Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure water stream from a hose and nozzle to scour the inside of a drain or sewer line. It is the answer when a line keeps clogging after cabling, and it is often the right call when a main line is grease-packed or full of roots. If a backup is happening now, the 24/7 line can send a plumber the same day when availability allows.
While you wait, stop using water and do not pour chemicals into the line. Call (805) 249-7135 and tell us which drains are slow.
What hydro jetting does that a cable does not
A cable clears a channel. Jetting cleans the wall. The nozzle sprays backward jets that pull the hose forward and forward jets that cut grease, scale and soft roots into pieces the water flushes away. The result is a pipe back near its original diameter, not a narrow channel.
That difference is why jetting is the better choice for repeat clogs. It also reduces the odor and slow flow that come from buildup between visits.
Is jetting right for your line? A decision guide
| Condition | Jetting? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Grease buildup in kitchen or main line | Yes | Scours the full wall and flushes the residue |
| Fine roots at joints | Yes, with camera follow-up | Cuts roots but may not seal the opening |
| Heavy hard scale | Often yes | Pressure and the right nozzle remove it |
| Collapsed or offset pipe | No | Repair is needed first |
| Fragile or deteriorated old pipe | Camera first | High pressure can worsen a cracked line |
We camera the line before jetting when we suspect damage. A crushed pipe goes to sewer line repair instead.
Cable did not hold?
Ask for hydro jetting. The 24/7 line can book a same-day visit when available.
When a stuck drain is an emergency
Call at once if water is rising in a floor drain, if sewage smell fills the house or if a restaurant or shop cannot drain a sink. These are active backups, and our 24/7 line is built for them.
Jetting is not always the first tool on an urgent call. Often a cable restores flow quickly, and jetting follows once the line is open, so the grease or roots do not simply return. Ask about same-day or after-hours availability when you call.
The Lompoc rules that apply to jetting
The City of Lompoc prohibits chemical root control products in the sanitary sewer and says roots are a common cause of overflows. Mechanical cutting and jetting are the accepted way to deal with them.
The city's wastewater FAQ also sets a local discharge limit of 100 mg/L for oil and grease for commercial dischargers and notes that new food service businesses must install a grease trap or interceptor. Food businesses should also ask about service intervals. Our commercial plumbing page covers those accounts.
Typical jetting visit
Locate the access point
A cleanout, or a pulled toilet if there is none.
Camera if needed
A quick look to confirm the pipe can take pressure.
Jet in stages
Start at lower pressure and increase as the line opens.
Verify with video
Re-camera to confirm the wall is clean.
Residential lines are usually 3 or 4 inches, and the nozzle is chosen to fit. Kitchen branch lines can be jetted too, while a sink-level snake is enough for most minor clogs. For those, see drain cleaning.
What affects the price of jetting
Insurance seldom covers jetting, because it is maintenance. Want your real number? Call (805) 249-7135, and homeowners in Santa Maria can ask for the same service.
According to the City of Lompoc, chemical root control products are prohibited in the sanitary sewer, and some grease deodorizers only emulsify grease and push it downstream. Mechanical cleaning such as jetting avoids both problems.
Hydro Jetting questions, answered
Yes. Our 24/7 line takes jetting and backup calls any hour, with same-day appointments when availability allows.
Usually, if the pipe is sound. We camera first when the pipe looks fragile, and we skip jetting on cracked or collapsed lines.
A snake clears a channel through the blockage. Jetting scours the whole pipe wall.
Yes. Kitchen lines are the most common grease site, and jetting keeps them clear longer than a cable.
It cuts fine roots, but roots return unless the entry point is sealed by lining or repair.
It depends on use and cause. Grease habits and root growth decide how soon maintenance is needed again.