What is Hydro Jetting and When Does Your Commercial Property Need It?

Slow drains, recurring clogs, and sewer line problems can become more than an inconvenience for a commercial property. When plumbing issues begin affecting restrooms, kitchens, floor drains, or other essential areas of a building, they can interfere with employees, tenants, customers, and normal business operations.

While traditional drain cleaning methods can address many plumbing blockages, some situations may benefit from a more thorough cleaning method known as hydro jetting.

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to clean the inside of certain drain and sewer lines. When professionally evaluated and appropriately used, it can help remove buildup that has accumulated along the interior of the piping.

At Horn's Backflow & Plumbing, we help commercial property owners and managers identify the source of drainage problems and determine the appropriate solution for their plumbing system.

Here's what property owners should know about hydro jetting.

1. What Is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting is a professional drain and sewer cleaning method that uses specialized equipment to send high pressure water through a plumbing line.

Rather than simply creating an opening through a blockage, hydro jetting can help clean buildup from the interior surfaces of suitable pipes.

Depending on the condition and type of plumbing system, it may be used to address materials such as grease, sludge, debris, and other buildup.

Because hydro jetting uses significant water pressure, the plumbing system should be professionally evaluated before the service is performed. Older, damaged, or otherwise compromised piping may require a different approach.

2. Recurring Clogs May Indicate a Larger Problem

If the same drain continues clogging even after it has been cleared, there may be more happening inside the line.

Repeated blockages can sometimes indicate substantial buildup, an obstruction, pipe damage, or another issue that needs to be identified.

This is why repeatedly treating the symptom may not solve the underlying problem.

Depending on the situation, a professional plumber may recommend a sewer camera inspection or another diagnostic method to better understand what is happening inside the line before determining the appropriate service.

3. Commercial Kitchens Can Experience Heavy Grease Buildup

Restaurants and commercial kitchens place unique demands on their plumbing systems.

Even with proper grease management practices, fats, oils, grease, food particles, soap residue, and other materials can contribute to buildup within drainage systems over time.

This can lead to:

Slow drains

Recurring clogs

Unpleasant odors

Drain backups

Disruptions to kitchen operations

Routine commercial drain cleaning and grease trap maintenance can help reduce these problems and keep plumbing systems functioning properly.

When appropriate for the piping system, hydro jetting may be one option for removing significant buildup.

4. Slow Drains Throughout a Property Deserve Attention

One slow sink may indicate a localized clog.

Multiple slow drains throughout a building, however, can suggest a larger drainage or sewer problem.

Property managers should pay attention when several fixtures begin experiencing drainage problems around the same time.

Professional diagnosis can help determine whether the issue involves buildup, a blockage, damaged piping, or another problem.

The sooner the cause is identified, the sooner the correct repair or cleaning method can be selected.

5. Hydro Jetting Can Be Useful as Part of Preventative Maintenance

Commercial properties do not always need to wait for a complete blockage before servicing their drainage systems.

For certain properties and piping systems, scheduled professional drain and sewer maintenance can help reduce recurring buildup and unexpected backups.

Restaurants, apartment complexes, hotels, commercial kitchens, and other facilities with high plumbing usage may especially benefit from having a consistent maintenance plan.

The appropriate frequency and cleaning method will depend on the property's plumbing system, usage, condition, and history.

6. Professional Inspection Matters Before Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is powerful equipment and should be performed by trained plumbing professionals.

Before recommending it, a plumber may need to consider the condition, material, and configuration of the piping.

If a line is deteriorated or damaged, simply applying high pressure water without understanding its condition may not be appropriate.

Professional evaluation helps determine whether hydro jetting, traditional drain cleaning, repair, or another service is the right solution.

7. Preventative Drain Maintenance Can Help Protect Your Business

A major sewer or drain backup can create serious problems for a commercial property.

Restaurants may be unable to operate normally. Restrooms can become unavailable. Tenants may be affected. Wastewater can create unsanitary conditions, and water can damage surrounding building materials.

Preventative plumbing maintenance allows property managers to address recurring drainage concerns before they become emergency situations.

Keeping records of repeated clogs, backups, and previous services can also help your plumbing company understand patterns within the property.

Keep Your Commercial Drains Flowing

If your property experiences recurring clogs, slow drains, grease buildup, or sewer line problems, repeatedly clearing the same blockage may not be enough.

At Horn's Backflow & Plumbing, we provide professional commercial plumbing services throughout Southern California, including drain cleaning, sewer services, hydro jetting, leak detection, backflow prevention, pumping services, and preventative maintenance.

With more than 25 years of experience, our team understands that commercial plumbing problems can affect your entire operation. Our goal is to identify the problem and recommend an appropriate long term solution.

If your drains keep backing up or your commercial property is due for preventative drain maintenance, contact Horn's Backflow & Plumbing today. We'll help you determine what your plumbing system needs to keep things flowing.