When to call about hydro jetting
Jetting earns its keep on drains that keep coming back. If a kitchen line was augered last spring and is slow again by autumn, the walls are probably still coated. The same goes for a main drain that clears for a few weeks after cabling and then sulks. Restaurants have known this for years; houses with busy kitchens are not so different.
We also suggest it before a camera survey when the inside of a pipe is too dirty to read, and before any lining or repair work that needs a clean surface.
Common causes we find
- Thick bands of grease and soap that harden as they cool.
- Mineral scale in cast-iron stacks, which narrows the bore over decades.
- Silt and sand settled in low spots of a lateral.
- Fine root hairs that a cutting blade misses. Heavy roots usually need cutting first; see our tree root removal entry.
Our process on the day
- We look at the line first, normally on camera, so we know the pipe can take the pressure. Very brittle or broken pipe is not jetted.
- We choose a nozzle to suit the job: a penetrating head for blockages, a rotating head for scouring walls.
- We feed the hose in at a clean-out and work it both ways, flushing debris toward the city sewer.
- We protect the work area, since jetting can mist at the access point.
- A second camera pass shows the result, and you see the before and after on the screen. Read more on our camera inspection page.
Repair or replace?
Jetting cleans; it does not mend. If the clean pipe shows cracks, open joints or a crushed section, we will say so plainly and set out the options. Sometimes the honest answer is that a line has a few good years left and simply needs regular cleaning. Other times a section should be dug and replaced before it fails during a storm.
A slow drain also sometimes hides a slow leak. If you have noticed damp patches or a rising water bill, our note on signs of a hidden leak is worth a read.
Keeping it from coming back
Once a line is clean, it stays clean much longer if grease never enters it. Wipe pans with paper towel before washing. Run hot water after the dishwasher finishes. For homes with known root intrusion or a heavy-use kitchen, a maintenance jetting on a set schedule is often sensible, and we can note a suggested interval in your job record.
Planning other basement work at the same time, such as a gas water heater replacement? Tell us, and we can plan the visit so the floor drain is clear before the old tank is drained.
What callers want to know
Could jetting harm my pipes?
It can harm pipe that is already badly cracked or deteriorated, so the camera always goes in first. Sound PVC, ABS, cast iron and clay handle it well.
How is jetting different from snaking?
A snake bores a path through a clog. Jetting washes the full circumference of the pipe, removing the coating that causes clogs to return.
Is it messy?
There can be some spray at the cleanout. We cover the area and clean up before we leave.