Hydro-jetting Rigs
Hydro-jetting Rigs | Main Line Issues | Plumbing | Charleston
When a stubborn clog lurks deep beneath Charleston’s clay and sand, HEP’s hydro-jetting rigs unleash a focused torrent of high-pressure water that scours every inch of pipe. Grease, scale, intrusive roots—everything is blasted away without harsh chemicals, restoring your plumbing to like-new flow rates in a single visit. Our seasoned technicians arrive with truck-mounted pumps, specialty nozzles, and real-time camera gear, so they can pinpoint blockages, confirm the cleanout, and keep your landscaping intact.
From historic downtown cottages to sprawling island estates, we know how disruptive main line issues can be. That’s why we offer rapid scheduling, honest up-front pricing, and friendly techs who respect your home as much as you do. With HEP, you get a local team powered by industrial-grade gear, ready 24/7 to turn gurgling drains and foul backups into free-flowing peace of mind.
FAQs
What is hydro-jetting and how does it clear main line blockages?
Hydro-jetting uses a specialized rig that pumps water at 3,500–4,000 PSI through a hose fitted with a multi-directional jetting nozzle. The high-pressure stream scours the full interior circumference of your main sewer line, cutting through grease, scale, Charleston’s common palmetto roots, sand, and other debris. Unlike mechanical cabling, which simply bores a hole, hydro-jetting restores the pipe’s original diameter and flushes waste out to the city sewer or septic tank, preventing immediate re-clogs.
Is hydro-jetting safe for older clay, cast-iron, or PVC sewer lines in Charleston?
Yes—when performed by licensed technicians who inspect the line first. We run a color HD video camera through the pipe to look for collapsed sections, severe corrosion, or cracked joints. If the line is structurally sound, hydro-jetting is safe for clay, cast-iron, PVC, and even some Orangeburg pipes. We adjust PSI and nozzle type to match pipe material and diameter, ensuring the jet cuts roots and buildup without damaging the host pipe.
How often should my Charleston home or business schedule hydro-jetting for the main sewer line?
In the Lowcountry, heavy tree cover, high water tables, and mineral-rich water cause faster buildup. A typical single-family home benefits from preventive hydro-jetting every 18–24 months. Restaurants, vacation rentals, or multi-unit buildings with higher grease and paper loads may need service every 6–12 months. After an initial cleaning, we provide a video recording and recommend an interval based on pipe condition, usage, and surrounding vegetation.
What symptoms tell me I need hydro-jetting instead of a regular drain snake?
Hydro-jetting is recommended when you experience: (1) multiple fixtures backing up at once (toilets, tubs, floor drains), indicating a main line clog; (2) slow drains that return within weeks of snaking; (3) gurgling sounds or sewer odors outside near the cleanout; (4) evidence of heavy grease or root intrusion on a camera inspection. If the obstruction is soft buildup, a snake may punch a temporary hole, but hydro-jetting fully removes the blockage and cleans the pipe walls.
Will hydro-jetting create noise, mess, or downtime on my property?
Our hydro-jetting rigs are truck- or trailer-mounted and remain outside. The process is loud for about 60–90 minutes, but we work during agreed-upon hours to limit disturbance. Water and debris exit through the pipe and out the city main or septic tank, so there’s no mess inside your home. Because we access the line via an exterior cleanout, you can continue normal water use once testing confirms the pipe is clear—total downtime is usually under two hours.
Does hydro-jetting offer long-term prevention or just short-term relief?
Hydro-jetting is both corrective and preventive. By stripping away biofilm, hardened grease, and mineral deposits, it leaves the pipe interior smooth, making it harder for waste and roots to latch on again. Many insurance carriers and home warranty plans recognize hydro-jetting as preventive maintenance that can extend pipe life and lower the risk of emergency backups. For further protection, we can pair jetting with root-inhibiting foams or schedule annual camera inspections.