We’ve all been there; you go to wash your hands in the kitchen sink, but the water just pools by the drain. Or, you take a shower after a long, hard day… only to be left standing ankle-deep in soapy water that refuses to go down. These are all telltale signs of a clogged drain, and getting the help you need fast is key.
So, when you’ve got a clogged drain and call out a plumber, what can you expect? There are a couple of ways a plumber might relieve your clogged drain, and it all depends on the cause of your clog. The most popular ways to fix a clogged drain are drain cabling and hydro jetting.
How Drain Cabling Works
If you’ve ever tried DIY methods of unclogging your drains, you’ve probably seen a drain snake at the store before. The ones you find at the store are long plastic sticks meant to pull hair and gunk from inside your pipes, but they don’t reach very far and aren’t super effective. And if you’re not careful, you run the risk of damaging your pipes.
Professional drain cabling (also called drain snaking) uses an extremely long metal cable (auger) to relieve clogs. Unlike the plastic one from the hardware store that’s just a few feet long, the ones we use can reach up to 75 feet. The cable is attached to a motor, and this drills the cable through whatever gunk is blocking up your pipes.
We’ve pulled out all kinds of things by drain cabling, like dentures, children’s toys, and even deodorant!
How Hydro Jetting Works
Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure water stream to break through stubborn clogs and even tree roots* built up in your pipes. It’s basically a pressure washer for the inside of your pipes! When you have a plumber out for hydro jetting, they’ll send a drain camera down your pipes first.
This is how we figure out exactly where your clog is and what’s causing it. From there, we can come up with a plan to get things working like new! Because hydro jetting uses such extreme water pressure, checking out the health of your pipes with a camera beforehand also lets us see whether or not hydro jetting is safe for your pipes.
Once your plumber is done checking out your pipes with a drain camera, they can get started with the jetter to take care of your slow or clogged pipes and drains! And hydro jetting doesn’t just clear the clog; it cleans the insides of your pipes, too! This breaks down build-up that might be leaving you prone to repeat clogs.
*If your clog is from tree roots, there’s more at play than just a clog. Your plumber will take a closer look and help figure out a solution to fix your pipes for good. In the meantime, hydro jetting is a great way to get you some temporary relief!
When You Need Drain Cabling vs When You Need Hydro Jetting
While both drain relief methods can do some amazing things, they aren’t equal. Both methods have their own strengths! If your clog is from softer things (like toilet paper, food, or hair), drain cabling is a great and cost-effective way to go. It’s also often a go-to method if your clog isn’t very deep in the line.
However, drain cabling is only used for breaking apart or pulling out clogs and blockages. It isn’t meant to clean your pipes, so any build-up inside the walls of your pipes will still be there.
If you have a lot of build-up in your pipes, hydro jetting is a great option for cleaning your pipes and getting them flowing like new! Also, if your clog is from something harder (like tree roots or a really stubborn build-up), is caused by heavy grease buildup, or is deep in your pipes, hydro jetting is the best way to go!
Clogs don’t fix themselves, so even if your sink, toilet, or shower is just draining a bit slowly, it’s worth calling Morris-Jenkins out to take a look.
Drain Cabling Vs. Hydro Jetting Cost
When considering the best drain clearing method for your home, it’s important to weigh all factors. The costs associated with each method can vary depending on the severity of the clog, the location of the blockage, and the type of pipes in your home.
Drain Cabling Costs
Drain cabling is often the more affordable option for clearing out simple or moderate clogs. This method involves using a flexible metal cable with a cutting head or a mechanical snake to break apart blockages and push them through the pipe. It’s great for removing hair, soap scum, and minor buildup in sinks, tubs, or shower drains.
Hydro Jetting Costs
Hydro jetting typically costs more than drain cabling, but it delivers a much deeper clean. Using high-pressure water streams, this method blasts away years of grease, sludge, and debris from your pipes, leaving them almost like new. It’s especially effective for homes with older plumbing systems, tree root intrusion, or frequent drain backups.
We’ll Help You Consider All Factors, Including the Drain Cleaning Costs
At Morris-Jenkins, we leave no stone unturned in finding the right solution to your needs. We’re here to keep your plumbing system working at its best, so no matter where the clog is or what caused it, we’re here to bring things back to normal.
Choosing Professional Solutions for Stubborn Drain Clogs
We know how tempting it can be to run to your local store, find some chemical drain cleaners, and pour them down the drain. After all, who doesn’t love a fast and cheap fix? The problem is that chemical drain cleaners usually don’t make much of a difference; plus, they can actually do more harm than good. Those harsh chemicals can eat away at your pipe walls, weaken seals, and damage older plumbing systems over time.
Instead of risking costly pipe damage or messy backups, it’s always better to call in the pros. At Morris-Jenkins, our plumbers use professional-grade tools and proven methods to safely and effectively remove clogs.
Whether it’s through drain cabling, hydro jetting, or another solution, we’ll choose the best option for your home based on what’s really going on inside your pipes. We’re here to help you restore proper water flow and make sure your plumbing stays in great shape for years to come.
Preventing Future Clogs
To help prevent future clogs, avoid letting grease, food scraps, or hair go down your drains, and use drain strainers wherever you can. Flush your drains with hot water regularly to wash away buildup before it hardens. And if you notice slow drainage starting up again, call Morris-Jenkins early—catching small problems quickly can keep them from turning into major plumbing headaches.
Choose Morris-Jenkins for Drain Cabling and Hydro Jetting Services in Charlotte
No matter what’s clogging up your pipes, we can get them flowing the right way again! Whether you’re dealing with severe clogs or minor disruptions, we’ve got your back!
We offer hydro jetting and drain cabling in Charlotte to help your home stay safe and your plumbing system work its best. Keep your home running smoothly and prevent costly repairs with help from Morris-Jenkins!
