How to Reduce Sewer Jetting Costs: Time, Water and Nozzle Maintenance

Start with the parts of a jetting job that consume crew time, water and replacement parts. Record those costs before changing the loadout so you can tell whether an improvement is actually helping.

Record the work before comparing equipment

Log the pipe and deposit, machine setup, nozzle used, active jetting time, number of passes and completed result. Separate setup, inspection and travel time from time with water flowing. Compare similar jobs rather than treating a lightly obstructed lateral and a heavy mainline blockage as equivalent.

Match the tool to each stage

Opening a path through a blockage, cleaning the walls and removing loosened material may require different nozzle patterns. A useful kit gives the truck complementary options. Compare the 1/4-inch Starter, 3/8-inch Essentials and other plumber kits by the actual included tools and your machine setup.

For 1/4- and 3/8-inch shopping, select the connection and enter your desired GPM. For 1/2-inch and larger, provide GPM and working PSI. Use the Nozzle Finder to start; detailed configuration work may need hose and job information too.

Measure water use

Water used is actual GPM multiplied by the minutes that water flows. A reduction in active jetting time at the same flow reduces consumption, but the nozzle's price or tier alone does not establish that time reduction. Compare the inspected result as well as the gallons.

Service the equipment that is already working

Follow the manufacturer's inspection and service instructions. On compatible insert-equipped models, correct replacement inserts may allow a sound nozzle body to stay in service. Other models have factory-drilled jets. Check the exact construction before ordering parts; also assess the hose, machine and other components when performance changes.

Compare actual parts, labor and downtime with the cost of an appropriate replacement. Use current insert listings and your maintenance history instead of assuming a fixed number of jobs between replacements.

Count savings once

Value time using costs you actually avoid or a clearly stated value for available crew time. A full customer invoice is not a cost saving. Additional revenue only occurs when you book and complete additional work. Track those outcomes separately so the same time benefit is not counted twice.

Read the completed-job cost comparison for calculation examples. There is no universal percentage reduction or guaranteed payback period.

KEG's published warranty provides one year on replaceable steel inserts and five years on titanium-ceramic inserts, subject to the applicable terms and exclusions. Warranty duration is not a predicted replacement interval or a promise that normal wear is covered. Read the warranty details.