When sewer lines and pipes become clogged, you need to call a professional to clear the clog and get your pipes flowing freely again. The traditional way to clear clogged sewer lines is by using a professional plumbing auger, also called a plumbing snake. This is a metal cable with a cutting head that is fed into the pipe and spun rapidly. The cutting head cuts through and dislodges the clog. One problem with an auger is that although water can drain through the sewer line, much of the foreign material from the clog remains behind stuck to the walls of the pipe. In many cases, the clog will start re-forming immediately and you will have to call the plumber again in a few months.
A more modern development in clearing tough clogs is high pressure hydro jetting. This technique uses water sprayed under very high pressure to cut through clogs and flush away the debris. Your plumber will feed a high pressure hose with a special spray head on it through your sewer pipe to the location of the clog. Water is pumped through the hose and spray head at three to four thousand pounds per square inch.
The high pressure water can cut through tough clogs including grease, hair, tree roots, paper products, sludge, and other debris. In addition, the water flushes the debris away down the pipe. High pressure hydro-jetting scours the entire inside of the pipe and leaves it looking almost like new!
High pressure hydro jetting can be more effective for clearing many common types of clogs than using an old fashioned mechanical auger. Your plumber or sewer septic professional will advise you on whether high pressure hydro jetting is a good option for your clog.
