The choice depends on what is causing the blockage and what condition the pipe is in. A drain snake may be suitable for a straightforward obstruction, while hydro jetting can be useful when grease, sludge or other buildup needs to be removed from the pipe walls.
If the blockage keeps returning, the cause is unclear, or there are signs of tree root intrusion or damaged pipework, a CCTV inspection can help identify the problem before choosing a clearing method.
The important point is that neither method is automatically the right choice for every blocked drain. The plumber needs to match the method to the cause rather than simply choosing the quickest or cheapest option.
How does a drain snake work?
A drain snake, the powered version is what most plumbers and homeowners call an electric eel, is a flexible steel cable fed down the pipe on a motorised drum. A cutting or coiled head on the end either breaks the blockage apart or hooks it and pulls it back out. It’s fast. Most single-point clogs clear in the time it takes to feed the cable in and wind it back out.
The trade-off is that a snake clears a path through the blockage. It doesn’t clean the rest of the pipe wall the blockage was sitting on, which matters more for some causes than others.
How does hydro jetting work?
A hydro jetter pumps water through a specialised nozzle at high pressure, enough to cut through:
- Grease and fat build-up coating the pipe wall
- Mineral scale from hard water
- Root fibre that’s intruded through a joint
A plumbing contractor runs a CCTV camera through first to confirm the pipe can handle the pressure, since older or already-damaged pipe sometimes can’t, then feeds the jetting hose the length of the affected run. Matching the method to the pipe’s condition is exactly the judgement NSW’s plumbing code and standards expects a licensed plumber to make on every job, not a step to skip for speed.
Because it cleans the whole pipe wall rather than opening a channel through the clog, jetting takes longer per job but leaves less behind for the next grease pour or the next storm to catch on.
Drain snake vs hydro jetting at a glance
| Drain snake (electric eel) | Hydro jetting | |
| How it clears the blockage | Cuts or pulls a path through the clog | Scours the entire pipe wall with high-pressure water |
| Typical time on site | Fastest option for a single accessible clog | Longer, a full-length clean rather than a spot fix |
| Best suited to | A one-off clog, such as hair, wipes or a foreign object | Grease build-up, root intrusion, recurring blockages |
| What it leaves behind | Residue on the pipe wall around the cleared path | A clean pipe wall along the jetted length |
| Pipe condition needed | Works on most pipe types and ages | CCTV check first, since older or damaged pipe may not handle full pressure |
Drain Clearing Methods for Different Situations
The right approach depends on what caused the blockage, how often it happens and the condition of the pipe. A drain snake can be effective for a specific obstruction, while hydro jetting is more suited to buildup or contamination along the pipe walls. Where the cause is unclear or the problem keeps returning, a CCTV inspection can help determine the appropriate treatment.
| Situation | Likely approach | Why |
| A single toilet blocked by something flushed once | Drain snake | A specific obstruction may only need to be cleared rather than the whole pipe cleaned. |
| Newer PVC pipe with a one-off blockage | Drain snake | A single unusual clog may not require a full pipe-cleaning service. |
| Kitchen sink that slows down repeatedly | Hydro jetting, if appropriate | Grease and other buildup can remain on the pipe walls after a snake clears the immediate blockage. |
| Blockage that keeps returning in the same spot | CCTV inspection first | Recurring blockages can point to buildup, roots, damaged pipework or another underlying issue. |
| Gurgling or drainage problems that worsen after rain, particularly near established trees | CCTV inspection, then treatment if required | A camera can confirm whether tree roots have entered the pipe and show the extent of the problem. |
| Sudden full blockage with water backing up | Drain snake or other immediate clearing method, followed by inspection if needed | The immediate priority is restoring flow. If the cause is unclear or the blockage returns, a camera can help identify the underlying problem. |
| Older clay or ceramic sewer pipe with recurring problems | CCTV inspection before choosing the clearing method | Older jointed pipework may have root intrusion, damaged joints or other issues that should be assessed before deciding whether jetting is suitable. |
| First time this fixture has ever blocked | Drain snake | If there is no history of recurring problems, a targeted clearing method may be all that is needed. |
Running costs and comparing drain clearing quotes
A snake job can cost less on the day, and for a genuine one-off clog, there may be no reason to pay for a full pipe clean. The cost comparison changes when roots, grease or other buildup are causing the blockage. A snake may clear the immediate obstruction, but if the underlying problem remains, the blockage can return and lead to another call-out.
The same applies when comparing quotes. A snake-only quote and a hydro jetting quote may not cover the same work, so the cheapest quote is not necessarily the lowest-cost option over time. Ask the plumber what they found, which method they recommend and why.
Central Coast Council’s guidance on private drainage explains which private drainage infrastructure property owners are responsible for maintaining. If recurring problems are occurring on private pipework, understanding that responsibility can help put the cost of ongoing repairs into perspective.
Frequently asked questions
Does hydro jetting damage old pipes?
It can, on pipe that’s already cracked, corroded or has failed joints, which is exactly why a CCTV check comes first. On sound pipe, jetting is safe at the pressure a plumber selects for that pipe type.
How long does hydro jetting take compared to snaking?
Jetting takes longer, because it cleans the full length of the affected run rather than punching through one point. A simple snake job is often the quicker option on the day.
Will a drain snake remove tree roots for good?
No. A snake cuts a path through root intrusion but leaves root fibre attached to the pipe wall, which tends to grow back into the same gap. Jetting clears it more thoroughly along the pipe.
Is hydro jetting more expensive than snaking?
Usually, on the day. Over a year of repeat call-outs for the same recurring cause, jetting is often the cheaper outcome overall.
Which suits your blocked drain, snake or jet?
If a plumber recommends one option over another after a CCTV inspection, the recommendation should be based on what the camera found and what is causing the blockage. At Turner & Co Plumbing, we provide a written quote before any work begins and explain what the CCTV inspection has found, so you know what needs to be done and what it will cost.
If the repair doesn’t hold, we come back under our written lifetime workmanship guarantee. There is also no call-out fee, so you can have the problem assessed without paying simply for us to attend.
Need help with a blocked drain? Call us on 0452 216 695 to arrange an assessment and written quote.
