How to Choose the Right Sewer Cleaning Nozzles for Drains

When it comes down to it, choosing the right sewer cleaning nozzles for your water jetter is the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to drain cleaning. If you pick one that is too powerful, you can easily overload your pressure washer or pump. If you choose a sewer cleaning nozzle that’s not strong enough, the job will take twice as long because you’ll most likely get stuck redoing things.

You may be used to using the standard formula for calculating PSI, where PSI = 4000xGPM2 / Nozzle#2, but what this type of calculation doesn’t account for is the pressure buildup in the jetting hose. It also doesn’t take into account differences in manufacturing tolerances of different grades of nozzles.

So, how do you choose the right cleaning nozzles for drains and sewers? We’ve got the answer.

Sewer Cleaning Nozzles Versus Tips

As the name implies, nozzles are the rotary tool that goes on the end of a jetter hose and delivers the water. The tips are small, usually replaceable, inserts that screw directly onto the holes of the nozzle. The tips are what create the high-pressure stream of water that is then used to cut roots and destroy build-up in drains and sewers. That being said, most sewer cleaning nozzles come with tips included, but with little to no instruction for the end-user on how to use the tips most effectively.

Popular Jetter Nozzles for Sewer and Drain Cleaning

Ultimately, the water source determines the type of nozzles and tips needed for the job. The NPT, or National Pipe Threads, is the standard of measurement for tapered threads on pipes and fittings. These are designed to give an effective seal for nozzles, ensuring you get maximum pressure.

The choice of a particular sewer cleaning nozzle will depend on the equipment used and the application. The most common applications include residential, commercial, and municipal. Offering options from ⅛” NPT to 1” NPT, you are sure to find the right nozzle for every job.

Below are the most popular options:

  • BN Thruster – The Thruster has a 25° angle for maximum pulling power.
  • High Thrust Degreaser – 25° thrusting angle for maximum distance and 3 forward jets at 10° for loosening hard grease or ice. Can also be used for pushing debris forward.
  • BN Corner – 45° Flushing angle combined with a 90° side jet to assist nozzle through corners, etc.
  • Medium Thrust Degreaser/De-Icer – 35° penetrating angle with 3 forward jets for loosening hard grease or ice. Use for forward cleaning or pushing debris forward on short to medium-length runs.
  • BN Monster – A dual-angle nozzle combining the forces of both thrust and flush for superior pulling and cleaning power.
  • Flushing Degreaser/De-Icer – 45° flushing angle with 3 forward jets for loosening hard grease or ice. Useful for pushing debris forward. Limited distance capabilities.
  • Standard Rotor Jet Pattern – Maximum cleaning action from 90° side jets with 45° flushing / pulling angle. This pattern is standard for Sewer Squad Kits.
  • BN Flusher – The Flusher has a 45° angle with good pulling power.

When it comes to drain and sewer cleaning, it’s important to do your homework and find the best jetter nozzles for the job. As the most popular option, it should be easy to choose one that best suits your application so you can get the job done efficiently every single time.