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A Guide to High-Pressure Jetting Nozzles + Hoses
Nozzles are the backbone of jetting operations and contractors rely on a broad spectrum of fixed, rotating and specialist nozzles to undertake specific drain cleaning and unblocking tasks. In this section, we explore some of the configurations and applications of nozzles used widely across the industry
FLUSHING + PENETRATING NOZZLES
Also known as ‘Fixed’ nozzles, flushing or penetrating nozzles are available in ‘Open’ or ‘Blind’ configurations with forward and rear (or rear only) jets drilled to suit the pressure and flow of the jetter. With wide rear jets, flushing nozzles are ideal for cleaning debris, whereas penetrating nozzles feature narrower rear jets to aid propulsion down the pipe. Along with a wide variety of specialist nozzle body shapes, the forward jets are designed to cut through the obstacles and blockages commonly found in sewers and drains
1. STANDARD NOZZLES
Low-cost standard nozzles can be configured as either ‘open’ for penetration or flushing, or ‘blind’ for flushing tasks only, and are often used in an exploratory capacity prior to using a more specialist nozzle to complete a task.
STANDARD NOZZLE 2020
Designed for basic cleaning and unblocking, standard nozzles have a bulbous head and short body for negotiating tight corners in pipes
2. UNBLOCKING NOZZLES
With specially formed heads that aid progress along the pipe, unblocking nozzles typically feature powerful forward jets to cut through the wide range of deposits found in drains and sewers. Some nozzles, such as the bullet (opposite), have been specifically designed to deliver better propulsion when used under high-pressure, aiding the speed that the nozzle travels along the pipeline.
BULLET NOZZLE
This powerful flushing nozzle features a smooth body for increased mobility and is the ideal choice for long distances and difficult unblocking.
3. CLEARING NOZZLES
Powerful rear jets make clearing nozzles ideal for flushing materials from the pipe walls, often used after a penetrating nozzle has cleared the initial blockage. Clearing nozzles are available in a range of configurations, such as plough jet nozzles that are flat in design and run along the floor of the pipe.
PLOUGH JET NOZZLE
Designed for highly effective heavy silt removal, the plough jet sits on the bottom of the pipe and utilises powerful fan jets for removing waste.
ROTATING NOZZLES
Most rotating nozzles feature a rotating head with jets that spray in all directions, providing wall-to-wall clearing and cleaning. Considered the best multipurpose drain cleaners, they are often used on tougher blockages and on maintenance contracts to prevent future obstructions.
4. MULTI-PURPOSE NOZZLES
Rotating nozzles are used for multiple types of tough drain and clearing tasks and offer all-around cleaning. Typically comprising of three components; a propulsion unit, drive and cleaning head, controlled rotation keeps the nozzle centred in the pipe and allows for optimal wall-to-wall cleaning power.
TARANTULA NOZZLE
Tarantula nozzles have slow speed rotation and concentrated rear jets, effective for pipe wall cleaning and breaking down obstacles.
SPECIALIST NOZZLES
Specialist nozzles can be used for a range of tasks, including root cutting, desilting and the removal of hardened deposits from drain walls. Used alongside fixed or rotating nozzles for optimum results, tools such as chain flails and root cutters provide enhanced cutting power.
5. CHAIN FLAIL CUTTERS
Chain cutters tackle the most difficult obstructions by using turbine technology to deliver powerful cutting power. Kits may include skid or sledge mounts to centralise and guide the cutter along the pipe, offering the most effective cleaning when using the correct cutter size to cover the entire pipe wall.
CHAIN FLAIL CUTTER
Made for the most stubborn of blockages, but relatively lightweight, chain flails hit, cut and scrape through a wide range of materials.
6. ROOT CUTTERS
Root cutters use hydraulic power to drive the circular saw and are widely used in the drainage sector to remove roots, hard grease, and compacted sand or soil from blocked drains. They are typically supplied in a kit, consisting of the hydraulic body, a range of cutting knives (with sharp angular teeth at the front and rear), and matching skids to keep the cutters centralised in the drain.
ROOT CUTTER
Consisting of a central body with angled knives, root cutters are ideal for cleaning pipes that are blocked by roots, grease, sand or soil.
HIGH-PRESSURE HOSES
TWIN-WIRE HOSES
Fabricated from reinforced rubber and wire braiding, standard twin wire hoses are suitable for a wide range of sewer and drain cleaning applications and have a maximum working pressure of 4000 PSI.
SINGLE-WIRE HOSES
Single wire hoses are made from a flexible rubber alloy and a single steel inner shell for extra strength, durability and product lifespan. Due to a single steel inner shell, the hose is much lighter than standard hoses and is designed to reduce pressure loss for greater cleaning power
| Type | Lengths | Diameters |
|---|---|---|
| Twin-wire | 30m/60m/90m/200m | 1/2” |
| Single-wire | 50m/80m/100m | 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8” |
OTHER TYPES OF HOSES
A. MINI HOSE
Ideal for passing through tight bends, such as those found in gulleys and traps, mini hoses are usually supplied in a kit with a standard nozzle and ½” BSP male adaptor for connection to the main jetting hose or unit.
B. LEADER HOSE
Leader hoses are used as a warning to operatives that the jetting nozzle is near the entry point of the drain. The 3m or 5m length blue hose is fitted with male coupling to connect to the jetting end of the main hose and a female coupling for connection to the jetting nozzle. Type Lengths Diameters Twin-wire 30m/60m/90m/200m 1/2” Single-wire 50m/80m/100m 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”
C. FILLING HOSE
Filling hoses pump water into the jetting machine and are suitable for use with both jetters and combination units. Available in lengths of 30m and 50m, they are extremely flexible and coil well for easy storage.
D. SUCTION VENTURI
Used to empty flooded areas without having to use a separate suction pump, suction venturi devices connect directly to the jetter hose and use the high-pressure water flow to generate a vacuum that creates suction for removing large volumes of water from flooded areas.
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