Quick Answer
Hydro jetting clears all the inside of a pipe with high pressure water (1,500 to 4,000 PSI), whereas auger plumbing (also called snaking) uses a metal cable that spins through the pipe to break through one clog. It is less expensive and quicker to augur a simple, isolated blockage. Hydro jetting is superior to all other methods for removing grease buildup, reoccurring clogs, tree roots and full sewer cleaning because it removes the entire pipe wall, not a hole through the clog.
When you have a slow drain or a backup in your main line, you will need to decide on which method you will take and that will determine the length of time the fix will last, which is what we’ll be going through below.
What Is Auger Plumbing?
Mechanical plumbing, also known as auger plumbing, is a method of clearing a blockage by mechanically breaking or hooking it with a flexible steel cable (also called a plumbing snake or sewer auger).
A plumber (or a drain pipe auger machine for harder clogs) pushes the cable down the pipe until it hits the blockage, then spins the cable to allow it to shred hair, grease balls, wipes and small tree roots. It’s the same technology that’s been used for decades in a drain cleaning snake but now it’s motorized for larger lines.
Where augering shines:
- Single-fixture clogs (sinks, tubs, toilets)
- Hair and soft debris blockages
- Minor root intrusions
- Fast, low-cost service calls
Limitation: An auger makes a way through the clog, but doesn’t scour the pipe walls. Film, scale, and sludge that remain after the grease has been extracted can cause a clog in just a few weeks.
What Is Hydro Jetting?
A high pressure method of cleaning pipes with water, known as hydro jetting, is used to clean the inside of the pipe from one end to the other.
Water is forced on a hydrojet plumbing machine through a flexible hose with a special nozzle. The forward facing jets blast through the blockage, while the backward angled jets scrub off grease, mineral buildup, soap scum and root hair as the hose is pulled back. A drain snake only cleans up one blockage while hydro jetting will clean the entire pipe at once.
Before jetting, most licensed plumbers will perform a camera inspection to ensure the pipe can withstand the pressure of the jetting as it may be damaged by extremely high pressure.
Where hydro jetting shines:
- Grease-clogged commercial kitchen lines
- Recurring or chronic drain clogged issues
- Mineral scale and hard-water buildup
- Root intrusion in sewer cleanout lines
- Full commercial drain cleaning and preventive maintenance
Hydro Jetting Vs Auger Plumbing: Side-by-Side Comparison
Factor | Auger / Snaking | Hydro Jetting |
Best for | Single, isolated clogs | Grease, scale, roots, recurring clogs |
Cleans pipe walls | No clears a path only | Yes scours full interior |
Typical job time | 20–45 minutes | 45–90 minutes |
Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
Long-term value | May need repeat visits | Fewer repeat callouts |
Pipe condition needed | Works on most pipes | Requires sound, non-fragile pipe |
Environmental impact | Chemical-free if done mechanically | Water only, no chemicals |
Ideal use case | Household plumbing, quick fix | Commercial plumbing, sewer mainlines |
Which Should You Choose? Hydro Jetting vs Augering
If you have one slow or blocked drain, and you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, choose an auger: A hair clog in a bathroom sink and a single backed-up toilet will easily be addressed with a plunger and this cordial fix.
If your drain cleaning near me is occurring regularly (every couple of months), if you are a restaurant employee or commercial kitchen user who is having grease clog issues, or if a camera inspection reveals line lining from scale, sludge or roots, then use hydro jetting.
The general guideline is: If it is the first time you are having the drain clog, use an auger. The 3rd time is the charm, it is the time to jet the line.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
- Reaching for chemical drain cleaners first. These can corrode older pipes and rarely fix the root cause.
- Assuming a slow drain will “clear itself.” Grease and scale narrow the pipe gradually until it’s a full blockage usually at the worst possible time.
- Skipping the camera inspection before hydro jetting. Jetting a fragile or already-cracked pipe can turn a clog into a leak.
- Using a store-bought snake on a main sewer line. Household snakes aren’t built for that scale; this is a job for a local emergency plumber with commercial-grade equipment.
Hydro Jetting Cost Considerations
Hydro jetting will cost more initially due to the equipment and specialized labor required, while augers are usually less expensive for one clog. However, where the blockage problem is the same every year, a single jetting treatment can be cheaper over the course of a year than 3 or 4 auger treatments. The cost of any repair or installation will vary from property to property and a simple, initial quote from a licensed plumber will give you a realistic idea of what it will cost you in your particular situation.
Expert Tips for Long-Lasting Drains
- Book annual hydro jetting for commercial kitchens to keep grease traps and lines flowing.
- Avoid pouring grease down drains even small amounts build up over time.
- Run hot water after washing dishes to help keep grease moving through the line.
- Get a camera inspection before choosing between methods if the clog is recurring or in a main line.
- Don’t wait for a full backup. A slow drain is your pipe telling you something is building up.
Why Pioneer Plumbing Is the GTA’s Trusted Choice
Pioneer Plumbers Inc has earned a reputation throughout the Greater Toronto Area for licensed and insured workmanship as well as honest recommendations, no upselling. Whether a quick auger or a complete hydro jetting, the team assesses the condition of your pipes and only uses the method necessary for the issue so you’re not paying more than you need to be.
What sets Pioneer apart:
- 24/7 emergency plumbing a backed-up drain doesn’t wait for business hours, and neither does the team.
- Local coverage across the GTA, including Ajax, Aurora, Bolton, Cambridge, Guelph, Hamilton, Richmond Hill, Kitchener, Markham, Newmarket, Oakville, Oshawa, Pickering, Woodbridge, and Vaughan.
- Both residential and commercial plumbing service, from a single clogged sink to full industrial plumbing and commercial drain cleaning for restaurants and multi-unit buildings.
- Transparent, upfront quotes with no hidden fees before any work begins.
- Warranty-backed workmanship on every job, so you’re covered after the crew leaves.
- Licensed and insured technicians equipped for everything from a drain cleaning snake job to a full sewer auger or hydrojet mainline service.
When the same drain continues to clog, the waitlist for your household plumbing or home plumber is only growing, and Pioneer’s team can determine the cause of the clog, suggest the appropriate solution and correct the problem for you the first time.
Can’t determine which of the following methods is appropriate for your drain? Give Pioneer Plumbing a call today at (866) 235-9714 to get an honest, no-guesswork, no upselling suggestion for a quick inspection.
