Can Hydro Jetting Damage Pipes? 2 Things You Need to Know.

Hydro jetting is a technique commonly used in plumbing to clean clogged pipes. But a question that clients often ask is, “Can hydro jetting damage pipes?” Well, let’s discuss this issue at length.

Hydro jetting is completely safe for pipes in most cases. However, if the pipes are old or compromised, additional inspection is needed to ensure that they can tolerate the pressure generated by the jetter. If your plumbing was done incorrectly, got damaged, or your plumber is inexperienced, it’s best to avoid hydro jetting.

As jetters of a hydro vac truck can generate water pressures up to 4000 PSI, it seems like a valid concern. However, any chance of your pipes being damaged depends purely upon their condition and proper inspection.

Is Hydro Jetting Safe For Pipes?

How hydro jetting works is by using the jetter of a hydro vac truck to push a pressurized stream of water down your pipes. This process will generate enough pressure to remove any build-up, clogs, or tree roots. Cleaning your pipes via hydro jetting will prevent major plumbing issues from cropping up. Yet, because of the high water pressure the jetter generates, clients become concerned about their pipe’s safety.

There are 2 reasons why such concerns are invalid in most cases:

1. Adjustable Pressure: The jetter of a hydro vac truck can generate water pressures in between 1500 and 4000 PSI. So, if higher water pressure can cause issues, the operator can simply turn it down.
2. Pipe Condition: Pipe condition is the key factor in potential damage caused. If your pipes are in decent condition, then hydro jetting services are the fastest and most reliable option for unclogging them. A prior inspection can easily eliminate any concerns about pipe damage.

If your pipes are old, there is a higher likelihood of them becoming damaged. But even then, different materials will have different risk percentages.

How Does Different Pipe Materials Affect Risk In Hydro Jetting?

Some pipe materials can hold up to a lot, while others are more fragile and require extra care. Age affects most pipes adversely, but in most cases hydro jetting is a safe method. Let’s take a look at how different materials may react to hydro jetting.

1. PVC Pipes: These pipes will likely hold up the best to hydro jetting. PVC pipes also degrade less compared to other pipes, so age will likely not be too much of a factor.
2. Cast Iron Pipes: Hydro jetting can damage cast iron pipes. These pipes are prone to corrosion and brittleness. Hydro jetting can wash off the rust build-up inside and cause it to clump together to form a blockage.
3. Clay Pipes: Clay pipes are found in older sewer systems. These are highly fragile and crack easily. Hydro jetting sewer pipes of clay is not ideal.
4. Galvanized Steel: While corrosion can also affect these pipes, they are typically quite robust. A cursory inspection should be enough to ensure that they can be cleaned by hydro jetting.
5. Lead: They are found in older homes. Age makes them brittle and prone leaking under high pressure. It’s best to thoroughly check them and adjust the jetter to a lower pressure.
6. Polybutylene Pipes: They are known for their brittleness and cannot handle the stress of hydro jetting.
7. Flexible Pipes: These pipes can withstand hydro jetting, but there may be deformations or bends if not done carefully. So, an expert is required if you opt for this option.

It’s not a question if hydro jetting can break your pipe, it’s a question of expertise, material, and condition. If you have an expert who has the technical knowledge and instruments necessary, nearly any pipes can be cleaned by hydro jetting. Experts you’ll find at Inflow Hydro Vac Services.

Choose Inflow Hydro Vac. Choose Experts.

At Inflow Hydro Vac Services Ltd., we combine our years of experience with the right tools for the job to give you the perfect results. We are experts at hydro jetting to drain pipes, clean drains, unclog plumbing and use proper tools and technology to perform inspections. With Inflow, you can rest assured about the safety of your pipes. So if you’re interested in hydro jetting near Greater Vancouver, Aldergrove, Langley, Abbotsford, or Chilliwack, give us a call at (604)9137276.

Conclusion

Hydro jetting is an effective and safe method to clean pipes, and it typically doesn’t damage them. However, you must find an expert to do the job, as inexperienced operators and plumbers will cause damage to your pipes. So, leave the worry of unclogging your pipes to Inflow.