Snaking vs. Hydro Jetting: Why Canyon Drain Gives You the Best Clean for No Extra Cost
- Justin Pearson
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 26
When you are dealing with a stubborn, recurring clog, plunging just won't cut it. Eventually, you will need to call a professional drain cleaning company to get things flowing again. But once the technician arrives, you are often faced with a choice between two primary methods: traditional drain snaking (also known as rooting) or hydro jetting.
Many local plumbers will use a snake for a basic fee, and then try to upsell you on hydro jetting for a massive extra charge. At Canyon Drain, we do things differently. We believe you shouldn't have to pay a premium just to get the job done right the first time.
Here is a look at the differences between snaking and hydro jetting, and why we always choose to hydro jet whenever your pipes allow it.
What is Drain Snaking (Rooting)?
Snaking a drain is the traditional method used by almost every rooter service. A technician feeds a flexible metal cable (an auger) with a corkscrew-like attachment on the end down into your pipes. An electric motor spins the cable, allowing the tip to punch through blockages like hair, paper products, and minor tree roots.
The Pros of Snaking:
Excellent for retrieving objects dropped down the drain.
A reliable method for clearing soft, minor, localized blockages.
Safe for older, more fragile piping systems that cannot withstand high pressure.
The Cons of Snaking:
It only punches a hole: A snake cuts a path through a clog, but it does not remove the sticky buildup on the pipe walls.
Temporary relief: Because grease, sludge, and scale are left behind, debris will quickly snag on those rough walls again, meaning you will likely need another clogged drain repair much sooner.
What is Hydro Jetting?
If snaking a drain is like poking a hole through a brick wall, hydro jetting is like power-washing the entire wall away.
Hydro jetting utilizes a specialized, high-pressure hose equipped with a multi-directional nozzle. As the hose is fed into your plumbing system, it blasts water at varying pressures (often up to 4,000 PSI) backward and forward. This scouring action doesn't just clear the blockage; it completely strips the pipe walls of years of accumulated gunk.
The Canyon Drain Advantage: Why Hydro Jetting is Superior
When performing mainline drain cleaning or addressing severe blockages, hydro jetting is undoubtedly the superior service.
Complete Pipe Restoration: Hydro jetting scours away hardened FOG (fats, oils, and grease), soap scum, and mineral scale, returning the inside of your pipes to a near-new condition.
Obliterates Tree Roots: High-pressure water slices through invasive tree roots far more effectively than a standard rooting cable, ensuring your sewer line backup is completely resolved.
Long-Lasting Results: Because the pipe walls are scrubbed smooth, future debris has nothing to stick to, keeping your drains clear for much longer.
Environmentally Friendly: It uses nothing but pure, pressurized water—no harsh, pipe-eating chemicals required.
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