What is Drain Jetting?
Drain jetting, also known as hydro jetting or high pressure water jetting is a method used to deep clean and unclog any blockages, debris, fats, oils or grease build-up in the drain or sewer pipes.
How Does Drain Jetting Work?
High pressure drain jetting typically involves a vehicle unit using water from a tank pressurised by a pump. At CountyClean Group, our efficient Kroll recycling and combination units are able to save you time and money by filtering reclaimed water and delivering up to 400 psi from powerful twin jetting pumps. With our porta reel we can also offer our customers high pressure jetting services in rough terrain and remote locations up to 300m from our Kroll Recycling unit’s location.
For smaller jobs that can be more easily managed, we can use our latest Van Pack Drain Jetting Units that are highly mobile and include a handheld jetting lance for surface cleaning if required.
How Do I know If My Drains Are Blocked?
Drains can experience blockages when they are not maintained correctly. Some examples include; not installing a sink trap, allows FOG (fats, oils and grease) waste to enter the drains or flushing anything other than the 3 P’s; Paper, Pee and Poo down the toilet will lead to drain blockages. Have a read of our article to learn more about non-flushable items.
There can be a variety of signs to look out for a blocked drains, these include:
- Toilet water rising, overflowing or draining slowly when flushed
- Water draining slowly from sinks and bathroom fixtures
- Unpleasant odours from your drains or around the property
- Gargling plugholes when draining
- Flooding or rising high water levels from gullies, around manholes and drain covers.
When to Use Drain Jetting?
Drain jetting is beneficial to use in a variety of situations, including:
- Grease Build-Up: Over time, grease, oil and other materials can build up within the drainpipes, resulting in blockages. Drain jetting can help remove these grease blockages and help prevent future clogs.
- Tree Roots: Underground pipes can be infiltrated by tree roots causing blockages and structural damage. The use of drain jetting can break up and remove the tree roots, allowing water to pass through the pipe again as normal. If there is a risk of the drains having structural damage, we would recommended having a CCTV Drain Survey conducted. You will be able to see issues caused by cracks, fractures, scaling and the condition of the joints.
- Heavy-Duty Use: Drain jetting is commonly employed in industrial environments or expansive drain cleaning jobs due to its ability to swiftly and efficiently eliminate obstructions and clean out large pipes.
- Preventative Maintenance: Having regular drain jetting can play a preventive role in obstructing blockages and maintaining the cleanliness and regular water flow in the pipes, consequently lowering the chances of backups and potential harm to property.
The Benefits of Drain Jetting
Drain jetting is an highly effective method for clearing drain blockages. Typically, a drain jetting service can be complete within a few hours, allowing you to swiftly resume the regular use of your drains.
Due to high pressure drain jetting being a fast method of clearing blocked drains, it also means it is cost-effective. Although it can be slightly more expensive than other traditional methods that use drain rods, drain jetting is quicker and is a long-lasting solution, meaning you decrease the risk of future blockages, reducing the need for pricey and inconvenient drain cleaning and repairs.
An additional advantage of drain jetting is that it is an eco-friendly approached to unblocking your drains. Unlike alternative methods that include chemical drain cleaners, drain jetting only uses water to clear the blockages. Therefore, it carries no risk of harm to the environment or human well-being.
How Can I Prevent Blockages
There are several ways you can maintain a healthy drainage system, preventative maintenance is key.
Be Cautious of What is Going Down Your Drains
A lot of blocked drains are caused from the kitchen sink due to fats, oils, grease (FOG) and leftover food being poured down the sink. Everyday behaviours such as rinsing greasy pans, not scraping food of plates before washing them up and pouring coffee grounds down the plughole to name a few can contribute to drain clogging.
Where possible you should try and avoid putting food waste and FOG down the drain, for example, try wiping plates down with a paper towel or installing a drain guard to catch the small food scraps that would otherwise go down the plughole into the drains. Getting into the habit of pouring excess liquids (while still warm) such as excess oil from a pan or try into a empty bottle before putting into the bin once completely cooled.
Learn What Not to Flush Down The Toilet
For bathrooms, you should only flush the 3P’s; Paper, Pee and Poo down the toilet. Sanitary towels and wet wipes, even those who claim to be flushable should never be put down the toilet as these items do not dissolve and can cause blockages.
Rinse Your Drains Regularly
Just as you clean the rest of your house, you should also put the effort into cleaning and maintaining your drains. For most drains, warm soapy water is a great way to rinse out your drains without causing damage. We recommend not using hot boiling water as this can potentially damage weaker pipes. Alternatively you can try a vinegar and baking soda solution which can help dissolve and break down any debris that can be found in your pipes such as hair build-ups.
Get a CCTV Drain Survey
CCTV drain inspections are the fastest and most cost-effective way of inspecting drains and sewers. Having the survey conducted is one of the most effective ways to help maintain your drain as it will be able to identify any problems before they become costly and disruptive issues.
A CCTV Drain Survey is also highly recommended when looking to purchase a property. We can carry out a pre-purchase property inspection if it is required. Our CCTV drainage inspection is quick and accurate. In addition, customers will get an instant and detailed look at the condition of underground drainage and sewers.
FAQs
There are many different reasons as to how drains get blocked and some are completely out of anyone’s control! Here are some of the most common reasons you might encounter a blockage:
- Fat, Oils and Grease From Cooking: This is one of the most common causes of blocked drains as its an unfortunate habit many of us do. To avoid build-up and blockages in your drains from grease and fat from cooking, once you have finished cooking, pour the excess liquid into an empty bottle and container and throw it in the bin once completely cooled.
- Leaves and Outdoor Debris: Some blockages can be caused from leaves and outdoor debris being blown or washed into the drains and causing blockages. This usually occurs in the wetter months of the year and can be made worse by not cleaning the gutters or unkept gardens. One of the best ways to prevent this from occurring is installing drain covers and keeping the garden tidy where possible.
- Leftover Food Waste: Food scraps going down the plughole into the pipes can cause build-up overtime causing future blockages. Investing in a drain guard can be an easy fix to help catch the small pieces of food debris, preventing them from going down into the drains. Alternatively, getting into the habit of scraping your plates thoroughly ensuring all leftover waste goes into the bin rather than the sink is the best method to avoid washing food waste down the plughole.
- Hair and Soap Sud Build-Up: Every time you shampoo your hair in the shower, take a bath, or cleanse your hands with soap at the sink, residue can accumulate within your pipes, potentially leading to clogged drains or slow- draining. Minimise the risk by placing drain covers over each plug hole to prevent any hairs and debris going down the drains.
How often you should get your drains jetted is dependant on a variety of factors such as the property’s age, usage and the type of waste that is being disposed of down the drains. As a preventative measure, it is generally recommended to have your drains jetted at least once a year to ensure the water in your drains is flowing free of any blockages.
Typically, property owners have the responsibility for maintaining drains within their property boundaries. Any concerns beyond this boundary fall under the jurisdiction of the supplier. You may have insurance cover for problems with blocked drains and should contact your insurer as soon as possible.
If a drain is overflowing, resulting in water leakage onto your property, it’s advisable to reach out to your local water authority. They can provide guidance on the appropriate actions you should take.
If you require some further guidance on who is responsible for repairing drains and sewers, click here for an article from Citizens Advice.
We operate across London and the South supporting the commercial, industrial, utilities, marine and domestic sectors. We also operate an-out-of hours emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Don’t hesitate to Contact us, our team is ready to assist in scheduling any necessary services and offering recommendations for addressing your drainage concerns, regardless of the nature of the issue.
As drains can vary massively in size and shape and so can the blockages, it can be difficult to give one price that covers everything. We can provide a free no obligation quote, Contact us today for more information.
Get in contact with us on 0800 171 2204 or 01323 741818 or email us at info@countycleangroup.co.uk and our team will be happy to book in any of our services for you and answer any further queries you may have.