How each one works
A drain snake, or cable machine, feeds a rotating steel cable with a cutting head into the line to break up or retrieve a blockage.
A hydro jetter sends water through a hose at very high pressure. Nozzles spray backward and sideways to push the hose forward and scrub the pipe walls as it goes.
When a snake is the better choice
- A single, recent clog in a sink, tub or toilet line
- An object lodged in the pipe
- Older or fragile pipe that should not take high pressure
When jetting is the better choice
- Grease buildup in kitchen and main lines
- Recurring clogs in the same line
- Root intrusion, after roots have been cut
- Cleaning a line thoroughly before a repair or inspection
Why a camera often comes first
A look inside the line shows the condition of the pipe and the kind of blockage. That tells a plumber whether jetting is safe and whether the real problem is the pipe itself.