For decades, plumbers have been clearing clogged drains using a plumbing auger, a flexible metal cable with a cutting head on the end. The plumbing auger is fed into the clogged pipe and spun at high speed by an electric motor. The auger cuts through whatever is blocking the pipe such as tree roots, grease, paper products, and other debris.
Drain augers work great for clearing many types of clogged pipes, but they have some limitations. In many cases, they cannot completely clear the clog. Instead, they punch a hole in the clog which allows the pipe to drain, but the part of the clog left behind will collect debris and a new clog will eventually form.
High pressure hydro jetting is a more recently developed tool for clearing clogged drains. Hydro jetting uses a spray nozzle and high pressure water (about 3,000 to 4,0000 psi) to cut through tough clogs and blast away the debris that accumulates on the inside of drain pipes.
Hydro jetting is effective on most types of clogs including tree roots. Unlike a traditional drain auger, hydro jetting will remove the entire clog and flush away the debris. The high pressure water will scour the inside of the pipe and leave it in almost like new condition. Restaurants and other businesses often use regular hydro jetting to keep their drain lines free of grease and other clog causing material.
Regular, routine hydro jetting is probably overkill for most residential applications, but it can be a great way to clear a persistent clog and get your drain lines flowing freely again.
