After more than 115 years serving homes and businesses across the DMV, I can tell you this—few plumbing problems come up more often than clogged sewer lines. From older homes with aging pipes to new constructions dealing with settlement, a blocked drain is a universal headache. And one of the most effective, long-lasting solutions we offer our clients is hydro jetting.

You’ve probably heard of snaking a drain, but hydro jetting sewer line services is a different beast entirely. It’s a powerful cleaning method I recommend when you’re facing stubborn, recurring clogs that just won’t go away. Unlike traditional drain cleaning methods that might just poke a hole through a blockage, hydro jetting cleans the entire pipe, restoring it to a near-original condition.

This article will walk you through what hydro jetting is, how it works, and ten key reasons why it might be the perfect solution for your home or business. If you’re tired of dealing with slow drains and surprise backups, this one’s for you.

Don’t wait for a small problem to become a messy emergency—fix it now. Schedule your service today.

What Is Hydro Jetting Services?

At its core, hydro jetting is a simple concept. My team and I use a specialized hose and nozzle to blast high-pressure water through your drain pipes. This isn’t your average garden hose; we’re talking about a powerful stream of water that can cut through the toughest blockages imaginable. The hydro jetting work is carefully managed to ensure it’s both safe and effective for your plumbing system.

The high-pressure water scours the inside of the sewer line, removing everything in its path. This includes:

• Grease buildup: Years of accumulated kitchen grease, fats, and oils.
• Tree roots: Fine, hair-like roots that sneak into pipe joints and grow into thick masses.
• Stubborn clogs: Compacted waste, paper products, and foreign objects.
• Mineral deposits: Scale and sediment from hard water that narrows the pipe.
• Debris from older plumbing systems: Rust and corrosion that break off and create clogs.

By clearing the entire diameter of the drain pipes, hydro jetting doesn’t just solve the immediate problem. It restores the proper flow and helps prevent future issues. And at G.A. Eberly, you can rest assured that all this powerful work is supervised by a Master Technician to guarantee it’s done right.

1. High Pressure Water Jetting Completely Clears the Line—Not Just a Small Opening

The biggest difference between hydro jetting and traditional methods like snaking is the result. A drain snake, or auger, works by drilling a hole through the center of a clog. It restores flow temporarily, but it leaves significant buildup on the pipe walls. This remaining debris is a magnet for new waste, which is why snaked drains often clog again within a few months.

Hydro jetting, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive cleaning. The high-pressure water stream scours the entire interior of the pipe, removing heavy buildup and flushing it out of your system. This restores the pipe to its full diameter, allowing for maximum water flow. For homeowners tired of recurring backups, and for landlords and property managers who need a reliable, long-term solution, hydro jetting is the superior choice.

2. It Prevents Future Blockages & Recurring Clogs

Because hydro jetting cleans the full pipe interior so thoroughly, it acts as powerful preventative maintenance. By removing the sticky grease, soap scum, and scale that new waste clings to, you drastically reduce the chances of future blockages. A clean pipe is a free-flowing pipe.

Think of it like this: snaking is a temporary fix, while hydro jetting is a long-term solution. Investing in a complete cleaning now can save you from the headache and expense of dealing with recurring clogs down the road. It keeps your plumbing system healthy and efficient for years to come.

Put 115+ years of experience to work for you. Let our team solve your toughest plumbing problems.

3. It’s Safe for Most Sewer or Drain Pipes (Even Many Older Pipes)

A common question I get is, “Can hydro jetting damage my old pipes?” It’s a valid concern, especially in a region like the DMV with so many historic homes. The truth is, high-pressure water can be destructive if used improperly or on pipes that are already compromised.

That’s why at G.A. Eberly, we always perform a sewer camera inspection before starting any hydro jetting work. This crucial first step allows us to see the exact condition of your pipe walls. We look for cracks, corrosion, and collapsed sections. If the pipes are structurally sound, hydro jetting is perfectly safe. If we find severely damaged pipes, we’ll recommend repair or replacement instead.

Our Master Technicians are trained to evaluate the integrity of your sewer line and adjust the water pressure accordingly. This ensures we deliver a powerful clean without causing any harm to your plumbing system.

4. It Eliminates Grease, Soap Scum & Food Buildup

If you live in an older home, manage a rental property, or run a commercial kitchen, you know how quickly grease, soap scum, and food particles can build up. These substances congeal into thick, stubborn clogs that are almost impossible to remove with conventional methods.

Many people reach for chemical drain cleaners, but these products offer only a temporary fix. They might dissolve a small portion of the clog, but they can’t clear the years of hardened buildup lining the pipes. Worse yet, they can corrode your plumbing. Hydro jetting physically blasts this accumulation away, leaving your pipes clean and clear. It’s the only method that truly resolves heavy grease and sludge blockages for good.

5. It’s the Best Solution for Tree Root Intrusion

The DMV is known for its beautiful, mature trees. Unfortunately, their roots are a leading cause of sewer line problems. Tree roots are naturally drawn to the moisture and nutrients inside your pipes, and they can infiltrate even the tiniest cracks in a sewer line. Once inside, they grow into a dense web that catches waste and causes severe blockages.

Hydro jetting is exceptionally effective at removing tree roots. The high-pressure water acts like a laser, cutting through the root masses and flushing them out of the system. Unlike harsh chemicals that can harm your landscaping and the environment, hydro jetting is a safe and powerful solution. In some severe cases, we may use a mechanical rooter service to cut through the thickest roots first, followed by hydro jetting to clear out the remaining debris.

6. It Helps You Avoid Emergency Backups & Costly Repairs

A slow drain is an annoyance, but a full-blown sewage backup is a costly, unsanitary emergency. Major blockages can cause raw sewage to back up into your home or business through floor drains, toilets, and showers, leading to extensive water damage and expensive cleanup.

Preventative hydro jetting is one of the smartest investments you can make in your property. By regularly clearing your main sewer line of buildup, you can prevent the conditions that lead to major blockages. It’s a proactive approach that saves you money, stress, and the mess of a plumbing emergency in the long run.

Don’t wait for an emergency. Schedule your sewer line hydro jetting today.

7. It Works for Long Pipe Lengths & Hard-to-Reach Access Points

For commercial clients, multi-unit buildings, or properties with complex drain systems, accessing and cleaning the entire sewer line can be a challenge. Traditional snaking can only reach so far, and it often loses effectiveness over long distances.

The flexible hose used in hydro jetting can navigate long pipe lengths and multiple bends, reaching deep into your sewer system. This makes it the ideal solution for cleaning main sewer lines that run from a building to the municipal connection. We can effectively clean hundreds of feet of pipe from a single access point, ensuring the entire drain line is free of obstructions.

8. It Uses No Harsh Chemicals

As professional plumbers, we strongly advise against using liquid drain cleaners. These products contain caustic chemicals that can eat away at your pipes and their joints, causing leaks and premature failure. They are also highly toxic to the environment, contaminating groundwater after they are flushed down the drain.

Hydro jetting uses nothing but pure, high-pressure water. It’s a completely safe, clean, and eco-friendly method for clearing clogs. You get a far more effective result without putting your pipes or the environment at risk.

9. It’s Fast, Efficient & Minimizes Downtime

For a small business owner or property manager, plumbing problems mean downtime, which translates to lost revenue and unhappy tenants. We understand the urgency of getting your operations back to normal as quickly as possible.

Hydro jetting is an incredibly fast and efficient process. Our fully stocked service trucks arrive with all the necessary equipment, allowing us to diagnose and resolve the issue on the first visit in most cases. A complete hydro jetting service can often be completed in just a few hours, minimizing disruption to your business or tenants.

10. It’s Performed By Licensed Professionals for Maximum Safety

A hydro jetting system is a powerful piece of equipment. In untrained hands, the high-pressure water can damage pipes or even cause serious injury. This is not a DIY job.

At G.A. Eberly, all high-pressure work is performed by licensed plumbers and supervised by a Master Technician. Our team is trained in the latest safety protocols and techniques to ensure the job is done effectively and without risk to your property. When you hire us, you’re not just getting a clean pipe; you’re getting the peace of mind that comes with over a century of professional expertise.

How Much Does Hydro Jetting Cost?

The hydro jetting cost can vary based on several factors specific to your property. We believe in transparent, upfront pricing, so we always assess your system before providing a quote with no hidden fees.

Factors that influence hydro jetting costs include:

• Length of the Pipe: Longer sewer lines require more time and labor.
• Severity of the Blockage: Tough clogs, like dense tree roots, may take longer to clear.
• Access Points: The ease of accessing the sewer line can affect the price.
• Condition of the Pipes: The need for a detailed video inspection will be factored in.
• Previous Neglect: Severely neglected lines with years of buildup may require more intensive work.

How Much Does Drain Jetting Cost?

It’s important to distinguish between hydro jetting a main sewer line and drain jetting smaller interior pipes (like a kitchen or bathroom sink). While the technology is similar, the equipment and scope of work are different. Drain jetting is typically less expensive because the pipes are smaller, the clogs are less severe, and access is easier. We can provide a precise quote after evaluating the specific drain line in question.

Is Hydro Jetting Worth It?

For the right situation, absolutely. Hydro jetting is worth it if you’re dealing with:

• Recurring clogs that keep coming back.
• Older pipes with decades of grease and scale buildup.
• A home or business with grease-heavy plumbing (e.g., kitchens).
• Tough clogs caused by tree roots or other stubborn obstructions.
• A multi-unit property where you need to prevent plumbing problems for multiple tenants.

By addressing the root cause of blockages instead of just the symptoms, hydro jetting prevents future clogs and saves you from repeated service calls.

When Hydro Jetting May NOT Be the Right Choice

As effective as it is, hydro jetting isn’t a silver bullet for every plumbing problem. Our initial camera inspection might reveal situations where it’s not the best solution, such as:

• Extremely damaged or fragile pipes that could break under pressure.
• A completely collapsed sewer pipe that requires excavation and replacement.
• Severe corrosion that has weakened the structural integrity of the pipe.

In these cases, we’ll walk you through the best alternatives, whether it’s a targeted repair or a full line replacement. Our goal is always to provide the right solution for your specific situation.

Why Choose G.A. Eberly for Hydro Jetting in the DMV?

When you need hydro jetting services, you want a team you can trust. G.A. Eberly has been a cornerstone of the DMV community since 1909. We’re a family-owned, woman-operated business built on a foundation of integrity, craftsmanship, and customer care.

Here’s why generations of families and businesses have trusted us:

• A Century of Expertise: With over 115 years in the business, we’ve seen it all.
• Master Technician Oversight: Every installation and high-pressure job is supervised by a Master Technician to ensure the highest quality.
• Upfront, Transparent Pricing: No surprises or hidden fees. Just honest work at a fair price.
• Fully Licensed and Insured: Your property is in safe, professional hands.
• Flexible Scheduling: We work with your schedule to provide convenient service for families, property managers, and businesses.

Products for Drain Maintenance | Leave Hydro Jetting to the Professionals

Using eco-friendly products is essential for maintaining your drains while protecting the environment. Here are some recommended non-harmful products and brands:

Biokleen Drain Cleaner: Biokleen offers a plant-based drain cleaner that effectively breaks down grease and organic buildup without harsh chemicals. It’s biodegradable, making it safe for your plumbing and the environment. Purchase Biokleen here.

Earth Enzymes Drain Opener: This enzymatic drain opener is designed to tackle clogs naturally, using enzymes to digest waste materials in pipes. It’s safe for septic systems and free of caustic chemicals. Purchase Earth Enzymes here.

Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver: Green Gobbler provides a powerful yet eco-friendly solution for tough clogs. Their formula is non-toxic, odorless, and biodegradable. Purchase Green Gobbler here.

ECOS Earth Enzymes Drain Maintainer: This product helps prevent clogs and maintain clear drains through natural enzymes and plant-based ingredients. It’s septic-safe and environmentally friendly. Purchase ECOS here.

Drano Naturals: Drano Naturals is a trusted name that combines powerful clog removal with eco-conscious ingredients, great for households preferring safer options. Purchase Drano Naturals here.

Get Your Drains Flowing Freely Today With Our Hydro Jetting Sewer Line Services 

Don’t let a clogged sewer line disrupt your life or business. If you’re tired of slow drains, recurring backups, and temporary fixes, it’s time to call in the experts. Trust the DMV’s plumbing professionals for generations.

Schedule your hydro jetting sewer line cleaning today and stay ahead of costly repairs with preventative drain cleaning done right the first time.