Clean the pipe, not just the clog.
Cabling a drain line clears a path through the clog. Hydro jetting cleans the entire inside of the pipe — scouring grease, scale, root mats, sludge, and biofilm off the pipe walls all the way back to bare material. It's the difference between making the clog stop now and making the clog stop coming back.
For grease-heavy lines, mineral scale, root mats, and severely fouled storm drains, jetting is the right tool. For solid blockages from foreign objects or fully grown roots, cabling is usually the first step. We run both — and on most jobs we use both.
How hydro jetting works
A jetter is a pump and a hose with specialty nozzles. Water at 1,500 to 4,000+ PSI is forced through the nozzle, which has forward and reverse-facing jets. The reverse jets propel the hose into the pipe while scouring the walls behind it. Forward jets cut through the obstruction. The result is a thoroughly clean pipe — not just a clear path.
What hydro jetting clears
- Grease accumulation — kitchen waste, restaurant lines, properties with heavy disposal use. Cabling barely touches grease. Jetting obliterates it.
- Scale and mineral buildup — cast iron and galvanized lines often have hard scale layers that restrict flow. Jetting strips it.
- Root mats — once cables have cut through the bulk of intruding roots, jetting cleans the residual fibrous material off the pipe wall.
- Sludge and biofilm — slow drain lines often have accumulated biological matter coating the walls.
- Sediment in storm drains — silt, sand, and debris that accumulates in storm drain piping after years of runoff.
- Construction debris — debris pushed into lines during renovations or originally left during construction.
When jetting isn't right
We don't jet when:
- The line is structurally compromised — jetting can damage already-broken pipes, particularly old Orangeburg or fragmented clay.
- The blockage is a foreign object — jets don't dissolve toys, tools, or wipes. Cabling or extraction is the answer.
- The line is fully collapsed — water can't get through a collapsed pipe; it just backs up.
This is why we camera before we jet. See more about our camera inspections →
Equipment
We run truck-mounted jetters appropriate to the job:
- Residential jetter — 1,500–2,500 PSI for residential drain and sewer lines.
- Commercial jetter — 3,000–4,000 PSI for heavy commercial, grease-loaded lines, and large-diameter storm drains.
- Specialty nozzles — flushing, cutting, root, descaling, and grease-cutting nozzles for the specific condition we're addressing.
Specialty: golf course and athletic field drains
We jet storm drains and French drain systems for golf courses, athletic complexes, and high-value landscape properties across north Georgia. Drain integrity is part of playing-surface integrity — silted-up drains mean wet turf, poor playability, and turf damage. We work around play schedules and use equipment configured to protect turf.
Pricing
Residential, commercial, and storm drain hydro jetting is priced per job after site evaluation. Pricing depends on line length, condition, and accessibility. Request a quote or call dispatch.