Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking a Drain: Which One Fits?

A drain cable, often called a snake, breaks through a blockage and restores flow. It is quick and effective for many ordinary clogs.

Hydro jetting uses pressurized water to scour the inside of the pipe. It is better suited to buildup along the pipe wall, such as grease or scale, because it cleans more of the pipe than a cable does.

Neither is right for every line. A cracked or collapsed pipe needs repair, and pressure can make a fragile line worse. That is why an inspection comes first when the history is unclear.

If a drain clogs again soon after being cleared, ask whether the pipe needs more than another cable run. The answer may be jetting, a repair or a change in what goes down the drain.