Hydro Jetting vs Snaking: Speed, Safety & Cost Benefits

Clogs in your drains and pipes have a way of sneaking up on you. One day, your drains and pipes work fine, and the next day, your sink is bubbling, your shower is backing up, and you're thinking - "What went wrong?" 

Plus, you might face -

• Bad smell from the drains
• Gurgling sounds from the pipes
• Standing water in your sink that won't go down easily

When it comes to solving this issue, you can face confusion while deciding between snaking and hydro jetting. 

But the best/right choice actually depends on what's happening inside your plumbing system. And to help you decide, we’ve made this guide so you can compare both options quickly and choose the best fix for your clogging issues.

What Is Snaking?

Snaking is a classic and old-school method that plumbers have used for decades. During snaking, a plumber will push a flexible metal cable (with a coil on the end) into your drain, twist it around, and break through the blockages.

You can think of it like threading a long, bendy wire down your drain to knock the clog loose. Snaking is best for -

• Simple clogs
• Hair buildup
• Toilet paper blockages
• Small kitchen clogs
• Minor or occasional slow drains

Snaking is quick, affordable, and effective for clearing light to moderate blockages. But it's a "band-aid fix" for your clogged drain, which means it might not remove all the clog efficiently. It can leave behind buildup along the pipe walls that can cause future problems again. That's why several people opt for a modern and more effective solution for removing clogs - hydro jetting!

What Is Hydro Jetting?

You can think of hydro jetting as a modern solution for deep cleaning your pipes in an effective way. It does so by using high-pressure water (1,500 to 4,000 PSI) to blast away clogs and completely clean the inside of your pipes. 

Besides clearing the clog, the hydro jetting technique can also wash away years of grease, sludge, roots, minerals, and anything else sticking to the pipe walls. It works best for -

• Grease buildup
• Food debris
• Tree roots
• Thick sludge
• Recurring clogs
• Sewer line blockages
• Restaurants or commercial kitchens

When you opt for a hydro jetting service, you’ll notice that your pipes are almost restored to their original condition. Also, if you have older pipes with heavy buildup, you can choose this service to clear the pipes efficiently and keep your plumbing system running properly without constant clogs or backups.

Snaking vs. Hydro Jetting - Here’s a Quick Comparison Table

To decide which option will work best for your plumbing problems, you can refer to this table!

Cost Comparison - Snaking vs. Hydro Jetting

One of your major concerns when it comes to choosing between hydro jetting and snaking is probably the cost. The cost for hydrojetting service will usually depend on how severe the clog is, how old your pipes are, and how much buildup needs to be cleared. 

The more complex the job, the higher the price. But to give you an idea, here's a general estimate.

• Hydro Jetting - The average cost can be around $200 to $550. But for clearing a severe clog, the cost can be over $1,000.
• Snaking - The average cost will be around $100 to $300 for clearing blockages in drains, like tubs, showers, or sinks. But for clearing the main sewer line blockages, the cost will be between $150 and $500 (or more).