Hydro Jetting vs. Drain Cleaning

Cleaning out your main sewer line may not be a task you love to take on, but it is one that will help keep your home running the way you need it to for many years. There are two ways to clean most drains: hydro jetting and traditional drain cleaning, or snaking. 

We usually recommend hydro jetting, except in some specific circumstances. Here’s what you need to know about hydro jetting vs. snaking to make the best decision for your home. 

Hydro Jetting

Jetting your drain lines involves shooting a highly pressurized stream of water down through your lines. It removes all sorts of debris from the edges of your pipes and can even break up stubborn clogs. 

The Pros of Hydro Jetting

Sewer line jetting is maximally effective. It removes everything that is on the inside of your pipe, leaving it looking brand new.

Hydro jetting is also versatile. It can clean commercial lines, residential lines, and more. It can also remove all sorts of clogs, from grease buildup to scale to tree roots in your lines 

The Cons of Hydro Jetting

The only downside of jetting your drain lines is that it can damage some pipes. Older pipes or pipes that are already damaged might suffer from having such highly pressurized water pumped through them. This danger is mitigated, though, when you have your pipes inspected before they are jetted. At The Pipe Doctor, we always do this, to keep your lines safe!

Drain Cleaning

Traditional drain cleaning involves sending a flexible tube down your line. It has a point on the end that allows it to bore a hole through whatever is clogging your line. 

The Pros of Drain Cleaning

Snaking has been used effectively for many years. It is a tried-and-true method of drain cleaning. 

Traditional drain cleaning won’t damage fragile pipes. It is a much gentler process than hydro jetting and there’s no risk that it will hurt pipes. 

The Cons of Drain Cleaning

Snaking only clears a path through your pipe that is as wide as the cable. While jetting drain lines clears out the whole pipe, snaking only clears a path through the pipe. This may be enough to get your sewer flowing again for a while, but you will need to clear the pipe again much sooner than you would with hydro jetting. 

If you need to have your sewer line assessed for cleaning, contact us at The Pipe Doctor Plumbing & Drain Cleaning today. We’ll inspect your line, then determine the best way to clean it out. Whether you need hydro jetting or snaking, we’ll get that line cleared out ASAP. 

Call to make your appointment with one of our sewer experts today!