A sewer or main drain that is backing up into a basement is an emergency, and jetting is one of the tools used to restore flow. Stop running water, keep the toilet unflushed and call. Our 24/7 line takes after-hours jetting calls, and a plumber will tell you on the phone whether a cable or a jetter is the better first move.
What hydro jetting actually does
A jetter feeds a hose with a special nozzle into the pipe. Water leaves the nozzle at high pressure in several directions, which cuts through grease, scrapes scale from the pipe wall and shreds root hair. The debris flushes down the line instead of being pulled back, which is why jetting often lasts longer than cabling.
Jetting versus a cable: when each one wins
| Situation | Better tool | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Single sink or tub clog | Cable | Fast, low cost, enough for most branch lines |
| Main line slows again after cabling | Jetter | A cable leaves a thin channel, the jetter cleans the full wall |
| Grease buildup in a kitchen line | Jetter | Hot water and pressure remove the film |
| Roots entering a clay joint | Cable first, then jetter | Cut the root mass, then flush the hair |
| Collapsed or broken pipe | Neither | Needs sewer line repair after a camera look |
When we do not jet
Jetting is not safe in every pipe. A cracked, offset or badly corroded line can be damaged or leak at the break when pressure hits it. For that reason, a camera look usually comes first on older lines, and the jetter pressure is set for the pipe material.
Fragile materials such as old clay, fiber conduit and thin cast iron need a gentler approach. If the camera finds a break, we stop and talk about repair instead of risking the line. A sewer camera inspection is the first step when the pipe condition is unknown.
Commercial and restaurant lines
Restaurants and shops on Route 3A and in the Derby Street area rely on grease management. Grease sticks to pipe walls and hardens, and a cable only punches a hole through it. Scheduled jetting keeps a commercial line moving and reduces after-hours backups, and the work ties in with commercial plumbing service.
- Food-service drain lines with grease buildup
- Floor drains in garages and service bays
- Multi-unit building main lines
- Laundry lines with lint and soap scale
Hingham drain conditions that call for jetting
Older houses near Hingham Square and Hingham Harbor often have lines that were patched or extended over many decades. Rough interior walls hold grease and scale, so a line that has been cabled several times may still be narrowed. If you are on the town sewer, jetting stops at your own line. The town maintains its mains and pump stations.
If you are on septic in parts of Hingham or Norwell, jetting does not solve a full tank or failed field. Tell us which system you have so we can tell you honestly what jetting can do. Title 5 septic inspections are a separate service done by MassDEP-approved inspectors.
What affects the price of jetting
Jetting prices follow the length of the line and the work needed to reach it.
What moves the price
- Line length and sizeA 4-inch main costs less to jet than a long 6-inch commercial run.
- AccessA clean outdoor cleanout is faster than pulling a toilet.
- ConditionHeavy grease or root mass takes longer to clear.
- Camera workA before and after video adds time but proves the result.
- After-hours timingEmergency dispatch outside regular hours is priced for that staffing.
Insurance generally does not cover cleaning a pipe, but backup damage may be covered with a water backup endorsement. Check your policy and photograph any damage.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
We jet in Hingham, Cohasset, Weymouth, Norwell and Hull, covering ZIP codes 02043, 02025, 02188 through 02191, 02061 and 02045. If your drain keeps coming back after cabling, call our dispatch line and ask whether a jetter is the right next step. For routine clogs, see drain cleaning.
According to the state fact sheet, clearing a blocked drain is a minor repair, and jetting a line is cleaning, not new work, so no permit is needed in most cases. A camera first shows whether the pipe can take the pressure.
Questions homeowners ask
It depends on the pipe. A camera look comes first on older lines, and the pressure is set for the material. Cracked or collapsed pipe needs repair, not jetting.
Yes. Our line runs 24/7, including weekends and holidays, and we dispatch for backups that need jetting. Stop running water and call so the plumber can bring the right equipment.
A cable cuts a channel through the clog. A jetter uses high-pressure water to clean the whole pipe wall and flush debris out of the line.
Often longer than cabling, because the pipe wall is cleaned. Roots and grease can return, so some lines are cleaned on a schedule.
It removes root hair and small roots well. A large root mass may need cutting first, and a camera shows what is entering the pipe.
Yes. Restaurants, shops and multi-unit buildings use jetting to keep grease and scale from building up.