Choosing Between Snaking and Hydro Jetting

July 29, 2025

Eventually, it will become necessary to clean your home’s piping. Think about it: day after day, you send a surprising amount of waste and debris down your drains, and it all builds up over time. At first, you might not notice a problem, but an accumulation of hair, soap scum, food scraps, and grease gradually narrows the space available for water, leading to slower drains, unpleasant odors, and, eventually, stubborn clogs that bring your daily routine to a screeching halt. When a simple plunger doesn’t cut it anymore, you will need to schedule a professional drain cleaning.

When you do, you’ll find there are two popular and highly effective methods for clearing drainage systems: snaking and hydro jetting. While both can solve your immediate problem, they are fundamentally different in their approach and application. Understanding the distinct differences between these methods is key to making an informed decision for your home’s plumbing system. And the right choice between techniques depends on the type and severity of the clog, the age and condition of your pipes, and your long-term goals.

Below, we explore the intricacies of snaking vs. hydro jetting, so you can choose the best solution for keeping your drains flowing freely.

What Is Drain Snaking?

Drain snaking, also known as augering, is the method most people are familiar with. It involves a long, flexible metal cable with a corkscrew-like auger at its tip. A plumber feeds this cable into the drain until it reaches the obstruction. By cranking a handle, the plumber can rotate the cable, allowing the auger to either break apart the clog so it can be flushed down the pipe or latch onto the debris so it can be pulled out.

When Is Snaking the Right Call?

Snaking is often the first line of defense for plumbers because it is efficient, cost-effective, and safe for all types of plumbing systems. Of course, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so consider these factors when determining if it’s the right drain cleaning method for your situation.

Simple, Isolated Clogs: If you’re dealing with a single slow drain in a sink, shower, or tub, a snake is often the perfect tool for the job. These clogs are typically caused by a combination of hair, soap residue, and other gunk that has matted together. A drain snake can quickly and easily punch a hole through this type of obstruction or retrieve it, restoring flow almost immediately.
Retrieving Foreign Objects: Have you ever accidentally dropped a small object down the drain? A child’s toy, a piece of jewelry, or a bottle cap can create an instant blockage. In these cases, snaking is the ideal method. The auger at the end of the snake can often hook onto the object, allowing the plumber to carefully pull it back out.
Older, Fragile Pipes: Many older homes have pipes made from materials like cast iron or clay, which can become brittle and fragile over time. In these situations, snaking is often the preferred choice over hydro jetting. Snaking puts minimal stress on the pipe walls and joints, making it the safest option for plumbing systems that might not be able to withstand high pressure. A professional plumber will assess the condition of your pipes before recommending a course of action.
Initial Diagnosis: Sometimes, the exact nature of a clog is a mystery. A plumber might use a snake first to determine the location and composition of the blockage. If the snake has difficulty clearing the clog or if it pulls back evidence of a more serious problem (like tree roots or heavy grease buildup), your plumbing may need a more powerful solution.

An Important Note About Drain Snaking

While snaking is incredibly useful, it does have its limitations. It primarily clears a path through the clog but doesn’t necessarily clean the entire inner surface of the pipe. This can leave behind residual buildup, meaning the clog could reform more quickly.

What Is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting uses a specialized hose with a multi-directional nozzle that shoots incredibly powerful jets of water into the pipes. We’re talking about water pressure that can be adjusted from 1,500 to 4,000 PSI or even higher. This is powerful enough to obliterate the toughest blockages and strip the pipe walls clean of years of accumulated gunk. It’s the closest you can get to returning your pipes to their original, like-new condition.

When Do You Need the Power of Hydro Jetting?

A hydro jetting service is a more intensive and comprehensive solution reserved for more serious or persistent plumbing problems. It’s the ultimate weapon against clogs that laugh in the face of a simple snake.

Heavy Grease and Sludge Buildup: In kitchen lines, years of grease, fats, and oils can create thick, sticky sludge that coats the inside of pipes. A snake might punch a small hole through this grease, providing temporary relief, but it won’t fully remove the buildup, and the clog will quickly return. Hydro jetting’s high-pressure jets emulsify the grease, breaking it down and washing it away completely, leaving the pipe walls smooth and clear.
Invasive Tree Roots: Tree roots are naturally drawn to the water and nutrients in your sewer lines and can infiltrate pipes through tiny cracks or loose joints. Once inside, they grow and expand, creating a dense, web-like mass that catches everything coming down the pipe, leading to severe backups. While a large snake with a cutting head can chop up some of the roots, it often leaves many behind to regrow. In contrast, hydro jetting is powerful enough to slice through the roots and flush them out of the system, providing a much more thorough and longer-lasting solution.
Recurring Clogs: Are you calling a plumber for the same drainage problems every few months? The underlying issue is likely that the pipe walls are so caked with buildup that new clogs form easily. Hydro jetting addresses the root cause by scouring the entire pipe and removing the sticky surfaces that debris clings to.
Severe Scale and Sediment: In areas with hard water, mineral deposits can build up inside pipes over time. The deposits then reduce the pipe’s diameter and create a rough surface that snags debris. Snaking is largely ineffective against hard scale. The powerful force of hydro jetting, however, can break up and blast away these mineral deposits, restoring the pipe’s full diameter and flow capacity.

A Note About Hydro Jetting

Before recommending hydro jetting vs. snaking, a professional plumber will always conduct a video sewer inspection to assess the condition of your pipes. This is crucial because the high pressure of the water from hydro jetting can damage weak or broken pipes. If your pipes are in good condition, this drain cleaning method is an incredibly safe and effective way to achieve a truly deep clean.

We’re Here to Address All Your Drain Cleaning Needs

Choosing between drain snaking vs. hydro jetting can be tricky. Thankfully, Skagit Plumbing takes the guesswork out of the equation. Our experienced technicians have the expertise to diagnose your plumbing issues accurately and will provide transparent recommendations for your specific situation so that you can confidently make the right choice.

Whether you have a simple clog that needs a quick snake or a stubborn blockage that requires the power of hydro jetting, we have the tools and the talent to get the job done right the first time. For a professional evaluation and a lasting solution, speak with the friendly experts at Skagit Plumbing today.

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