Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking A Drain: What’s the Difference?

What exactly is hydro jetting? Is it better than snaking a drain? Plumbing equipment, terminology, and professional methods may be unfamiliar to many DIYers and homeowners. When it comes to drain cleaning, knowing what kinds of tools and options are available is important. For instance, you may be turning to chemical cleaners every time you experience a clog when what you really need is hydro jetting to remove buildup from your pipes.

Similarly, you may use a plunger any time your pipes get backed up when what you should be using is a plumbing snake. If you aren’t sure what these things are and when or how to use them, then you’re in luck—today you’ll find out all about these two methods.

Beyond the Plunger: Hydro Jetting and Drain Snaking

What is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting is a specialized form of drain cleaning that uses high water pressure to remove clogs and clear out buildup inside pipes. It requires professional plumbing equipment that most DIYers don’t have and aren’t trained to use, such as video pipe inspection equipment, high-pressure jets, and specialized nozzles. The jet is so powerful that it can even remove small tree roots that have grown into your pipes.

What is Snaking a Drain?

Drain snaking is an age-old plumbing skill that uses a plumbing snake to locate, retrieve, and remove deep and stubborn clogs from plumbing and sewer lines. A plumber’s snake, which is also called a drain auger because it has an auger attached to the end, is a flexible metal cable that’s at least 50 feet long. The snake gets fed into the clogged pipe until it reaches the clog. It drills into or breaks up the clog so the plumber can remove it.

Keeping Your Drains Safe and Clean

Hydro Jetting Pipes

The pressure that plumbers use for hydro jetting could destroy weak pipes and cause more damage to your plumbing system. Part of the reason why experts use the video equipment before hydro jetting is to assess the condition of the pipes to ensure they’ll withstand the pressure.

Snaking Drains

You can safely snake your drains, and this is an effective method to try if plunging doesn’t work to remove stubborn clogs. The only thing to pay attention to, however, is that you use the right type of snake because there are a few different styles. Namely, you want to be sure that if it’s a clogged toilet, you use the type of snake that has a protective plastic covering that will prevent damage to the porcelain.

Professional Plumbers

If you have questions about drain snaking or want to schedule an appointment for hydro jetting services to clean out your pipes, call Compton Plumbing Services in Mesa, AZ today at 480-926-3931 for prompt and efficient service. We also offer plumbing solutions such as 24 hour plumbing repair, water heater repair, gas line installation or repair, slab leak repair, water softeners and filtration, and commercial plumbing repair.