What Is a Sewer Jetter Drain Cleaner?

Sewer Jetter

• The sewer jetter is a pressure washer with a special attachment designed specifically for cleaning clogged drains. The attachment consists of a jet nozzle attached to a flexible, long, high-pressure hose. The jet nozzle is the workhorse of the sewer jetter and is designed with several sets of jets used to propel the nozzle forward into the drain and direct water at high-pressures to remove clogs at the same time.

Types

• Sewer jetter attachments are combined with many types of pressure washers to complete drain-cleaning chores in residential and commercial buildings. Trailer, van and pickup mounted and portable pressure washers with sewer jetter attachments are available. The diameter of drain pipe being cleaned will dictate the diameter of the flexible hose used. The type of nozzle used will vary according to the job: laser nozzles work well for forward cleaning; corner nozzles spray sideways and are helpful to clean through and around corners and turns; ram nozzles project forward quickly, cleaning as they move and making the process happen faster; rotary nozzles provide extra agitation and cleaning power.

Advantages

• Sewer jetters help service people and homeowners clean long sections of drain. Hose length can be as long as 300 to 400 feet, with length dictated by the flow of the water — measured by gallons per minute -- and the diameter of the hose being used. The jetter also cleans the sides of the drain, which helps reduce the need for cleaning the drains on a regular basis.

Disadvantages

• Tree roots and hard materials are difficult for a sewer jetter to break through. Manufacturers who provide safety requirements with their sewer jetters may void a warranty if the requirements are not followed. This can mean more cost for a professional drain cleaning company or building management business using the product. In order to maintain the warranty, the business owner will need to train employees on a regular basis incurring time and cost to do so. The weight of larger truck- or van-mounted models may increase transportation costs that also add to business expenses.