Hydro Jetting vs. Mechanical Snakes: Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
When your drain is blocked, you want it fixed fast. But not all unblocking methods are created equal.
The two main professional solutions are mechanical snaking and high-pressure hydro jetting, and at Pooman, we use both, depending on the type and severity of the blockage.
The Snake (Mechanical Auger)
This involves a flexible metal cable with a corkscrew tip that breaks up a blockage. It’s a quick and cost-effective fix for simple clogs like hair, soap scum, or minor debris.
Best for: Soft blockages, hair clogs, minor bathroom sink blockages, and clearing small obstructions that haven’t had time to solidify.
The limitation: Snaking punches a hole through the blockage but leaves the pipe walls coated in residue and sludge. For minor clogs, this is often sufficient. But if the buildup on the pipe walls is significant, the clog may return weeks or months later.
Hydro Jetting (High-Pressure Water Cleaning)
This method uses specialised equipment to blast high-pressure water (3,000 to 4,000 PSI) in all directions inside your pipe. It doesn’t just punch a hole, it scours the entire pipe wall clean, pulverising tree roots, mineral deposits, and accumulated fat.
Best for: Severe blockages, recurring clogs, tree root intrusion, and pipes with years of accumulated buildup. It’s also excellent for commercial kitchens where fat and debris have solidified over time. (Note: Disposing of fat down drains is illegal—always collect and dispose of cooking fats in the rubbish.)
The benefit: It provides long-lasting results, is eco-friendly (using only water), and prevents recurring blockages by restoring the pipe to near-original condition.
Which Method Does Pooman Use?
At Pooman, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We assess each blockage individually:
- For simple, soft blockages: We may recommend snaking—it’s quick, effective, and cost-efficient.
- For severe, recurring, or root-intruded blockages: We recommend hydro jetting for its thoroughness and longevity.
Our goal is always to solve the problem effectively and cost-efficiently—without over-servicing or under-servicing. We’ll advise you honestly on which approach is right for your situation.
Need a blocked drain cleared? Contact Pooman today. We’ll assess your blockage and recommend the best solution, whether that’s snaking, hydro jetting, or a combination.





