Drain Jetting explained
Drain jetting pushes a hose with a nozzle along the pipe. Jets of water scour the pipe walls while they flush loose material away. It is a common way to clear grease, silt and scale.
Jetting works as drain cleaning as well as unblocking. It removes the film that causes slow drains, while rods only punch a hole through a block. The difference matters most for slow drains.
Jetting or rodding: which suits your drain?
Rods push through a soft block and leave the walls dirty. Jetting cleans the walls along the whole run. As a result, jetting often suits drains that clog from build-up and not from one solid object.
| Problem | Rods | Jetting |
|---|---|---|
| One soft block near a gully | Often enough | Not usually needed |
| Grease along a kitchen drain | Leaves the film behind | Cleans the pipe walls |
| Silt and leaves in a long run | Pushes debris along | Flushes debris out |
| Scale in an old pipe | Rarely helps | Can loosen it, if the pipe is sound |
When jetting is not the right tool
High pressure suits many pipes. However, it can harm a cracked or fragile pipe, and older pipes may need a gentler setting or a different method. For that reason, ask the engineer to check the pipe condition before using a jet.
A CCTV drain survey shows whether a pipe can take the pressure, since it reveals cracks and breaks. If the pipe has damage, drain repairs may come before any cleaning. Ask about this before any cleaning starts.
How often should drains be cleaned?
No fixed rule fits every property. Drains that serve a kitchen, or that have blocked before, may still need regular cleaning. Ask the engineer what schedule suits your pipes after the first visit.
Typical UK costs for drain jetting
These ranges come from published UK cost guides. They are not Dundee quotes, and the sources still disagree a little. Check which runs each price covers.
| Job | Range the guide gives | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Drain jetting | £70 to £175 | MyJobQuote |
| High-pressure jetting | £120 to £250, one to two hours | Book A Builder |
| High-pressure jetting | £70 to £125 outside London (£100 to £150 in London) | Fantastic Services |
Ask whether the price covers one drain run or the whole system, since the scope changes the cost. Then ask for a written quote before work starts. A clear scope helps you compare quotes.
Homes and businesses
Domestic drain jetting and drain cleaning covers houses and flats. Commercial drain jetting covers shops, kitchens and other premises. Each page lists the questions to ask, since the two jobs differ.
Local pages for this service
Each local page covers this service for one town. Start with drain jetting in Dundee, which is the main page. If you are further out, read high-pressure drain cleaning in Broughty Ferry or Monifieth drain jetting guide. Each of those pages links back here.
Ask for help
Use the request form at the top of the page. Say what the problem is, where it sits and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Go to the request formDrain Jetting questions answered
How does drain jetting work?
The engineer feeds a hose with a nozzle into the drain. Jets of water scour the walls while they push debris along the pipe. The debris then flushes out or collects at a manhole.
Is hydro jetting worth the cost?
It can be, when build-up is the cause of slow drains. Jetting cleans the whole pipe wall, where rods only clear a path. For a single soft block, however, simpler methods may do the job for less.
How much does drain jetting cost?
MyJobQuote lists drain jetting at £70 to £175. Book A Builder gives £120 to £250 for high-pressure jetting. These are UK guide ranges, not Dundee quotes, so real prices may still differ. Ask for a written quote.
Can jetting damage my pipes?
A sound pipe usually copes well, although high pressure can harm a cracked or fragile pipe. Ask the engineer to check the pipe condition first and to say which pressure they plan to use. Keep the answer in writing.
How often should drains be cleared?
It depends on the drain. Kitchen drains and drains that have blocked before may need regular cleaning, while others need it rarely. Ask the engineer for advice after the first visit.