Short answer: most homes do not need hydro jetting on a fixed schedule. Jet the line when it shows signs of buildup, then let a camera inspection tell you how soon it will need it again. Homes with tree roots in the sewer line commonly need it every one to two years. Restaurants and other commercial kitchens usually jet every three to twelve months.
What decides how often a line needs jetting?
- Tree roots. Roots regrow through the same joints. A line with mature trees over it needs attention far more often than one without.
- Grease. Kitchens that send grease down the drain coat the pipe quickly.
- Pipe material and age. Rough, scaled cast iron and jointed clay catch more debris than smooth plastic pipe.
- Slope and bellies. A line with a sag holds waste and builds up faster.
- How many people use the system. A large household or a multi-unit building loads the line more heavily.
How often should a typical home be hydro jetted?
A newer home with plastic sewer pipe and no trees nearby may never need it. An older home with clay or cast iron pipe and one past backup is a good candidate for a camera inspection every couple of years, with jetting when the camera shows buildup or roots returning.
How often should a home with tree roots be jetted?
Commonly every 12 to 24 months. Jetting cuts the roots out but does not stop them growing back through the same joint. If roots return quickly, a permanent fix such as lining that section of pipe is worth pricing against repeated cleanings. See our page on trenchless sewer lines.
How often should a restaurant hydro jet its drains?
Most commercial kitchens need it every three to twelve months, depending on volume, menu and how well the grease interceptor is maintained. A scheduled cleaning costs far less than closing during service because the floor drains have backed up. Property managers of multi-unit buildings often put the main lines on an annual schedule for the same reason.
What are the signs that it is time?
- Drains that are slow throughout the building, not just at one sink
- Gurgling from toilets or floor drains
- Sewage odors indoors or near the cleanout
- A clog that comes back within weeks of being snaked
- Water backing up in the lowest drain when the washer empties
Is it possible to hydro jet too often?
For a sound pipe, routine jetting at sensible pressure does no harm. The more useful question is why the line needs it so often. Frequent jetting usually means there is a defect, such as a root-prone joint or a belly, that is cheaper to fix once than to clean forever.
To find out what your line needs, All Service Plumbing can run a camera through it and show you the result. Call (888) 300-9648 or read more about our hydro jetting service and drain cleaning.
