When you experience a problem with your septic system in San Francisco, your septic service has the tools necessary to solve it. Plumbing snakes and hydro-jetting are two common solutions that address septic system clogs. After your service, talk to your septic contractor about septic tank maintenance and how you can prevent clogs from affecting your septic tank in the future.
Plumbing Snakes
A plumbing snake consists of a long, flexible wire with a hook or blade at the end. The plumbing snake also called a sewer snake or auger is designed to travel through your pipes to the source of the clog and either push, pull, or destroy it to restore the flow of water. Small plumbing snakes are cranked through your pipes by hand, while larger sewer snakes are operated via a motor for more power. In most cases, the first solution your septic service will try when removing a clog is a plumbing snake; if the plumbing snake fails, hydro jet cleaning may be suggested. However, it’s important to note that snaking will only remove the specific clog affecting your system and may only be a temporary solution if larger underlying problems exist.
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting uses a stream of highly pressurized water to remove clogs and buildup from plumbing pipes, drains, and sewers. This solution can be used when plunging and snaking fail to locate or fully remove a clog, as hydro jetting can remove hair, grease, mineral buildup, and even tree roots that may be clogging your septic or sewer system. Hydro jetting is also used to fully clean out your plumbing or septic system, which is why it is often called “hydro jet cleaning” as well. This solution can give you a completely blank slate if your septic system is old or hasn’t been properly maintained, offering it a new lease on life that may be an alternative to complete replacement.
Snaking and hydro jet cleaning should be left to the professionals—your San Francisco septic service can help you devise the best solution for greater septic system performance.