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Charlotte metro · NC & SC

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Sewer jetting and vacuum truck parked at a job site

Drains

Hydro jetting

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Hydro jetting cleans a drain or sewer pipe with high-pressure water, removing grease, scale and fine roots from the pipe wall. It's best for lines that clog repeatedly — and it should follow a camera inspection so a fragile pipe isn't damaged.

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At a glance

  • Common sign

    The same drain has been snaked more than once in a year

  • First step

    Camera first

Photo: RamaGaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0

A drain cable punches a hole through a clog. That's often enough. But in kitchen lines coated with grease, or main lines with years of scale, the pipe narrows again within weeks.

Jetting restores the pipe's full opening. A good plumber cameras the line first: jetting a cracked clay or Orangeburg pipe can make it worse, and you should know that before work starts.

Hydro Jetting at a glance

What it is
Hydro jetting cleans a drain or sewer pipe with high-pressure water, removing grease, scale and fine roots from the pipe wall.
Service category
Drains

Signs you need recurring clog help

  • The same drain has been snaked more than once in a year
  • Kitchen line backs up after holidays or big meals
  • Main line clogs with roots every spring or fall

The visit

What a hydro jetting visit involves

  1. 1

    Camera first

    Confirm the pipe material and condition so jetting is safe.

  2. 2

    Jet from the cleanout

    A nozzle sized to the pipe scours the wall and pulls debris back to the opening.

  3. 3

    Camera after

    You see the cleaned pipe on screen, which also reveals defects hidden by the buildup.

What affects the cost of hydro jetting

  • Line length and diameter
  • Cleanout access
  • Severity of grease, scale or roots
  • Whether repairs are found during the after-camera

Check hydro jetting coverage near you

Use your location or ZIP code to see whether hydro jetting is covered where you are, and the nearest service area.

Location is only used to find the service area nearest you. It stays on your device and isn't stored.

Water actively leaking, overflowing or backing up? That's a job for 24-hour emergency service, not a scheduled visit.

Hydro Jetting: common questions

Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?

It's safe for sound pipe of most materials. It is not appropriate for pipe that's already broken, separated or badly deteriorated — that's why the line should be inspected with a camera first.

Does hydro jetting remove tree roots?

It cuts fine roots and flushes them out. Large roots may need a mechanical cutter first. Roots return if the joint they came through isn't repaired.

How long does hydro jetting take?

Most residential jobs take a few hours including the camera inspections before and after. Very long lines, heavy grease or root masses take longer.

How often should a sewer line be jetted?

Only as often as the line needs it. A line with recurring grease buildup or root intrusion may benefit from periodic maintenance; a line with a structural defect needs the defect repaired instead.

Is hydro jetting better than snaking?

Jetting cleans the full diameter of the pipe, so it's better for grease, scale and fine roots and for lines that clog repeatedly. Snaking is faster and cheaper for a single, simple clog.

When is hydro jetting better than snaking?

When grease, scale or fine roots coat the pipe walls. A cable punches a hole through a clog; jetting scours the full pipe diameter. For one solid obstruction, a cable is often enough.

Should the line be inspected before jetting?

On older or fragile pipe, yes. A camera shows whether the pipe is cracked or collapsed, which can make jetting a bad idea.

Service area

Hydro Jetting across the Charlotte metro

Related

Services often paired with hydro jetting

Gloved hand using a plunger to clear a clogged toilet

Drain Cleaning

A plumber clears a clogged drain with a drain cable (snake) sized to the pipe, and uses a camera or hydro jetting when a clog keeps coming back.

Learn more
Parallel runs of copper and insulated pipe along a wall

Sewer Camera Inspection

A sewer camera inspection sends a waterproof camera through your drain line to show roots, cracks, sags and blockages, and a locator marks where and how deep the problem is.

Learn more
Parallel runs of copper and insulated pipe along a wall

Sewer Line Repair & Replacement

A damaged sewer line can often be fixed with a spot repair at the failed section.

Learn more

Guides

Reading on recurring clog

Get help with a recurring clog

Common sign: the same drain has been snaked more than once in a year.

Call (833) 753-0180Request service
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