Repeat clogs in a main line may call for jetting
A single clog is a nuisance. A line that clogs again within weeks is telling you that a cable has been punching a hole through something that keeps coming back. Heavy grease, scale and root hair coat the walls, and only the walls can be cleaned by scouring them. That is what hydro jetting does.
If sewage is backing up now, stop using water and call the 24/7 line. Jetting is often the follow-up that keeps the line open after the emergency is handled. The plumber chooses between cabling and jetting based on what is in the pipe.
What a hydro jetting visit looks like
Jetting is a controlled process that starts with a look at the line.
- 1
Inspect first.
A camera shows the condition of the line. Jetting suits sound pipe and is avoided on a line that is cracked or collapsing.
- 2
Feed the jetter.
A hose with a specially designed nozzle is fed into the line through a cleanout, and high-pressure water is released.
- 3
Scour the walls.
The nozzle spins water jets backward against the pipe wall while pulling itself forward, cutting through grease and scale.
- 4
Check the result.
The plumber runs the camera again or runs water to confirm the line is clear.
Main line keeps backing up?
Call and describe the pattern. The 24/7 line is open.
Cable, jetter or camera first
The right tool depends on what you are seeing.
| Situation | First tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single fixture clog. | Hand or drum cable. | Local blockage, quick result. |
| Slow drains throughout. | Cable, then camera. | Check main line for restriction. |
| Grease buildup in kitchen line. | Jetter. | Cleans the wall, not just a hole. |
| Roots at a joint. | Cutter, then jetter. | Cuts roots, then rinses the debris. |
| Old line with unknown condition. | Camera. | Confirm soundness before pressure. |
What jetting does well and where it does not fit
Jetting is a good tool, but it is not a fix for damaged pipe.
Strengths
- Cleans the full inside wall of the pipe.
- Handles grease, sludge, scale and fine roots.
- Reduces repeat clogs on long lines.
- Water-only, with no chemicals.
Limits
- Not suited to cracked, collapsed or badly offset pipe.
- Cannot remove a solid object wedged in the line.
- Needs a cleanout or an access point.
- Should follow a camera inspection on older lines.
See sewer inspection for the camera step.
Which Roy lines benefit most
Restaurants and commercial kitchens build grease in their lines quickly, and jetting is the standard answer. Homes with older clay or cast iron drains benefit when the pipe is sound, since roots and scale are the repeat offenders.
The city's own water plan notes soil in Roy that is corrosive to metal. Older metal drain lines on private property can therefore be rough inside, which collects debris. The camera step is more important here, so the plumber knows whether the line can take the pressure of jetting.
How to make a jetted line stay clear
Jetting resets the line. Habits keep it clean.
- Keep grease out of kitchen drains.
- Use drain screens in sinks and showers.
- Flush toilet paper only.
- Schedule periodic cleaning if the line has a history of clogs.
- Keep trees and shrubs away from the sewer line path.
What decides the price of hydro jetting
Insurance generally does not cover routine cleaning, but may cover damage from a backup if you carry the endorsement.
How often a line should be jetted
There is no single schedule. A restaurant grease line may need cleaning every few months. A home line with a history of roots might need attention once a year, while a clean modern line may never need it. The plumber bases the interval on what the camera shows and how fast buildup returns.
Jetting is not a substitute for repairing a damaged pipe. If the camera shows a crack or an offset, the right answer is repair, and jetting afterward keeps the repaired line clear.
Where jetting fits with other work
Jetting usually follows a camera look, so see sewer inspection first on an older line, and sewer line cleaning for a blockage that needs clearing right away. If the camera shows damage, repair comes before jetting. Commercial kitchens in Ogden use jetting on a schedule.
Questions about hydro jetting
It is safe for sound pipe. It is not appropriate for lines with cracks, collapse or severe offsets, which is why the camera look comes first on older lines.
A cable punches through a blockage. A jetter cleans the whole pipe wall with water. Jetting suits grease and scale, while cabling suits a plug.
It cuts and flushes fine roots. Heavy root masses are usually cut with a cutter head first, then jetted. Roots will return unless the entry point is repaired.
Often the first step in an emergency is to clear the blockage and restore flow. Jetting can follow when the camera shows it will help. See sewer line cleaning.