If you are using a jetter to clean a line not much lower grade than the house, what could happen?

If you are using a jetter to clean a line not much lower grade than the house, what could happen?

• A. Blowup toilet
• B. Pipe collapse
• C. Water hammer
• D. Increased flow

Answer: (A)

When a jetter is used in a sewer line that’s only slightly sloped, a lot of the pressure can get trapped in the downstream section instead of flowing away quickly. That creates a sudden pressure surge that can be pushed back toward the house. The toilet is a fixture that can’t resist a rapid backpressure well—the wax seal and connection to the drain are relatively weak compared to the forces of a jetter, so a strong surge can lift or blow out the toilet or rupture its seal. So in a near-flat line, the most likely immediate hazard from jetting is a blowup of the toilet.

When a jetter is used in a sewer line that’s only slightly sloped, a lot of the pressure can get trapped in the downstream section instead of flowing away quickly. That creates a sudden pressure surge that can be pushed back toward the house. The toilet is a fixture that can’t resist a rapid backpressure well—the wax seal and connection to the drain are relatively weak compared to the forces of a jetter, so a strong surge can lift or blow out the toilet or rupture its seal. So in a near-flat line, the most likely immediate hazard from jetting is a blowup of the toilet.