Hydro-Jetting vs. Snaking: What's the Difference?
Learn the difference between two common methods for clearing clogged drains and which is right for you.
"The mind is everything. What you think you become."— Buddha
When you have a stubborn clog in your pipes, two common solutions are snaking and hydro-jetting. While both can clear a blockage, they are very different methods with distinct applications. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right solution for your plumbing problem.
Snaking, also known as augering, is the traditional method. A plumber feeds a long, flexible metal cable into the pipe. When it reaches the clog, a crank is used to turn the cable, and a hook-like end breaks up or pulls out the blockage. Snaking is effective for simple clogs, like a hairball in a shower drain or a single obstruction in a pipe. It's a targeted solution for a specific problem.
Hydro-jetting, on the other hand, is a much more powerful and comprehensive solution. This method uses a high-pressure stream of water to scour the entire interior of the pipe. It doesn't just break up a clog; it removes years of accumulated grease, scale, and sediment from the pipe walls. Hydro-jetting is the ideal solution for recurring clogs, extensive grease buildup in kitchen lines, or blockages caused by tree roots. While snaking just pokes a hole through the blockage, hydro-jetting cleans the entire pipe, restoring it to a near-original condition and preventing future clogs for a longer period.