How hydro jetting works — the complete step-by-step breakdown.
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water delivered through a specialized hose and nozzle to clean the interior of drain and sewer pipes. Here is exactly what happens from arrival to completion.
Step 1 — Camera inspection
Before any jetting equipment comes out, we run a high-definition waterproof camera through your line. You watch the monitor with us. The camera shows us: the type and location of the blockage, the pipe material and condition, any structural issues that would change the approach (cracks, offsets, collapses, root intrusion severity), and the overall length and configuration of the line.
This step is not optional. The camera tells us what nozzle to use, what pressure to set, and whether jetting is safe and appropriate for this pipe.
Step 2 — Setup
We connect the jetting hose to the pump unit (truck or trailer-mounted) and thread the hose into the line through the cleanout. The pump pressurizes water from our supply tank to operating pressure — typically 2,500–4,000 PSI for residential work, matched to the pipe material and blockage type.
Step 3 — Jetting
We advance the hose to the far end of the problem area — working from the blockage location back toward the cleanout — so loosened material is flushed downstream. The nozzle cleans as we pull it back through the line, spraying water backward against the pipe wall to scrub the full circumference. For root intrusion, a root-cutting nozzle slices forward through the mass. For grease, a rotating nozzle abrades the coating off the walls. For general cleaning, a combination nozzle does both.
Step 4 — Post-jetting camera pass
After jetting, we run the camera through the line again to confirm it is clear and show you the result. You see the before and after. If any area needs a second jetting pass, we identify it now.
Step 5 — Footage and walkthrough
We hand you the footage from both camera runs and walk you through what we found and what we cleared. If anything we found warrants follow-up — a root entry point to monitor, a pipe section approaching end of life — we tell you directly.
Call Sunburst Environmental at 678-799-4389 for same-day service across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, or request a free estimate online.