How Much Does a Hydro Jet Sewer Line Cost?

Clogs and blockages in the sewer line are one of the MOST STRESSFUL problems you can encounter, as they may affect not only the insides of your house but the outdoors as well.

You may notice the water backing up from the clean-out or a foul odor from your drains or sewage lines (sometimes, you can't even distinguish where the smell is coming from).

When chemical drain cleaners fail to clear your clogged pipes, you might want to consider hydro jetting services by a professional plumber.

How much does it cost to avail of hydro jet services from professionals? Is it worth the price? We'll answer all your questions (and a whole lot more) in this article. So, keep reading!

How Much Does Hydro Jetting Cost?

Hydro jetting costs depend on several factors: the severity of the clog, accessibility to the drain pipes, sewer line repairs (if necessary), and inspections. Whether the property is residential or commercial also affects the price.

In some instances, the cost of hydro jetting service is cheaper. This is the case if the clog or blockage is MINOR and doesn't result in pipe damage.

But misfortunes come our way every so often, and the price we pay for hydro jetting our sewer pipes tends to be more expensive than expected.

Residential Hydro Jetting Costs

Every homeowner's nightmare is when their home's sewer line is clogged, specifically if the obstruction is already causing problems. 

Hence, most choose to hydro jet their sewer lines to address the problem IMMEDIATELY and CONVENIENTLY.

But how much does hydro jetting cost for residential properties?

Low Cost

For simple obstructions or minor clogs, hydro jetting can go for as low as $300. But, other plumbing companies would ask for a minimum rate of $150, especially if the issues only require easy fixes.

Average Cost

According to the overall national average cost, you'll need to prepare a flat rate of $700 on average if you plan to hire a professional plumber. 

This could be the price if the pipes are less damaged, but there is ample debris to cause a clog.

High Cost

But, if the sewer pipe and mainline incur SERIOUS DAMAGE, and there are stubborn clogs, the cost may escalate to $1,100 or higher, depending on the plumber you hire and the severity of the plumbing issues.

Commercial Hydro Jetting Costs

In commercial properties, the price for hydro jetting is much higher. This is because the buildings are larger, and the area extends to several more yards than regular homes.

Hence, the sewer lines leading to the main lines are much longer than residential properties, requiring EXTENSIVE cleaning or repairs.

Low Cost

The basic rate for a simple clog with sewer line hydro jetting is DOUBLE the low price for residential hydro jetting services, which is $600.

Average Cost

On average, the hydro jetting cost for commercial buildings can run up to $1,800, especially if you're seeking professional services from a plumber.

High Cost

If the damages or clogs are severe or multiple drains are impaired and blocked, you may need to prepare up to $3,000.

Factors Affecting Hydro Jetting Costs

Several cost factors determine the amount you must pay when getting a professional to perform hydro jetting.

Often, these are the MAJOR REASONS that would cause your sewer hydro jetting bills to go up or down:

Inspection

Sometimes, the plumber might need to inspect the plumbing system to determine where the issue is coming from.

It is sometimes NECESSARY for them to know if the pipe can handle intensive hydro jetting work or to see how much debris must be removed.

Video inspections are commonly used for this task, where the plumber inserts a sewer camera into the sewer lines towards the main drain system.

This may add $300 to $1,200 on top of the sewer jetting price, depending on the sewage line length and sewer cleanout's access.

Access

As previously mentioned, access to the sewer cleanout will also determine the cost of hydro jetting services.

A sewer cleanout is typically located on the exterior of your line. It's an open point on the sewer line where the plumber can access the main sewer line that leads toward the city or municipal sewer system.

If it's not on the property's exterior, it's most likely located under the basement or crawlspace. In worst-case scenarios, there's no sewer cleanout installed at all.

The more difficult it is for the plumber to access the cleanout, the more expensive hydro jetting a sewer line costs. It greatly helps if you know the location of your sewer line.

The Extent of the Clogged Sewer Line

When the sewer line clogs severely, it might take a LONG TIME for the plumber to push away the debris blocking the sewer pipes.

Simple obstructions, like those that are minimal and found near the cleanout, will surely result in a lower cost to hydro jet the sewage line.

What is Hydro Jet Drain Cleaning?

Hydro jet drain cleaning (a.k.a hydro jetting) is the process of clearing the drain and sewer pipe by blasting high-pressure water from a hydro jet.

The water pressure will act as the force that pushes the clog away from the pipes, specifically the debris that's built up over time.

If the problem is grease build-up, high-pressure hydro jetting with hot water is usually used by plumbers.

Sewer hydro jetting effectively removes any clog, such as small tree roots, mud, or toilet paper, from your pipes.

You can use this method if you're experiencing drainage problems in your kitchen sink, toilet, or main sewer line.

It's also believed that this method can MINIMIZE RECURRING CLOGS in the sewer line. Hence, it may also save you from the inconvenience and unnecessary utility expenses in the future.

Steps in Hydro Jetting:

1. Rodding the sewer line - Most plumbers rely on rodding using an auger before performing a sewer line hydro jetting service. This aims to pierce the debris that clogs the drain, pipes, or main line to open up the water flow. This method also makes it easier for the pressurized water to come through.
2. Hydro jetting - After the plumber identifies the main issue in your drains or sewer line, high-pressure water will be fired at your pipe through a hose connected to a water supply. Usually, plumbers use a fire hydrant or pressure washer to produce water pressure. Depending on the clog, the plumbing professional may choose the pressure levels of the hydro jet to clear the pipe.
3. Pouring hot water down the drain - this is an extra step to ensure that the remaining debris (tree roots, mud, or hair) not washed away from the sewer line is flushed out. 
4. Repeat hydro jetting (when necessary) - depending on the severity of the clog in your piper, the plumbing professional may decide to re-hydro jet the sewer line. This is the reason why hydro jetting severe blockage is more expensive.

Benefits of Hydro Jetting

There are many reasons why you should consider hydro jetting over other plumbing services to fix your clogged drain, pipe, or sewer line. 

A vast majority of residential clogging issues, as well as commercial properties, have been solved with a hydro jet.

Here are the 4 main benefits you can gain if you consider hydro jetting your clogged pipes:

Deep Pipe Cleaning

The high-pressure water can EFFECTIVELY remove the blockage and residual debris in the pipe. It can even remove iron scale build-up in cast-iron pipes! 

Additionally, it helps eliminate harmful bacteria that might be teeming in your sink or tub and thawing frozen sewer lines before repairs.

Low-Cost and Low-Risk

If the issue involves minor clogs, it's likely that the cost to hydro jet the pipe is cheaper compared to other methods offered by professional plumbing services. 

It also poses a low risk to the environment, unlike using chemicals to drain away unwanted waste that blocks the pipe. 

Accurate and Efficient

Given that hydro jetting is a trenchless method, there's NO NEED to do excavation work, which saves you time, money, and effort. 

It can accurately wash away mud, foliage, hair, or even small tree roots causing problems to your drain and main line, even if the pipes are installed underground. 

Eliminate Odor

By eliminating odor-causing bacteria and unwanted waste in the pipes, you can also bid farewell to the foul smell coming from your drain or sewer line.

This also PROTECTS you from health hazards that might be caused by air pollution. 

When Should you Invest in Hydro Jet Drain Cleaning?

There are 3 signs to indicate that your pipe is a good candidate for hydro jetting. These include:

Slow-Moving Drain

When your line is clogged, it's likely for the water to go down more slowly than normal. This could indicate minor problems in your sewer line or severe obstructions causing the slow movement. 

Sewer Backups and Backflow

You can also notice that the water is moving backward into the shower or bathtub, specifically when you're trying to flush the toilet. 

There are also instances when water from the sewer BACKFLOWS into your property. This is a BIG NO-NO as it might bring diseases from harmful bacteria, toxins, and other waste. 

Severe Clogs or Severe Blockages

You'll know that there's a problem with your sewer line when you have difficulty flushing the toilet or pouring water down the drains. 

Cases like these are mostly caused by severe obstructions. Hence, you might want to call for plumbing services immediately to get the issues fixed. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You might still be curious and have a few more questions to ask about hydro jetting, apart from knowing its cost. Worry not! We'll answer a few commonly asked questions for you!

How Do You Hydro Jet a Sewer Line?

To hydro jet a sewer line, plumbers will need to feed a long hose and fire high-pressure water to push the obstruction away. In some instances, they perform the process repeatedly, depending on the severity of the clog.

How Long Does Hydro Jetting Last?

Hydro jetting can completely clear away unwanted build-up in sewer lines. Hence, it's possible that it will last for SEVERAL YEARS before another service. This is why we said that it's cost-efficient, as it saves you time and money for a long time.

Can Hydro Jetting Damage My Pipes?

We know the first concern you ask is: "how much does hydro jetting cost?" And upon knowing that it will cost a few hundred or thousand bucks, you may hesitate to avail of such services. 

But our answer to this question is definitely a YES! We believe the benefits you can gain from hydro jetting outweigh the cost. 

In fact, it can save you a lot of money for future repairs and replacements, and its benefits can last for several years!

Is Hydro Jetting Worth the Cost?

Old pipes might not handle the high water pressure well, and it may cause damage. Hence, plumbers usually need to conduct a video inspection using a sewer camera and determine if the line is a good candidate for a hydro jet.

Conclusion

We already answered your concerns about hydro jetting, specifically your question about “how much does it cost."

As mentioned, several factors may affect the price you pay for such services. On top of that, different companies may also impose varying flat rates for hydro jetting. 

So, it's up to you to choose the BEST COMPANY that can efficiently help you at a low price, especially if you're on a budget. You can try looking for reviews on such services for your reference. 

But if you ask us if it's worth the price you pay, we say it DEFINITELY is!