How Do Sewer Cleaners Work?

Over 800,000 miles of public sewers and 500,000 miles of private lines operate in the United States. These steer wastewaters to treatment facilities, churning clean water back to the environment.

The proper maintenance of these sewers is pivotal for protecting public health and water quality. As such, sewer cleaners have a crucial part in keeping our water clean.

If you ever saw one, you might wonder how they work. How can trucks clean the pipes underground effectively?

We’ll teach you the basic concepts of this machinery. Read on for a quick sewer cleaner guide.

How Sewer Cleaners Work

Sewer cleaning trucks have different designs and capabilities, but the general inner workings are about the same. They use water pressure, vacuum, or a combination of both to unclog and clean sewers.

A typical truck can remove the trash, bottles, stones, roots, sand, and other debris. It should also clean grease from sewers, inlets, storm drain pipes, and more.

Jetting

A sewer cleaner with jetting technology uses water to push debris and break down clogs. It’s safe and chemical-free, ensuring it doesn’t damage the pipes, as well.

The nozzles used for jetting are customizable. Trucks use specialized tools for different types of debris like sand, grease, and roots. Without the proper nozzle, the system won’t direct the high pressure effectively. 

The water pressure and volume can also vary depending on the size and material of the pipes. The softer the material, the lesser the force needed.

Vacuum 

A vacuum sewer cleaner handles large-scale liquid and sludge clean-up. It uses a powerful pump to suck the air out of the holding tank. 

This process creates a vacuum inside. The resulting pressure is instrumental in pulling sludge, debris, and dirt from the sewers.

Upon opening the primary and secondary shutoff valves, the vacuum forces the truck to equalize the pressure with the outside atmosphere. It sucks up any fluid or liquid present. If you were to direct the hose in the air, it would pull in the air instead.

Combination

Combination sewer cleaners work by combining the two concepts above. These models are usually safer and more efficient.

A sewer cleaner of this type employs water jetting first to dislodge any debris in the pipe. It flushes out dirt, sand, bottles, grime, and such.

Afterward, the vacuum system comes into play. It sucks up all the dislodged debris before putting it in the holding tank.

Combining these two systems makes it possible to turn sewer cleaning into a single process. It no longer needs manual waste removal, making it safer for the crew.

Learn More About Sewer Cleaners

Sewer cleaners are fascinating subjects, and there’s more to learn about them. Some trucks use chemicals or biological products, for example. The best method for the job depends on the pipes that need cleaning.

That said, they are necessary for keeping our pipes clean and functional.

Do you want to read more pieces of sewer cleaner advice? Check out our other posts today.