Cable vs. Jetter: When We Use Which
A cable (snake) breaks through a clog by punching a hole. That's enough to restore flow when the issue is a discrete obstruction. It is not enough when the pipe wall is coated in grease, mineral scale, or root mats — the cable goes through, but the line restricts again as soon as it carries flow.
A hydrojetter pushes high-pressure water (typically 3,000–4,000 PSI) through a specialized nozzle that drives forward and scours the pipe wall outward. The result: the inside of the pipe is restored to near-original diameter, not just punched open.
When Hydrojetting Is the Right Tool
- Heavy grease in kitchen lines. Restaurants and homes that pour cooking grease over years. Cables tunnel through; the line backs up again in weeks.
- Mineral scale buildup in older lines. Iron, manganese, or hard-water scale that has narrowed the pipe over time.
- Root mats in mainline sewers. Hydrojetting cuts roots back to the pipe wall. If the joint or break that let them in remains, they grow back — we recommend a long-term repair after.
- Recurring backups in the same line. When you've had it cabled multiple times and it keeps coming back, jetting plus camera tells you what's actually happening.
- Pre-camera prep. Sometimes a line is too packed to push the camera through cleanly. We jet first, then camera.
How a Jetting Job Goes
- Run the camera first to confirm the issue is jet-able and the line is structurally sound enough to take the pressure.
- Pull the jetter hose to the access point (cleanout, accessible drain, or pulled fixture).
- Push the jetter through the line, working from far end back toward the access. The forward jets propel the head; the backward jets do the cleaning.
- When access allows, we camera before and after so you can see the wall is clean, full diameter restored, and no damage was caused.
- Walk you through the before-and-after on screen.
What Hydrojetting Will Not Fix
Hydrojetting does not fix structural problems. If the camera shows the line is broken, has a belly, has bad slope, or is made of failing material, jetting buys time at most. The honest fix is spot repair or full replacement. We tell you when jetting is solving the problem and when it's just delaying the real fix.
Camera Required First
We do not jet a line without confirming it is safe to jet. In most cases that means camera inspection first when access allows. Older or compromised pipes can be damaged by 4,000 PSI water if the wall is already cracked, deteriorating, or made of fragile material (Orangeburg, badly corroded clay, weakened cast iron). The camera tells us whether jetting is safe to perform. More on sewer camera →
What It Costs
Hydrojetting costs more than cabling because the equipment, setup, and time are greater. Pricing is flat-rate by job and depends on line size, length, access, and whether the camera is bundled. We tell you the total before any work starts. Free estimate. No trip charge. No emergency upcharges.