Last updated on November 9th, 2021 | By: Grady Galvez
If you own a pressure washer, then you should know that it can be used as a sewer jetter. It is also known as hydrojetter, water jetter, or drain cleaner. It is one of the best ways to stop wasting time, money, energy, and effort cleaning out clogged sewers.
This is an easy process and will save you money on buying another tool. You’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing that your old pressure washer isn’t just sitting around collecting dust anymore.
The best part about this conversion is that it only takes minutes to do! All you have to do is attach the proper spray nozzle and hose onto your pressure washer, turn it on, and start cleaning out those drains like never before. It doesn’t matter if they are in your home or business; this device will care for them all for you!
Signs You Need a Sewer Jetter
You might not think that a clogged sewer line is a big deal, but the truth is that it can be one of the most annoying problems to deal with. It doesn’t just cause inconvenience and frustration; it can also lead to major damage if left untreated for too long. Don’t let this problem get out of hand! Here are 5 signs you need a sewer jetter.
- Your drains are slow or don’t drain at all.
- There’s an unpleasant odor coming from your sink.
- You see water pooling around your foundation.
- The ground outside has become mushy.
- Your septic tank is overflowing.
Working of a Sewer Jetter
Sewer jetters work by using high-pressure water jets to dislodge debris and other matter from the inside walls of sewer pipes. These devices are used to clear out clogs that may occur in sewer lines and remove obstructions from sewer manholes and lift station covers.
Sewer Jetter Conversion Kit
A sewer jetting kit attaches to the pressure washer’s handle and comes in a variety of styles. The two major components of a sewer jetting kit are as follows:
Jumper Hose
Connecting the hose to your pressure washer sprayer is as simple as attaching couplings, also known as a ball valve, to the hose if it can’t link to the spray wand. The normal length of a hose is 50-100ft and has a slick cover that makes it easier to go down lines.
You’ll want to know the PSI on your pressure washer and how far the pipe you’re cleaning is. In case you don’t know, a 100ft sewer jetting hose is probably a safe bet.
Sewer Jetter Nozzle
There are mainly 3 types of sewer jetter nozzles- laser, rotating, and button nose. Among them, the most common ones are- the rotating and button nose nozzles. Nozzles, too, come in a variety of degrees.
You can get nozzles with varying degrees of spray, ranging from zero degrees (straight on and perfect for blockage) to 40 degrees called flushing nozzles. With the multiple uses of nozzles, you need to figure out your purpose and then choose the most appropriate one accordingly.
How to convert a pressure washer into a sewer jetter?
Pressure washers are amazing tools for the home handyman. They clean windows, remove rust, paint, cut grass, and even clean out drains.
The problem is that there are few uses outside of the home. So if you’re looking to get more use out of your pressure washer, then you should consider converting it into a sewer jetter instead.
Here’s how to convert a pressure washer into a sewer jetter. Sewer jetters work best on concrete or asphalt surfaces, but they can also be used to clean dirt from driveways and sidewalks.
If you have an older model pressure washer with low horsepower, than this may not be worth doing since most newer models will do just fine. But if your pressure washer has higher power, like 200-300hp, you’ll find that it works very well as a sewer jetter too!
Here's How To Convert It.
- First, you need to measure where our hose attaches to know which end goes in what hole. You want to make sure we keep everything backward compatible here.
- Once you determine which side connects to which valve, take off the old one and put it aside. Next time when you turn the water switch on, you will not want any water going through the new fitting yet because we still have to connect the hoses. For now, let’s just shut off the main water line. This way, you won’t accidentally spray yourself while figuring out how to attach the two ends together. You could potentially damage something by spraying yourself at this point.
- Now comes the fun part. We’re going to need some pliers to help us hold onto both pipes firmly as we try to screw them together.
- While holding the two pieces tightly with our hands, unscrew each piece until we reach its final position. Then pull the threads tight using the plier and tighten down the nuts. It helps tap the nut against the wall to ensure it doesn’t loosen up again later on.
- Finally, once all connections are made and tightened properly, you can simply turn back on the valve and test it to see if it worked correctly.
- And finally, you have got a working sewer jetter. Enjoy!
The Bottom Line
We all know that the best way to clean out your sewer line is with a high-pressure water jet. But not everyone has access to this kind of equipment or the money needed for such an investment.
That’s why it makes perfect sense to convert your pressure washer into a powerful sewer jetter. You need to ensure that your pressure washer has enough power to push water through the hose and into the line.
The best part is – this method works just as well as those expensive machines but costs less than half of their price tag! And since it uses your existing pressure washer, there are no monthly rental fees or costly repairs. This is one investment that pays off every time you need it.