drain cleaning
High-Pressure Hydro Jetting Services
While a traditional plumber's snake is excellent for punching through solid clogs, it often leaves behind sticky residues on the pipe walls. In high-use lines, especially kitchen sinks dealing with grease or main sewer lines plagued by mineral buildup and sludge, this residue quickly catches new debris, leading to another clog. Hydro jetting solves this by acting like a pressure washer for the inside of your pipes.
The hydro jetting process involves inserting a specialized nozzle into the cleanout. This nozzle sprays jets of water forward to break up the blockage and backward to propel the hose and wash the debris down the line. The result is a pipe that is restored to its original interior diameter, providing a long-term solution for homes experiencing chronic drainage issues.
Signs You Need Hydro Jetting
- Grease or sludge backing up into kitchen sinks or floor drains.
- Recurring clogs in the same line despite recent snaking.
- Older cast iron pipes that suffer from heavy mineral scaling and reduced flow.
- Foul odors indicating rotting organic matter stuck to pipe walls.
- Slow draining across multiple fixtures indicating a mainline restriction.
Our Process
Camera Inspection
The line must first be inspected with a camera to ensure the pipe structure is sound enough to withstand high pressure.
Jetting Setup
The technician selects the proper nozzle head (e.g., cutting nozzle for roots, flushing nozzle for grease) and calibrates the pressure.
High-Pressure Scouring
The hose is fed through the line, blasting away all buildup and flushing the debris into the municipal sewer.
Final Inspection
A second camera run verifies that the pipe walls are completely clean and free of obstructions.
What Affects the Cost
- The length of the pipe that needs to be jetted.
- The severity of the buildup (grease vs. thick tree roots).
- The accessibility of the main cleanout.
- Whether a camera inspection reveals underlying structural damage requiring repair.
- The specific equipment needed for residential vs. commercial lines.
✓ Safe to DIY
- Flushing drains with hot water periodically to reduce minor grease buildup.
- Using mesh strainers to catch food and debris before it enters the line.
✕ Stop & Call Us
- Attempting to use consumer pressure washers in plumbing lines, which can cause severe water damage and pipe bursting.
- Jetting lines without a camera inspection first, as pressurized water will destroy already compromised or cracked pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hydro jetting safe for all pipes?
Hydro jetting is safe for most pipes in good condition, including PVC and copper. However, it is not recommended for severely degraded clay or cast iron pipes, which is why a camera inspection is always performed first.
How is hydro jetting different from snaking?
Snaking simply bores a hole through the immediate clog to restore flow, while hydro jetting cleans the entire interior circumference of the pipe, removing the sticky buildup that causes recurring issues.
Will hydro jetting remove tree roots?
Yes, hydro jetting equipped with specialized cutting nozzles can easily slice through and flush away tree roots that have infiltrated the sewer line.
Related Services
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