Your sewer system is a durable network of pipes, but it needs professional service to stay in top condition. The good news is that most sewers only need cleaned by an expert every 18 to 24 months to perform their best.
This guide will walk you through the basics of sewer line cleaning, the types of methods used and what to expect when you book a service.
What Happens During Professional Sewer Cleaning?
Sewer line cleaning is a multi-step process that involves removing potential blockages, blasting away build-up and inspecting the entire sewer line to make sure there are no problems lurking underground.
Although the pipes your sewer line is made of are durable, they can accumulate a lot of dirt and grime over the years. Most homeowners only call for help when their sewer line stops working, but regular cleanings can prevent those types of hard-to-remove clogs from happening in the first place.
During your cleaning service, a professional plumber will:
- Perform a video inspection to look for signs of blockages or other damage
- Decide on a cleaning method to remove dirt and debris
- Complete a thorough cleaning that removes waste and grime from pipes
- Perform a final inspection to make sure the sewer line is completely clean
The Types of Sewer Cleaning
There are two main types of cleaning methods that your plumber can use. Both of them might be applied depending on the level of dirt and waste in your pipes.
Hydro-jetting
Hydro-jetting cleans sewer lines using powerful blasts of water that break up hard blockages. Jet streams can be as strong as 4,000 to 8,000 pounds per square inch> To put that into perspective, it’s like using water pressure up to 100 times stronger than household faucets. It is focused into a stream that stops acting like liquid and turns into a precision cutter that can slice through clogs, blockages and even tree roots.
Snaking or Auguring
A snake or auger is a long piece of equipment that can reach into sewer lines and physically remove clogs. One end of the snake has a clamp that can capture debris or blockages, which the plumber slowly pulls out of the pipe the way it came in. In some cases, snaking is necessary to remove solid obstructions like toys, rags and foreign objects.
Snaking and hydro-jetting are often used together to make sure your sewer line is free from clogs and doesn’t have any build-up on the pipe walls.
If it’s time to get expert sewer line service in Charlotte, NC, reach out to the pros at Dilling Heating & Cooling.
