Which Method Clears Clogs Best - Drain Snakes Or Hydrojetting?

Introduction to Drain Snakes and Hydrojetting

When tackling clogged drains, plumbers rely on two primary methods: drain snakes and hydrojetting. Plumbing snakes are typically recommended for straightforward clog issues, although both methods can effectively clear blockages.

A drain snake, also known as an auger, is a long, flexible cable with a spiral metal tip on one end. It is manoeuvred through the drain and rotated to grab debris and break through clogs. Drain snakes can reach deep down the drain and dislodge materials like hair, grease, and soap scum.

On the other hand, hydrojetting uses high-pressure water to scour pipes and remove blockages. A specialised jetting machine pumps water through a hose at pressures up to 35,000 PSI, effectively dislodging stubborn clogs, including those from tree roots, solidified grease, and mineral deposits.

This article examines the pros and cons of drain snakes and hydrojetting, evaluating their effectiveness for different clog types, and their overall advantages and limitations.

How Drain Snakes Work to Clear Clogs

Drain snakes operate by using a long, flexible metal cable, which is inserted and maneuvered into the drain to break up and dislodge clogs. The cable is wound around a spiral metal tip, which is inserted into drain, giving it a corkscrew-like shape.

To clear a drain, the plumber feeds the cable down the pipe, twisting it to grasp and remove hair, grease, and other debris causing the blockage.

Several types of drain snakes are available, including:

• Plumbing snakes - Manually cranked cables for bathroom and kitchen sink clogs
• Electric drain snakes - Motorized drain augers with enhanced capability for tough clogs
• Sewer cable machines - Heavy-duty, commercial-grade snakes that can clear main sewer lines

Drain snakes are most effective for minor clogs near the drain opening, adept at capturing obstructions like hair and soap scum. However, for more stubborn problems like hardened grease or tree roots, the intense scouring pressure of hydrojetting is necessary.

When to Use a Drain Snake

Drain snakes are best for minor clogs situated near the surface within the pipe. Scenarios where a drain snake excels include:

• Clearing hair, soap scum, and small debris from bathroom or kitchen sinks
• Dislodging items like hairpins or jewellery accidentally dropped down a drain
• Loosening accumulated grease and food particles in kitchen sink drain lines
• As a first response when you notice gurgling drains or slowly draining water

Drain snakes are ideal for older plumbing systems with fragile pipes where hydrojetting’s intense pressure might cause damage. They apply targeted, mechanical action to remove blockages.

Compared to hydrojetting, drain snakes present a reduced risk of pipe damage and leaks, providing a cost-effective solution for simple clogs.

Limitations of Drain Snakes

Drain snakes are beneficial for minor plumbing issues but have limitations to consider:

• However, drain snakes may struggle with deeper obstructions due to extensive grease buildup, large objects, or tree roots, as the cable’s reach is limited.
• While functional, the inner cable of drain snakes can’t easily provide the intense scouring action of pressurised water jetting. They may clear the initial clog but leave some residue further down the pipe.
• Thick drain snake cables struggle to manoeuvre through pipes with tight bends or strange angles, particularly when there are obstructions. Hydrojetting is better suited for complicated pipe layouts.
• In very long sewer lines or main drains, sewer line clogs may be out of reach for a standard drain snake.
• While drain snakes won’t typically damage pipes, the scraping action may wear away at very old or fragile pipes over time with repeated use.

For serious clogs or extensive buildup, a drain snake often serves best as an initial clearing tool before calling for a snake hydro jetting session. While cheaper and lower risk than hydrojetting, drain snakes have limited reach and cleaning power in many situations, hence a professional plumber might recommend more powerful solutions.

Understanding Hydrojetting

Hydrojetting efficiently tackles stubborn clogs, cleaning drains by blasting pressurized water through the pipes to disintegrate obstructions. Specialized jetting machines generate pressures of up to 35,000 PSI to dissolve hard clogs.

To perform hydrojetting, a jetting hose with a narrow nozzle is fed down into the drain line, effectively handling clogs that also resist conventional means. As pressurised water flows through the hose, the plumber directs the jet stream to scour the pipe walls and dislodge blockages within your sewer. The intense jetting pressure scrubs away years of accumulated grease, soap residue, and other debris of all shapes.

Hydrojetting is powered only by tap water, rather than chemicals, making it an eco-friendly process cleansing inside pipe efficiently. It can tackle even the most stubborn drain obstructions like tree roots and mineral deposits that are resistant to drain snakes.

The key benefits of hydrojetting include:

• Hydro jets come out with extreme cleaning power to pulverise tough drain clogs
• Ability to clean entire length of pipes, not just nearby clogs
• Eco-friendly with zero chemicals used
• Can prevent future clogs by cleaning pipe walls

While more complex than using a standard drain snake, hydrojetting provides a deep, scouring clean for the most severe plumbing clogs where other methods would struggle.

When Hydrojetting is the Best Option

Hydrojetting is highly effective at clearing stubborn drain clogs that prove resistant to traditional methods such as drain snaking. It is particularly well-suited to the following scenarios:

• Removing thick buildup of grease, soap residue, tree roots, or mineral deposits in pipes
• Deep plumbing clogs beyond the reach of standard drain snakes
• Fully cleaning out the entire length of piping as preventative maintenance
• Main sewer line obstructions on commercial properties

Hydrojetting’s advantage over snaking is its ability to pulverize accumulations and extend deep into the sewer line—qualities that make it a prudent option for ongoing plumbing maintenance. It provides a comprehensive clean, helping to prevent future clogs.

Hydrojetting is also safe for older, fragile pipes, as the pressurised water gently removes debris without the need for scraping or friction.

Professional hydrojetting unsurpassed results in drain clearing and sewer cleaning, addressing even the most tenacious clogs that standard drain cleaners cannot tackle.

Risks and Limitations of Hydrojetting

While hydrojetting is highly effective at clearing difficult clogs, there are some risks and limitations to consider:

• You don’t want improper use of high pressures which could potentially damage your pipes, especially if they are older or fragile. A camera inspection is recommended beforehand.
• Leaking joints or pipes can worsen from the intense water pressure directed at problem areas.
• It does not physically remove blockages like drain snakes do, so there may be some additional clearing needed for complete removal.
• Using the jetting nozzle improperly near pipe joints risks etching and grooving damage over time.
• Hydrojetting requires specialised high-pressure jetting equipment operated by licenced professionals for safety.
• In basement floor drains, water from hydrojetting could overflow catch basins if drainage capacity exceeded.

Proper precautions and expertise minimize hydrojetting risks, ensuring optimal pipe condition. However, consulting a plumber to assess the suitability based on your piping’s condition is still prudent.

Comparing Effectiveness for Different Clog Situations

For minor clogs near the drain opening, such as hair or debris buildup, a drain snake often provides a quick and straightforward solution.

However, hydrojetting is superior for dislodging stubborn obstructions deeper in the pipes caused by years of accumulation or tree root infiltrations.

Although snaking offers immediate clog relief, hydro jetting provides a more thorough cleaning to prevent the buildup of grease and residue, unlike drain snakes which don’t address gradual buildup inside pipes over time.

Additionally, hydrojetting can clean around tricky bends and angles thanks to the flexible jetting hose, whereas drain cables struggle navigating tight pipe layouts.

In summary, drain snakes work well for minor, shallow clogs but face depth and cleaning limitations when extending into your plumbing system. Hydrojetting powered high-pressure hoses can successfully pulverise even the toughest, deepest obstructions within long pipe networks when other methods would fail.

DIY Use of Drain Snakes vs Professional Hydrojetting

Homeowners may attempt to use a basic drain snake for clogs, but it’s important to know that DIY solutions have limited capability compared to professional hydrojetting services.

For minor clogs near the drain opening, a DIY plumbers snake can be instrumental in jetting drain and clearing out blockages like hair or debris. However, residential sink plungers and hand augers may get stuck on serious obstructions deeper in the pipes. Attempting to force an undersized DIY snake through the clog risks getting it stuck or damaging pipe interiors.

In contrast, professional hydro jetting can utilise industrial machines for jetting drains, generating highpressure water of thousands of PSI to scour any pipe length. Licenced experts also evaluate drainage layouts, ensuring the equipment is powerful enough for jetting clear through the blockages for maximum impact, flushing away years of accumulations.

DIY methods save on costs but carry greater risks of injury to the user or further damage to plumbing. They often provide only temporary relief before clogs return. For superior drain cleaning and prevention of future problems, Parramatta Plumbing’s professional hydrojetting service delivers unmatched performance without any DIY headaches.

Cost Comparison of Drain Snakes and Hydrojetting

Drain snakes are a budget-conscious choice for drain cleaning, with basic models priced from approximately $20.

Hydrojetting, while effective, can cost upwards of $300 per session.

A professional hydro jetting clear service entails heavy-duty jetting equipment and licenced technicians trained in its application. However, it can thoroughly cleanse entire piping systems in one session. So while more expensive upfront, hydrojetting reduces the need for recurring treatments compared to basic snaking attempts.

For long-term savings, those experiencing frequent drain clogs should invest in hydrojetting to prevent future blockages. Superior pipe scouring helps remove root causes like grease accumulation. Hydrojetting also avoids pipe damage risks associated with repeated snaking efforts.

Balancing affordability against effectiveness for your home, minor sink clogs might warrant trying an inexpensive drain snake first. However, for extensive drain cleaning or maintenance, Parramatta Plumbing’s professional hydrojetting promises lasting results and long-term cost savings despite the higher initial outlay.

Choosing the Right Method for Your Needs

The choice between a drain snake and hydrojetting for a drain blockage depends on the clog’s severity, pipe configurations, and potential damage risk.

A basic drain snake usually suffices for minor sink clogs caused by hair or debris, serving as an economical initial response. Conversely, for deep-set obstructions or stubborn pipe buildup, the intense water jet blasting of hydrojetting is most effective. Its intense pressure can even manage root intrusions in pipes.

Before making a decision, arrange for professionals to inspect your drainage system with camera technology to pinpoint areas needing attention. Discover more about assessing pipe conditions and clearing all blockage types with the reliable solutions offered by Parramatta Plumbing, inclusive of a free quote. Contact us today to book an appointment for drain diagnostics and superior unclogging services.

This aids determining whether a drain snake can reach the clog or if powerful hydrojetting is required for a comprehensive clean.