Jetting Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Operators

Jetting, also called hydro jetting or sewer jetting, is a powerful method of clearing clogged sewer lines, residential drain lines, and even commercial & municipal pipes. The jetting process uses a high-pressure pump to force water through specialized hoses and “jetting nozzles”, creating high-velocity streams of water strong enough to clear grease, sludge, and even tree roots if the jetter has adequate GPM & PSI power.

At its core, jetting is about restoring water flow and protecting sewer and drain systems from future clogs. Whether you’re brand new to the trade or upgrading your skills, this beginner jetting guide will help you understand the process, stay safe, and set yourself up for long-term success.

Why Hydro Jetting?

As you know, clogs in sewer lines and household drain lines are more common than most homeowners realize. Grease, mineral deposits, sand, and even broken plumbing materials can cling to pipe walls, eventually causing blockages that no plunger or chemical cleaner can handle.

That’s where hydrojet drain cleaning shines. Unlike mechanical snakes that only punch through part of a blockage, hydro jetters take the cleaning to the next level by scouring the entire interior diameter of a pipe. This process not only clears blockages but also can clear buildup that could lead to a callback.

Pro tip: Sewer jetters are often the fastest and least labor-intensive solution for clearing clogged sewer and drain lines.

Special Considerations: What Jetting Can Do

Hydro jetting can be effective for clearing:

• Grease, sludge, & debris in drain lines, sewers, and septics.

• Blockages caused by non-flushable items.

• Tree roots invading sewer lines; this requires a “rooter-class” jetter (not a small electric-powered unit) and root-cutting nozzles designed for the task.

• Mineral deposits and buildup on older metal pipes.

But, realistically, jetting is not universal. Dense scale, fragile or undersized lines, or collapsed pipes might require other solutions.

Safety First: Jetting Safety Tips

Operating equipment powered by an engine and high-pressure water requires preparation, good habits and full attention. Start with these jetter tips to help keep you safe:

• Wear protective gear: Gloves, safety-glasses, and tough footwear are non-negotiable.

• Check out the jetter: Make sure the jetting hose and connections are intact and check oils before starting.

• Control the jetting nozzle & hose: To avoid injury, ensure that the nozzle is well into the pipe before starting - never let it whip out of the pipe under pressure. Secure handling of the hose while under pressure is a must.

• Respect pressure: Start with throttle and pressure low, then adjust up gradually as needed.

Pro tip: A reliable operator is a safe operator, which builds trust with your customers and crew alike.

Tools of the Trade: Water Jetting Basics

Understanding the equipment and its key components is crucial before you turn on the machine:

• Hydro jetter types: Electric-powered jetters are small and handy for clearing smaller indoor lines, while gas-powered jetters offer more horsepower to deliver more GPM & PSI power for clearing problems in larger lines such as side-sewers, area drains, & commercial lines.

• Jetter nozzles: Designed with rear and forward-facing waterjets to both penetrate and flush via orifices which are “sized” for specific GPM/PSI performance. Basic nozzles simply blast away at simple “soft” clogs and buildup, while specialty nozzles are available to attack grease, roots, and other tough obstructions.

• Jetting Hoses and Reels: Made to be lightweight and flexible, the main jetting hose’s diameter is sized for the full GPM output of the machine. Smaller hoses are often added to jet through smaller pipes. Reels are typically used for job-efficiency to contain and manage the hoses while jetting.

• Pump and Water Tank: The pump is the heart of the system, generating the water-flow (GPM) and building pressure (PSI) against the nozzle’s orifices to create high-velocity waterjets for cleaning force. A steady water supply is needed to feed the pump, and a water tank is typically included in higher-flow “rooter-class” jetters.

• Inspection Cameras: While optional, cameras are an essential diagnostic and sales tool to determine the scope of the job and assess the pipe’s condition, allowing you to show your customer the problems, helping you make recommendations, and to show your cleaning/job results.

Step-by-Step: The Jetting Process

Here’s a structured jetting process that’s beginner-friendly, adapted from industry manuals:

1. Find a Suitable Water Source

Your jetter needs a steady supply of water. If the pump is “starving,” it can cavitate and damage itself. Use a commercial-grade hose and avoid long, undersized garden hoses. If one source isn’t enough, connect two.

2. Familiarize Yourself With the Jetter’s Controls and Water System

Before you start, know the proper use of the controls, valves, and wireless-remote buttons which are your typical means for jetting on/off, engine on/off/throttle, pressure regulation, and hose-pulsation. Jetting pros make these controls second nature for jetting efficiency and safety.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t start your first run in a customer’s line. Use a secure 3 or 4” practice-pipe off-the-job to get comfortable with hose and nozzle handling, building pressure, and safe, predictable procedures.

4. Know Your Hose & Reel for Safety and Longevity

Mark your jetting hose boldly with electrical-tape about 6-feet from its end to “warn” you that the nozzle is near when pulling the hose back toward you; this is to prevent you from accidentally pulling the nozzle completely out of the pipe while under pressure! You may want to add further tape-marks to show how deep you are in the line, such as red tape at 25’, yellow at 50’, blue at 100’ and so on. If you have a reel to store the hose, be careful that the hose doesn’t tangle and kink while winding it back onto the reel.

5. Connecting and Deploying Your Jetter Nozzle

Attach the nozzle securely with wrenches. Always insert the nozzle at least 10 feet into the pipe before starting the engine to keep the nozzle from dangerously whipping back out when pressurized.

6. Assess Your Surroundings Before Starting

Before you start jetting, check the work-area around the pipe’s opening. Debris and water may discharge, so keep the workspace clear of people and valuables. Start your jetter per the instructions in its manuals and videos and proceed with care.

7. Practice “In-Out” and “Ram-Rod” Techniques for Clearing Blockages & Buildup

Work the hose into buildup slowly a few inches at a time, pulling back and forth to scour. To break through stubborn blockages, pull the hose back a few inches then let it go to “ram-rod” the clog. This is a good first attack to restore flow in a flooded line, allowing the pipe to drain down so you can stop and camera the pipe for assessment.

8. Practice Using the Flow-Control (Jetting On/off) Valve

This is your on/off control for water flow to and through the nozzle. Practice opening and closing it completely, until you’re acclimated to the hose building pressure and releasing pressure. Pro tip for running jetters that do not have a water-tank nor auto stop/start (such as smaller gas-engine jetters): do not leave the jetting-control valve closed for more than a few minutes while running—the pump will be “recirculating” water which builds heat that can harm the pump, so it’s better to shut down the machine until you’re ready to resume active jetting.

9. Feel Your Pulse

Adjust the pulsation control knob until you feel the hose vibrate. This helps the nozzle & hose pull deeper into the line by reducing drag, and helps free the nozzle if it snags on a crack or offset joint.

Best Jetting Practices for Beginners

• Work with the right nozzle: Get acclimated to all of the various nozzles that you have, then use the nozzle best suited for each job, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Specialty nozzles are available to attack various tougher obstructions.

• Keep steady hose-speed in the pipe: Moving too quickly can leave obstructions and buildup behind, and stopping the nozzle under pressure might let its jets cut into pipe & fittings (unless it’s chewing into a blockage).

• Prevent damaging weak pipes: Throttle up slowly, keeping the pressure/flow down until you are comfortable that the pipe can handle it.

• Document results: Taking before-and-after video footage and pictures reassures customers and helps you defend your work if questioned.

Maintenance Matters: Keeping Your Jetter in Optimal Condition

A jetter is only as reliable as its upkeep. To maintain performance:

• Check oil levels and clean the water-filter (strainer) at least weekly.

• Inspect hoses and fittings daily for wear.

• Confirm that your jetter nozzles are passing flow from each orifice before every job.

• In freezing conditions, drain the system and purge all water from the equipment when you are not actively jetting.

Regular maintenance keeps the engine and pump running smoothly and ensures your hoses and nozzles remain capable of safely tackling the toughest jobs.

Common Jetting Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to clean the jetter’s water-filter regularly: Clean it weekly, at least, because a jetter’s pump is NOT designed to “pull” water though restrictions like debris-buildup in the strainer/filter; it is primarily designed to push water to and through the hose & nozzle to create high-pressure waterjets. 

• Failing to check your water tank: If your jetter has a water-tank, look inside it daily to make sure nothing has fallen in that could obstruct its outlet that feeds the pump. If you suddenly lose pressure while jetting, stop and look again for obstruction of water-supply to the pump.

• Accidentally pulling the nozzle/hose out of the pipe while jetting: It almost always causes damage and/or injury when a pressurized nozzle flails around outside of the pipe. Be sure to mark all hoses with obvious warning-tape 6-10 feet from the nozzle.

• Jetting “downstream” all the time (from the building toward the street: Look for access to jet “upstream” toward the building; this allows your nozzle to attack the “dry” side of a backup (much faster than jetting on the flooded side) and allows the nozzle to naturally pull debris back toward the basin or city main.

• Impatiently rushing the nozzle & hose into the pipe: Instead, work the hose/nozzle at a controlled pace, working back-and-forth through blockages & scouring out buildup rather than blowing through & past them.

• Jetting ‘blind’ without the benefit of a camera’s view to guide your approach: This is especially important in buried/outdoor lines with voids, which might allow the nozzle to wander out of the pipe and get lodged in earth.

• Forgetting to inspect the jetting-hose for damage prior to and after jetting: a hose-burst causes downtime and - worse - can injure the operator and/or bystanders.

Quick Reference: Beginner Jetting Guide at a Glance

Your First Step Into Jetting

Mastering jetting basics sets you up for safer, faster, and more professional sewer/drain cleaning. With the right jetters, proper hoses & nozzles, and a consistent maintenance routine, you’ll keep both your equipment and your customers’ pipelines in top shape.

Ready to get started? Explore our jetters and other tools to see your options, and open a chat or call to discuss the right setup for your needs! At Drain Invader, we’re here to help with equipment and advice - for starters and experts as well.

FAQs

Q: What’s the difference between hydro jetting and sewer jetting?
A: They’re often used interchangeably, but “sewer jetting” generally refers specifically to cleaning main & municipal sewer lines, while “hydro jetting” covers all drain/sewer types.

Q: Can hydro jetters damage pipes?
A: Not if you follow the tips above and proceed with care in older/weaker lines

Q: How far can a jetter hose reach?
A: Most “rooter-class” jetters can reach 150–500 feet into a line, depending on the jetter’s GPM and, of course, its hose length.

Q: Why do most of the nozzle’s waterjets face back toward the hose rather than forward toward the blockage?
A: The rear-facing waterjets are responsible for pulling the nozzle/hose into the pipe with “rocket” thrust; if most of the waterjets faced forward then the nozzle would want to dangerously blow itself back out of the pipe toward you. Also, the rear jets are angled toward the pipe to provide scouring-action for effective cleaning.

Q: What nozzle is best for tree roots?
A: Root cutter nozzles are designed with sharp waterjets, rotating slowly to cut through roots and other tough blockages. Some are designed with more of a forward-attack cutter, while others provide full 360-degree cutting-action. If your jetter is a “rooter-class” size (at least 7gpm) we recommend the “one-two punch” of a forward-attack nozzle (e.g. Reaper) to restore flow followed by a 360-degree action nozzle with multiple waterjets (e.g. Warthog) to clear any remaining roots or debris. However, if your jetter is only 4-6gpm we recommend a single-jet RootRanger as it won’t have the water-impact to run multiple-jet cutting-nozzles. Pro Tip: Smallish jetters running 3gpm and less generally cannot effectively power a root-cutting nozzle.

Q: What are the most important maintenance tips?
A: Check oils daily, clean the water filter/strainer at least weekly, make sure water-supply is adequate, repair any hose/fitting/valve leaks immediately, and make sure the nozzle’s jets are not plugged before every job. Making these things routine will reduce downtime, extend equipment life and maximize jetter performance on the job.