PLUMBING GUIDE
Hydro Jetting vs. Drain Snaking: Which Does Your Drain Need?
Both methods clear drains. Choosing the right one can keep a clog from coming back.
How drain snaking works
A drain snake (or cable machine) sends a rotating steel cable into the pipe to break through or pull out a blockage. It’s fast, effective for most household clogs and the right first step for a single slow sink or a toilet clog.
How hydro jetting works
Hydro jetting sends water through a specialized nozzle at high pressure. The jets scour the full inside wall of the pipe, washing grease, soap scale, sludge and fine roots down the line. Instead of a hole through the clog, you get a cleaner pipe.
When snaking is enough
- A single fixture is clogged
- The clog is from a specific object or hair
- The drain hasn’t had repeated problems
When jetting is the better choice
- Clogs return weeks after snaking
- Kitchen lines with heavy grease buildup
- Restaurant and commercial lines
- Lines with fine root intrusion or scale
Why a camera inspection comes first
Jetting is powerful, so the pipe needs to be in good enough condition to handle it. A camera inspection shows whether the line is sound or whether cracked, separated or deteriorated sections need repair instead of cleaning.
