Domestic drain jetting uses high-pressure water to clean home drains. The jet breaks up grease, scale, silt and soft blockages. It then flushes them down the pipe. Because it cleans the pipe wall, it can leave the pipe cleaner than rods do.
It suits kitchen waste pipes, shared runs and outside drains. However, old pipes can crack under heavy pressure, so the engineer should match the pressure to the pipe. Ask what kind of pipe you have if you are not sure. A camera can help you find out.
Jetting can also help with upkeep. If grease or silt keeps coming back, a clean-out may slow it down. A camera check afterwards can show whether the pipe is sound. Still, jetting cannot mend a cracked pipe.
Price depends on the length of the run and how much grease or silt sits in it. Hard access can add time. Since pipes differ, ask for a written quote. Ask whether a camera check comes with it.
It can be, if the engineer lowers the pressure and picks the right nozzle. Cracked or collapsed pipes may not cope, however. Tell the engineer what you know about the age and condition of the pipe. A camera check can help too.
There is no fixed schedule. Homes with a history of grease or silt may need it more often than others. Since every pipe differs, ask the engineer what suits yours. Keep a note of the date of each clean.
Rods push through a blockage, while a jet washes it away. Jetting also cleans the pipe wall. Rods can still be the better choice for a simple blockage in a small pipe. The guide on this page explains both.
This page sits under drain jetting, which covers the wider picture. For local details, see the pages for drain jetting in Torpoint and drain jetting in Ivybridge, since each town has its own page. You can also read Drain Jetting vs Drain Rods: Which Method Is Best? for a wider guide.