for getting rid of clogs caused by hair, soap scum, and minor grease accumulation.
Plumbers often recommend drain snaking because it’s cost-effective and fast. It’s ideal for minor clogs. However, snaking does have its drawbacks. Since the snake only bores a hole through the obstruction, it’s not always completely clearing the pipe. It’s creating a hole for water to move through, but what’s left clinging to the pipe may begin to accumulate more debris, sludge, and grease from continual usage. The hole the snake bored through the obstruction eventually fills in, making way for a new clog to form. You might find hydro jetting offers a more long-term solution.
The Basics of Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting is a comprehensive cleaning process that can restore your home’s pipes to like-new condition. It uses a special hose and high-pressure water. By releasing a powerful, concentrated stream of water into your home’s pipes, water pressures of up to 4,000 psi can break apart debris and flush it through.
Unlike snaking, hydro jetting doesn’t bore a hole through buildup inside your pipes. Instead, it scours the entire inner surface of the pipe, leaving behind not a trace of debris. It’s the most effective method for blasting away years of built-up soap scum, sludge, mineral scale, and other substances in your pipes. It’s not limited to interior drain clogs.
Hydro jetting is a popular option among homeowners because it’s a particularly effective method for cleaning sewer pipes. Many older neighborhoods in the area can suffer from extensive tree root intrusion. The force of the water emitted from the hydro jetting equipment can pulverize roots, flushing them out of the system and helping to prevent sewer backups.
Another reason hydro jetting is the preferred choice among homeowners is that it cleans the pipe thoroughly. Not leaving behind sticky residue for new clogs to form reduces the likelihood of future problems. It’s also an eco-friendly option since there is no use of chemicals, only water to wash away the sludge and other buildup within the pipes.
There are two drawbacks to hydro jetting. The first one is its price. It costs more than traditional drain snaking. The second is the availability of service. Not every plumbing company offers this service.
Which Service Is Right for You?
Drain snaking is the better option in your home if you have a single, slow-draining sink or toilet. Simple clogs caused by hair or soap scum benefit from snaking, especially if it’s not a recurring problem.
Alternatively, hydro jetting works well for recurring clogs. It’s also ideal if you have multiple drains in your home that are slow or experiencing signs of clogs. Older homes will benefit from periodic hydro jetting to keep sewer lines clear from buildup, tree roots, and mineral deposits.
There are times when hydro jetting isn’t the best option. Since highly pressurized water is used during the service, if you have cracked or otherwise damaged pipes, hydro jetting might make the problem worse. That’s why, before a hydro jetting service, we encourage a plumbing video inspection done to determine pipe conditions. Most plumbing companies include this inspection as part of their hydro-jetting services.
At Linn Benton Plumbing, we understand the specific challenges of Albany’s plumbing, from the age of homes to local soil conditions. We use the latest tools for both snaking and hydro jetting and have the experience of recommending the right solution, especially in older plumbing systems. For more information about drain cleaning options, contact us at Linn Benton Plumbing today.
