Can You Use a Pressure Washer to Unclog a Drain?

Well it depends, pressure washing is commonly thought of a machine used to clean up pavements, houses or vehicles that need a moderately strong current of water to clean off stubborn debris. Pressure washing will not unclog a drain unless you are referring to hydro jetting. A hydro jet is not your average pressure washing machine, nonetheless, it is a type of pressure washing. In fact a hydro jet can only be used by a licensed professional (eg. plumber). Hydro jetting does more than just unclog drains, think of it as a water laser. Hydro jetting can be adjusted for each situation whether it is needed to slice through massive tree roots, metals and even rocks; it can do just that and more. If you’re dealing with a difficult buildup of grease, hair and other debris in your pipes, then hydro jetting may be just the thing to help. Not only is it an effective solution for blockages, hydro jetting has the added benefit of cleaning out the entirety of your pipes without the need of chemicals.

For other types of clogging that do not require hydro jetting you may want to consider snaking a drain. Snaking is used to unclog drains that are easier to unclog. A snake is a device that unclogs drains by twisting all along the circumference of a pipe thereby removing any debris causing a clog. For tho who do not own a snake, may even find using a plunger to be beneficial to unclog a drain in a pinch. But what is never recommended to unclog a drain are drain cleaners. Chemical cleaners are notorious to cause lasting negative effects on the health of your pipes, often causing the metal to degrade and corrode over time.

So, have we sold you on purchasing a hydro jetting session for your plumbing issues? Great!  As always, remember that these jobs are best left with the pros if and when possible. Consider contacting your local plumber to have an expert help with the problem! You will be satisfied hydro jetting you pipes if they are prone to clogging. This method is known to be on the pricier side due to the licensing fees and for the cost of the machine itself. However, hydro jetting is the best method to not only unclog but clean out pipes as it is said to last up to four times longer than just snaking alone. 

How much does hydro jetting cost?

How do you know if your main line is clogged?