Hydro Jetting For Your Main Sewer Line: What If It Keeps Clogging?

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. And again. And again? If you’re skeptical, you should be. General life lessons don’t always apply when something as critical as your home’s plumbing is at stake. If your main sewer line keeps clogging despite repeatedly clearing sewer blockages, your sewer line issues are likely structural. That means even high-pressure hydro jetting can’t provide permanent relief for your sewer system.

So how are you supposed to know when hydro jetting is enough for your sewer line or if more advanced rehabilitation is required? Learn how to know when you’re washing money down the drain and when you should focus your frustration on proven sewer line repair techniques for long-lasting performance.

How Does Hydro Jetting Work On Sewer Blockages?

Sewer line hydro jetting is a powerful process designed to blast away blockages and buildup within pipe walls using a highly pressurized, targeted water stream. Professionals insert a nozzle into an existing access point known as a cleanout to aim the water, effectively carrying debris and clogged items downstream toward the municipal sewer main. The forceful flow also clears away grease and scale buildup along pipe walls to prevent future blockages.

Like any process concerning your home, hydro jetting has its pros and cons, with one potential problem being over-relying on hydro jetting to repeatedly restore pipe flow even as sewer line issues persist. Sometimes a sewer blockage is a symptom resulting from a larger problem, meaning your sewer line remains susceptible to debris and invasive tree roots likely to cause a clog.

Why Constantly Clearing Sewer Blockages Can’t Always Solve The Problem

If tree roots have made their way into your sewer line or items you flush are consistently getting trapped in the pipe, chances are, the blockages are stemming from heavy scale, structural damage or cracks within the pipe. Cracks leave room for external debris like tree roots to seek nutrients from the nearby water source, while misaligned or deteriorating pipes prohibit proper flow, contributing to clogs. Hydro jetting is a great tool for clearing sewer blockages, but if cracks aren’t sealed or the pipe foundation first secured, the blockages will be back.

In some instances, especially when aging pipes are involved, hydro jetting may cause even more damage to the failing pipeline as the powerful blast can cause cracks to spread and joints to break. At best, hydro jetting a deteriorating pipe can temporarily remove a clog and return flow. At worst, hydro jetting may escalate the underlying issue causing recurring blockages, worsening the damage to the point of pipe collapse, which would require an emergency dig replacement. Either way, if your main sewer line keeps clogging after regular cleaning and maintenance, stop to consider more serious issues at hand.

Signs Larger Sewer Line Issues Are Present

A sewer blockage presents many tell-tale signs: slow drains, standing water in sinks and tubs, gurgling sounds coming from drains and foul sewage odors present in the home. If your plumbing isn’t living up to par, a clog could be the culprit, but a cracked pipe or a pipe on the verge of collapse display similar symptoms. Without knowing the condition of your sewer line, hydro jetting may be masking more severe damage, clearing sewer blockages for a time before the problems start up again.

If your main sewer line keeps clogging shortly after hydro jetting services, something is still preventing your plumbing from working properly. So how can you be sure? The most reliable way to evaluate the status of your sewer line is to work with a professional for a sewer line camera inspection.

Using advanced camera technology to capture the interior of the impacted pipe, trained technicians know what to look for to spot underlying sewer line issues. From there, they can recommend hydro jetting for blockages or more comprehensive sewer line repair to restore cracked or crumbling pipes as needed.

When Sewer Line Repair Makes More Sense

While hydro jetting has its pros and cons, it’s never going to provide the same level of stability as sewer line repair. Think of hydro jetting as critical maintenance for your sewer line. It works well to prolong the lifespan of your sewer system and keep clogs at bay, but it isn’t a structural solution. Spending time, stress and money on clearing sewer blockages isn’t in your best interest if history keeps repeating itself. Instead, consider long-lasting, structural solutions like trenchless sewer repair.

Equivalent to a pipe replacement, trenchless sewer line repair solutions like pipe relining enable pipe walls to be sealed and strengthened from within the existing structure. Newly fortified against the elements, your sewer line is protected from trespassing tree roots and recurring sewer line issues, with a new lifespan of up to 50 years if well-maintained. While repair options cost more upfront than hydro jetting, they offer a more permanent solution that saves you time, stress and money over time.

Cost Comparison: Repeat Hydro Jetting Vs. Long-Lasting Sewer Line Repair

Hydro jetting may seem like an ideal way to resolve sewer line issues without spending a lot of money, but if your sewer line requires advanced rehabilitation, the sooner you address it, the more money you’ll save. Prolonging plumbing problems leads to damage escalating, and trenchless sewer line repair solutions are only effective on intact sewer structures. Failure to act fast could add thousands onto your bill if a full pipe replacement becomes necessary.

How Much Does Hydro Jetting Cost?

The price to hydro jet a sewer line varies depending on the length of the pipe and complexity of the clog, ranging anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 or more. Additional fees may apply if inspections are needed to effectively complete the process. The rule of thumb for general sewer line maintenance is to undergo hydro jetting once every year to every other year. For sewer lines on their last leg, that frequency can become a lot more regular, adding up fast.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Sewer Line?

Trenchless sewer line repairs are typically charged per linear foot, with costs ranging from $150 to $250 per foot depending on the length of the pipe, material and project requirements. On average, that’s about $5,800 to $10,000, but serving as a long-term solution with up to 50 years of longevity for your home.

How Sewer Line Repair Sets You Up For Long-Term Savings

Every project is different based on your home and your needs, but you can see how repeat hydro jetting costs can quickly add up, while the larger chunk of change required for a sewer line repair goes farther, enabling decades of future performance for your sewer line. Timely rehabilitation also provides more flexibility for sewer repair options, saving you money compared to a traditional pipe replacement that requires digging up the pipe and surrounding property.

For your convenience, CME Sewer Repair offers financing options to make sewer repair more feasible when emergencies arise.

Weighing Hydro Jetting Pros & Cons: Is Hydro Jetting Worth It?

Sewer line hydro jetting is a premier sewer and drain cleaning solution enabling a powerful, chemical-free deep clean capable of clearing sewer blockages and serving as a preventive tool to keep pipes in prime condition. However, the age and condition of your sewer line dictates how effective hydro jetting will be, meaning you can’t count on it to provide the structural support a deteriorating sewer line needs.

Instead of guessing or getting stuck in a clog-clean-repeat cycle, work with sewer rehabilitation experts for a sewer line camera inspection to help you make an informed decision. CME makes it easy to diagnose sewer line issues with a free inspection to get started. We’ll talk through hydro jetting pros and cons with you and help you decide when sewer line repair is the most cost-effective solution.

Contact CME For Sewer Line Repair & Stop Plumbing Issues Today

Feeling stuck with a main sewer line that keeps clogging despite all of your best efforts? Don’t deal with sewer line issues alone. Contact CME Sewer Repair to discuss trenchless sewer line repair options or to get started with a free inspection today.

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