Understanding the Different Types of Drain Cleaning: Jetting, Camera Inspections, Snaking & Augering

Clogged drains happen to everyone, but how they’re cleared depends on the type of blockage and the condition of your pipes. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and that’s why plumbers use different tools and techniques to get the job done. In this post, we’ll break down four common drain cleaning methods—jetting, camera inspections, snaking, and augering—so you know what to expect during a drain cleaning service call.

Types of Drain Cleaning Methods Explained

Understanding these methods can help you make informed decisions and avoid long-term plumbing issues. Below are four of the most commonly used drain cleaning solutions.

1. Jetting

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water, up to 4,000 PSI, to blast through blockages and scour the interior walls of your pipes. A specialized nozzle is inserted into the drain line, flushing out debris, grease, and even roots.

Best for:

• Grease and sludge buildup
• Preventive maintenance for sewer lines
• Commercial kitchen drains

Pros:

• Very thorough pipe cleaning
• No chemicals needed—just water
• Clears debris that snaking can’t

Older or fragile pipes should be inspected first to ensure they can handle the pressure. Some underground drains are run in clay pipe or corrugated pipe that would break apart if they were jetted.

2. Camera Inspections

This method uses a waterproof camera to visually inspect the inside of your drain or sewer line. The camera feeds live footage to a monitor, allowing plumbers to diagnose issues accurately and locate problem areas. Zeek Plumbing provides a copy of the video recording completed during any camera scope of work.

Best for:

• Pinpointing the cause of recurring clogs
• Detecting tree root intrusion, collapsed pipes, or back pitched sections
• Inspecting lines before and after a cleanout

Pros:

• Eliminates guesswork
• Can use the locator to confirm exactly where a break is
• Useful for both homes and commercial properties
• Camera inspections are diagnostic only; they do not clear clogs, but they allow the plumber to see exactly what is inside the main, whether it’s a collapsed or separated section of pipe.

3. Snaking

Snaking involves feeding a heavy-duty, flexible cable down the drain to clear any debris. Snakes  are often used to tackle clogs at kitchen/bathroom sinks, shower drains, and even sewer/septic mains.

Best for:

• Standard plumbing clogs
• Clearing solid debris
• Residential or commercial buildings

Pros:

• Effective for any backup
• Can snake over 100 feet to clear clogs
• Different snake heads and attachments can be used to tackle different clogs

Snaking does not clear the walls of the pipe like jetting does. If grease is within the line, snaking would not remove all of the grease.

4. Augering

Augering is a go-to method for clearing clogs at toilets. A manual or small motorized auger (sometimes called a hand snake) uses a coiled cable to clear a clog within a toilet before the drain line itself.

Best for:

• Toilet clogs
• Smaller localized clogs
• Minor blockages close to the drain opening

Pros:

• Fast and efficient for small jobs
• Less aggressive than power snaking
• Simple and effective in tight spots

Not suitable for clogs further down a drain line or a major backup—if the blockage is farther down the line or involves roots, snaking or jetting is a better option.

Final Thoughts

Drain issues can range from simple hair clogs to full-blown root invasions and using the right tool makes all the difference. Whether it’s a quick auger for a clogged toilet or a powered snake using a root cutter attachment in your sewer main, understanding these methods helps you resolve clogs quickly and efficiently.

Got a clog that won’t budge? Reach out to Zeek Plumbing—we’ll assess the issue and recommend the best approach to get your drains flowing like new again. Give us a call at (866)-635-0200 for more information.