What Is Hydro-Jetting? A Tampa Plumber Answers

Hydro-jetting is a drain-clearing method used by plumbers to remove tough clogs. It involves sending a blast of water at high pressure to break up a clog or remove objects that are obstructing the flow of water or waste in a drain line. 

We know you probably have the more questions, such as: 

• How Does Hydro-Jetting Work? 
• When Do I Need Hydro-Jetting? 
• How Much Does Hydro-Jetting Cost? 
• How Long Does Hydro-Jetting Take to Remove a Clog? 
• Are There Any Risks With Using a Hydro-Jetter? 

We’ll answer each of those questions below. 

Don't let a tough clog ruin your drains.

Need a clog cleared? We can get the job done quickly with our hydro-jetting services. 

How Does Hydro-Jetting Work?

A plumber begins the hydro-jetting process by locating your home’s sewer cleanout. After the plumber finds it, they’ll insert a hose into the opening of the cleanout. The hose is connected to a tank of water with a machine that pressurizes the water. 

When the plumber turns on the hose, the hydro-jetter will blast high-pressure water (up to 5,000 psi) throughout your home’s pipes. This high-pressure water will break up clogs and scale buildup. After the hydro-jetting is complete, all of the waste will then drain out of the pipes into the local sewer system. 

When Do I Need Hydro-Jetting?

A plumber will need to use a hydro-jetter if… 

• The clogged drain has extreme grease and scale buildup. A plumber can determine this with a preliminary camera inspection. 
• The plumber can’t remove the clog using a rooter or drain snake. Those tools are used to clear basic clogs, and they may not work on severe ones. 
• Several of your drain pipes are clogged. Hydro-jetting is the ideal solution for multiple clogged drains. 
• You experience recurring clogs. If other drain-clearing methods haven’t successfully cleared the clog, you’ll likely need to use a hydro-jetter. 

How Much Does Hydro-Jetting Cost?

The cost of hydro-jetting can vary depending on the following factors: 

• The location of the sewer cleanout: If your sewer cleanout is a difficult-to-reach place, the cost of the hydro-jetting service will likely be greater because of added labor time. 
• The cost of a preliminary camera inspection. Some plumbing contractors charge an extra fee to perform a camera inspection (we don’t).
• Length of the clogged pipe: If the clog is located in a long stretch of pipe, hydro-jetting may need to run longer to clear the clog, which increases the overall cost. 

How Long Does Hydro-Jetting Take to Remove a Clog?  

Hydro-jetting is an effective way to clear a clog, with most hydro-jetting jobs being completed in less than a few hours. 

Are There Any Risks with Using a Hydro-Jetter?

If your home has old pipes that are in poor condition, the high-pressure water from a hydro-jetter could potentially damage them. 

However, before a plumber starts any hydro-jetting work, they should perform a camera inspection to assess the condition of your home’s pipes and see if it will be safe to use a hydro-jetting. 

Need Hydro-Jetting Services from a Tampa Plumber?

We give upfront pricing and honest recommendations for all plumbing projects. Visit our hydro-jetting page for more information about what to expect when you hire us.