Hydro Jetting

It depends on the problem. Snaking is fast and effective for most clogs; hydro jetting is the stronger fix for hardened buildup or root intrusion.

It depends on the problem. A drain snake breaks through a clog to restore flow. It's fast, effective, and the right call for most drain issues. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the pipe wall clean from the inside. When buildup has hardened on the pipe wall, roots have worked into the joints, or the same clog keeps coming back after rodding, hydro jetting is the stronger fix. A camera inspection tells us which one your line actually needs.

Cost depends on the length of the line, the severity of the buildup, and what the camera inspection finds. We quote pricing upfront.

Hydro jetting cost depends on the length of the line, the severity of the buildup, and what the camera inspection finds. Every job starts with a diagnosis. We show you exactly what's in the pipe and give you pricing upfront before any work begins. No surprises once we get started.

Not if it's done by a professional who runs a camera first to confirm what the pipe can handle.

Not if it's done by a professional. DIY hydro jetting equipment is widely available to rent, but without a camera inspection first, you're pressurizing a pipe you can't see, and if it's cracked, corroded, or deteriorated, that pressure makes things significantly worse. When we run the camera before every job, we know exactly what the pipe can handle before we touch anything.

Buildup is removed completely. Root intrusion tends to return over one to three years and needs maintenance again.

It depends on what's causing the problem. Hydro jetting removes buildup completely, which gives you significantly longer results than snaking. But if tree roots are the issue, they'll grow back over time. Most homeowners with root intrusion see results last one to three years before maintenance is needed again. Grease and mineral buildup typically stays clear longer with proper care.

It clears roots that have already worked into the line, but it can't stop new roots from growing back.

It can cut through and flush out roots that have worked their way into pipe joints, clearing the line completely. What it can't do is stop roots from growing back. That requires repairing or relining the pipe where the intrusion is happening. The camera inspection shows exactly where the roots are entering so you know what you're dealing with before you decide.

It works chemically, not mechanically, and can corrode older pipes over time without clearing buildup from the walls.

The issue isn't that it doesn't work. It's that it works chemically, not mechanically. Drano dissolves organic material, but it can also corrode older pipes over time, especially cast iron and clay lines common in Chicago homes. It also doesn't remove buildup from pipe walls the way hydro jetting does. It just clears a path through the clog. For a slow drain or minor backup, it might buy you time. For a recurring problem, it's masking something that needs to be properly diagnosed.