Drains and sewer
Hydro jetting for drains and sewer lines
Hydro jetting cleans a drain or sewer line with high-pressure water from a hose and nozzle fed through a cleanout. It removes grease, sludge, scale and roots from the full diameter of the pipe, where a cable only opens a hole through the clog.
- Independent licensed local plumbers
- The plumber gives you a price before work starts
- Free referral, no obligation
A drain cable is the right first tool for most clogs. Jetting earns its place when the same line keeps clogging: kitchen lines coated in grease, main lines with recurring roots, or old cast iron narrowed by scale. The nozzle sprays forward to break up the blockage and backward to pull the hose along and flush debris downstream, so the pipe wall itself ends up clean.
A careful plumber runs a camera through the line before jetting. High-pressure water can finish off pipe that is already cracked, collapsed or badly corroded, and no amount of cleaning fixes a sag or a separated joint. If the camera shows damage, the conversation shifts to sewer line repair. If the pipe is sound, jetting followed by a second camera pass shows you exactly what you paid for.
Hydro Jetting at a glance
- Service
- Hydro Jetting
- Category
- Drains and sewer
- Availability
- Scheduled and same-day visits, depending on local availability
- Service area
- Requests accepted from all 50 states and Washington, DC; availability depends on the pros near your ZIP code
- Also called
- water jetting, sewer jetting, high-pressure drain cleaning
- Best for
- Recurring grease, scale and root clogs in sound pipe
- Cost
- Quoted on site by the pro before work starts; see cost factors below
Signs you need hydro jetting
- The same drain or main line clogs again within months of being snaked
- A kitchen line that drains slowly no matter how often it is cabled
- Roots found in the sewer line on a camera inspection
- Heavy grease or sludge coming back on the cable
- A restaurant or multi-unit building with frequent backups
What the pro does, step by step
- 1
Camera inspection
The line is inspected first to confirm the pipe can take jetting and to find the blockage.
- 2
Set up at a cleanout
The jetter hose goes in through a cleanout. If there isn't one, the plumber may recommend installing one.
- 3
Jet the line
The nozzle and pressure are matched to the pipe size and material, and the line is cleaned in passes.
- 4
Verify
A second camera pass confirms the pipe is clear and shows any defects that cleaning uncovered.
What affects the cost of hydro jetting
Prices vary by market and job. The pro gives you a price before starting; these factors drive it.
- Length and diameter of the line
- Whether a usable cleanout exists
- How severe the buildup or root growth is
- Camera inspection before and after
- Residential versus commercial equipment
What you can safely do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Keep grease, wipes and food scraps out of drains
- Find your cleanout so the plumber can get to it quickly
- Note which fixtures back up and when
- Ask for the camera footage
Stop and call a pro
- Renting a jetter without training: the hose can whip and the water can cut skin
- Jetting a line that has not been inspected
- Any sewage backing up into the home
- Pipes known to be cracked or collapsed
Hydro Jetting FAQ
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
It is safe for pipe in sound condition, including most cast iron and clay, when the pressure and nozzle are matched to the pipe. It can damage pipe that is already cracked, collapsed or heavily corroded, which is why a camera inspection should come first.
Is hydro jetting better than snaking?
For a one-off clog, snaking is quicker and cheaper and usually all you need. Jetting is better for recurring clogs caused by grease, scale or roots, because it cleans the pipe wall instead of punching a hole through the blockage.
Will hydro jetting get rid of tree roots?
It cuts and flushes out the roots in the pipe, but they grow back through the same cracks or joints. Jetting buys time; lining or replacing the damaged section is the permanent fix.
How long does hydro jetting last?
In a sound pipe with good habits, often years. If roots or a sag are the underlying cause, expect the problem to return until the pipe is repaired.
Hydro Jetting by location
Local water, housing and permit rules change what this job involves. Find local conditions for your area:
Somewhere else? Browse plumbing conditions in all 50 states.
Related services
Drain Cleaning
Professional drain cleaning clears clogs with a drain cable (snake) or water jetting, then checks whether the clog is local to one fixture or in the main line.
Learn more
Sewer Line Repair
Sewer line repair starts with a camera inspection to find roots, cracks, sags or collapsed pipe.
Learn more
Garbage Disposal Repair and Replacement
A disposal that hums but won't spin is jammed, and one that is silent has usually tripped its reset button or lost power.
Learn moreGet hydro jetting help now
Call (888) 555-0142 to reach an available local pro, or request service online.