Hydro Jetting Vs Drain Snaking

For many decades, professional drain cleaning and drain snaking were one and the same. Drain snaking was a reliable way to remove waste buildup, so that is what people used. It’s only in the past decade or so that hydro jetting has become more popular. If you’re curious about what methods your plumber may use to clean your drains, and why, read on to find out.

 

Drain Snaking

A drain snake is an auger attached to a long cord, with either a hand crank or a small motor attached. The cord is inserted into the drain pipe until the auger comes into contact with the clog, at which point it drills through it to allow water to flow. This is a cheap and effective way to get rid of drain clogs. However, it does have some drawbacks. First, the drain snake auger can only create a space as large as itself. If the pipe is larger than the auger, some waste can be left on the pipe walls. This makes it easier for clogs to form in the future. Drain snaking is used more to react to pre-existing clogs than to prevent them from forming.
 

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting involves a long hose with an omnidirectional sprayer head attached to the end. The hose is inserted into the drain pipe, then a high-pressure stream of water is used to blast any built up waste out of the pipe. Hydro jetting is excellent as both a preventive and reactive measure. It gets rid of the vast majority of waste buildup in the drain pipe, which makes it excellent for preventing clogs from forming in the future. If a clog has already formed, hydro jetting can get rid of it.
 

Magnolia Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers a full range of drain cleaning services throughout Hyattsville, MD.