Hydrojet Drain Cleaning in San Francisco: The Ultimate Solution for Stubborn Clogs
As a master plumber with over 15 years of experience serving San Francisco homes, I’ve seen firsthand how our unique city presents special challenges for drainage systems. Just last month, I was called to a beautiful Victorian in Pacific Heights where the homeowners were at their wits’ end with recurring drain backups. Despite trying various DIY methods and even having standard snaking done twice, they were still experiencing slow drains and occasional backups. This is a common story I hear throughout neighborhoods from Russian Hill to the Sunset District.
San Francisco’s aging infrastructure, combined with our historic homes and unique topography, creates the perfect environment for stubborn clogs that conventional methods simply can’t handle. That’s where hydrojet drain cleaning comes in – a revolutionary approach that uses high-pressure water to completely restore your pipes to like-new condition.

At O’Grady Plumbing, we’ve been San Francisco’s trusted hydrojet drain cleaning specialists since 1998. We understand the unique plumbing challenges faced by homeowners of Victorian and Edwardian properties, as well as modern condos and commercial buildings throughout the Bay Area. Our specialized hydrojet equipment can safely and effectively clear even the most stubborn blockages without damaging your pipes – something particularly important in older homes with delicate plumbing systems.
Whether you’re dealing with slow drains, recurring backups, or foul odors coming from your sinks, our hydrojet drain cleaning service provides a thorough, long-lasting solution that conventional methods simply can’t match. As a local San Francisco plumber who truly understands our city’s unique plumbing challenges, I’m here to help you resolve your drain issues for good.
How Hydrojet Drain Cleaning Works
Hydrojet drain cleaning represents the pinnacle of modern drain clearing technology. Unlike traditional methods that merely poke through clogs, our hydrojetting service provides a comprehensive cleaning that restores pipes to their original condition. Here’s how our process works in San Francisco homes:
- Thorough Inspection: We begin with a detailed assessment of your plumbing system, often using video inspection technology to identify the exact location and nature of blockages. This is especially important in San Francisco’s historic homes, where plumbing systems can be complex and fragile.
- Customized Approach: Based on our findings, we determine the appropriate water pressure and nozzle type for your specific pipes. Victorian homes in Pacific Heights require different treatment than modern condos in SOMA, and we adjust our approach accordingly.
- Complete Cleaning: Our state-of-the-art hydrojet equipment uses pressurized water—up to 4000 PSI—to blast away years of buildup, grease, scale, roots, and debris that traditional snaking can’t touch. The specialized nozzles direct water forward and backward, cleaning the entire pipe circumference.
Preventative Maintenance: Unlike basic drain clearing that simply punches through blockages, hydrojetting removes the buildup on pipe walls that causes recurring clogs, extending the time between necessary service calls.

When San Francisco Homes Need Hydrojet Drain Cleaning
In San Francisco’s unique environment, several specific situations call for the power of hydrojet drain cleaning:
Stubborn, Recurring Clogs
Many homes in neighborhoods like Nob Hill and Russian Hill experience persistent drain problems despite repeated snaking. These recurring issues often indicate buildup on pipe walls that only hydrojetting can effectively remove.
Slow-Draining Fixtures Throughout Your Home
When multiple drains are slow throughout your San Francisco property, it typically indicates a partial blockage in your main sewer line. Hydrojetting is the most effective solution for clearing these line obstructions completely.
Root Intrusion
San Francisco’s beautiful mature trees are wonderful for our neighborhoods but challenging for our sewer lines. Tree roots seeking moisture frequently infiltrate sewer pipes, creating blockages that conventional methods can’t fully address. Our hydrojet service cuts through root infiltration while clearing the entire pipe.
Unpleasant Odors and Backed-Up Drains
The hillside terrain of neighborhoods like Twin Peaks and Bernal Heights can create unique drainage challenges. When sewer gases back up or drains overflow, hydrojetting provides a complete solution by eliminating all blockage materials.
Preventative Maintenance for Historic Homes
For owners of San Francisco’s cherished Victorian and Edwardian homes, preventative maintenance is crucial. Annual hydrojetting can prevent emergency situations and protect your home’s original plumbing systems from damage due to backups.
San Francisco Expertise Since 1998
O’Grady Plumbing has been serving San Francisco homeowners for over 25 years. Our technicians understand the unique challenges presented by the city’s historic homes, hillside properties, and aging infrastructure. We’ve worked in every San Francisco neighborhood, from the Presidio to Potrero Hill, giving us unmatched local expertise.

Historic Home Specialists
San Francisco’s Victorian and Edwardian gems require special care. Our technicians are specifically trained in working with the delicate, aging plumbing systems found in historic properties. We know how to provide modern solutions while preserving the integrity of your home’s original systems.
San Francisco Success Stories
“After three other plumbers failed to solve our persistent drain problems in our Pacific Heights Victorian, O’Grady’s hydrojet service completely resolved the issue. One year later, we haven’t had a single backup.” – Serena M., Pacific Heights
“As a property manager for several buildings in Russian Hill, I rely on O’Grady’s hydrojet service for preventative maintenance. Their thorough approach has dramatically reduced emergency calls and tenant complaints.” – Paul R., Russian Hill Property Manager
“The team at O’Grady understood exactly how to handle the delicate plumbing in our 1908 home in the Marina District. Their hydrojet service cleared our persistent drain issues without damaging our original pipes.” – Benjamin C., Marina District
San Francisco’s Most Trusted Hydrojet Drain Cleaning Service
Don’t let stubborn clogs disrupt your busy San Francisco lifestyle. Our hydrojet drain cleaning service provides a thorough, long-lasting solution that conventional methods can’t match. For a limited time, we’re offering a Free Plumbing Inspection with every hydrojet service—a $129 value.
We proudly serve all San Francisco neighborhoods, including:
Pacific Heights
Marina District
Russian Hill
Nob Hill
Sunset District
Richmond District
SOMA
Mission District
And all surrounding areas
Contact O’Grady Plumbing Today
Call: (415) 985-0155
Email: info@ogradyplumbing.com
Visit: 1610 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124
Available 24/7 for Emergency Service
FAQ
Your Ultimate Guide: Hydrojet Drain Cleaning FAQs for San Francisco Homeowners

Is hydrojetting worth it?
Absolutely. As a master plumber who’s been serving San Francisco homes for over 15 years, I can confidently say hydrojet drain cleaning is worth the investment. Unlike traditional methods that merely poke through clogs, hydrojetting provides a comprehensive cleaning that restores pipes to their original condition. It’s particularly valuable for San Francisco homes with recurring clogs, slow drains throughout the property, root intrusion issues, and unpleasant odors. For historic Victorian and Edwardian homes, it’s essential preventative maintenance that can prevent emergency situations and protect original plumbing systems.

Can hydro jetting damage pipes?
When done by professionals who understand your specific plumbing system, hydrojetting is safe for your pipes. At O’Grady Plumbing, we begin with a thorough inspection, often using video technology, to assess your system. We then customize our approach based on these findings, determining the appropriate water pressure and nozzle type for your specific pipes. This is especially important in San Francisco’s historic homes, where plumbing systems can be complex and fragile. Our technicians are specifically trained in working with delicate, aging plumbing systems while providing modern solutions that preserve the integrity of your home’s original systems.

Is hydro jetting better than snaking?
Yes, hydrojetting is significantly more effective than snaking, especially for San Francisco homes. I’ve seen countless situations where homeowners had standard snaking done multiple times but continued experiencing slow drains and backups. Traditional snaking merely pokes through clogs, while our hydrojetting service uses pressurized water—up to 4000 PSI—to blast away years of buildup, grease, scale, roots, and debris. The specialized nozzles clean the entire pipe circumference, removing the buildup on pipe walls that causes recurring clogs. This provides a more thorough, long-lasting solution that conventional methods simply can’t match.

Does hydrojetting remove roots?
Yes, hydrojetting effectively removes root intrusion, which is a common problem in San Francisco. Our beautiful mature trees throughout neighborhoods like Nob Hill and Russian Hill are wonderful for our environment but challenging for our sewer lines. Tree roots seeking moisture frequently infiltrate sewer pipes, creating blockages that conventional methods can’t fully address. Our hydrojet service cuts through root infiltration while clearing the entire pipe, providing a complete solution to this San Francisco-specific challenge.