December 09, 2025
Your restaurant's grease trap overflows, tree roots infiltrate your sewer line every year, and multiple drains throughout your building run slowly despite repeated snaking. These persistent problems require more power than traditional drain cleaning can deliver, and that's where hydro jetting comes in.
Hydro jetting uses pressurized water (typically 3,000-8,000 PSI) to blast through stubborn clogs and thoroughly clean pipes. It's dramatically more effective than snaking for specific problems, particularly in commercial settings where heavy usage leads to rapid buildup. While primarily a commercial solution, hydro jetting also benefits residential properties on a case-by-case basis when traditional methods fail.
After performing thousands of hydro jetting services, we know when it's the right solution and when standard drain cleaning will do the job. We're here to explain what hydro jetting is, how it works, what it costs, and most importantly: when you actually need it versus when regular drain cleaning is sufficient.
What Is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jetting, also called water jetting, hydrojet drain cleaning, or high-pressure sewer line jetting, is a professional plumbing technique that uses highly pressurized water to scour the interior walls of pipes. Unlike traditional mechanical snaking, which only punches a hole through blockages, hydro jetting thoroughly cleans the entire pipe diameter.
The process involves inserting a specialized hose with a high-pressure nozzle into your plumbing system through a cleanout access point. The nozzle sprays water in multiple directions, forward to break through blockages and backward to propel the hose through the pipe while simultaneously scouring the walls.
Water pressure typically ranges from 3,000 to 8,000 PSI, depending on the application. For comparison, a typical garden hose delivers about 40-60 PSI, while a pressure washer runs 1,300-3,000 PSI. This extreme pressure removes grease, scale, mineral deposits, soap scum, and even cuts through invasive tree roots that snaking can't touch.
How Professional Hydro Jetting Works
Professional hydro jetting services follow a specific process to ensure effectiveness and safety:
1. Video Camera Inspection
Before any hydro jetting begins, we perform a thorough camera inspection of your pipes. This critical first step locates blockages, assesses pipe condition, and determines if hydro jetting is safe for your system. Severely deteriorated or fragile pipes may not be suitable candidates, which is why inspection comes first.
2. Access Point Location
We locate or install a cleanout, a capped pipe that provides direct entry to your sewer line. This access point allows us to insert the jetting equipment without excavation.
3. High-Pressure Cleaning
The hydro jetting machine pumps water through the hose at a pressure appropriate for the situation (3,000-8,000 PSI). The specialized nozzle design creates forward-cutting jets that break through obstructions and rear-facing jets that scour pipe walls. The water pressure pulverizes tree roots, cuts through grease, removes scale deposits, and flushes everything downstream.
4. Final Inspection
After hydro jetting is complete, we rerun the camera to verify that the pipes are fully cleared and confirm that no damage occurred during the process. This establishes a baseline for future maintenance.
The entire process typically takes 1-2 hours for standard applications, though larger commercial systems or severely blocked lines may require additional time.
Hydro Jetting Cost: What to Expect
Hydro jetting costs more than traditional drain cleaning, but the investment often pays for itself through longer-lasting results and fewer service calls.
Cost Variables
Several factors affect hydro jetting pricing:
- Severity of blockage: Minor clogs clean faster than severe, hardened buildup
- Accessibility: Easily accessible cleanouts cost less; difficult access or buried pipes cost more
- Pipe length and diameter: Longer runs and larger commercial pipes require more time
- Commercial vs. residential: Commercial properties with larger pipe diameters and extensive systems typically cost more
- Video inspection: Initial camera inspection is included to assess pipe condition
We provide free estimates so you know exactly what to expect before work begins. The investment in professional hydro jetting typically results in years of trouble-free drainage, unlike repeated snaking that may only last weeks or months.
Commercial Hydro Jetting Investment
Commercial properties, especially restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and multi-unit buildings, face higher costs due to larger pipe diameters, more complex systems, and heavier grease/debris accumulation. However, the cost of preventive hydro jetting is minimal compared to the expense of emergency plumbing during business hours, health department violations, or water damage from backups.
Commercial clients benefit most from scheduled maintenance programs. Restaurants should hydro jet grease traps and drain lines quarterly or semi-annually as preventive maintenance to avoid catastrophic backups during busy service periods.
When You Actually Need Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting isn't necessary for every clog, so here's when high-pressure water jetting is the right choice:
Commercial Properties Should Choose Hydro Jetting For...
1. Grease Trap and Kitchen Drain Maintenance
Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food service facilities generate massive amounts of grease that solidifies inside pipes. Grease coats walls and gradually narrows the pipe diameter. Standard snaking can't remove hardened grease; it just pushes it through. Hydro jetting thoroughly scours grease from pipe walls, restoring full flow capacity and preventing health code violations.
2. Multi-Unit Building Main Lines
Apartment complexes, condos, and office buildings with multiple tenants experience rapid buildup from high usage. When multiple drains throughout the building run slowly, the problem exists in the main sewer line. Hydro jetting clears extensive blockages that individual drain-cleaning methods cannot reach.
3. Preventive Maintenance Schedules
Commercial properties benefit tremendously from scheduled hydro jetting before problems occur. Quarterly or semi-annual cleaning prevents emergency plumbing situations, reduces downtime, and extends pipe lifespan. This proactive approach costs far less than emergency service during business hours.
Hydro Jetting vs. Drain Snaking: Which Is Better?
Both methods serve different purposes, and the "better" option depends entirely on your situation and property type.
Drain Snaking (Augering)
How it works: A rotating metal cable with a cutting head mechanically breaks through clogs.
Best for:
- Simple residential clogs (hair, paper, food)
- Isolated, single-drain issues
- First-time clogs
- Budget-conscious residential situations
- Old or fragile pipes where pressure isn't safe
Limitations: Leaves residue on pipe walls, provides temporary relief for buildup problems, can't remove tree roots, and doesn't address grease or scale accumulation.
Hydro Jetting
How it works: High-pressure water scours pipes, thoroughly cleaning them of debris, roots, grease, and scale.
Best for:
- Commercial kitchens and restaurants (grease buildup)
- Multi-unit properties (central line cleaning)
- Tree root removal (residential and commercial)
- Recurring clogs in the exact location
- Multiple slow drains throughout the property
- Preventive maintenance schedules
Limitations: Higher cost than snaking, requires professional equipment and expertise, not suitable for severely damaged pipes, and unnecessary for simple residential clogs.
Commercial Hydro Jetting: Essential Preventive Maintenance
Commercial properties benefit most from hydro jetting, particularly those in the food service industry. Here's why scheduled maintenance makes business sense:
Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens
Heavy grease production leads to rapid pipe coating. Grease traps overflow, floor drains back up, and main sewer lines become sluggish without regular cleaning. Quarterly or semi-annual hydro jetting prevents catastrophic backups during busy service periods, avoids health department violations, and eliminates foul odors that impact customer experience.
Multi-Unit Properties
Apartment complexes, hotels, and office buildings with multiple tenants generate high drain usage. Main sewer lines accumulate buildup more quickly than those in single-family homes. Scheduled hydro jetting prevents tenant complaints, reduces emergency plumbing calls, and avoids water damage liability from backups.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, medical offices, and long-term care facilities cannot afford plumbing disruptions. Scheduled hydro jetting ensures continuous operation and maintains the sanitary conditions required by health regulations.
Is Hydro Jetting Safe for All Pipes?
Modern hydro jetting equipment features adjustable pressure settings, making it safe for most pipe materials, including PVC, cast iron, and clay, when performed by licensed professionals. However, it's NOT safe for severely deteriorated or fragile pipes.
This is why professional services always start with a video inspection. The camera reveals the pipe material, condition, and any existing damage, information essential for determining whether hydro jetting is safe or whether pipe repair/replacement is necessary first.
When performed correctly with proper assessment, hydro jetting is safe for modern plumbing materials and delivers superior results compared to other cleaning methods.
Benefits of Professional Hydro Jetting
When used in appropriate situations, hydro jetting offers significant advantages:
- Thorough cleaning: Removes 100% of buildup from pipe walls, not just the immediate blockage
- Long-lasting results: Commercial properties enjoy months or years between services; residential applications last years
- Environmentally friendly: Uses only water, no harsh chemicals that damage pipes or contaminate groundwater
- Removes tree roots effectively: Cuts through root masses that other methods can't touch
- Eliminates odors: Removes odor-causing organic material trapped in pipe walls
- Preventive for commercial properties: Regular scheduling prevents emergencies during business hours
- Restores full pipe capacity: Older pipes perform like new after thorough cleaning
- Cost-effective long-term: Fewer service calls and extended pipe lifespan offset initial investment
Making Your Decision: Do You Need Hydro Jetting?
Use this decision framework to determine if hydro jetting is right for your situation:
Are you a commercial property?
- Restaurant/commercial kitchen: Yes, schedule quarterly or semi-annual hydro jetting
- Multi-unit building: Yes, schedule annual or semi-annual main line cleaning
- Healthcare/hospitality: Yes, preventive maintenance prevents operational disruptions
- Office building with heavy usage: Yes, scheduled cleaning reduces tenant complaints
Are you a residential homeowner?
- First-time clog: No, start with standard drain cleaning
- Same drain clogs repeatedly (2-3+ times): Yes, hydro jetting likely needed
- Tree root problems (confirmed by camera): Yes, hydro jetting required
- Multiple drains slow throughout the home: Yes, main sewer line issue, hydro jetting recommended
- Single, simple clog: No, standard drain cleaning is sufficient
Professional Hydro Jetting Services in Atlanta
Hydro jetting requires specialized equipment, proper training, and careful assessment of your plumbing system's condition. Our experienced team has performed thousands of hydro jetting services for commercial and residential properties across Atlanta, and we always start with a thorough video inspection to ensure it's the right solution for your situation.
If your clog doesn't require hydro jetting, we'll recommend more cost-effective drain-cleaning options. If hydro jetting is necessary, we'll explain exactly why and what results you can expect.
Dealing with stubborn clogs, repeated drain cleaning failures, or commercial drain maintenance needs? Contact Dalmatian Plumbing today for a professional assessment and learn whether hydro jetting or another solution is right for your drains.
