Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting (also written hydrojetting or water jetting) is a drain-cleaning method that uses a high-pressure stream of water — typically 2,000–4,000 PSI — to scour the interior walls of sewer laterals, main drains, and commercial grease lines. Unlike a drain snake, which only punches a hole through a clog, hydro jetting removes the clog entirely and cleans the pipe walls back to near-original condition.

How does hydro jetting work?

A plumber feeds a flexible hose with a specialized omnidirectional nozzle into the pipe. The nozzle sprays water both forward (to break up blockages) and backward at an angle (to propel the hose forward and blast the pipe walls clean). A downstream cleanout or catch basin captures the dislodged material.

What does hydro jetting remove?

• Grease and soap scum buildup (the most common application)
• Scale and mineral deposits in hard-water areas
• Light root intrusions (cuts roots at the pipe wall; doesn't remove root mass in the soil)
• Sand, silt, and debris accumulation
• Recurring clogs that snaking repeatedly fails to resolve

When should you not hydro jet?

Older clay tile pipes, cracked cast iron, or pipes with existing structural damage may not withstand hydrojetting pressure. A sewer camera inspection before jetting is best practice — running 4,000 PSI through a pipe that's already compromised can cause a collapse.

What does hydro jetting cost in 2026?

$350–$900 for residential drain lines; $600–$1,800 for main sewer laterals; commercial grease trap lines run $800–$3,500. Hydrojetting costs more than snaking but delivers results that last 1–3 years vs. snaking which may only provide 3–12 months of relief on a recurring problem.