High pressure drain cleaning, also known as hydro jetting or water jetting, is one of the most effective ways to clear a stubborn blockage and keep your drains flowing freely. This guide explains what high pressure drain cleaning is, how it works, the main benefits for homes and businesses, and when it is best avoided.
What is high pressure drain cleaning?
High pressure drain cleaning uses a specialised machine to force water through your drain lines at extremely high pressure, typically several thousand PSI (pounds per square inch). A flexible hose fitted with a jetting nozzle is fed into the drain, and the pressurised water scours the inside walls of the pipe, ripping apart blockages and flushing the debris out of the system.
Unlike a plunger or a chemical cleaner, high pressure drain cleaning cleans the full diameter of the pipe rather than simply punching a narrow hole through the clog. That is why it is favoured by professional plumbers for serious or recurring blockages. For a broader look at how blockages form in the first place, see our guide to blocked drains and their causes.
How does hydro jetting work?
The jetting machine pumps water through a hose to a nozzle at the working end. The nozzle is engineered so that some of the jets face forward to break up the blockage, while rear-facing jets propel the hose deeper into the pipe and scour the pipe walls clean as it travels. The result is a thorough clean rather than a quick poke through the obstruction.
Different nozzles are designed for different jobs. Root-cutting nozzles slice through invading tree roots, while degreasing nozzles emulsify the fat and grease that build up in commercial kitchen lines. A professional will choose the right nozzle and pressure setting for your specific pipe. If you are weighing up your options, our article on the chemicals used to unblock drains explains where shop-bought cleaners tend to fall short.
What does high pressure drain cleaning remove?
- Grease, fat and oil that congeal inside the pipe
- Sand, silt and general sludge
- Hardened scale and mineral build-up
- Minor tree roots that have worked their way into joints
- Food waste, hair and other everyday debris
The benefits of high pressure drain cleaning
1. It clears blockages completely
Because the water cleans the entire pipe, it removes the material that a cable or chemical would leave behind. This means the blockage is far less likely to return within a few weeks.
2. It is environmentally friendly
Hydro jetting uses nothing but water. There are no harsh chemicals washing into the sewer system or septic tank, which makes it a cleaner choice for your property and the environment.
3. It saves money over the long run
Clearing a drain properly the first time reduces repeat call-outs and helps you avoid the major repair bills that come with a neglected, badly blocked line. For businesses such as restaurants, regular jetting protects against the revenue loss of an unexpected shutdown.
4. It works on almost any drain line
High pressure water jetting is effective on the lines that run from your home to a septic tank or municipal sewer, as well as internal waste lines. It can even help clear heavily scaled pipes that other methods struggle with.
5. It is fast and thorough
Most jobs are completed in a single visit, and pairing jetting with a CCTV inspection means the plumber can confirm the pipe is genuinely clear rather than just guessing.
When should high pressure jetting be avoided?
In older homes with fragile or already-cracked pipework, very high pressure jetting can cause further damage. If your drainage is old or you are unsure of its condition, it is worth having the line inspected first so the correct pressure can be set, or an alternative method used. A quick understanding of your own system helps here, our guide to understanding drain pipes is a good place to start.
Professional high pressure drain cleaning in Cape Town
High pressure drain cleaning is a powerful, long-term solution rather than a quick fix. Most cheaper alternatives only buy you a little time before the blockage returns. Drain Blasters offers professional jetting for residential and commercial properties across Cape Town. To keep your drains in good shape, combine occasional jetting with routine drain cleaning, and explore our dedicated drain jetting service for more detail.
For a technical overview of the equipment involved, the sewer jetter entry on Wikipedia is a useful starting point. Contact Drain Blasters to find out more about our high pressure drain cleaning services.
