Hydro jetting
Snaking pokes a hole through the clog. Jetting scours the whole pipe clean, so the clog doesn't grow back next month.
What jetting removes
- Grease and food build-up in kitchen lines and apartment stacks
- Scale and sludge coating the inside of old cast iron
- Fine tree roots growing in through joints
- Sand, silt and debris in storm lines between catch basins
Where we jet
- Building mains and laterals
- Kitchen and laundry stacks in multi-story buildings
- Restaurant lines to and from the grease interceptor
- Storm lines and parking-lot catch basins
Done carefully
When a line's condition is unknown, we camera it first and match the pressure and nozzle to the pipe. If the camera finds a break, we stop and show you before going further.
Why apartment stacks clog. Every unit above the first floor drains into shared vertical stacks and a common main. Grease, food and wipes from dozens of kitchens build up in the same few pipes, so when one finally blocks, it backs up into the lowest units first. Jetting the stacks and main on a schedule is what keeps that from happening.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between snaking and hydro jetting?
A cable machine (snake) punches a hole through a clog to get water moving again, which is fine for a one-off blockage. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the whole inside of the pipe, removing the grease, scale and roots that cause clogs to come back. For shared mains and kitchen stacks, jetting lasts much longer.
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
In most cases, yes. We camera the line first when there's any doubt about its condition, then set the pressure and nozzle for the pipe material. If the camera shows a pipe that's broken or badly deteriorated, we tell you and quote the repair instead of jetting through it.
How long does hydro jetting take?
A single main or stack usually takes one to three hours, depending on length, access and how much build-up there is. Larger complexes are scheduled building by building.
Will residents lose water during jetting?
Residents connected to the line being jetted are asked not to run water for a short window, usually an hour or two. We give you a notice to post ahead of time.
What does hydro jetting cost?
$700–$1,200 for the first two hours on site and $225–$375 per hour after that. See drain cleaning cost for examples.
Clean pipes, not just open ones.
Ask about jetting your mains and stacks on a schedule.