What does hydro jetting clear?
Hydro jetting clears the materials that stick to the inside of a pipe: kitchen grease, soap scum, sludge, mineral scale, sand and fine tree roots. A snake punches a hole through a clog. A jetter is designed to scour buildup off the pipe walls, so water gets back much more of the width of the line.
Grease is the big one. The U.S. EPA reports that grease from restaurants, homes and industry is the most common cause (47%) of reported sewer blockages, because it hardens inside the pipe and narrows the space water can flow through. EPA's inspection guidance also names grease and tree roots as the primary causes of sewer blockages. A jetter removes grease well, and it can cut and flush roots when the pipe is sound enough to jet.
A hydro jetting machine pumps water through a flexible hose to a nozzle. Forward jets break into the blockage, and rear jets push the nozzle up the line while they scour the walls and wash the loosened debris downstream. Different nozzles are used for grease, roots and heavy sludge, so the pro picks one for your line. You may also see this called hydrojet plumbing or hydrojet drain cleaning; it is the same method.
If your drains gurgle, smell or keep backing up, call now and talk to a local pro about what is in your line.
Which hydro jetting service do you need?
Every service below is done by a local professional. Pick the one closest to your problem, or call and describe it.
Sewer line jetting
Cleans the main line from the house to the city sewer or septic tank when every drain slows down at once.
Drain jetting
For a kitchen, laundry, shower or floor drain that clogs again a few weeks after it was snaked.
Tree root removal
A root-cutting nozzle and water jets clear roots that have grown in through pipe joints.
Sewer camera inspection
A video look inside the line to find the cause and check the pipe before or after jetting.
Commercial grease line jetting
Restaurant and food-service lines packed with grease, plus scheduled maintenance jetting.
Sewer backup and main line clogs
Water coming up in a tub, shower or basement floor drain. Call right away, day or night.
Storm drain and catch basin jetting
Parking lot catch basins, yard drains and storm lines filled with leaves, silt and sand.
Not sure which one you need? Call and describe the problem. The pro will ask a few questions and point you to the right service.
Hydro jetting vs snaking: which do you need?
Snaking (also called rodding or cabling) is fine for one simple clog close to the drain. Hydrojet drain cleaning is the better fit when the line clogs again and again, when grease or roots are the cause, or when a long main sewer line needs a full cleaning.
| Question | Drain snake | Hydro jetting |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A spinning cable bores a hole through the clog | High-pressure water scours the whole pipe wall |
| Grease and sludge | Often left on the walls | Washed off and flushed downstream |
| Tree roots | Cut, but pieces may remain | Cut and flushed with a root nozzle |
| Best for | A single, simple clog | Repeat clogs, grease, roots, main lines |
| Camera check first? | Sometimes | Often, for older or damaged pipes |
The two are not rivals. Many pros snake first to open the line, then jet to clean it. Call now and the pro can tell you which one your drain needs.
Does your sewer line need hydro jetting? Signs to watch for
The clearest sign is more than one drain acting up at the same time. A single slow sink is usually a branch-line problem. Several slow fixtures, or water coming up somewhere it should not, point to the main sewer line.
- Toilets, tubs and sinks drain slowly at the same time
- Gurgling from a drain when the washing machine empties or a toilet is flushed
- A sewage smell inside the house or near the yard cleanout
- Water rising in the shower or basement floor drain
- A drain that was snaked recently and is already slow again
- Soggy patches or unusually green grass above the sewer line
EPA notes that sewer backups into homes cause property damage and can threaten health, so a backup is not something to wait on. If you see these signs, call now. Calls answered 24/7.
How does the call work?
Hydro Jetting USA connects homeowners and businesses with local hydro jetting professionals. One phone call puts you in touch with a pro who can answer questions, explain the service and set a time.
- Call the number on this page. Calls are answered 24/7, including weekends.
- Describe the problem. Which drains are slow, what you have noticed and whether it has happened before. Ask anything you want.
- Get the details and book. The local professional explains what the work involves and books the visit if you want to go ahead.
We are a referral service, not a contractor. The local pro sets the price and does the work. You can read more on our about page.
Areas we serve
Hydro jetting help is available by phone across the United States. Each city page covers local pipe and soil conditions, common problems in that area and nearby communities.
Largest states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan
Hydro jetting in the largest cities: New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Philadelphia, PA, San Antonio, TX, San Diego, CA, Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX
See every state and city on the areas we serve page, or call now from anywhere in the country.
Learn more before you call
The what is hydro jetting guide explains the process step by step, including safety for different pipe materials. Pricing factors are covered in the cost guide. When you are ready, call to get information about the service and book your visit.