A main drain that backs up again and again is a candidate for hydro jetting. We run 24/7 for backups, and same-day visits are available when we can fit them in. Stop running water, keep the washer off and clear the floor around any drain that is gurgling.
Jetting uses a high-pressure hose with a nozzle that spins water against the pipe wall. It scours grease, scale and root hairs that a cable only pokes through. It does not fix a cracked or collapsed pipe, and that is why we look first.
When a drain backup calls for jetting
- A main line that clogs every few months after being cabled
- Slow drains throughout the house, not just one fixture
- A kitchen line or restaurant drain coated with grease
- Tree roots that grow back within weeks of cutting
- Floor drains that burp or smell when the washer drains
If sewage is entering the basement, treat it as urgent and call at once. Keep people out of the wet area until it is cleaned.
Camera first, then jet
We prefer to put a camera in the line before we use pressure. That shows a sag, a broken joint or a collapsed section where high pressure could make things worse. If the pipe is sound, we jet. If it is not, we explain the repair options.
| Condition | Cable | Hydro jet |
|---|---|---|
| Single hair clog | Fast and enough | Overkill |
| Grease buildup on pipe wall | Opens a hole only | Scours it clean |
| Root hairs and fine roots | Cuts the main stem | Flushes the remains |
| Heavy scale | Limited effect | Strips the buildup |
| Cracked or collapsed pipe | Can snag | Not suitable until repaired |
Cable keeps coming back?
Call and we look with a camera and tell you if jetting fits.
What happens during a jetting visit
- 1
Inspect
A camera shows the pipe condition and where the problem sits.
- 2
Set up
We locate the cleanout, protect the floor and set the equipment outside or at the access point.
- 3
Jet
The hose feeds in with a nozzle sized to the pipe. We work forward and back to scour the walls.
- 4
Recheck
We run the camera again, run water and confirm the line is clear.
Savage details that matter
Hard water in Savage, drawn largely from Burnsville's supply at a reported 25 to 26 grains per gallon, leaves mineral scale that narrows pipes over time. Jetting is one of the few ways to remove it. Older clay or cast iron lines under the older parts of town, including the blocks around downtown along Highway 13, collect roots and scale.
Always call Gopher State One Call at 811 before any digging. Minnesota's service is free and asks for at least 48 hours notice, not counting weekends and holidays. We bring this up if jetting reveals a repair that needs excavation.
What jetting cannot do
Jetting cleans a pipe that is still a pipe. It cannot rebuild a crushed section or reconnect an offset joint. If the camera shows a defect, we say so and stop. A clean, honest answer beats a pressure wash that hides a failing line for a few weeks.
Cost factors
Jetting costs more than a basic cable visit and less than digging up a pipe. The number depends on these items.
Insurance rarely covers jetting for maintenance. Sewer backup coverage, if you have it, may apply after a covered event.
For ordinary clogs, drain cleaning is the first step. If the camera shows a failing pipe, we move to sewer line repair. We work across Savage and in nearby Shakopee.
Code and sources
Under the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, the governing standard is Minnesota Rules chapter 4714, built on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with state amendments. This page is general information, not a code review of your home, and your city building department answers permit questions.
Common questions
Yes. Our line is open 24/7, and we offer same-day service when we can. We tell you how to limit the mess while we travel.
On sound pipe, no. That is why we scope first. Cracked, offset or collapsed pipe needs a repair plan before jetting.
It depends on the cause. Grease-prone lines may benefit from regular maintenance. A line that only clogged once may never need it.
It flushes root hairs and debris. Thick roots are cut first with a cable, then jetted.
The equipment is loud, but we work from the cleanout and protect floors. It is far less disruptive than excavation.
Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock. Call (952) 866-9120