Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking: 2 Ways to Clean Out Household Clogs
The best way to avoid annoying plumbing clogs is to keep from putting items down your pipes that don’t belong there. These include diapers, food, wipes, grease, hair, paper towels and feminine hygiene products. It’s a good idea to do a little preventative maintenance now and again too. Freshening your drains with a simple concoction of baking soda and vinegar can help dislodge food and organic matter and keep your drains smelling fresher.
Now and again you’ll encounter a stubborn clog, though. If you can’t get it out using the plunger, there are a couple of other alternatives available to you: hydro jetting and snaking. Which one do you need?
When Would I Need a Plumbing Snake?
Usually, if the plunger won’t work, you move your way up to a plumbing snake. A plumbing snake is simply a long, flexible auger with a corkscrew tip that you turn to wind it 
through your pipes. The sharp tip of the auger will poke through the clog, cutting a path through the pipe.
Sometimes a plumbing snake will be attached to the end of a drill, giving it extra power to push through the clog.
Snake Pros and Cons
Depending on what’s causing the clog, the snake may not remove the clog completely; it’s not uncommon for these kinds of clogs to return repeatedly. Some of the benefits of this method are that it’s easy, usually quick and very often will solve the problem.
The Case for Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting accomplishes a couple of things: if you are dealing with a more serious clog (think tree root or accumulation of sand), the sheer force and volume of water that comes with a hydro jet spray is your best bet to blast through that clog and eliminate it for good. It’s also a great preventative maintenance tool to get your drains cleaned.
For instance, restaurants should clean their pipes from cooking grease regularly. For homeowners, hydro jet cleaning eliminates mineral build up and sand accumulation - both potential clog problems down the road. While a great solution, the targeted, strong spray can be hard on your pipes.
Rely on Professional Help
Where you can probably handle a plunger and a plumbing snake, hydro jetting is most definitely not a DIY job. The tremendous pressure involved in the hydro jet spray can seriously damage your pipes if you are not properly trained. Trained professionals can assess the strength of your pipes before they begin.
If you’re not sure what to do about your clogged pipes in Las Vegas, NV, don’t despair. We can help you solve your plumbing problem right away. Call Anytime Plumbing, Inc today at (702) 362-9300.
