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Snaking vs hydro jetting: which do you need?
Snaking, or cabling, cuts a path through a clog and is the right choice for most sudden single-drain clogs. Hydro jetting scours the whole pipe wall with high-pressure water and is the right choice for grease, roots and lines that keep clogging.
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- Price confirmed before work starts
Side by side
| Snaking (cable machine) | Hydro jetting | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A rotating steel cable with a cutting head | High-pressure water through a nozzle |
| What it removes | A path through the clog | Grease, scale, roots and sludge from the whole wall |
| Best for | Sudden clogs: paper, hair, wipes, small grease plugs | Grease lines, roots, repeat clogs, preventive cleaning |
| How long it lasts | Until buildup closes the line again | Much longer on buildup and roots |
| Camera needed first? | Not always | Yes, to confirm the pipe is sound |
| Price | Starting at $325 single drain, $595 main with camera | Starting at $895 residential, $1,200 commercial |
When snaking is enough
- A toilet clogged with paper
- A tub or shower slowed by hair
- A first-time kitchen clog
- A main line blocked by wipes, with no history of problems
When jetting is worth it
- The same line has been snaked more than twice in a year
- Grease from a busy kitchen or a shared building stack
- Roots shown on camera
- Preventive cleaning for restaurants and buildings
How we decide
We don’t upsell jetting by default. On a main line, the camera check that comes with clearing shows what’s on the pipe wall. If it’s clean, cabling was enough. If it’s coated with grease or full of roots, we show you the footage and price jetting so you can decide.
Common questions
Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?
On sound pipe, yes. Cracked or badly deteriorated pipe shouldn't be jetted, which is why we always camera the line first.
Why not just jet everything?
For a single sudden clog, cabling solves it for less money. Jetting earns its cost when the problem is buildup on the pipe wall.
How long does jetting last compared to snaking?
On grease and root problems, jetting typically lasts much longer, often months to years instead of weeks to months, because it removes the buildup instead of opening a path through it.
Need a drain cleared?
Calls are answered 24 hours a day. A technician looks at the job and confirms your price on site before any work starts.