Drain Care & When to Hydro-Jet
Good habits prevent most clogs; for stubborn, recurring, or grease- and root-filled lines, hydro-jetting cleans the pipe wall in a way a snake can't.
- Author
- By Cabrillo Plumbing, Heating & Air
- Last updated
- Updated June 2026
- Reading time
- 4 min read
Most everyday clogs are preventable: keep grease, fibrous food, 'flushable' wipes, and hair out of your drains, and use strainers. When a line clogs repeatedly, or in older homes with grease buildup or root intrusion, a cable (snake) may only punch a hole through the blockage. Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the full pipe wall clean, restoring flow and buying years before the next problem. A camera inspection first confirms the pipe can take it.
What to know
- Prevention is mostly habit — no grease, wipes, or fibrous scraps; use strainers.
- A snake clears a path; hydro-jetting scours the whole pipe wall clean.
- Recurring clogs, grease, and roots are the classic hydro-jetting cases.
- A camera inspection first confirms the line is sound enough to jet.
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