52
TECHNICAL
High-pressure
cleaning — jetting
and nozzles
Second to downtime for equipment breakdowns, the
next most expensive is an unsuccessful job. The wasted
time in monetary values and damage from loss of
customer confidence can be impossible to recover.
By Octopus Electronics | All images Octopus Electronics
Jetting with the right tools will accomplish jobs that
other methods cannot. Your jetting equipment can
fail to perform tough jobs if you have invested in
undersized equipment or haven’t added the right
tools to your kit.
Customers have also become smart — the internet
as well as social media have provided the average
consumer with the ability to not only find a service
provider, but also all the information to know what
service is best for the problem they are experiencing.
Of course, all investments should provide a financial
return, and jetting tools are no different. If your strategy
is correct, a jetting service has the potential to be the
most profitable part of your business.
Having said that, the nozzle is the most important part
of the jetter. Without a nozzle, the jetter just doesn’t do
its job. Just as bald or flat tyres can affect one’s driving,
a worn or improper nozzle can have a real and dramatic
effect on drain cleaning.
NOZZLE WEAR
As nozzles wear, not only do they get larger — possibly
reducing the pressure of your machine — they also
lose efficiency. A concentrated water jet from a new
nozzle will clean better and faster, saving you time and
fuel. Workplace efficiency can add millions of rands to
June 2019 Volume 25 I Number 4
the bottom line of huge corporations, but 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 SIZING PROPER APPLICATION
The size of the nozzle is very important to a jetter’s
performance. Very simply put, proper application means:
using the right tool and size for the job. One size does
not fit all and using the right jetter nozzle for the job is
critical to success.
We recommend the following:
1. Replace your nozzles often; if they look worn out
they probably are. Some companies like Octopus
Electronics have a repair facility that allows for the
servicing of various nozzles and the replacing of
nozzle inserts.
2. Learn to use the right nozzle for each situation as
this is always recommended.
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.
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