Drain snaking doesn't clean pipes. It only pierces the clogs so that more water can get through. Hydro-jetting, on the other hand, will remove even the smallest particles of dust.

The equipment used during hydro-jetting applies water pressurized at an average of 4,000 psi. That pressure level is strong enough to clear any obstruction or buildup, allowing the wastewater to run smoothly and reduce the chances that the pipes will get clogged again in the future. Some homeowners even schedule regular hydro-jetting as a form of preventative maintenance.

Residential wastewater pipes take a serious beating. They don't just transport water to the municipal sewer drains. In most cases, they also transport at least small amounts of soap, grease, food particles, sand, mud, and other debris.

Even if the debris particles aren't large enough to clog the pipes by themselves, they'll start to build up on the interior walls. Over time, those residues increase the chances of developing blockages. Hydro-jetting removes the residue before it can develop into serious clogs.

Modern plumbing systems are surprisingly complex. Most of their wastewater pipes are hidden behind walls and ceilings or in hard-to-reach crawlspaces. Opening up the walls to uncover the pipes for manual cleaning isn't just a hassle — it can also cause extensive damage and create the need for costly repairs.

Hydro-jetting removes all those hassles, risks, and costs since there's no need to access the pipes manually. Instead, the plumber will be able to insert the pressurized water hose directly into the drains to wash out pipes and remove blockages even in difficult-to-reach places.

Wastewater pipes almost always harbor bacteria. These bacteria can produce unpleasant odors, and some of them can even make residents sick, especially if clogs cause the bacteria-filled water to back up into the living areas of the home.

Hydro-jetting removes bacteria along with all the other accumulated dirt and grime in the pipes, helping to keep residents healthy.

Hydro-jetting is a surprisingly affordable form of home plumbing maintenance. It doesn't require removing parts of the walls to access the pipes, nor does it need to be performed frequently for maximum effect.

After having the pipes hydro-jetted, homeowners won't have to worry about calling the plumber to resolve further clogs. The same can't be said of drain snaking, which provides only a temporary solution.

Hydro-jetting removes close to 100% of the dirt, grease, and grime from drainage pipes and sewer lines. As a result, it helps to keep the pipes clean for longer.

While clogs resolved through drain snaking almost always recur quickly, homeowners who schedule hydro-jetting won't have to worry about dealing with the same drainage problems over and over. For maximum impact, some homeowners even schedule preventative hydro-jetting once every year or two to keep their pipes clean and their drains running smoothly all the time.

Attempting to resolve clogs using chemical drain cleaners is terrible for the environment. These cleaning chemicals contain toxic substances that can wind up polluting surrounding ecosystems.

The same can't be said of hydro-jetting. Instead of caustic chemicals, this technologically advanced solution uses nothing more harmful than a highly pressurized jet of water.

If just one drain in the house is starting to remove water at a slower rate, the problem is probably in the individual drain pipe coming from the sink, toilet, or tub. If all the drains are getting progressively slower, it's more likely that the clog is in the main sewer line. This problem usually manifests itself first on the bottom story of the home.

Foul odors coming from the drains are often indicative of a serious clog occurring somewhere in the wastewater pipes. As the clog accumulates more organic debris, the unpleasant odors will only get worse.

In some cases, they can even start to attract fruit flies to the areas around the drains, or even vermin. Few homeowners need to be told twice that these problems are a sign it's time to call a plumber for help.

It's normal to hear the sound of rushing water flowing freely through the drains after flushing a toilet or running a faucet. No drain is completely silent. That said, it's important to keep an ear out for other sounds, such as gurgling and bubbling noises.

They often occur as negative pressure from clogs creates air pockets in the pipes, and they can even be most audible in drains other than the one currently in use.

If a sewer line clog is serious enough, it will eventually cause the wastewater from the drain system to back up into the home. Most residents notice this problem first in their showers or bathtubs on the first stories of their homes since those are the drains that are the closest to the ground.

As the problem worsens, toilets can start to overflow and sinks will stop draining properly, as well.

Chemical drain cleaners damage pipes. When used properly, a drain pipe auger shouldn't cause damage, but most homeowners don't know how to use these specialized tools. Plus, even in the hands of a trained plumbing technician, a drain snake or pipe auger won't be as effective as hydro-jetting at resolving clogs and stopping them from recurring.

These tools can penetrate blockages to let the water through, but they don't remove mineral scale, grease residue, and other built-up substances from the pipe walls.

Professional plumbers with access to hydro-jetting technology have all the right tools to deep clean not just drain pipes but also sewer lines, if necessary.

They're also trained to begin each service visit with an inspection of the pipes to locate the clogs and identify other underlying issues that could be contributing to their formation. The plumbers then use this information to provide more targeted and more effective cleaning services.