Hydro Jetting & Grease Line Cleaning
Cabling a drain punches a hole through the blockage. Jetting takes the blockage out and cleans the pipe wall behind it.
A cable auger is the right tool for a lot of clogs, and it's cheaper — we'll say so when it fits. But cabling through a grease-lined kitchen branch or a root-filled lateral leaves most of the buildup on the pipe wall, which is why those lines re-clog on a predictable schedule. Hydro jetting runs a high-pressure nozzle down the line and cuts the buildup back to bare pipe.
The honest caveat: jetting is not universally safe. Old cast iron that's corroded thin, deteriorated clay, or a line with an existing crack can be damaged by full pressure. That's why we camera anything we're unsure about before jetting it, and why we'd rather lose the job than blow out a pipe that couldn't take it.
When this is likely your problem
What's included — and what isn't
Included in the quote
- Assessment of which line is affected and whether jetting is the right tool
- Camera check first on older or unknown-condition pipe
- High-pressure jetting of the affected line at appropriate pressure for the pipe
- Flush test to confirm flow is restored
Billed separately
- Installing a cleanout, if the line has no safe access point for the jetter
- Repair of any pipe damage found during the camera check
- Root removal beyond what jetting reaches, where mechanical cutting is needed
- Recurring maintenance visits under a scheduled plan, quoted separately
- Grease trap pumping and disposal, which is a separate service and hauler
How this job is priced
Jetting is priced per line, quoted before we start, and depends on access and length. If the camera shows the pipe can't safely take full pressure, we'll tell you and either drop to a safe pressure or recommend a different approach — we don't jet a line we think will fail and call the damage pre-existing.
What the visit involves
Identify the right line
One clogged fixture and a whole branch backing up are different problems with different starting points.
Camera when in doubt
On older or unknown pipe we look before we pressurize. It costs a few minutes and prevents real damage.
Jet at appropriate pressure
Nozzle and pressure get matched to the pipe material and condition, not set to maximum by default.
Flush and confirm
We run water through and verify the line actually carries it before packing up.
Questions about hydro jetting & grease line cleaning
Is hydro jetting safe for my pipes?
For sound pipe in reasonable condition, yes. For badly corroded cast iron, deteriorated clay, or a line with an existing crack, full-pressure jetting can make things worse. That's exactly why we camera first when the pipe's age or condition is unknown, and why we'll turn down a jetting job rather than take a line we think won't hold.
How is this different from snaking or cabling?
A cable bores through the blockage and restores flow, which is often all you need. Jetting scours the whole inner surface, removing the grease or scale layer the cable leaves behind. For a one-off clog, cabling is usually the sensible, cheaper choice. For a line that keeps clogging in the same place, jetting addresses the reason.
How often would a restaurant line need jetting?
It depends entirely on volume and how well the grease trap is maintained — some kitchens need it a few times a year, others far less. We'd rather set an interval based on what your line actually looks like after the first visit than sell you a schedule up front.
Will jetting fix roots in my line?
It clears root material and restores flow, but roots enter through cracks and joints, and jetting doesn't repair those. If the camera shows root intrusion, jetting buys time — how much depends on the damage. We'll show you the footage so you can decide whether to keep clearing it or repair the pipe.
Ready to get this looked at?
Call and describe what's happening. You'll get an honest read before anyone drives out.