Debating between using drain snakes or more powerful hydrojetting to clear drain clogs? Hydrojetting thoroughly scours inside pipes but drain snakes handle minor clogs.
When coping with clogs blockages in sewer lines or drainage systems, two of the most common and effective methods are plumbers snakes and hydrojetting. Both methods can work well in their respective applications, but they have some key differences.
A drain snake, also known as a plumbers snake or auger, is a long, thin, flexible cable that can be inserted into drain pipes to physically get rid of and remove clogs. They are available in all shapes and sizes and are often used with specialised heads to aid in gripping debris or slicing through resilient down pipe blockages.
Hydro jets use powerful streams of water to clean pipes thoroughly and dislodge blockages. Specialised hydrojetting equipment generates up to 5,000 PSI of water pressure - enough to cut through even the most stubborn clogs.
At Padstow Plumbing, our team of licenced professionals have years of hands-on experience with both snake hydro cleaning methods and hydro jetting. We’re familiar with various cleaning methods and know when to use one over the other depending on the unique situation.
Contact us today at 1300 349 338 for a free quote and to learn more about how we can maintain the plumbing inside your home or business’s clogged drains and pipes. We take care of all plumbing needs so you’ll see your Padstow and the surrounding Sydney suburbs plumbing issues resolved.
A drain snake, also referred to as a plumbing snake or auger, features an inner cable that can be fed down into pipes to physically break up and clear out clogs.
An auger, similar to a water jet tip, is a threaded tip positioned at one end of the cable, efficient in seizing and extracting debris as the cable rotates.
Drain snakes, designed to handle blockages of all shapes sizes, work by using the bending and rotating action of the cable to reach inside deep plumbing systems. As it revolves, the auger—or end snake—can navigate through clogs of shapes and sizes, aiding in cutting through the material or hooking onto items.
Drain snakes, which come in different types and sizes to access various depths, are suitable when dealing clogged passages and are less likely to get stuck in pipes up to 6 inches in diameter.
Depending on the type of blockage, drain snakes can used to tackle buildups like hair, and even seemingly stubborn grease oil, alongside soap residue, and small objects. There some instances where one can either use a drain snake as the initial method or resort to more potent alternatives.
However, drain snakes do have limitations.
They may not be suitable for completely clearing packed, dense or large clogs. Tree roots or hardened mineral buildup often require high pressure jetting. Consulting a professional plumber can help assess which method is best for specific drainage issues.
A hydro jetting machine is a modern plumbing solution that employs jet water at extremely high pressures to purge and remove obstructions inside your pipes. Specialised hydrojetting equipment generates water pressures powerful enough, ranging from 4,000 - 8,000 PSI, to cut through even the toughest clogs.
When comes to pressurized cleansing, The hydro jetting method employs a process that involves directing force water through pipe systems via a hose equipped with a precise nozzle. This concentrated stream water can pierce deeply into pipe systems and directly eliminate any accumulated grease, waste, or other material. The high velocity water ensures the dislodged gunk, along with other debris, will end up out with the drainage flow.
Hydrojetting is a powerful option clearing method, surpassing expectations when it comes to dealing with large blockages, hardened deposits or tree root ingress. It’s also environmentally friendly and less likely to cause further damage to pipes. Many modern plumbers now offer vs hydro jetting as an essential drain cleaning technique for residential and commercial sites.
At Padstow Plumbing, we use plumbing expertise to operate our cutting-edge hydrojetter truck, featuring rotating nozzles adept at cleansing both drain sewer systems of any dimension. We can easily remove even stubborn obstructions, circumventing the need for extensive sewer repair or pipe replacement. Contact our team today to learn more about hydrojetting and solving your home or business’s plumbing issues.
For small clogs composed of hair, grease, or light debris, drain snakes are an effective option for clearing the blockage and moving it down drain with ease. The spinning auger tip helps tear through clog material while the snake’s bending action can reach deep inside pipes. Employing hydro jetting might get your minor clogs addressed without being excessive.
Clogs such as those formed from dense or hardened materials, like thick grease or mineral deposits, may challenge the capabilities of regular drain snakes. Here, the snaking method is outperformed by hydrojetting, establishing it as the preferred approach. The extremely high-pressure water can penetrate and dissolve the hardened mass with water pressures up to 8,000 PSI.
Another scenario where hydro jetting excels is in powering through roots intruding inside your sewer line or drainage pipes underground. Drain snakes simply lack the power to cut through tough roots, whereas hydrojetting can blast through root masses, ensuring a clear line for the long term.
When faced with substantial blockages that completely obstruct a pipe, the potent efficacy of a hydro jetting machine to clear the passageway is often the most reliable means to cleanse thoroughly. On the other hand, drain snakes may falter in their performance when compared to the efficiency of hydro jetting in breaking through densely-packed debris.
When it comes to thorough cleaning of pipes, weighing snaking vs hydro jetting, jetting is often the best approach, especially for fragile or older pipe materials. Adjustable pressure settings in hydrojetting prevent the risk of having it damage your ageing pipe systems.
Drain snakes represent a lower upfront investment for clearing simple clogs.
A basic hand crank auger can be purchased for under $50 and used repeatedly. A basic hand crank auger can be purchased for under $50 and used repeatedly. Considering the pros cons, hydrojetting may prove to be a cost-saving measure in the long run by clearing clogs more thoroughly, reducing frequent blockage issues.
For those keen on using drain cleaners themselves, home improvement enthusiasts can find drain snakes to be a handy option for alleviating simple sink or tub clogs without professional help. They can be smoothly inserted into your drain openings, clearly facilitating the removal of obstructions. However, overseeing your hydro systems can sometimes result in issues that need professional attention to come out on top safely, so expertise is advisable.
In terms of effectiveness though, hydrojetting is vastly superior at clearing tough, dense or large clogs that drain snakes simply cannot penetrate on their own. Hydrojetting can also access more drain and sewer pipes too.
Consulting the experts at Padstow Plumbing will determine the most effective jetting method among the options available, tailored to target the specific drainage issues on your residential or commercial property in the Padstow area.
When choosing between a drain snake or a hydro jet, one must consider assessing the location, severity and composition of the clog. Here is guidance on selecting the best method for various scenarios:
For minor clogs in household fixtures like sinks or tubs, indicative of a clogged drain, a basic drain snake is usually sufficient. Slow-running water or backed up sinks often indicate line clogs from buildup of hair and soap scum - easily removed with a spinning drain snake.
For deeper sewer line clogs in underground pipes, when there are severe blockages, hydrojetting’s high-pressure water blasting can scour the entire pipe wall. Tree roots, hardened waste or collapsed lines are common issues needing hydrojetting to fully clear.
Grease traps and commercial kitchen drainage lines prone to grease blockages should be hydrojetted for a thorough cleaning. Only high pressure water from methods like hydro jetting can ensure pipes can be freed from thick commercial grease deposits.
Padstow Plumbing is equipped with both drain snakes and a hydro jetting truck for efficient drain clearing in residential and commercial premises around Padstow. Contact us today to book a professional drain inspection so we can advise the best solution for your specific needs.
Preventing blockages in your drains is easier and more cost-effective than clearing them. At Padstow Plumbing, we recommend homeowners in Padstow and surrounding suburbs take proactive drain maintenance steps to avoid blockages down the line, including:
We also advise scheduling annual drain inspections and jetting services to keep your plumbing system operating optimally. Our Pipe Shield membership anticipates future plumbing needs, covering regular maintenance checks to catch minor issues before they escalate into major blockages.
Trust your locally owned operated Padstow Plumbing’s licenced experts to keep your residential or commercial plumbing free of clogs. Email us or call 1300 349 338 to enquire about preventative drain maintenance plans.
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