$0 Call-Out Fee · ★★★★★ 4.9 from 500+ Google Reviews · 24/7 Emergency Drain Response
★ 4.9 · 500+ reviews · $0 call-out
“Great service with a friendly team who really know their stuff.”
Bevan Rigato, Google review
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Four quick questions. Likely cause, how urgent it is and what to do next. Free, about a minute, no details needed.
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Dealing with recurrent clogged drains in your Sydney property? A blocked drain cannot always be cleaned by a drain snake. Grease can build up along the pipe walls, roots can grow through joints and sludge can settle inside the line.
Hydro jet drain cleaning uses high-pressure water to break up the build-up and wash it out of the pipe. It is different from a hot water system, as the cleaning method relies on water pressure and specialised nozzles rather than hot water alone. Sewer Surgeon uses equipment that can pressurise water up to 5,000 psi, with the nozzle and pressure selected according to the blockage and the condition of the pipe.
We use CCTV inspection before jetting where needed, particularly when the cause of the blockage or condition of the pipe is not clear. That lets us see what is actually inside the drain before choosing how to clear it.
Hydro jet drain cleaning involves sending high-pressure water streams through a hose and nozzle inside the drain. The water breaks up the blockage and carries the loosened material out through the pipe.
The nozzle makes a difference. A penetrating head is used to work through a blockage, while a flushing head is designed to wash material from the pipe. There are also root-cutting heads for situations where roots have grown into the line.
The water does not simply spray forward. Forward jets help break up the material ahead of the nozzle, while reverse jets provide thrust and help pull the hose through the pipe. The reverse flow also washes the pipe walls as the equipment moves along.
Our equipment can pressurise water up to 5,000 psi. That does not mean every pipe is cleaned at high pressure or at the maximum setting. The water pressure and nozzle need to suit the pipe and the material being removed.
An electric eel can clear minor blockages. Its rotating cable works its way through the obstruction and can restore enough space for water flow again.
Traditional plumbing snakes only punch a small hole through clogs. If grease, sludge or other build-up has stuck to the pipe walls, making a hole through the middle does not necessarily clean the line. Hydro jetting can break that material away and flush it out.
It is particularly useful for blockages involving:
Not just blockage: it cleans the inner part of the pipe walls, removes heavy build-up and debris thoroughly, and prevents the chances of recurring blockages.
An eel can still be used for a straightforward blockage. The condition of the pipe also needs to be considered. Fragile pipes cannot withstand high-pressure hydro jetting. In such a scenario, an eel can be a better option. A CCTV inspection can show whether the blockage is loose material, roots, a damaged section or something else that needs a different approach.
Both methods are used to clear blocked drains, but they do not work in exactly the same way.
| Feature | Hydro Jetting | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Sends high-pressure water through a specialised nozzle | Uses a rotating cable and cutting head |
| Main purpose | Breaks up blockages and washes material from the pipe. Cleans the inner part of pipe walls efficiently | Breaks through the blockage to restore flow |
| Grease and sludge | Can wash heavy build-up from the pipe walls | May leave some build-up behind |
| Tree roots | Can cut and flush roots from suitable pipes | Can cut through some root blockages |
| Pipe cleaning | Cleans around the inside of the pipe | Mainly creates a passage through the blockage |
| Smaller pipes | Depends on pipe size, condition and nozzle | Can suit many smaller drainpipes |
| Typical use | Heavy build-up and blockages where the pipe needs cleaning | Minor blockages that can be cleared mechanically |
Neither of the methods is automatically right for every blocked drain problem.
An electric eel can be enough when the obstruction is relatively simple. Hydro jetting is more useful when there is a lot of material stuck to the pipe walls and the line needs to be cleaned thoroughly.
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It can be, but old earthenware pipes need to be checked before high-pressure cleaning. Many older Sydney properties still have earthenware or terracotta drainage pipes that lack maintenance. Some are in good condition, while others may have cracks, displaced joints, previous repairs or root ingress. You cannot tell how a pipe will respond to jetting just from its age.
This is why CCTV is important when there is any doubt. The camera lets us see the pipe from the inside and check for visible damage before deciding how to proceed. The pressure and nozzle can then be chosen for the actual pipe and blockage. There is no benefit in using more pressure than the job requires.
If the pipe is too damaged for jetting, we will explain what the inspection shows and assess the next steps accordingly.
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Sometimes the blockage is simply a build-up problem. If grease, sludge, roots, scale or debris is stopping the water from getting through, hydro jetting may be all that is needed.
The situation is different when something is causing the blockage to come back.
For example, roots can be cleared from the pipe, but they may grow back if they are entering through a cracked joint or damaged section. In that situation, repeated jetting treats the symptom rather than the reason the roots are getting in.
A damaged pipe may need a repair rather than another cleaning. Where the pipe is suitable, pipe relining Sydney can repair the damaged section without unnecessary excavation of your property.
During pipe relining, hydro jet drain clearing plays a pivotal role. Before inserting the liner in the existing pipe, the pipe has to be thoroughly cleaned for better bonding with the resin liner. After the initial CCTV inspection, high-pressure hydro jetting is used to remove all sediments such as debris, tree roots, or grease as part of the liner preparation.
For blockages, the cause doesn’t make the solution obvious. A CCTV camera pipe inspection can show what is happening inside the drain before further work is recommended.
Jetting is a drain-cleaning method. It is not a substitute for repairing a pipe that is cracked, collapsed or otherwise structurally damaged. For recurring blockages caused by tree roots, we have comprehensive tree root removal solutions.
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Yes, hydro jetting can be used on suitable stormwater drains.
Jetting can wash this material out of the line and leave the inside of the pipe cleaner. CCTV can also be used to locate the blockage and check the condition of the stormwater pipe before cleaning.
Stormwater lines can collect leaves, silt, dirt, roots and other debris over time. This material can settle inside the pipe and gradually restrict the flow, particularly around low points and bends.
The cost depends on what is happening inside the drain and how much work is needed to clear it. The cost of hydro jet drain clearing in Sydney is around AUD 400 - AUD 700.
A short section of pipe with a simple blockage will generally require less work than a long line filled with grease, roots or years of accumulated sludge. Access to the drain, the condition of the pipe and whether CCTV inspection is needed can also affect the job.
Once the blockage has been inspected, we can explain what needs to be done and what is involved and offer upfront quotes accordingly.
4.9★ from 500+ Google reviews, mostly blocked drains and pipe relining across the Inner West.
It can cause damage if the wrong pressure or equipment is used on an unsuitable pipe. CCTV inspection helps assess the pipe first so the cleaning method can be chosen appropriately.
There is no fixed timeframe. A drain may stay clear for a long time after build-up material is removed, but recurring roots or a damaged pipe can cause another blockage. In that case, the plumbers will do a CCTV inspection and recommend a more sustainable solution like relining, repair or replacement.
Yes, hydro jetting can clear suitable stormwater pipes of silt, dirt, roots and other debris. The pipe should be checked first if its condition is uncertain. If the issue involves a larger drainage problem, our stormwater drainage service covers the work across Sydney.
Yes. Jet blasting and water jetting are commonly used names for high-pressure drain cleaning, where water is forced through a specialised nozzle to clear the pipe.
From a recurring blockage to a damaged sewer pipe, Sewer Surgeon provides practical blocked drain services for homes, businesses and properties across Sydney.
Trenchless methods to repair damaged underground pipes without major excavation or unnecessary disruption to your property.
See pipe relining →Our professional blocked drain plumbers clear blocked pipes with effective methods like hydro-jetting and prevent issues from coming back.
See blocked drains →We remove intrusive roots that can enter underground pipes, cause blockages, and damage your drainage system.
See tree root removal →We see what's happening inside your pipes and identify root intrusion, broken pipes, or other drainage issues.
See CCTV inspections →Our local blocked drain specialists use robotic cutting to remove stubborn root growth and other obstructions from suitable pipes.
See robotic cutting →We provide practical solutions for blocked stormwater drains and other stormwater problems affecting your property.
See stormwater →When a drain overflows or a sewer backs up, our team is available 24/7 to help resolve urgent problems.
Same-day blocked drain service in every suburb below, from our Forest Lodge base. View all service areas
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Blocked drains AbbotsfordBlocked drains AnnandaleBlocked drains AshfieldBlocked drains BalmainBlocked drains BirchgroveBlocked drains CamperdownBlocked drains CroydonBlocked drains Dulwich HillBlocked drains EnmoreBlocked drains ErskinevilleBlocked drains Forest LodgeBlocked drains GlebeBlocked drains HaberfieldBlocked drains Hurlstone ParkBlocked drains LeichhardtBlocked drains LewishamBlocked drains LilyfieldBlocked drains MarrickvilleBlocked drains NewtownBlocked drains PetershamBlocked drains RozelleBlocked drains St PetersBlocked drains StanmoreBlocked drains Summer HillBlocked drains SydenhamBlocked drains TempeIf your drain keeps blocking, clearing the immediate blockage may not be enough. There could be grease or other build-up left inside the pipe, roots getting through a joint or damage that needs to be dealt with.
Sewer Surgeon can inspect the drain and work out what is causing the problem. We won’t recommend a quick-fix solution. If hydro jetting is suitable, we can clear the line and clean out the build-up. If the problem needs something more, we can explain that before you commit to further work.
Get in touch with our team on 1300 734 677 to arrange a drain inspection.
For emergency plumbing, please call 1300 734 677 for our 24/7 service or fill out our online form to book our services.
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Saved us from disaster by relining our ancient, root infested & hard to access sewer line. Also replaced piping under house. Skilled dedicated & trustworthy I can't thank them enough. Great team.
1300 734 677