Hydro Jetting vs Rooters in Elba, AL - What’s the Difference?

Rooters

The rooter machine, often referred to as a snake, was designed to clear pipes by cutting through obstructions.

A rooter is equipped with a metal head fitted with sharp blades. Inserted into the pipe, the rotating head work to slice through tree roots, helping clear away obstructions. While this method is effective for removing tree roots, rust, and other waste, it also has limitations. It can be hard to manage the strength of these machines, and can sometimes lead to pipe damage.

Using Rooters Yourself: A Warning

There are many types of plumbing snakes and augers available on the market for homeowners who want to clear clogs themselves. But beware—using these tools improperly can lead to serious pipe damage. If you're noticing signs of clogging such as slow draining, backups, foul smells, or flooding, it’s smart to have the line inspected professionally with sewer cameras before attempting any solutions.

High-Pressure Jetters

High-pressure jetters are designed to use pressurized water to flush obstructions inside pipes. These machines consist of powerful hoses with specialized spray nozzles. Compared to rooters, hydro-jetters use water to clean pipes rather than mechanical scraping.

Hydro-jetters come with customizable settings for pressure and flow rate, allowing for flexibility. This allows them to be as forceful or as gentle as needed. Generally 30-50% more efficient, these machines are excellent at cleaning. Without chemical additives, they’re an environmentally safe choice—using only water to clear out pipes.

Why Choose Hydro Jetting?

Typically, hydro-jetting is performed via a cleanout, an entryway used by technicians to clear pipes. Water jets are used to blast away obstructions, grease, and roots that cling to the walls of pipes. With enough pressure, water jets can dissolve hardened debris and even compacted grease. Many jetters have 360-degree spinning nozzles enabling for complete, thorough cleaning of the inner pipe walls. Depending on the severity of the clog, nozzle types and pressure settings are selected to target specific issues.

Hydro Jetting in Elba, AL: Superior to Rooters?

Hydro-jetting is widely seen as more effective than rooters in most cases. While snakes work by cutting, hydro-jetters use water pressure for a safer, more comprehensive clean. Another key advantage of hydro-jetting is its adjustability. Different nozzle options also allow for compatibility with pipes of various sizes and materials. From sludge to tree roots, hydro-jetting can be adapted to suit the task.

When Rooters are Sufficient

While hydro-jetting often provides the best results, there are scenarios where a snake works fine. Rooters offer a more budget-friendly option and can tackle single blockages. In cases of minor blockages, like toys or large wads of paper, a rooter can clear the issue easily. However, because of its cutting design, rooters tends to struggle with grease and roots.

For grease or root-related issues, hydro-jetting will clear the pipe far more thoroughly. By removing all debris with pressurized water, hydro-jetting is ideal for a complete pipe clean-out.

Those located in Elba, AL, Elba Plumbing Services specializes in both hydro-jetting and rooter services to ensure your pipes stay clear.

Give us a call now at (888) 860-0649 to request a free in-home estimate.