Key takeaways
- Cables cut through a blockage, jetters scour the pipe wall.
- Grease and scale usually need jetting.
- Roots and hard blockages often start with a cable.
- A camera tells you if the pipe can take jetting.
How a cable works
A drain cable, also called a snake or auger, has a spinning head that cuts, breaks up or hooks a blockage. It is quick and effective for a plug of paper, a small root intrusion or a foreign object stuck in a pipe.
The limit of a cable is that it leaves a path through the middle of the blockage, with the coating on the walls still in place. A grease-lined pipe cleared with a cable can clog again within weeks.
How a jetter works
A hydro jetter pushes a hose with a special nozzle through the pipe, sending water jets forward to break through and backward to pull the hose along while scouring the pipe wall. It cleans the full diameter, so it is the better tool for grease, silt and many kinds of scale.
Jetting needs a pipe in decent shape. Cracked, collapsed or very thin pipe can be damaged by any cleaning, which is why a camera check comes first.
Choosing between them
For a one-time plug, a cable is often enough. For a repeat clog, a greasy line or a restaurant drain, jetting is usually worth it. Many Nashville main lines get a cable first to open the pipe, then a jet to clean it.
Ask the crew to explain which tool they plan to use and why, and ask for a camera pass after cleaning so you can see the result.
Related services
Quick answers
Is jetting more expensive than snaking?
Commonly, yes, because the equipment is larger and the job takes longer. It can cost less over time if it stops repeat visits.
Is jetting safe for old pipes?
In sound pipe, yes. In damaged pipe it can make things worse. A camera inspection tells you whether your pipe can take it.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-209-7643.