Hydro Jetting in Union County, NJ — When a Snake Isn't Enough

Recurring clogs, grease-clogged restaurant lines, tree roots invading the sewer? Hydro jetting blasts away years of buildup — but only after we camera-check the pipe is strong enough.

Book an Appointment

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water (up to 4,000 PSI) to scour the inside of a pipe — clearing grease, roots, sediment, and decades of buildup that a regular snake just pushes through. It's the most powerful drain cleaning method available. It's also not the right answer for every situation. Continental Plumbers has been hydro jetting drains and sewer lines across Union County since the technology became reliable. We camera-inspect first to check pipe condition — and we tell you straight if jetting isn't the right move for your line.

NJ Master Plumber License #9142

Since 1985

4.7★
(1,377 reviews)

Camera-assessed before jetting

When Hydro Jetting Is the Right Choice

Five Situations Where Hydro Jetting Actually Solves the Problem

Regular drain cleaning (snake/auger) clears the symptom. Hydro jetting clears the cause. It’s the right tool when:

Recurring Clogs in the Same Line

You've had a kitchen line snaked three times this year. The problem isn't a fresh clog — it's grease coating the inside of the pipe. Jetting scours it off.

Tree Root Intrusion in Sewer Lines

Roots growing through joints and cracks in older Union County sewer lines. Jetting cuts and clears them more thoroughly than mechanical augering.

Restaurant & Commercial Grease Lines

High-volume kitchen lines build up grease fast. Jetting is standard preventive maintenance for restaurants, food service, and commercial kitchens.

Heavy Sediment or Mineral Buildup

Hard water minerals, sand, sediment, or sludge that's narrowed the pipe over years. Mechanical snaking won't remove it — jetting will.

Pre-Inspection or Pre-Sale Cleaning

Selling a property or doing major work? Jetting before a camera inspection or sale shows the line in its best possible condition.

How Hydro Jetting Actually Works

The Process — Step by Step

We don’t just show up and start blasting water. Here’s the full process we follow:

Four-step process:

Step 1

Camera Inspection First

Before any high-pressure water touches your pipes, we camera-inspect the line. We're checking for two things: where the problem is, and whether the pipe is structurally sound enough for jetting.

Step 2

Pressure Selection

Jetting isn't one-pressure-fits-all. Light pressure (1,500 PSI) for residential drains. Medium (2,500 PSI) for sewer lines in good condition. Heavy (4,000 PSI) for commercial grease traps and root-heavy lines. We match pressure to the pipe.

Step 3

Specialized Nozzles

Different jobs use different nozzles — forward-cutting for clearing, root-cutting for tree roots, scouring for buildup. We bring the right ones.

Step 4

Verification with Camera

After jetting, we run the camera back through the line so you see exactly what was cleared. No guessing whether it worked — you watch the proof.

When Hydro Jetting Isn't the Answer

The Honest Truth — When We Tell You "Don't Do This"

Some plumbers will jet anything because the ticket is bigger than a regular cleaning. We don’t. Hydro jetting is the wrong call when:

If jetting isn't right for your situation, we'll tell you on the spot — and recommend the cleaning method or repair that actually fits.

We Get It

The Concerns We Hear About Hydro Jetting

"Will 4,000 PSI of water damage my pipes?"

Reasonable concern. The answer depends entirely on pipe condition. Modern PVC and good copper handle full pressure without issue. Older cast-iron in good shape handles medium pressure fine. Compromised pipe (severe corrosion, cracks, Orangeburg) can crack under high pressure — which is why we camera-inspect first and adjust pressure accordingly.

"My snake guy said I need hydro jetting. Do I actually?"

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If it's truly a recurring problem caused by grease, roots, or buildup, jetting solves it. If it was a one-time clog and someone's pushing jetting as an upsell, you don't need it. We'll give you our honest read — and we'd rather lose the upsell than damage your reputation with us.

"My building is from the 1940s. Should I even consider this?"

Maybe — but only after we see what's in the walls. Many older Union County homes have cast-iron and sometimes Orangeburg pipe. We camera-inspect to determine condition. If the pipe is solid, jetting is fine. If it's compromised, we recommend other options.

"I run a restaurant. Can hydro jetting prevent recurring grease problems?"

Yes — this is one of the most effective uses of hydro jetting. We work with restaurants, food service, and commercial kitchens across Union County on regular preventive jetting schedules. Far cheaper than emergency clogs during dinner service.

The Neighbor Difference

Why Union County Trusts Continental for Sump Pumps

Local since 1985

40+ years working on Union County drains and sewer lines. We know what's behind these walls and under these yards.

Camera-assessed before we jet

We inspect first, then choose pressure and method. Your pipes stay safe.

Honest "no" when it isn't right

We say no to jetting when it's not the answer. We're not in the business of selling pressure for pressure's sake.

Licensed & warrantied

NJ Master Plumber #9142. Our work is warrantied — if the issue returns, we come back.

Where We Serve

Hydro Jetting Across Union County

Union Township

Elizabeth

Cranford

Westfield

Linden

Roselle

Hillside

Summit

Springfield

Clark

Rahway

Kenilworth

Scotch Plains

Fanwood

Garwood

New Providence

Berkeley Heights

Mountainside

Roselle Park

Don’t see your town? call (973) 900-0430

Hydro Jetting FAQs

How long does hydro jetting take?

Most residential jobs: 1–2 hours. Commercial grease line jetting: 2–4 hours depending on length. We confirm timing during the quote.

Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?

For pipes in good condition, yes — at the appropriate pressure. For compromised or deteriorating pipes, no — and we'll tell you straight after the camera inspection. We adjust pressure based on what we see.

How often should commercial properties get hydro jetting?

Most restaurants and food-service operations benefit from quarterly or semi-annual preventive jetting. We set up maintenance schedules that prevent emergency clogs during business hours.

Will hydro jetting clear tree roots permanently?

It clears them effectively — but if the line is still cracked or jointed where roots entered, they'll grow back over months or years. We often recommend pairing jetting with line repair or root foam treatment for longer-term solutions.

Do you offer financing for larger jetting jobs?

Yes, through Wisetack — approved in minutes, no credit impact. Useful for commercial jobs or sewer line cleanings paired with repairs.

Is hydro jetting noisy?

Some — the truck-mounted unit produces noise during operation, similar to a pressure washer. For commercial properties, we can schedule outside business hours to minimize disruption.

Reviews

CONTACT

ABOUT