Hydro jetting at a glance
Scours the pipe wall with pressurized water from a nozzle
Grease, scale, soap build-up, silt and root fibers
Collapsed, offset or badly cracked pipe
We look inside before we pressurize the line
Main sewer lines, branch lines, floor drain runs and commercial kitchens
Why a cable is sometimes not enough
A cable cutter spins through a clog and leaves a hole the size of its head. Grease and scale remain on the walls, and the opening narrows again, often within weeks. That is the pattern behind most of the repeat calls we hear about.
A jet nozzle fires water backward and sideways as well as forward. The stream pulls the hose along the pipe and strips the wall as it goes. Roots get cut back to the pipe wall instead of left as stubs that regrow.
Jetting versus cabling in plain terms
Cable machine
Fast and low cost for a single stoppage.
- Punches a hole through the blockage
- Leaves grease film in place
- Fine for a first-time clog
Hydro jet
Longer to set up but cleans the full diameter.
- Removes build-up along the wall
- Suits kitchen lines that clog yearly
- Needs a sound pipe to be safe
Where a line has already been cabled and failed, we usually move to the jet. Where a pipe is old and thin, we skip it, and the next section explains why.
Older Voorhees houses and the pipes under them
According to Census survey data, more than 1,100 houses in Voorhees were built before 1960, including 378 from 1939 or earlier. Pipe laid in those decades can be cast iron, clay or fiber conduit, and the interior wall may be flaky from age.
That is why we run a camera before any jetting on a pre-1960 house. If the wall is scaled but sound, a jet does the job. If it is cracked or sagging, pressure could widen the damage, and a repair plan comes first.
Source type: U.S. Census Bureau American Community SurveyHow urgent is your line?
Use this scale to decide whether to wait or call now.
One drain slow, others fine
Try a plunger and a hand auger. Book a regular visit if it returns.
Several drains slow or gurgling
The main is narrowing. Book jetting this week before it blocks completely.
Water backing up in a floor drain or tub
The main is blocked. Call the 24/7 line, stop using water and keep the area clear.
How a jetting visit runs
- 01
Camera look
A small camera on a flexible rod shows the pipe condition and the position of the blockage.
- 02
Set up at the cleanout
We thread the hose through the cleanout, with the nozzle sized to the pipe diameter.
- 03
Jet in passes
We work forward and pull back, adjusting pressure so we do not stress joints.
- 04
Confirm with a second pass
A follow-up camera run or a flow test shows the wall is clean and the water drains.
Facilities, kitchens and shared lines
Restaurants, medical offices and multi-unit buildings around Voorhees Town Center fill their lines with grease, wipes and soap in volume. A jet cleans a kitchen trunk line or a building stack in one visit and often fits into an off-hours window.
For a business whose floor drain overflows, same-day scheduling matters. Call the 24/7 line and tell us whether the building has a grease trap or a cleanout we can reach.
What changes the price of jetting
Pipe diameter and length
A four-inch house line is quicker than a long shared building run.
Access
A cleanout makes setup simple. Pulling a toilet to reach the line adds time.
Camera work
A recorded inspection before and after is a separate step.
Volume of debris
Heavy grease or root mass takes more passes.
Hour of the call
Overnight and weekend dispatch is priced differently from a daytime booking.
Insurance note. Homeowner insurance may not pay for cleaning that is considered routine maintenance, so check your policy before you rely on it. Quotes are easier to compare if each states whether the camera look and a post-jet check are included.
When not to jet
If the camera shows a collapsed section, a belly that holds water or a joint that has separated, a jet will not fix it and may spread debris. We would rather tell you that and move you to sewer line repair than clean a pipe that is failing.
Next steps from here
A first-time blockage may only need drain cleaning with a cable. If the camera result looks marginal, a recorded sewer inspection gives you something to keep.
Older neighborhoods in Gibbsboro and West Berlin have similar lines, and the same camera-first rule applies there.
Sources and references
The points above draw on these public standards, codes and guidelines. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with the agency or utility named before you rely on them.
- U.S. Census Bureau: QuickFacts and American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 estimates
Common questions
Yes. The 24/7 line is staffed overnight and on weekends, and we dispatch the same day when we can. Say whether water is already rising so the call gets priority.
It can if the pipe is cracked, thin or offset. That is why a camera look comes first. If the wall is sound, the jet pressure is set for the pipe material and size.
It cuts and flushes root fibers inside the pipe. It does not stop roots from returning if they enter at a bad joint. Repeat roots usually mean the joint needs repair.
A snake opens a channel through a clog. A jet washes the whole inner wall. Kitchen lines with grease and old sewer mains tend to benefit most.
Yes, including kitchen trunk lines, floor drain runs and shared stacks. We ask about cleanouts and grease traps when you book so we arrive with the right nozzle.
Urgent backups get same-day scheduling when available. A planned cleaning can usually be booked for the next day or later in the week.