Hydro Jetting vs. Traditional Drainage Cleansing – What’s Right for Your Pipes?

Blocked drains are one of the most common issues for homes and businesses across Hawke’s Bay. Whether it’s a slow shower, a gurgling toilet, or sewage backing up from the gully trap, the first step is always the same: clear the blockage safely and fast. But when it comes to choosing the right method, most people get stuck between two major options — traditional drain snaking or hydro jetting.

Both approaches work, but they perform very differently depending on the type of blockage inside your pipeline. At Only Drains, we handle everything from minor residential blockages to large commercial sewer lines, and we’ve seen how choosing the wrong method can lead to temporary fixes, pipe damage, or recurring drainage issues.

This in-depth guide explains how each method works, their strengths, weaknesses, real-world use cases, and how to decide what’s best for your drainage system.

Understanding Drain Snaking — The Traditional Clearing Method

Drain snaking has been used for decades and remains the go-to technique for minor or surface-level blockages. The process involves feeding a long, flexible metal cable into your pipeline. The end of the cable rotates or pushes through the blockage, creating a passage that allows water to drain again.

Although snaking is simple and widely used, it has limitations when dealing with deeper or more stubborn issues.

How Drain Snaking Works

• A metal coil cable, usually between 5m and 30m long, is inserted into the drain.
• The technician rotates or pushes the cable manually or using a powered machine.
• The end of the snake breaks, pokes, or pushes the obstruction.
• Water flow is restored once a small passage is opened.

Snaking does not remove debris fully — it only breaks a hole through the blockage.

Benefits of Drain Snaking

• Quick and budget-friendly
• Ideal for small bathroom, kitchen, and laundry blockages
• Useful when pipes are old, fragile, or unable to withstand high pressure
• Requires minimal setup and no water source
• Great for emergency call-outs when you need a fast fix

Limitations of Drain Snaking

Despite its popularity, snaking has significant drawbacks:

• Does not clean or scrub pipe walls
• Cannot break down grease, fat buildup, or compacted silt
• Ineffective against large tree roots
• Often results in recurring blockages
• Does not reveal underlying pipeline damage
• Pushes some debris further instead of removing it

For older houses across Napier and Hastings — especially those with clay or earthenware pipes — snaking may be gentle enough but not thorough enough.

Hydro Jetting — The Modern Solution for Deep Cleansing

Hydro jetting is a powerful, high-pressure water method that cleans your drainage pipeline from end to end. Using jets that spray up to 5,000 psi, the machine blasts through blockages, flushes debris, cuts tree roots, and removes buildup stuck to the pipe walls.

At Only Drains, hydro jetting is the most effective and recommended method for long-term drain health.

How Hydro Jetting Works

• A specialised hose with multi-directional jets is fed into the drain.
• Water pressure forces the hose forward automatically through bends and curves.
• Rear-facing jets pull the hose along and clean pipe walls.
• Forward-facing jets break blockages, sludge, fat, silt and roots.
• The drain is flushed clean from start to finish.

Hydro jetting is not just a clearing technique — it is a complete drain cleansing system.

Benefits of Hydro Jetting

• Removes years of grease, fat, sludge and silt buildup
• Cuts and clears tree roots inside drainage pipelines
• Cleans the full pipe circumference
• Improves the long-term flow rate
• Reduces risk of future blockages
• Essential for properties with significant kitchen waste or tree-rich surroundings
• Provides better results before follow-up services like CCTV inspections or relining

In commercial settings — restaurants, cafés, workshops — hydro jetting prevents grease blockages that snaking cannot touch.

Limitations of Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is highly effective, but requires the right conditions:

• Not suitable for collapsed or extremely fragile pipes
• Requires professional skill to manage pressure safely
• Slightly higher cost than snaking
• Needs access to a water source
• Inspection may be required beforehand to avoid damage

This is why our technicians always assess pipeline condition before choosing hydro jetting.

Which Method Should You Choose? Real Situations & Examples from Hawke’s Bay

Choosing between snaking and hydro jetting depends on the type of blockage, location, and condition of your pipes.

Below are common situations we see across Napier, Hastings, and the wider Hawke’s Bay region.

When Drain Snaking Is the Better Optio

Snaking works best for:

✔ Minor blockages near fixtures
Bathroom sinks, basins, and shower traps often collect hair, soap and small debris.

✔ Older pipelines
Many older Napier homes have clay pipes that can crack under high pressure.

✔ Quick, temporary clearances
If water must flow immediately — e.g., for open homes or emergencies — snaking is fast.

✔ Budget-conscious repairs
Snaking is cheaper when the issue is small and surface-level.

✔ Blockages caused by small foreign items
Rings, toys, small items lodged inside traps.

But snaking does not address buildup, so problems often return within weeks or months.

When Hydro Jetting Is the Superior Solution

Hydro jetting is recommended when:

✔ Grease and fat are clogging the line
Kitchen lines in restaurants, takeaways, or busy homes benefit greatly.

✔ Tree roots have intruded into the pipeline
Hawke’s Bay properties with large trees are especially prone to root infiltration.

✔ Blockages are deep inside the sewer line
Jetting reaches areas that snaking cannot.

✔ Recurring blockages keep coming back
Hydro jetting removes the actual cause, not just the symptom.

✔ You need a full cleanse before CCTV inspection or relining
Jetting prepares the pipe for accurate diagnostics.

✔ You want long-term prevention
Jetting removes the material that causes repeat problems.

In many cases, especially for commercial kitchens and older homes with root issues, hydro jetting saves thousands over time.

Pipe Safety Considerations — Which Method Protects Your Drainage System?

Before any drainage cleansing method is chosen, pipe condition matters.

Hydro Jetting Safety

Hydro jetting is safe when:

• The pipeline condition is good
• The pipe is not fractured or collapsed
• There are no loose joins or weak points
• The technician controls pressure manually

At Only Drains, we adjust psi levels depending on pipe type — PVC, concrete, clay, or cast iron — ensuring no damage.

Snaking Safety

Snaking is safer when:

• The pipeline is extremely fragile
• The issue is within the trap or close to the fixture
• You only require temporary relief

However, snaking may scratch or damage old clay pipes if used forcefully.

Environmental & Long-Term Impact

Hydro Jetting

• Uses only water
• No chemicals or harsh cleaning agents
• Completely eco-friendly
• Reduces long-term blockages and waste

Traditional Drain Snaking

• Minimal environmental footprint
• But may require return visits due to incomplete clearing
• Does not reduce chances of future blockages

In terms of sustainability and long-term maintenance, hydro jetting is the greener choice.

Cost Comparison — Which Saves You More Over Time?

Many homeowners choose snaking because it’s cheaper upfront. However, this often results in:

• Repeat call-outs
• Ongoing blockages
• Rising long-term costs

Hydro jetting typically provides:

• One-time deep cleaning
• Fewer future blockages
• Lower maintenance costs over the year

For commercial kitchens, hydro jetting often pays for itself by preventing downtime or emergency shutdowns.

What Only Drains Recommends for Hawke’s Bay Homes & Businesses

At Only Drains, we use both methods depending on what your pipeline needs — not what is easiest or fastest.

Our recommendation process includes:

1. Diagnosing the blockage — location, severity and cause
2. Inspecting pipe condition — including CCTV if needed
3. Choosing the safest, most effective method
4. Providing maintenance advice after clearing
5. Helping avoid repeat issues with smart prevention steps

We don’t just clear blockages — we help protect your drainage pipeline from future problems.

Common Myths About Hydro Jetting & Snaking

❌ “Hydro jetting is too strong and always damages pipes.”

Incorrect. Pressure is adjustable based on pipe type.

❌ “Snaking clears everything.”

Snaking only breaks a hole — it doesn’t clean.

❌ “Jetting is only for commercial use.”

Residential jetting is extremely effective for kitchen lines and sewer mains.

❌ “If water drains again, the problem is solved.”

Flow returning does not mean the blockage is removed.

Final Verdict — Which Method Should You Choose?

If you want a long-term solution, hydro jetting is the best choice.
If you need a quick fix for a simple blockage, snaking works.

But the safest and most reliable way is to let a drainage specialist assess your pipeline.

Not Sure Which Method You Need? We Can Check for You

Only Drains provides expert hydro jetting and drain snaking services across Napier, Hastings and Hawke’s Bay. We diagnose, inspect, clear and repair pipelines using modern equipment and safe practices.

📞 Call Only Drains Now for fast, reliable, and affordable drainage solutions.