Hydro Jetting in Winston-Salem, NC

What jetting does that a snake can't

A drain cable spins a cutting head through a blockage and leaves most of the buildup stuck to the pipe. Within weeks, new waste catches on what's left. A jetter's nozzle sends forward jets to break up the clog and rear jets that both drive the hose ahead and wash the walls behind it. The result is a pipe that's close to its original opening.

That matters most on:

• Kitchen branch lines coated with cooking grease
• Main building drains that slow down every few months
• Sewer laterals with hair-fine root growth at the joints
• Restaurant and commercial lines with heavy daily use

For one slow bathroom sink, a jetter is usually more machine than the job calls for.

Older pipe needs a look first

Winston-Salem has a lot of older housing. About 43% of homes in the city were built before 1980, and historic areas such as West End were built up mostly between 1887 and 1930. Pipe in that age range may be clay, cast iron or a mix of repairs. High-pressure water is safe for sound pipe, but it can widen a crack or wash out a joint that is already failing. On an older lateral, ask the plumber to run a camera before jetting, or at least right after.

A typical visit

1. The plumber locates a cleanout, often outside near the foundation, or pulls a fixture to get access.
2. A nozzle sized to the pipe is chosen, since small lines and 4-inch mains need different heads.
3. The hose is fed down the line and drawn back slowly over heavy spots.
4. Many plumbers finish with a camera pass to show the cleaned pipe and check for damage.

When the problem is the city's

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities runs the public sewer system, about 1,825 miles of sewer lines and 45 lift stations. If a jetter clears your line to the street and wastewater still won't drain, the trouble may be in the public main, and the utility should be told. The exact point where the owner's pipe ends and the utility's begins isn't published, so ask the utility if you're unsure.

What affects the cost

Price depends on the length and size of the line, whether there's a working cleanout, how much buildup or root growth is inside, whether a camera inspection is added, and how hard the access is. Ask for a clear scope before work starts.