Both methods clear a clogged drain. They do it differently, and choosing the wrong one means the clog comes back.
Snaking
A snake, or cable machine, spins a steel cable with a cutting head through the pipe. It breaks up or retrieves the clog and restores flow.
- Best for: single clogs such as hair, paper or a toy, and cutting through roots to get a line flowing
- Limit: it opens a path through buildup but leaves grease and scale on the pipe wall
Hydro jetting
A jetter sends water at high pressure through a nozzle that scours the full inside of the pipe and flushes debris downstream.
- Best for: grease, sludge, scale, recurring clogs, restaurant lines and cleaning before lining
- Limit: the pipe must be sound, so a camera inspection comes first
How we choose
A first-time clog in a bathroom drain gets a cable. A kitchen line that clogs every few months, or a main line with roots and grease, gets a camera inspection and usually hydro jetting. If the camera shows broken pipe, neither method is the answer and you need sewer line repair or trenchless sewer repair.
Start with standard drain cleaning. The plumber will tell you if the line needs more.
Common questions
Is hydro jetting more expensive than snaking?
Yes, because of the equipment and time involved, but it lasts much longer on lines with grease or heavy buildup.
Can hydro jetting remove tree roots?
Yes. Jetting with a root-cutting nozzle clears roots, though damaged pipe that lets roots in will need repair or lining to stop them returning.