Drains & sewer
Hydro jetting
Hydro jetting cleans the full inside surface of a drain or sewer pipe with high-pressure water. It is the right choice for grease, sludge, scale and recurring root growth that a cable only pokes a hole through. The pipe should be inspected by camera first, because jetting is not suited to pipe that is already broken.
- Emergency plumbing help
- Licensed local plumbers
- Price confirmed before work
A cable machine cuts a path through a blockage. A jetter washes the pipe wall clean with a nozzle that sprays backward to pull itself along and forward to break up the clog. The result lasts longer because the buildup that catches the next clog is gone.
Plumbers jet kitchen lines packed with grease, main lines with repeated root intrusion and older cast iron with heavy scale. The pressure is set to suit the pipe. A camera run before and after confirms the pipe can take it and shows the result.
Hydro Jetting at a glance
- Best for
- Grease, sludge, scale, recurring roots
- Not for
- Collapsed or badly cracked pipe
- Paired with
- Camera inspection before and after
- Access
- Through a cleanout
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What are the signs you need a plumber?
- A main line that needs cabling several times a year
- A kitchen drain that slows again weeks after cleaning
- Roots found in the sewer line
- Heavy scale seen on a camera inspection
- Drains that smell even when they flow
What does the plumber do?
- 1
Camera first
The plumber inspects the line to confirm it is intact and to locate the buildup.
- 2
Set up at the cleanout
The jetter hose and a nozzle matched to the pipe and the debris go in.
- 3
Jet the line
The nozzle is worked along the pipe until the wall is clean and water runs freely.
- 4
Confirm by camera
A second pass with the camera shows the cleaned pipe and any defects the buildup was hiding.
What affects the cost of hydro jetting?
It depends on the job, and a plumbing company can only give a firm price after seeing it. Prices also vary by region and by time of day. These are the factors that move a quote up or down. Ask for the price in writing before work begins.
- Length and diameter of the line
- How heavy the buildup is
- Whether a cleanout exists or has to be installed
- Camera inspection before and after
What can you do yourself, and when should you call a plumber?
Safe to try
- Keep grease, wipes and coffee grounds out of the drains
- Note how often the line has clogged and where, to tell the plumber
Call a plumber when
- Don't use a pressure washer attachment on indoor drains without training
- Don't jet a line that has never been inspected
Hydro Jetting questions
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
It is safe for pipe that is structurally sound, including older cast iron and clay, when the pressure is matched to the pipe. It is not used on pipe that is collapsed or badly cracked, which is why a camera inspection comes first.
How is hydro jetting different from snaking?
Snaking opens a hole through the clog. Jetting washes the whole pipe wall, removing the grease and scale that cause the next clog. Snaking is quicker and cheaper for a simple blockage.
How long do the results last?
For grease and scale, often years if habits change. For roots, jetting clears the growth but roots return through the same joint until the pipe is repaired or lined.
What is hydro jetting?
Hydro jetting is a drain and sewer cleaning method that sends water at high pressure, typically 1,500 to 4,000 psi, through a hose with a nozzle that scours the inside of the pipe. It removes grease, sludge, scale and roots rather than only punching through them.
How long does hydro jetting take?
Most residential lines take one to two hours including setup and the camera inspection. Heavy grease or root growth can take longer.
Do I need a cleanout for hydro jetting?
In practice, yes. Jetting is done through a cleanout so the hose can reach the full line and the debris can flush downstream. If the house has none, a plumber can install one.
Can hydro jetting remove tree roots?
Yes, with a root-cutting nozzle it clears fine and medium root growth. It does not seal the joint the roots came through, so they return unless the pipe is repaired or lined.
Where we connect homeowners with plumbers
Hydro Jetting requests are taken from across the United States. Local conditions change the work, so start with your city or find your state.
Related services
Drain Cleaning
Clogged sink, tub, shower or main drain? Learn how plumbers clear drains with cables and jetting, and call to reach a local drain cleaning plumber..
Learn moreSewer Camera Inspection
A sewer camera inspection shows roots, cracks, sags and blockages before you pay for a repair or buy a house.
Learn moreSewer Line Repair
Cracked, root-filled or collapsed sewer line? Compare spot repair, pipe lining and replacement, and call to reach a local sewer line plumber..
Learn more
Guides on this topic
Sewer line repair vs. replacement: how to decide
When a spot repair or lining makes sense, when the whole sewer line should be replaced and how a camera inspection drives the decision.
Read the guideWhy does my drain keep clogging?
Recurring clogs have a cause: buildup left behind, a venting problem or a defect in the pipe. Learn how to tell which, and when cleaning is not enough.
Read the guideHow to prevent drain clogs
Most drain clogs are preventable. Keep grease, hair, wipes and food out of the pipes with these habits for the kitchen, bathroom, toilet and main line.
Read the guide
Need a plumber for this?
Call and tell us what's going on. Calling is free, and the plumber confirms the price before any work starts.