Blocked drain? If you’ve tried sorting the issue with a drain rod or plunger and the blockage still isn’t shifting, drain jetting could be the answer. But what is it – and how will it help?
One of the most effective ways of cleaning drains and pipes, drain jetting is also one of the fastest ways to do so – and when time is of the essence, it’s not worth messing about and tackling the job yourself.
How does a drain jet work?
The fact is, drain rods and plungers won’t always reach your blockage, which is where a drain jet comes in.
Shooting a high-pressure blast of water into the drain, it can easily negotiate bends and make its way much further down the pipe, sorting the issue and allowing you to keep your sanity intact.
How powerful is drain jetting?
You’d be surprised how powerful drain jetting is. If you have a drain blockage in London, jetting can be so effective than it can actually clear a blockage that’s been caused by tree roots.
Any other matter of nature, which is therefore out of your hands, can also be seen to with drain jetting.
Why opt for drain jetting?
We get that you’d like to save money and have a go at sorting the issue yourself, but if you do too much you can do more harm than good. The fact is, drain jetting comes with many benefits – and here are just some:
- It can get to the bottom of your problem much quicker. Drain rods may only increase efficiency by up to 30% – and in a lot of cases, the issue will be prolonged. Drain jetting gets to the source of the issue and sorts it once and for all
- Leave a corroded or clogged drain and it’ll become more problematic, decaying from the inside out over time. Shop-bought drain unblocking solutions may cause adverse effects in the long-run, too, so don’t leave it to chance
- Increasing flow efficiency by up to 95%, drain jetting is the obvious choice if your blockage is now more than just a minor inconvenience.
Is drain jetting preventative, too?
You can be sure, when you choose drain jetting, that it won’t just remove the blockage, it’ll clean the interior of your drains. This will help to prevent future blockages from occurring and will act as good maintenance for your household drains.
Can you unblock a drain with a DIY drain jetting kit?
As with all domestic issues of this kind and size, it’s always best to get a professional team involved. But providing you have the knowhow and the kit needed, this YouTube video suggests you can have a go at unblocking your drain yourself.
Suggesting that it isn’t the first time his drains have blocked, the maker of the video is dealing with the problem yet again via his own drain jetting kit. In the video, he explains just how he clears his drains in a step-by-step guide – take a look by clicking the link above.
Can I unclog a drain with a pressure washer?
If you’re hoping to tackle the issue yourself – and a drain rod or rubber plunger just hasn’t done the trick, you could try to take matters into your own hands (although we’d always advise you to call out the professionals, if you can afford it) and tackle the problem with a pressure washer.
If you’re going down this route, the Sewer Jet Gazette website has some advice.
So, what do you need to clear your drains with a pressure washer? You need an attachment known as a sewer jetter – and plenty of patience!
A sewer jetter is a long, flexible high-pressure hose featuring a jet nozzle. Typically with a front-firing jet to easily break apart clogs, sewer jetters like this may be the last chance saloon before calling in a professional London drain jetting team.
How do I safely use a drain jetting kit?
Again, this is where a professional team can come in handy, since they’ve been unblocking drains with drain jetting techniques for decades.
If you’re ready to take on your drains yourself, safe operation of a pressure washer sewer jetter attachment begins with you following the safety instructions of the pressure washer itself. After this step, though, don’t think you can simply crack on – there’s a lot more to it.
It’s vital to comply with pressure washer manufacturers’ recommendations when using machinery of this kind. Make sure you:
* Put on some thick, fluid-resistant work gloves and eye protection. Operating inside dirty drains where harmful bacteria reside, DIY drain jetting does not come without risks
* Be careful not to start the flow of water until the nozzle of the sewer jetter is more than a foot inside the cleanout opening. This will minimise the risk of being injured by the water steam from this high-pressure piece of kit
* Exercise caution when removing the sewer jetter from the drain, following your attempt to unblock it. Stop the flow of water long before the nozzle is sitting at the cleanout opening
* If you’re using a sewer jetter, do so only in a well-ventilated area and make sure you don’t breathe in any spray mist from your drain pipes
* Avoid using a sewer jetter in pipes which contain chemical cleaners. Caustic fluid can cause serious burns.
What about sewer jetting indoors; is this possible?
Ordinarily, if you’re brave enough to tackle a blocked drain with a sewer jet, you’ll be doing so outside. But occasionally you might need to handle a problem inside, too.
Sometimes, it’s easier to clear a clogged drain from inside your home. For example, when:
- the clog is too far from your main drain clearout
- there’s a drain elbow or other transition, which is causing an issue and making it hard for your sewer jetter to reach from your main drain cleanout to the area which needs attention.
I’m tackling the blockage myself; where do I begin?
While it’s always advisable to call out a professional team (doing so can save you time and money in the long-run) if you’re intent on sorting the issue yourself, here’s where to begin.
- Locate a suitable drain opening that’s upstream from the clog. This could be an indoor cleanout, or an inlet found under a sink
- Protect the area underneath, using a bucket and plenty of towels or old newspapers. This is particularly important if the cleanout is over a floor or cabinetry area
- To ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible, partially unroll and insert the sewer jetter hose bit by bit. We suggest you unroll and roll up the hose in an area where it will be easy to clean following use. Choose a bathroom, and opt for your bath, shower or even a sink.
DIY drain jetting; what kit do I need?
You’ll need a pressure washer, some protective gloves and eyewear and plenty of towels to cover the area. You’ll also want to be close to a bathroom, for washing down your clothes and cleaning up afterwards.
How do I clean up following my DIY efforts?
There’s a lot to drain jetting, you know. It isn’t as simple as getting the job done and getting back to your favourite TV programme. Instead, it’s a lengthy process best left to London drain jetting professionals.
The clean-up process may be the most laborious; once you’ve finished clearing out the drain, carefully remove the sewer jetter, stopping the water well in advance. Next, coil the sewer jetter hose in your bath, shower or sink, before rinsing the coiled hose with warm water and shaking any excess off.
Hanging the coiled hose in your shed or garage, make sure it’s kept well away from children, pets and direct sunlight.
When do I call out a professional team?
If you’ve tried and failed to ensure your drains are operating more smoothly, now’s the time to call out a professional London drain jetting team. Offering a fast and efficient service, they’ll help you out on short notice and can offer fully-managed maintenance services, which are bespoke to your needs.
Choose a London drainage services team and you’ll get a team with years’ worth of experience in the business. Often, drainage companies will operate on a no-clear, no-fee basis, to ensure you’re never faced with paying up and then having to tackle the issue a second or third time.