What drain jetting does

Drain jetting clears a blocked pipe with a strong stream of water. A hose feeds a nozzle along the drain, and the water scours the pipe walls. It removes the debris that causes the blockage. As a result, the pipe runs freely again.

Homes, flats and restaurants all use it, since the method suits most pipe types. Our guide to jetting blocked drains covers the method in more detail.

Why a plunger or quick fix often fails

A plunger moves a blockage, but it rarely removes the build-up around it. Debris and sludge stay on the pipe walls. Because of this, the same blockage can return.

Jetting removes the layer that causes the trouble. It works well on kitchen sink waste, because fat and food scraps settle there. It also suits slow toilets, which we cover in how to clear a slow draining toilet.

Jetting for homes and flats

A normal house drain can collect grease, silt and soap scum. Tree roots can also grow into joints. Jetting clears most of this debris, although severe root damage may need a repair as well.

Blocks of flats share drains, so one blockage can affect many homes. Left alone, it can lead to flooding in a garage or ground floor. Regular care helps, as we explain in does drain maintenance matter.

Jetting for restaurants

Restaurants produce a lot of grease. It cools in the pipe and sets hard, so it narrows the drain over time. Eventually the drain backs up, and floor drains in washrooms can overflow because the water has nowhere to go.

Jetting is a good answer to grease, because the moving water breaks the fat down and carries it away. A set cleaning routine therefore stops the build-up from reaching that point.

Larger jobs and main drains

Jetting also helps with deeper runs. A main sewer blockage needs more reach, for example, and our guide on how to clear a main sewer line explains the steps. If you are unsure whether a job needs this, read do you need drain clearance.

A camera can show what jetting has cleared, and whether anything remains. Specifically, it shows the pipe wall once the debris is gone, so you can learn how CCTV drain inspections work before you book. For ideas on keeping pipes in good order, see how to keep your plumbing efficient.

Signs jetting may help

Watch for slow drains, gurgling and bad smells. These often show a partial blockage, and an early clean is usually easier than an emergency. Our page on how to know when your drain needs cleaning lists them in full. You can also read clearing your blockage with drain jetting for a step-by-step view.

Book a clean

Because we cover the whole area, we offer drain clearance and wider blocked drains help across North London. That includes, for example, drain unblocking in Enfield, blocked drains in Barnet and drain clearance in Edgware. Send the online enquiry form with your postcode and a short note on the problem.