Clogged drains have been around since shortly after the invention of closed plumbing systems and techniques for clearing clogged drains have developed ever since. One of the most common methods for clearing clogged drains these days is rootering.
Rootering is done by inserting a flexible spring-like metal cable into the drain pipe and spinning it rapidly. As it spins, cutting heads attached to the leading end of the metal cable scrape the inside of the pipe knocking looses any debris. The cutting head can also cut through most clogs including paper, tree roots, sludge, grease, and the like.
Rootering is effective for clearing clogs, but it tends to leave some debris behind. In particular, some grease and sludge is usually left behind on the pipe walls. Also, although rootering can cut through tree roots and allow the drain to flow, it leaves part of the tree roots inside the pipe. The grease, sludge, and tree roots left behind will usually start collecting new gunk that will form another clog in the future.
High pressure hydro-jetting is much more effective at removing all of the foreign material from inside the drain pipe. Hydro-jetting uses high pressure hoses that are dragged or pushed through the drain line. Nozzles at the end of the hose spray the inside of the pipe with water at three to four thousand psi. This high pressure water thoroughly removes grease, sludge, and other foreign material from the inside of the pipe. It also cuts through and washes away all of the tree roots that were intruding into the pipe.
With both rootering and hydro-jetting, if your clog was caused by tree roots, you will need to address the issue or the clog will return as soon as the tree roots grow back.
