What hydro jetting does
A jetter feeds a hose up the line from a cleanout. Most of the nozzle's jets aim backward, so the water pulls the hose forward while it blasts the full circle of the pipe wall, then flushes what it knocks loose down the line.
A drain snake, or cable machine, cuts a path through the clog. That gets water moving, but whatever is stuck to the pipe stays put and catches the next load, which is why a kitchen line that was only snaked can clog again within months.
Hydro jetting vs snaking: which do I need?
Most one-time clogs only need a snake. Jetting is for a line that keeps clogging because of buildup, and for cleaning a line down to bare pipe so a camera can show its condition.
| Drain snake (cable) | Hydro jetting | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Cuts a path through the clog | Scours the inside of the pipe clean |
| Good for | One-time clogs: hair, wipes, a toy, too much paper | Grease, sludge, scale and roots that keep coming back |
| What it leaves | Buildup on the pipe walls | Clean pipe walls |
| Old or damaged pipe | Can still catch on a broken joint | Only after a camera shows the pipe is sound |
| Cost | Usually the cheaper visit | More: a bigger machine and more setup |
Neither one seals the joint that roots came through, so roots grow back after either. For a one-time clog, regular drain cleaning will do the job.
Camera first, then the jetter
This is how we run every jetting job. The camera goes first because jetting is the wrong tool for broken pipe.
Look at the line first
A camera shows what's in the pipe and whether it's sound enough to jet. Pipe that's cracked or rusted through gets a repair plan instead.
Match the nozzle and pressure
Grease calls for a different nozzle than roots do, and the pressure has to suit the pipe's size and material.
Work from the cleanout
Jetting from an outside cleanout keeps the water and the mess out of the house.
Look again after
A second camera pass shows the walls are clean and can turn up damage the buildup was hiding. You see the before and after pictures.
Where jetting makes sense
Home kitchen lines
Grease builds up in the kitchen drain more than anywhere else in a house. Jetting clears the whole run, including the stretch inside the wall that a snake only pokes through.
Main sewer lines
Roots and sludge collect in the line to the city sewer or septic tank. Jetting cuts the roots back and flushes them out.
Restaurant and shop grease lines
We jet grease lines for restaurants, cafes and shops. A line jetted on a regular schedule is less likely to back up in the middle of a lunch rush.
Before an inspection or repair
A clean line lets the camera show the actual pipe, so cracks and bad joints can't hide under the buildup.
What goes into the price
You get the price for jetting before we start, and nothing gets added without your OK.
The price moves with the length of the line, whether there's a cleanout to work from, how heavy the buildup is, and whether camera passes are part of the job. If a snake will do, we'll say so, since that's the cheaper visit.
Call 903-000-0000 or request service online. We work in Bonham and the rest of Fannin County.
Questions about hydro jetting
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
It's safe for old pipe that's still sound, and it can do real damage to pipe that's cracked, crushed or missing pieces.
Cast iron that has rusted thin, clay pipe with open joints and the tar-paper fiber pipe (often called Orangeburg) in some mid-1900s homes all need a camera look before any jetting. If the pipe is failing, the next step is repairing or replacing it, since no amount of cleaning will fix it.
How long does a jetted line stay clear?
Longer than a snaked line, as a rule, because jetting cleans the whole inside of the pipe. How long depends on what caused the clog.
A kitchen line stays clear until grease builds back up, so what goes down the sink matters most. Roots grow back through the same joints, often within a year or two, so a line with roots needs a repair or a regular cleaning.
Can a line to a septic tank be jetted?
Yes. The line from the house to the tank can be jetted like any other drain line, and what comes loose washes into the tank.
If the tank itself is full, a clear line won't help for long, so find out when it was last pumped. Pumping is a job for a septic company.
