Drain Jetting vs Snaking: Which Works Better?

If you’re dealing with a stubborn clog that keeps coming back, you’ve probably heard two terms tossed around: snaking and drain jetting. And honestly, the confusion makes sense. They’re both used to clear drains, yet they solve problems in very different ways. At Clog Heroes Plumbing, Sewer & Drain, we explain this comparison almost every week, because picking the wrong method can mean wasting time (and money).

So let’s break it down step-by-step: what each method does, what it’s best for, and how to tell which one you actually need.

What Snaking a Drain Really Does

A drain snake (also called an auger) is basically a flexible cable that spins through the pipe. It punches through clogs, breaks up blockages, and pulls out some debris.

In other words, snaking is great at opening a path.

However, it usually doesn’t fully clean the inside of the pipe. It’s more like poking a hole through a jam than scrubbing the whole line clean.

When a Drain Snake Works Best

Snaking is usually the right tool when:

• You have a localized clog (sink, tub, toilet)

• The blockage is soft (hair, soap, toilet paper)

• It’s your first clog in that drain

• The line isn’t heavily coated with buildup

Also, snaking tends to be faster and cheaper for simple clogs. That’s why plumbers still use it constantly.

Drain Jetting: What It Is and Why It’s Different

Drain jetting is a totally different approach. Instead of cutting through a clog, it uses high-pressure water to blast and rinse the pipe walls.

Think of it like pressure washing the inside of your plumbing line.

Because of that, drain jetting doesn’t just “get things moving.” It actually removes sludge, grease, soap scum, scale, and buildup stuck to the sides of the pipe.

And that’s exactly why it’s such a powerful solution for recurring clogs.

Drain Jetting vs Snaking: The Biggest Differences

Here’s the simplest way to compare them:

• Snaking = punch a hole through the clog

• Drain jetting = clean the pipe back to near-original condition

So yes, both methods can get water flowing again. But only one truly resets the pipe.

That matters because most recurring clogs aren’t caused by one random blockage. Instead, they’re caused by buildup that narrows the pipe over time. Then one “normal” thing (grease, hair, wipes) sets it off.

When Snaking Is Enough

In many homes, snaking is all you need. In fact, we’re the first ones to say it.

Snaking is usually fine when:

• You don’t have recurring backups

• The drain was fine yesterday

• The clog is limited to one fixture

• You haven’t noticed slow drains across the house

Also, if the clog is clearly caused by one specific issue (like a hair clog or a wad of toilet paper), snaking is often the quickest way to get things moving again.

When Drain Jetting Is the Better Choice

If we’re being honest, drain jetting is the best option when you’re dealing with a system that’s dirty, not just blocked.

You’re a great candidate for jetting if:

• Drains clog repeatedly

• You get sludge or dirty water backup

• Multiple fixtures are slow at the same time

• Your kitchen line has grease buildup

• Your main line keeps acting up

It’s also a smart option before selling a home, or after moving into one with unknown plumbing history.

Drain Jetting for Grease, Sludge, and “Mysterious” Clogs

Here’s one of the most common calls we get: “It keeps clogging. We clear it, and it comes right back.”

That’s usually buildup.

Kitchen lines especially can collect grease and food residue over years. Even if you don’t pour grease down the drain, it still sneaks in. Over time, it coats the pipe walls and traps debris like Velcro.

In those cases, drain jetting is the only method that truly clears the gunk out.

To explain why grease causes so many repeat clogs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency points out that fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and even some items labeled “flushable” can create sewer blockages that contribute to sanitary sewer overflows and backups.

How We Decide: Sewer Inspection First (When Needed)

Before we choose between snaking and drain jetting, we often recommend starting with a sewer inspection—especially when:

• You’ve had repeated backups

• The line clogs again quickly after snaking

• You suspect root intrusion or pipe damage

• You don’t know what’s going on underground

A camera inspection prevents guesswork. It shows whether the problem is just buildup… or something structural like a belly, break, offset joint, or root invasion.

And yes, that matters, because jetting a damaged line without checking can cause problems. A camera inspection also helps confirm whether the pipe is safe for jetting before high-pressure water is introduced.

Gully Camera Diagnostics

In some situations, we’ll use a gully camera to get a clearer look at outdoor lines, transitions, and drainage tie-ins. Basically, it gives us real visual confirmation of what’s happening inside the pipe.

That clarity helps us choose the safest, most effective cleaning method.

Drain Jetting Safety: Is It Safe for Older Pipes?

This question comes up constantly, and it’s a good one.

Drain jetting can be safe for many older pipes, but it depends on:

• pipe material

• pipe condition

• severity of corrosion

• joint integrity

That’s why we don’t treat it like a one-size-fits-all tool. A reputable plumber checks the situation first. In some cases, snaking is safer. In others, jetting is totally appropriate and works beautifully.

Either way, we pick the option that fixes the issue without creating a new one.

Where “Bathtub Drain Clogs” Fit Into This

Not every clog needs the big guns. For example, many tub clogs are caused by hair and soap scum right at the drain opening.

If you’re dealing with one of those, you’ll probably benefit from our guide on how to unclog a bathtub drain before jumping into larger solutions. (And yes, we see those clogs all the time.)

Still, if tub clogs keep returning, that’s when we start thinking beyond basic snaking.

The Real Question: Which One Works Better?

Here’s the honest plumber answer:

• For quick clogs: snaking works better

• For recurring clogs: drain jetting works better

• For unknown causes: camera inspection first, then decide

Snaking is a great first tool. But if you’ve already snaked a line and the problem returns, don’t keep repeating the same fix. That’s like resetting a tripped breaker without addressing the overload.

How to Prevent Clogs So You Don’t Need Drain Jetting Again

Once we clear a line—especially with drain jetting—the next goal is keeping it clear. And honestly, a few small habits make a huge difference.

Grease is a big one. Even if you rinse with hot water, it cools and sticks inside pipes. Then it grabs everything else, and clogs build faster than you’d expect.

Consumer Reports also notes that drain cleaner should be a last resort, and warns homeowners that if it doesn’t work, it’s important to tell the plumber because the caustic chemicals can be dangerous to anyone working on the line.

A few easy prevention tips:

• Toss grease into a container instead of the sink

• Scrape plates into the trash first

• Use drain strainers in tubs and sinks

• Avoid chemical drain cleaners for recurring clogs

If clogs keep coming back anyway, it usually means buildup is already lining the pipe walls. That’s when drain jetting becomes the smarter long-term fix.

Final Thoughts (and a Simple Next Step)

At the end of the day, snaking and drain jetting aren’t competing methods—they’re different tools for different problems. Snaking clears blockages fast, while jetting cleans and restores flow long-term. If you’re tired of dealing with the same clog over and over, that’s often the sign that a deeper clean is needed.

If you’re dealing with repeat backups, our hydro jetting services can clear heavy buildup from pipe walls and help restore strong, reliable flow.

And if you want a professional opinion, contact us at Clog Heroes Plumbing, Sewer & Drain. We help homeowners throughout Fredericksburg, VA and surrounding areas, and we’ll recommend the fix that actually makes sense for your system—whether that’s snaking, inspection, or full drain jetting.

FAQs

Below are a few quick answers we commonly give homeowners when they’re deciding between snaking and jetting.