Drain Jet Blasting.Done Right.

What jet blasting does

A hose with a nozzle sends high pressure water jets forward and backward as it travels down the pipe. The water breaks up grease, silt and scale and flushes the waste out. It cleans the whole pipe wall, not just the middle.

When it is the right choice

Jet blasting suits repeat blockages, heavy grease in commercial kitchens, silt in stormwater drains and clearing a line after root cutting. It is less suited to a pipe that has collapsed, which needs repair.

Checking the result

After jetting we can run a camera through the pipe to confirm it is clean and to look for cracks, joint movement or roots, so you know what shape the pipe is in.

When we use it

Repeat blockages, kitchen drains with fat build-up, long sewer lines with silt, stormwater drains packed with leaves and debris, and commercial drains that carry a heavy load. It also suits a clear before a camera inspection so we can see the pipe condition.

Pipe condition matters

The pressure and nozzle are chosen for the pipe. Old or damaged pipes need care, and a camera first is a good idea when we do not know the condition. If the pipe is damaged, jetting only buys time, and we explain the repair options.

Regular jetting for problem lines

Commercial kitchens and some homes with known problem lines benefit from a regular schedule. We can suggest an interval based on how fast the line builds up.

What to expect on the day

We locate the access point, set up the equipment, clear the line and flush it. Ask to be told what was found. If we run a camera, we show you the footage.

When jetting suits the job

Jetting is a good fit for grease in kitchen and commercial drains, silt in stormwater lines, scale on old pipes and soft roots. It is often followed by a camera run so you can see the result. It is less suited to a pipe that is already cracked or collapsed, where high pressure can make things worse.

Jetting does not repair a pipe. If the cause of the blockage is a broken joint or a sag, jetting only clears it for now.

Jetting in stormwater and driveway drains

Stormwater drains collect leaves, soil and grit that settle in the pipe. Jetting flushes this out, and it is useful before the wet season. Driveway grates and pits can be jetted to restore flow.

Ask where the water and debris will go. In a sewer, they flow with the line. In stormwater, they may need to be collected. Ask the plumber how they will manage that.

What high pressure jetting does

A jetter pushes water through a hose and nozzle at high pressure to scour the pipe walls and flush out grease, silt and scale. It can cut through soft roots and move a blockage that a cable cannot. It does not repair a broken pipe, and in a fragile old pipe, pressure and nozzle choice matter.

A camera check before and after shows what the jetting achieved and whether the pipe is sound.

Jetting compared with other methods

A drain cable or eel is useful for a simple blockage near an access point. Jetting cleans the pipe wall as well as the blockage and suits grease and silt. Root cutters are used when roots are the problem. A plumber should pick the method to suit the pipe and the cause, and explain why.

Access points and safety

Jetting needs an access point such as an inspection opening, gully or cleaning eye. Water and debris can come back out of low fixtures, so keep the area clear and cover floor drains if asked. Wear gloves and wash hands after any contact with drain water.

What jetting can and cannot fix

Jetting clears grease, silt, scale and soft roots. It cannot fix a collapsed pipe, a missing section or a pipe with a big sag. If a blockage returns soon after jetting, a camera inspection finds the cause.

Preparing for a jetting visit

Clear the area around access points. Move cars, bins and garden furniture. Tell the plumber about any known problems, like tree roots, past blockages or previous repairs. Close windows nearby in case of spray, and keep children and pets away.

Regular drain maintenance

Some businesses with heavy grease or scale schedule regular jetting. Ask your plumber how often makes sense for your drains and what use they get. Keep records of each visit to see whether the interval is working.

Cost factors

The price of a jetting job depends on access, the length and size of the pipe, how bad the blockage is and the time of day. Ask what is included, such as a camera check afterwards, and quotes are free with no call-out fee.

Jetting suited and not suited

Jetting suits grease, scale and silt. Fragile or collapsed pipes may not suit high pressure. A camera check helps.

Ask about the pressure used.

Before and after

A camera before shows the problem and after shows the result. Keep the footage.

Ask for notes on what was cleared.

Why jetting suits regular maintenance

Cafes, restaurants and homes with older pipes may benefit from regular jetting to remove build-up before it blocks. The schedule depends on use and pipe condition.

Ask the plumber to recommend an interval after seeing the pipe.

Guides worth reading

• How to Unblock a Drain at Home Before Calling a Plumber
• How a Jet Blaster Clears Stubborn Drains

Related plumbing services

• Emergency Plumbing: Burst pipes, flooding, gas smells and no hot water. Call any hour, any day.
• Blocked Drains: Slow sinks, gurgling pipes and smelly drains cleared and the cause found.
• Blocked Toilets: Blocked, slow or overflowing toilets cleared without making a mess of your bathroom.
• Tree Root Removal from Drains: Roots clearing out of sewer and stormwater pipes, with advice on stopping them returning.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.