Effective Ways to Clear Blockages in Your Pipes

There are several ways to remove a blockage from your pipes, but not all of those ways are effective or safe. If you’re experiencing a clog deep in your plumbing, then two possible options are sewer rodding and hydrojetting. Find out how each method stacks up and which one is best for your home.

When Do You Need Rodding or Hydrojetting?

In short, you need rodding or hydrojetting when you have a blockage in your pipes. But it’s not always apparent that you have a clog. If you experience any of the following issues, you may have a blockage that demands rodding or hydrojetting:

• Showers or Sinks That Don’t Drain: Does it take several minutes for your bathtub or sink to drain water? If so, you should know that this isn’t normal. It’s a sign that you have a clog somewhere in your system. Pouring a chemical drain cleaner down your pipes may not be enough to clear the clog, and it could cause damage to your plumbing.



• Water Backs Up into Your Sinks, Toilets, or Tubs: As soon as you notice water backing up into your sinks, tubs, or toilets, you know you have a plumbing problem. There may be tree roots growing into your pipes, and the issue will only worsen.



• You Have a Camera Inspection that Reveals a Clog: During a routine plumbing inspection, your plumber might inspect your pipes with a camera. The investigation could reveal that you have a clog somewhere in your lines. Although you might not be experiencing plumbing troubles right now, it’s only a matter of time before the clog will affect your plumbing.



• Trees are Near Your Sewer Pipes: If you have large trees in your front yard, the roots of those trees could extend into your sewer pipes. Those roots have the potential to damage your plumbing system and even pose a health hazard. You should have an Evanston plumber check your pipes for clogs and remove them if necessary.

What is Hydrojetting?

Before you can determine whether hydrojetting or rodding is best for your home, you need to understand how each process works. Hydrojetting is a modern way of resolving sewer issues. A plumber snakes a hose through your pipes until it approaches a clogged area. Then, the technician sprays a high-pressure stream of water through the hose.

The stream is thin and strong enough to remove tree roots, grease, and sludge from your pipes. During the process, your pipes become clean as deposits and debris are sprayed away. With a force of up to 5,000 PSI, hydrojetting can be an effective way of clearing your pipes.

The Drawbacks of Hydrojetting

Although hydrojetting might seem like a cure-all for your plumbing problems, it’s not always the right choice. There are several disadvantages to using this method:

• Potential to Damage Old Pipes: The high pressure of the water has the potential to damage old pipes. Newer pipes are usually strong enough to handle the water jet, but older pipes are easily disturbed. If you have an older home, you should think twice before agreeing to hydrojetting.



• Inability to Completely Remove Hard Debris: When tree roots and large clogs are in your pipes, hydrojetting will probably be able to push the debris away. But it may not be strong enough to push the debris all the way through your plumbing. As a result, your clog will simply move from one place to another.



• Large Equipment Requirement: Unlike other clog removal methods, hydrojetting often requires large equipment. An Evanston plumber might need a large truck or mounted rigs to deliver the force necessary to pressurize the water. If you don’t have room for the equipment or don’t want to deal with the equipment on your property, then hydrojetting isn’t a good option.

Because of these disadvantages, hydrojetting shouldn’t be your first choice for clog removal. You should consider other effective methods, like sewer rodding.

What is Sewer Rodding?

Having been around for decades, rodding is a tried and tested method of clearing sewer lines. It’s a variation of snaking but takes the simple process of snaking a level up. Instead of just pushing through your clogs, rodding chews through your clogs.

A plumber takes a flexible metal cable and places it into your pipes. On the top of the cable is a head with mechanical teeth. As the rod goes through your pipes, a motor powers the teeth and they chew through blockages.

The pieces left behind by the teeth are small enough to wash through your pipes. Additionally, the teeth are powerful enough to handle large blockages made by tree roots and larger debris. When done by an experienced plumber, sewer rodding is one of the best ways to remove stubborn clogs.

You can use rodding to clear clogs in your main line or in your smaller pipes, like bathroom sinks. Either way, the process doesn’t take long and leaves you with your plumbing in working order.

The Drawbacks of Rodding

There’s only one real disadvantage to rodding, and it won’t affect you if you work with a reputable plumbing company. Typically, rodding is dirty work that leaves behind a mess. You shouldn’t be left to clean up with the mess, but some plumbers cut corners and skip the clean-up.

When you work with a good company, you don’t need to worry about the mess. They’ll include the clean-up as part of their service, leaving you with restored plumbing and no evidence of the work that was done.

Which Option is Right for You?

Are you still torn between rodding and hydrojetting? If so, there’s an easy way for you to make the decision. By speaking with an experienced and reputable plumber, you can learn more about each option. They will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Then, they can advise you on which process is best for you and your plumbing.

For most homeowners and business owners, sewer rodding is the better option. If you’re ready to find out more, give us a call at J. Blanton Plumbing.