The service industry is anything but easy. Running a successful restaurant or brewery means balancing the demands of staffing, inventory, and customer satisfaction while keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. But the balance between business as usual and chaos can be toppled at a moment’s notice.
Few things are more disruptive than plumbing issues that interrupt service, create health concerns, and even force you to temporarily shut your doors. Grease, oils, food particles, soap residue, and mineral deposits accumulate inside pipe walls, slowly restricting the flow of water. By the time you’re dealing with an overflowing drain or a clogged waste line, enlisting the help of professionals is almost always required.
From Northside to The Banks to Over-the-Rhine, hydro-jetting (also known as pipe jetting) is being embraced by Cincinnati restaurateurs and craft brewers to treat stubborn clogs and prevent plumbing issues before they can appear.
How Hydro-Jetting Works and Why It’s More Effective Than Conventional Methods
Hydro-jetting uses a stream of water between 1,500 and 4,000 PSI to remove food and sediment buildup from pipe walls. Unlike conventional methods that only provide temporary relief and require repeated treatments for full effect, hydro-jetting removes clogs from the entire bore of a pipe in one pass, effectively restoring it to like-new condition.
Technicians typically begin with a video inspection to evaluate the nature of the issue and the pipe’s condition before proceeding. A specialized nozzle is inserted into the line, blasting water forward to create a clear passage and behind to scour the walls clean.
Snaking is often the first method used to clear blockages. Also known as an auger, it can be very effective against hair clogs and foreign objects. However, its usefulness against the kind of obstructions found in bars, restaurants, and commercial kitchens is more limited, as it only creates a narrow opening without removing built-up grease and grime from the pipe walls. Eventually, the leftover bits catch new debris, creating a repetitive cycle of clogs and service calls.
Chemical cleaners are even more limited. The harsh, often corrosive agents dissolve or break down accumulated matter may provide temporary relief from minor problems, but rarely address the root cause. Worse yet, those same chemicals can be hard on older pipes or plumbing systems with PVC components, and harmful to staff and the environment. Extreme caution is required when using liquid drain cleaners, as they can cause chemical burns or lead to potentially dangerous reactions if combined with other substances.
Head-to-head against conventional methods, the advantages of jetting are impossible to ignore. For commercial environments like restaurants or breweries, it can also be the only method that’s powerful and thorough enough to keep everything flowing smoothly.
Hydro-Jetting vs. Drain Snakes vs. Chemical Treatments.
|
Hydro-Jetting |
Snaking |
Chemical Treatments |
|
| Use Cases | Thoroughly cleans pipe walls of grease, food, and debris. | Effective for small, localized blockages. | Limited to light clogs and routine maintenance. |
| Long-Term Relief | Yes, the entire pipe is cleared for lasting, like-new performance. | No, snaking only creates a narrow opening. | Residue often remains and builds up after treatment. |
| Speed | Fast and effective against deep or stubborn blockages. | Slower when dealing with hard-to-reach clogs. | Chemical agents don’t work quickly. |
| Cost | Higher upfront cost with fewer repeat calls. | Lower initial cost, but repeat service is required. | Lower per use, but the costs add up over time. |
| Pipe Protection | Chemical-free treatment is safe for most systems. | Risk of wear over time or with improper use. | Can corrode pipes, especially older metal or those made with PVC |
| Environmental Impact | No environmental risk or health hazards. | Minimal to no environmental risk. | Potentially harmful to people and the environment. |
How Often Should Service Industry Businesses Schedule Hydro-Jetting?
Drains aren’t top of mind for anyone until they’re not working. By the time there’s standing water in the back of house or foul odors seeping in through the prep sink or into the dining area, you’ve already lost time and money. Instead of reacting after a problem has appeared, hydro-jetting should be part of every restaurant or brewery’s preventive maintenance plan.
At a minimum, a thorough pipe jetting should be performed semi-annually, but there is no universal right answer. Even with the best trapping, filtering, and food waste handling practices, debris builds up. For high-output kitchens or facilities with aging pipes or a history of recurring blockages, quarterly treatments may be necessary.
Bakeries and breweries may need to follow a more regular cadence as well, possibly every three months. Blockages caused by grain waste, yeast, sugar, and protein byproducts can be especially stubborn. They don’t rinse away easily, and the combination of organic materials and moisture creates the ideal conditions for fermentation.
Emergency service is always more expensive than scheduled maintenance. When costs associated with downtime and potential compliance issues are factored in, any savings that were gained by delaying treatment are quickly erased. Finding and sticking to the jetting schedule that works best for your specific demands ensures you won’t be caught off guard.
Make Hydro-Jetting Part of Your Standard Practice Plan
Hydro-jetting is about preventing problems, not just fixing them after the fact. The initial cost is higher than conventional methods, but the service quickly pays for itself by keeping your operations running smoothly and helping you avoid emergency repairs.
Instead of looking at it as a cost, think of jetting as an investment in the long-term success of your business.
At Enervise, commercial plumbing is just one of our areas of expertise. From upscale boutique eateries to high-volume breweries, our team can quickly diagnose and treat plumbing problems with customized service plans that can help you avoid them in the first place.
Ready to schedule a preventive cleaning or set up hydro-jetting service in Cincinnati? Our team of professionals is standing by to provide the answers and service you need. Contact us today.
