Hydro-jetting and drain camera inspection

Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the inside of a drain line, and a drain camera shows what is inside the pipe. Both are worth asking about when the same clog keeps returning, since they find and clear the cause. Call the number to get a quote from a participating local contractor.

What each one does

Hydro-jetting. A hose with a jetting nozzle sends high-pressure water down the line. It cuts through grease and scale and clears debris that a cable can leave behind.

Camera inspection. A small camera on a flexible cable goes into the drain and sends back video. It shows buildup, roots, sags, offsets and cracks, and it tells a contractor whether the pipe needs cleaning or repair.

When it makes sense to ask

• The same drain clogs again within weeks or months.
• The main line backs up more than once.
• The home is older, or the sewer line material is unknown.
• A buyer or owner wants to know the condition of the line before a purchase or a big project.

Jetting is not for every pipe

Older or damaged pipes can be harmed by too much pressure, which is one reason a camera look often comes first. A licensed contractor decides the method after seeing the pipe, so describe the symptoms and the age of the home rather than asking for a specific tool by name.

Licensing

Idaho requires plumbing work to be done by licensed plumbers. Ask for license details and verify them on the state licensing site. For the clog itself, see clogged drain or main sewer line clog.

Drain camera inspection

A small waterproof camera on a flexible cable is fed into the drain line. It shows the inside of the pipe on a screen: roots, grease, scale, cracks, a section that has sagged or shifted, and joints that have separated. Inspection answers the question of why a drain keeps clogging, rather than just clearing it again.

Hydro-jetting

A hose with a special nozzle sends water at high pressure against the pipe wall. The water cuts through grease and scale and flushes debris out of the line. It cleans the whole circumference of the pipe, which a cable machine often does not, so it suits lines that clog repeatedly from buildup.

When each makes sense

• A drain that clogs again within weeks or months is a good candidate for camera inspection first.
• Grease and scale buildup responds well to jetting.
• Heavy root intrusion may need cutting before jetting.
• A cracked or collapsed pipe is a repair decision, not a cleaning one, and the camera shows that.

Questions to ask the contractor

Ask whether the camera footage can be saved or shown, how the pipe condition will be explained, and whether jetting is suitable for the pipe material. Older or damaged pipe does not always tolerate high pressure, and the contractor should say so if that is a concern.

Sources

1. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses

Common questions

What is hydro-jetting?

Hydro-jetting sends high-pressure water through a drain line to scour grease, scale and debris from the pipe walls.

What does a drain camera show?

It shows buildup, roots, sags, offsets and cracks inside the pipe, which tells a contractor whether cleaning or repair is needed.

Is hydro-jetting safe for old pipes?

Not always. Older or damaged pipes can be harmed by high pressure, so a contractor usually inspects the pipe before choosing a method.

When should a camera inspection be requested?

When the same clog keeps returning, the main line backs up repeatedly, or the line's condition is unknown.

Related pages

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