The nozzle is the most important part of the jetter. A jetter without a nozzle is like a great plumbing van with no tires. Without a nozzle, the jetter just doesn’t do its job.

You might be thinking, “Well thank you, Captain Obvious! What do you plan on enlightening me with next?”

But just like bald or flat tires can effect driving, a worn or improper nozzle can have a real and dramatic effect on drain cleaning.

So how does this affect you?

Nozzle wear

As nozzles wear, not only do their orifices get larger — possibly reducing the pressure of your machine — they also lose efficiency. A concentrated water jet from a new nozzle or, even better, ceramic or carbide orifice-jets designed to pattern the water stream properly. Cities and agencies running 60 to 80 gpm combo trucks understand this and spend big bucks on nozzles designed to save time, water and fuel.

However, I would argue that high-efficiency nozzles are even more important to the plumber or drain cleaner with a cart jetter or small trailer. While workplace efficiency can add millions of dollars to the bottom line of huge corporations, it can be the difference between profit and loss for small business. A contractor can lose everything, including work hours and possibly even the customer, if the proper equipment is not on the job site. Having the proper tool attached to the end of your jetting hose can make all the difference.

Improper orifice sizing 

The size of the nozzle's orifices is very important to a jetter’s performance, yet there is an alarming ignorance of jetter nozzle orifice sizing throughout the industry. Everyone has their own ideas and even sophisticated computer programs telling them how to drill or jet a nozzle to get the “right size,” but very few manufacturers actually back that up with flow and pressure testing.

Proper application 

Very simply put, proper application means “using the right tool for the job.” One size does not fit all, and using the right jetter nozzle for the job is critical to success. The reason there are so many tools on the market is that each one has their own purpose. While you certainly don’t need to own all of them, having a good bag of tricks can make the job easier, more productive and more profitable.

So what can you do? 

Luckily it’s very simple.

1) Replace drilled nozzles often. If they look worn out, they probably are.  

2) Learn to use the right nozzle for each situation.  

3) Consider investing a little more in nozzles with high-efficiency jets or ceramic inserts. There are even nozzle bodies designed to direct water to the orifice, reducing turbulence.  

4) Consider investing in specialty tools designed for specific common jobs like root cutting, or grease removal.

Of course, keep visiting www.jettersnorthwest.com for new products and information. You can ask questions or send feedback through this website.

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