A cable punches a hole through a clog. Hydro jetting removes the clog and the buildup around it by scouring the full inside wall of the pipe with high-pressure water. It is the right tool for lines that keep closing up, and the wrong one for pipe that is already broken.
The causeWhy it happens
Grease and scale do not form a single plug. They coat the pipe wall and gradually shrink the opening, often over many years. A cable can open a path through that coating, but the remaining buildup quickly catches more waste and the line closes again. Jetting nozzles fire water backward and forward at high pressure, cutting away grease, flushing out sludge and slicing through fine roots, leaving the pipe close to its original diameter.
DiagnosisWhat we check first
- 01Pipe condition first
- We run a camera before jetting a line we have not seen. Jetting a cracked or separated pipe can make matters worse.
- 02Pipe material and age
- PVC and sound cast iron handle jetting well. Very thin or heavily corroded pipe may need repair before cleaning.
- 03Access
- Jetting works best from an outdoor cleanout with room for the hose and nozzle to travel.
- 04Type of buildup
- Grease, scale and roots each call for a different nozzle and pressure setting.
The optionsWhich repair fits, and when
We lay out the choices plainly, explain what each involves and leave the decision with you.
Kitchen line jetting
A kitchen drain that clogs repeatedly from grease. Jetting clears the branch to the main line.
Main line jetting
Recurring backups, root intrusion at joints or heavy scale in a sewer line from the house to the city tap.
Jetting with before and after video
You see the buildup on camera, then the cleaned pipe, so you know the work was done and what condition the line is in.
Local conditionsHydro Jetting on the west side of San Antonio
Older west side neighborhoods have a mix of cast iron inside the house and clay tile in the yard, and San Antonio live oaks and pecans send roots into clay joints looking for water. Our heavy clay soils shift with drought and rain, which opens those joints a little more each season. Jetting cuts the roots back to the pipe wall, and the camera shows whether the joint itself needs repair.
From the jobTechnician setting new PVC cleanout risers in a yard
A few things that help
Locate your outdoor cleanout if you know where it is, usually a capped pipe near the foundation or between the house and street. Keep pets indoors on the day, since the jetter hose runs across the yard.
QuestionsCommon questions about hydro jetting
Is hydro jetting safe for my pipes?
For pipe in reasonable condition, yes. That is why we camera the line first. If the pipe is broken, we recommend repair instead.
How long do the results last?
That depends on what caused the buildup. Grease returns if grease keeps going down the sink. Roots grow back over time, but jetting removes them far more thoroughly than a cable.
Is jetting better than cabling?
For recurring clogs, grease and scale, usually yes. For a single soft clog, a cable is often all that is needed.
Related workServices that often go with it
Talk it through with usOpen 7 AM to 11 PM every day. Se habla español.
(210) 761-4788