There is a particular phone call we get every month: "This is the third time this drain has clogged this year. The last two companies snaked it and it came right back." The story is so common because of a simple confusion between two different jobs — clearing a clog and fixing a drain.
What a snake actually does
A drain snake (auger) is a spinning cable that bores a hole through whatever is blocking the pipe. It is fast, cheap, and exactly the right tool for a one-off obstruction: the toy flushed by a toddler, the grease plug from Thanksgiving. But in a pipe lined with years of grease, scale, or invading roots, a snake drills a tunnel through the blockage and leaves the lining on the walls. Water flows today; the clog rebuilds from the leftovers, often within months.
What hydro-jetting does differently
Hydro-jetting feeds a hose with a multi-directional jet head down the line and scours the full diameter of the pipe with water at up to 4,000 PSI. Grease, sludge, scale, and roots come off the walls entirely and wash downstream. The pipe is returned to its actual diameter, not just perforated. For recurring clogs, restaurant-grade grease lines, and root intrusion, it is the difference between mowing a weed and pulling it.
Why the camera decides
Jetting a pipe you have not inspected is malpractice with a pressure washer. Fragile old clay, a bellied section, or a partial collapse each change the answer — sometimes the honest answer is a repair, not any cleaning at all. That is why every TrueFlow drain job starts with a camera pass, and ends with a second one recorded and emailed to you. You should never have to take anyone's word for what happened inside your own pipes.
The maintenance angle
For homes with big trees over the sewer line, an annual jet-and-camera visit costs a fraction of one emergency backup and keeps roots from ever reaching the scale that breaks pipes. Boring, cheap, effective — our favorite kind of plumbing.
Is hydro-jetting safe for old pipes?
Only after a camera inspection confirms the pipe can take it. On fragile clay or Orangeburg pipe we reduce pressure or recommend repair instead — jetting a compromised line can finish it off.
How often should drains be professionally cleaned?
Most homes never need scheduled cleaning. Homes with mature trees over the sewer line or a history of grease buildup benefit from an annual jet and camera check.