Water Jetters: What Australian Businesses Should Know Before Buying
When a normal pressure washer isn’t quite enough for the job, a water jetter can be the better option. These machines are built for jobs where you need serious water pressure to shift stubborn dirt, clear blockages or clean equipment that has been exposed to heavy use. For plumbers, contractors, farmers and industrial businesses, having the right equipment can save a lot of time when a difficult cleaning job comes up.
There are plenty of water jetting machines available, though, and they aren’t all designed for the same type of work. A compact unit that is ideal for one contractor might not have the capacity needed by an industrial business. That’s why it’s worth looking at how you actually plan to use the machine before deciding which one to buy.
What Are Water Jetters Used For?
Water jetters use a high-pressure stream of water to break apart and remove material from a surface, pipe or other area that needs cleaning. They are commonly associated with drain and pipe cleaning, but their applications go much further than that.
Depending on the machine and the accessories being used, water jetting equipment can be useful for cleaning machinery, removing built-up deposits, washing down industrial areas and dealing with difficult contamination.
For a business, the attraction is fairly simple. Instead of spending hours trying to remove stubborn material manually, the pressure of the water does much of the hard work.
The Right Machine Depends on the Job
It’s tempting to look at a water jetter and immediately compare the maximum pressure. A higher number might look better on paper, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right machine for your work.
Think about a plumber clearing drains. Their requirements are going to be very different from a contractor cleaning heavy machinery or an industrial operator working for several hours at a time.
Before making a decision, think about the jobs you are likely to do most often.
Will you be working on:
- Drains and pipes?
- Trucks and heavy machinery?
- Concrete and hard surfaces?
- Farm equipment?
- Industrial equipment?
- Construction sites?
Once you know that, it becomes much easier to work out what type of water jetter will actually be useful.
Pressure Isn’t the Only Number That Matters
Pressure is important, but it isn’t the whole story.
A water jetter’s flow rate also matters because it determines how much water is being delivered. Pressure gives the water its force, while flow helps carry the dirt and debris away after it has been loosened.
That’s why two machines with very different specifications can both be good choices for completely different jobs.
If you’re cleaning a small area or working inside a pipe, your requirements may be quite different from someone washing down a large industrial surface.
Rather than asking, “What’s the most powerful machine I can buy?”, a better question is, “What combination of pressure and flow will work best for the jobs I actually do?”
Water Jetters for Drain and Pipe Cleaning
Drain cleaning is one of the areas where water jetting really comes into its own.
Over time, grease, dirt, sediment and other material can build up inside pipes. A suitable jetting system can help break through that material and flush it away.
For plumbers and drainage contractors, portability is also important. A machine that can be taken from one job to another is much more useful than equipment that is difficult to transport.
The hose and nozzle setup matters here as well. Different nozzles produce different spray patterns, so the right combination can make a noticeable difference when you’re dealing with a particular type of blockage or pipe.
Cleaning Machinery and Equipment
It’s not just pipes that can benefit from high-pressure water.
Construction machinery, farm equipment, trucks and industrial equipment can all become heavily covered in mud, grease and general grime. Trying to clean that by hand can take a considerable amount of time.
A properly selected water jetter can make these jobs much easier.
For example, after working on a muddy construction site, an excavator or other piece of machinery may need a thorough clean before it is moved to another location. A mobile water jetting setup means the equipment can be cleaned where it is instead of having to transport dirty machinery back to a workshop.
Electric, Petrol or Diesel?
The best power source depends largely on where you work.
If the machine is going to stay at a workshop or commercial facility, an electric model may be a practical option because mains power is readily available.
For contractors working outdoors or moving between different sites, petrol-powered equipment can offer more freedom. You don’t have to rely on finding a suitable electrical connection every time you arrive at a job.
Diesel-powered machines can also make sense for heavier applications where the equipment needs to handle demanding workloads.
There isn’t a universally better option. It’s really about choosing something that fits the way your business operates.
What About Mobile Water Jetters?
For contractors, mobility can be one of the biggest advantages of having a water jetting system.
If you’re travelling from one customer to another, you don’t want to spend half your time setting up and packing away equipment. A mobile unit can keep the main components together and make it easier to get started when you arrive.
Trailer-mounted systems can go a step further by providing space for water tanks, hose reels and other equipment.
This can be particularly useful for businesses working on farms, construction sites, large commercial properties or locations where a reliable water supply isn’t always available.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
The machine itself is important, but the accessories shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought.
The right hose, nozzle or spray attachment can make a job much easier. A nozzle suitable for drain cleaning, for example, isn’t necessarily what you’d want for cleaning a large concrete area.
It’s also worth thinking about hose storage. If you’re going to be using the machine regularly, a good hose reel can save time and keep the work area more organised.
When comparing water jetters, look at the accessories that are available for the machine and whether replacement parts can be easily sourced.
How Australian Businesses Can Choose More Wisely
Australian businesses can have very different working conditions. A contractor in a city, a farmer working on a large property and an industrial business operating around heavy machinery aren’t going to have the same requirements.
Before buying, think about where the machine will actually be used.
If you’re regularly working away from mains electricity, an engine-powered unit could be more practical. If the machine will stay inside a workshop, electric power may be perfectly suitable.
You should also think about how often the machine will run. Occasional use and several hours of daily operation are two very different workloads.
Spending a little more time on these questions before buying can prevent you from ending up with equipment that doesn’t suit your business.
Choose the Right Water Jetting Equipment with Jetwave Group
A good water jetter should make difficult cleaning work easier, not create another problem for your business. The right choice comes down to the type of work you do, how often you do it and where the equipment needs to operate.
Pressure and water flow are important, but so are portability, power source, accessories and ongoing maintenance. If the equipment is going to be part of your everyday operation, reliability and access to support should also be considered.
Jetwave Group provides high-pressure cleaning and water jetting equipment for commercial and industrial applications across Australia. Choosing equipment around your actual requirements can help you get better value from the machine and make demanding cleaning jobs considerably easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are water jetters used for?
Water jetters are used to remove stubborn dirt, deposits, blockages and other material using high-pressure water. They are commonly used for drain cleaning, machinery, construction, agriculture and industrial cleaning.
2. Are water jetters suitable for commercial use?
Yes. Professional water jetters are available for everything from regular commercial cleaning to demanding industrial applications. The important thing is choosing a machine that can handle the workload.
3. Do water jetters only clean drains?
No. Although drain and pipe cleaning is a common application, water jetters can also be used for machinery, equipment, concrete, industrial areas and other difficult cleaning jobs.
4. Should I choose an electric or petrol water jetter?
It depends on where you will use it. Electric models can work well at fixed locations with reliable power, while petrol-powered equipment can be more convenient for mobile and outdoor work.
5. How do I choose the right water jetter?
Start with the jobs you need the machine to handle. Consider the required pressure and flow, how often it will be used, where it will operate, whether you need a mobile setup and which hoses or nozzles you’ll need. That will give you a much better starting point than simply choosing the highest pressure available.