If you’re wondering how much it costs to hydro jet a sewer line, the cost of hydro jetting a clogged sewer line or drain depends upon the extent of the blockage. Here’s a simple rule of thumb from experienced Bay Area plumbers: the more accessible the obstruction, the quicker your pipe gets unclogged and the lower the cost. Some blockages near your drain opening cost as little as $350, while deeper sewer system problems require more extensive work.
Hydro Jetting Cost: What San Francisco Homeowners Pay
How Much Does it Cost to Hydro Jet a Sewer Line?
Based on current San Francisco market rates for hydro jetting services:
Residential Pricing:
- Basic Hydro Jetting: $350-$750
- Camera Inspection (if needed): $200-$400
- Main Sewer Line Hydro Jetting: $500-$900
- Emergency Service: $450-$1,000+ (includes after-hours premium)
Commercial Pricing:
- Small Commercial Properties: $600-$1,200
- Restaurants/Large Commercial: $800-$1,500+
- Multi-Unit Buildings: $700-$1,400
Factors Affecting Price:
- Accessibility of blockage
- Severity and type of clog
- Length of pipe requiring cleaning
- Time of service (emergency vs. scheduled)
- Property age and pipe condition
Note: These are San Francisco averages. O’Grady Plumbing provides free estimates and transparent pricing before any work begins.
What is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jet plumbing uses a high-pressured jet of water to unclog drains, pipes and sewer lines. The technique is more cost-effective at clearing blockages in inaccessible places than conventional measures such as snaking and plunging. (1) Some San Francisco homeowners discover that their slow drains or low water pressure stem from years of buildup that only high-pressure jetting services can remove.
Most hydro jetting equipment includes,
- A hose spanning more than 150 meters
- Versatile nozzles for different types of clogs
- High pressure jetter
- Water storage tank of 200 gallons for bigger properties
The nozzle can squirt water under immense pressure to blast any obstructions in its path.
The force that hydro jetting wields is quite formidable. The technique implements 4000 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure for residential purposes which can be ramped up for commercial use.
To get a perspective of the sheer pressure in hydro jetting plumbing, note that a fireman’s hose works at 300 psi. You can refer to hydro jetting as a power cleaning of the piping system.
Factors That Affect Jetting Costs in San Francisco
The factors that have a bearing on the cost of hydro jetting a clogged drain are,
- The age of the pipes and the material
- The size of the property and landscape
- The property type, whether residential or commercial (2)
Pipes
Pipes that are more than twenty-five years in age tend to get clogged frequently due to wear and tear. A cast iron, copper or concrete pipe past its effectiveness will accumulate more grime and dirt in its crevices. Such pipes require heavy-duty cleaning on a regular basis to prevent clogging. Newer steel or PVC pipes are more efficient in getting rid of debris with their smoother design and finish.
Also, if your pipes are old, the plumber will first check their condition to determine if they can withstand the extreme pressure of the hydro jet stream. The time spent in locating the obstruction and determining the feasibility of using a hydro jet may increase the service cost.
Regular maintenance of your plumbing system can help identify issues before they require emergency jetting services.
Property Size
Large buildings and sprawling properties with an extensive network of pipes present more challenges in locating the blockage. If the clogs are not obvious using traditional techniques, your plumber may prefer to use a camera.
Often, the pipes could be clogged in multiple places and require a thorough cleansing of the entire system to get things back on track. And if the property has a front or backyard with trees, invasive roots can cause obstructions in unforeseen places.
Hydro jetting is quite effective in removing such blockages. The high-pressurized stream cuts off tree roots with a laser like precision.
The method obliterates the tangled mass of roots, mud and dirt obstructing the free flow of water. It ensures that any soil stuck to the pipes is swept away with the stream of water to prevent any future incursions in the pipes.
Property Type
Residential properties often have lesser number of people and the blockages are simpler to get rid of. Commercial establishments with more footfall and constant use of restrooms invariably need regular maintenance of pipes.
Restaurants that dispose of grease and oil require more forceful measures such as hydro jetting to unclog pipes. Industrial units that discharge chemical waste and effluents also need regular hydro jetting of the drains and sewers to prevent corrosion.
What are the Benefits of Hydro Jetting?
Hydro jetting is an evolution in terms of previous measures such as snaking, plunging and use of chemicals to unclog pipes.
To put it simply, hydro-jetting plumbing is,
- Precise
- Cost-effective
- Quick
- Safe
- Environment-friendly
- Non-invasive
Hydro jetting ensures that a plumber can easily reach the tightest and remotest spots in any pipe network or sewer lines. It’s much more accurate than snaking when blockages occur at a deeper level.
So you don’t have to dig up your property and tear apart the landscaping every time your pipes get clogged. This saves you thousands of dollars in trenching and repairing or replacing blocked pipes in traditional plumbing methods. (3)
A hydro jetting service functions in quick time. A plumber will typically use a camera to get a sense of the problem areas. The location of the blockage decides which nozzle is used. An experienced plumber will complete the entire process within an hour in most cases.
Hydro-jetting plumbing is an environment-friendly and safe technique to clear a sewer line compared to the use of chemicals. The chemical cleaning method corrodes pipes and pollutes the environment. The fumes emanating from the application of chemical agents may pose a health hazard to your family and people in the neighborhood.
Plumbing experts also recommend hydro jetting metal pipes as part of regular maintenance as it helps remove rust and reduces corrosion.
When Is It Necessary to Hydro Jet Your Sewer Line?
Common Drain Problems That Require Hydro Jetting
The tell-tale signs that you have a drainage issue requiring professional attention are:
- Slow emptying of water from sinks and bathrooms
- Gurgling sounds from your plumbing system after flushing
- Foul odors coming from your sewer line
- Water backing up and flooding drains
- Recurring clogs despite regular maintenance
What’s more, if these indicators persist even after conventional plumbing repairs, it means standard measures aren’t working. This is when jetting services become necessary to thoroughly clean your sewer system. (4)
If you manage a commercial property, you need not wait for such problems to crop up. Hydro jetting is equally effective as a preventive measure to ensure that your establishment complies with all health regulations and remains safe for your customers.
Get Transparent Jetting Costs from O’Grady Plumbing
If you haven’t had your sewer lines cleaned in the past few years, give O’Grady Plumbing a call at (415) 985-0155. We provide clear jetting costs upfront—no surprise fees or hidden charges.
One major advantage of working with O’Grady Plumbing is transparent pricing from the start. Our team determines determines the cost of hydro jetting a sewer line by checking,
- Location of the blockage within your sewer system
- Whether camera inspection is needed to locate the issue
- Severity of clogging
- Accessibility of your home’s plumbing system
We’ll help you determine if hydro jetting is the right solution for your San Francisco home or business. Our technicians have served the Bay Area since 1998, bringing experience with everything from historic Victorian plumbing to modern commercial systems. We get the job done right every time, backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Schedule Your San Francisco Hydro Jetting Service Today
Don’t let clogged drains disrupt your life or damage your property. O’Grady Plumbing provides fast, effective hydro jetting services throughout San Francisco with transparent pricing and guaranteed results.
📞 Call (415) 985-0155 | 📧 info@ogradyplumbing.com
Servicing San Francisco since 1998 | Licensed CA Plumbers | Same-Day Emergency Service Available
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hydro jetting worth it?
Hydro jetting has a much higher success rate in clearing clogged sewer lines compared with other methods like snaking, plunging and chemical cleaners. Jetting services are especially cost-effective for clearing blockages in places that are difficult to access, which is common in San Francisco’s older homes. (5)
How often should you hydro jet?
Hydro jetting isn’t only a problem-solving measure—it’s equally effective as preventive maintenance to avoid expensive pipe replacement.
For small and medium-sized residential properties, you should get your plumbing system hydro jetted once every 18-24 months. This timeline also depends on household size and usage patterns.
For commercial properties like restaurants, manufacturing facilities and offices, we recommend hydro jetting the plumbing system once a year. This minimizes health risks and reduces accidents from flooding or backups.
Is hydro jetting better than snaking?
Hydro jetting is more effective than snaking for most drain clogs. While snaking simply pokes holes through blockages—often pushing debris deeper into pipes—hydro jetting uses high-pressure water streams to completely clear obstructions and clean pipe walls. This prevents recurring clogs and restores full water flow, making it the preferred method for stubborn blockages and preventive maintenance.
How much does it cost to hydro jet a clogged drain?
Hydro jetting a clogged drain in San Francisco typically costs $350-$900 for residential properties. The final price depends on blockage accessibility, severity, and location within your plumbing system. Deeper clogs or stubborn obstructions (grease, tree roots) require more time and pressure, increasing costs. O’Grady Plumbing provides upfront estimates that include service, equipment, and supplies—no surprise fees.
References
- https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/hydrojet-sewer-line-cost/
- https://www.howmuchisit.org/hydrojet-drain-cleaning-cost/
- https://drainservice.org/hydro-jet-drain-cleaning-cost/
- https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartmentliving/tips-tricks-renters/hydro-jetting/
- https://homeguide.com/costs/main-sewer-line-cleaning-cost