Hydrojetting vs Drain Snakes: Which Method is More Effective for Unclogging Drains

Introducing Drain Snakes and Hydrojetting

Drain snakes and hydrojetting are two distinct methods for unblocking drains, catering to various blockages with unique mechanisms.

Drain snakes, often referred to as plumbing snakes or by the specific term flex shaft machine, are manually operated cables with an auger (corkscrew-shaped end) that is inserted into pipes to break up and pull out blockages.

They come in different sizes for residential and commercial applications. For clearing ‘soft’ obstructions like hair, soap scum, and loose debris in clogged drains, you’ll want to consider employing drain snakes.

Conversely, hydro jets deploy high-pressure water streams to scour pipe walls and dislodge tough blockages, such as mineral buildup. Hydrojetting is effective against 'hard’ obstructions like tree roots and mineral deposits, as its powerful water jet can penetrate even collapsed pipes.

The Hydro jetting machine produces intense pressurized water effective for all types of clogs and is specifically designed to not damage your pipes with pressure ranging between 1500 to 4000 psi. The high-pressure water jet’s extensive reach makes it beneficial for sewer lines, accessing deeper blockages beyond the standard drain snake’s capabilities.

When comparing drain snaking with hydrojetting, consider the clog’s location, severity, and composition. While the process of hydro jetting snaking provides a cost-effective solution for regular maintenance and minor obstructions, hydrojetting is the most effective method for removing stubborn clogs and extensive buildup. An experienced plumber can evaluate your sewer line and advise on the most suitable solution.

How Drain Snakes Work

Drain snakes remove blockages inside pipes using a manually-fed metal cable.

As the cable is rotated and advanced, it moves inside pipes, where the auger at the tip helps guide the snake through bends and breaks up debris.

There are generally two main types of shaft machines:

• A hand-crank snake that can usually be used with physical effort to turn the handle and work through a clog.
• A machine-powered snake that uses electricity or an engine to rotate the cable automatically.

To use plumbing snake manually:

1. Insert 6-10 feet of cable into drain access point, such as a floor drain or cleanout.
2. Crank the handle clockwise while applying a firm pushing/pulling motion, which can easily help move the obstruction down drain, propelling the auger tip further through the pipe.
3. Upon encountering resistance, indicating a blockage, continue cranking to agitate and dislodge the obstruction.
4. Retrieve the drainage snake cable from one end, removing any debris wrapped around it.

A motorised drain snake can either propel down pipe similarly but with more power and less effort for the operator. It can clear longer piping systems. When dealing with clogged drains, a drain snake provides an affordable and effective solution for 'soft’ clogs like hair and grease.

When to Use a Drain Snake

Using a drain snake would be recommended in the following situations:

• For your drain, when it’s clogged by hair, soap residue, grease, loose debris etc., employ the method of snake hydro technology that works well in clearing ‘soft’ obstructions before they harden and accumulate.
• Innarrow pipes or pipes with lots of bends that are difficult to access with other machines. Drain snakes are highly manoeuvrable, making their way through the twists and turns within drain pipes.
• For preventative maintenance and keeping drains free-flowing. Snaking drains every 3-6 months prevents serious blockages.
• For at-home solutions, tenants can employ their own hydro jet device as a cost-effective alternative to professional services.
• In areas where hydrojetting supply water access is limited.
• For clearing clogs close to the drain access like sink, tub or floor drains.

Drain snakes provide a simple solution for small drain lines, removing minor debris with less risk of damage than high-pressure jetting. While drain snakes may not be effective for substantial clogs, they serve as a practical first step before resorting to hydro jetting.

Understanding Hydrojetting

Hydrojetting is a deep plumbing technique with a machine that utilises highpressure water to scour and dislodge stubborn blockages within pipes. Hydrojetting equipment generates 1500 - 4000 psi to clear stubborn clogs in pipes, reaching areas that drain snakes cannot.

Hydrojetting employs a powerful stream of water that traverses the plumbing system, directly targeting and breaking up obstructions with hydraulic force. Even thick buildups of hardened grease, compacted waste, and intruding tree roots, a hydrojet can manage clearing out with no match!

The extreme water pressure is sufficient to physically expel debris from the piping system. This hydro flushing process is also very effective at fully cleaning sewer pipes’ interior surfaces once the clog is cleared. By dislodging contaminants and biofilms, it helps clean sewer pipes preventing recurrence of backups and drainage issues.

A significant benefit of hydro jetting over excavation is its ability to clear grease and oil without extensive digging or damage. Hydrojetters contain the messy wastewater and option clearing for the sewer pipe to be less invasively. The absence of chemicals in hydrojetting also renders it an environmentally safe option.

When comes to upfront equipment costs, hydrojetting is higher but it solves drain problems far more thoroughly than snaking and reduces costly repeat visits. Hydrojetting is the superior choice when facing a clogged sewer with extensive root infestation, grease blockages that keep returning, or pipes that haven’t been maintained for years.

Advantages of Hydrojetting

Jetting best practices include several notable advantages that make it the superior choice for tackling challenging clogs in the entire drain line:

• Unparalleled cleaning power to scour pipes thoroughly and extract stubborn blockages that other methods cannot penetrate.
• Effectively clears grease, fat, oil, sediment, scale, roots, collapsed pipes, and other difficult obstructions.
• Long term solutions by fully eliminating buildup instead of just poking holes through it.
• Multi-purpose for drain cleaning, trenchless sewer repair, pipe lining, comprehensive maintenance etc.
• Suitable for all pipe materials - PVC, concrete, clay, iron, steel etc.
• Cleans entire pipe interior and removes biofilm buildup.
• Reduces repeat maintenance calls and costly backups.
• Minimal digging, yard damage or replacement of pipes.
• Lower risk of leaks, collapses or infiltration once pipes cleaned.
• Environmentally safe process with just highly pressurised water used.

Hydrojetters, creating up to 4000 psi and featuring vacuum extraction, can clean drains more deeply than drain snakes. This makes them indispensable for sending cleaning power down into pipes of all shapes sizes during whole-system restoration or rehabilitation projects.

Comparing Effectiveness of Drain Snakes and Hydrojetting

When choosing which drain cleaning methods to use, consider the key differences in effectiveness between basic drain snakes and professional hydrojetting:

Based on these factors, see your drain snakes work well for regular maintenance and clearing minor clogs. However Hydrojetting’s superior cleaning power effectively eliminates challenging obstructions. Despite its higher cost, hydrojetting provides the most comprehensive cleaning for serious drain issues.

For extensive or recurring clogs, the one-time investment of hydrojetting saves money long-term by fully restoring drainage and preventing future blockages. Ultimately, consulting an expert to determine which method suits your situation is advisable, a plumber is all set to assess your pipes and recommend the optimal one.

Cost Considerations

When it comes to choosing between drain snakes and hydrojetting, cost is an important factor to weigh up. Here are some pros cons to mull over:

• Drain snakes have a lower upfront equipment cost for purchase or rental compared to hydrojetting systems.
• However, engaging a professional plumber with a jetting machine clear of any mechanical issues tends to have higher call-out fees given the specialty equipment required.
• For DIY drain cleaning, a hand crank or electric plumbers snake can be purchased relatively affordably.
• Though initially costlier, hydrojetting can be economical over time by effectively clearing clogs and preventing recurring issues.
• Hydrojetting also reduces costs and hassle from extensive repairs to the drain system if pipe damage can be avoided.
• Drain snakes effectively clear minor clogs, but significant blockages may necessitate multiple attempts or eventual hydrojetting.

Investing in hydrojetting may reduce future maintenance and plumbing costs, proving cost-effective over time. However drain snakes make an affordable starting point for small clogs.

To learn more about it, consulting a professional drain specialist is recommended to provide a free quote and assessments tailored to your specific needs and budget.

Environmental Impact

Hydrojetting is deemed environmentally friendly, using only high-pressure water instead of chemicals or mechanical techniques. Contaminated wastewater from hydrojetting can be captured and disposed of responsibly.

In contrast, drain snakes physically extract debris by breaking it up. Clog waste removed by drain snakes requires proper disposal, which may have an environmental impact. Some drain snake products also rely on chemical grease-cutting solutions being fed through the drain, though safe environmental disposal is less assured.

Neglecting severe clogs resulting in extensive drain repairs, including excavation and pipe replacement, can impact the environment significantly more than localized hydrojetting.

Overall, hydrojetting’s ability to comprehensively clear blockages without chemicals or excavation makes it a lower impact approach. While drain snakes serve a purpose, upgrading to hydrojetting provides superior eco-friendly benefits.

Choosing the Right Method

When dealing with a clogged drain, choosing between a drain snake and hydrojetting depends on several key factors:

• Type of clog - Drain snakes work well for clearing minor clogs like hair and grease before they accumulate. But is there some superior cleaning power with hydrojetting for tough obstructions.
• Pipe condition - Older pipes that are brittle or easily could damage pipes, may not withstand high pressure jetting. Inspecting lines first is advised.
• Location - Ease of access affects equipment positioning and reach into pipes. Drain snakes access clogs closer to openings.
• Cost - Hydrojetting has a higher upfront service cost but is advantageous when there are concerns of preventing recurring clogs long-term.
• Environmental impact - Hydrojetting is safer for the environment using just highly pressurised water.

It’s sensible to start with an affordable drain snake for minor clogs before considering other methods. However, hydrojetting offers comprehensive solutions for severe or ongoing blockages. Get a professional assessment of your drains.

For reliable drain unclogging inspections and cleaning services in the Beecroft area, choosing an expert team is essential, contact Beecroft Plumbing on 1300 349 338. With advanced hydro jetting equipment and years of experience dealing with clogged systems, you can trust us to get your drains restored and prevent future headaches.

Preventing Future Clogs

Adopt responsible usage and regular maintenance habits to prevent recurring clogs. Simple steps like installing drain screens, avoiding pouring fats and oils grease down sinks, and not using toilets as wastebins can make a big difference.

Having your drains professionally inspected and cleaned yearly goes a long way towards stopping small issues from escalating. Both drain snakes and hydrojetting remove existing buildup, but hydrojetting also scours the clean pipes walls to remove biofilms that could lead to blocks if left untreated.

For business owners, enforcing grease trap cleaning schedules is crucial to prevent oils, grease, and food waste from accumulating. At your home business, ensure heaterstank water systems are regularly maintained to prevent any untimely leakages or blockages. Dispose of non-biodegradable products correctly.

Staying vigilant for clogs is essential, but Beecroft Plumbing’s maintenance plans streamline the scheduling process. Our licenced technicians visit yearly to take care of your drainage system, employing snake or hydrojet technologies to identify and address minor problems before they worsen. Contact us today on 1300 349 338 for a free consultation to prevent future headaches.