The benefits of high-pressure drain cleaning explained

Heard of hydro jetting, but not sure what it is?

We get a lot of calls from Melbourne locals who’ve spent months fighting the same slow drain. They’ve tried plungers, supermarket chemicals, even the odd DIY “unclogger” trick, but the pipe clogs back up just as fast. Somewhere along the way, someone mentions hydro jetting, and that’s when the questions start: What is it? Is it safe? Will it fix my problem for good?

Think of hydro jetting as the heavy-duty option for drain cleaning. Instead of poking a gap through the mess, it blasts the line with a controlled, high-pressure water jet that scrubs the walls clean. We’ve used it to cut through grease-packed kitchen lines, scale in old PVC runs, and even tree root intrusions in sewer mains.

In this blog, Outright Plumbing show you how the process works, the situations where it’s the best solution, and the real benefits of high-pressure drain cleaning methods we’ve seen first-hand on jobs across Melbourne. If you’ve been wondering whether this is the right fix for your home’s plumbing, you’ll have your answer.

What is high-pressure drain cleaning?

Before we get into the benefits, let’s clear up exactly what this method involves. High-pressure drain cleaning, or hydro jetting, is one of the most effective ways to clear out stubborn blockages and give your drains a proper reset.

How hydro jetting works

Picture a long flexible hose fed deep into the pipe, with a specialised nozzle on the end. Instead of only blasting forward, the nozzle shoots jets of water backwards too. That backward spray drags the hose further down the line while scrubbing the pipe walls clean.

The jetter itself pumps a high-pressure water jet at around 3,000 to 5,000 psi, while pushing through 12 to 18 gpm (gallons per minute). That balance of powerful water pressure and high flow rate is what makes the cleaning process so effective. It doesn’t just punch a hole through a blockage. It flushes grease, scale, and debris right off the walls so the pipe is restored to near full capacity.

How it compares to traditional methods

Most of the blocked drains we get called to have already been “fixed” once with traditional drain cleaning. A plunger or cable machine might give quick relief, but they only ever clear a narrow path through the blockage. The grease, scale, and roots stay stuck to the pipe walls, which is why the line clogs again a few weeks later.

We’ve also seen plenty of DIY attempts where someone tries to use a pressure washer because they already own a pressure washer. The problem is that those machines aren’t made for drains — the hoses can’t navigate bends, and the pressure isn’t strong enough to strip the pipe clean. Hydro jetting is different. The nozzle pulls itself through the full length of the run, scouring the walls as it goes. That’s the difference between a temporary fix and a line that actually stays clear.

‍

5 key benefits of hydro jetting

Hydro jetting doesn’t just clear drains — it restores them. Here are the five biggest benefits we see on the job.

1. Clears stubborn blockages fast

We often find stubborn clogs made of grease, scale, or roots sitting deep in the line. A plunger or eel might open a gap, but the blockage stays put.

A jetter’s high-pressure stream can dislodge and clear a blocked drain quickly and efficiently, stripping the walls clean so the problem doesn’t return. That’s why we rely on it for the toughest blocked drain and sewer jobs around Melbourne,

2. Restores full pipe capacity

Hydro jetting is a full-scale pipe cleaning method. Because the nozzle scours the pipe walls, it strips away years of mineral scale and fat build-up inside the drain pipe.

On one recent job in Hampton, we measured the drainage flow after jetting and found the line running at almost double its pre-cleaning rate. By flushing out every bit of debris, the pipe was back to carrying water as if it were new.

3. Works on tree roots, grease, and scale

In Melbourne (where we’re based), one of the most common issues we deal with is tree root intrusions. Large liquidambar and fig trees send fine roots into tiny cracks in the sewer line, and those roots quickly thicken and block the pipe.

Hydro jetting can cut through a tree root, blast out the loose debris, and clear the line of years of grease and buildup in the same run. We often confirm the result with drain camera inspections to show the homeowner a pipe that is actually clear, not just temporarily flowing.

4. Extends the life of your pipes

Every blockage adds stress to your system. Scale build-up, fat, and grit increase pressure until joints and fittings suffer from wear and tear.

By clearing the build-up, jetting relieves that pressure. We have seen cracked copper lines where years of internal pipe damage could have been avoided with regular cleaning. Preventative jetting can save a homeowner from costly repairs like excavating a collapsed line or replacing an entire section at great expense.

5. Saves money on future plumbing problems

Hydro jetting is not just a fix, it is maintenance that prevents emergencies. Customers who book a jetting service every couple of years rarely end up with sudden blockages.

We had a client who used to need their drains cleared four or five times a year. After switching to regular jetting, they went three years without a single callout. That kind of result makes it clear why jetting is often the best solution. A single thorough repair with a jetter provides a powerful solution that saves thousands in avoided expensive repairs.

When hydro jetting is a good choice

Hydro jetting is safe for most homes once the pipes have been inspected. We often jet lines that are decades old, including 40-year-old PVC systems, without any issue. The key is knowing how to set the machine for the job.

A professional team will:

• Test the condition of the pipe with a camera before starting.
• Adjust the pressure and flow to suit the pipe’s age and material.
• Monitor the line during cleaning to ensure no stress is caused.

With the right approach, hydro jetting is an excellent option for clearing stubborn blockages without causing harm.

When another method is safer

Not every pipe is a good candidate for jetting. If you’ve got older or fragile pipes, jetting at high pressure can do more harm than good. We’ve seen pipe bursts where the walls were already cracked, and jetting would have only made the failure worse.

In those cases, alternatives are safer:

• CCTV inspection to pinpoint the pipe blockage.
• Mechanical cutting or excavation to remove collapsed sections.
• Pipe relining to restore strength without replacement.

As you can imagine, none of these are for amateur DIYers. Drain cleaning may be dangerous, no matter how straightforward it looks in a YouTube tutorial. The Victorian Building Authority demands a licensed plumber carry out this work, for your safety and the neighbourhood’s.

‍

How much does hydro jetting cost?

For most Melbourne homes, hydro jetting costs between $250 and $600, depending on the job. The price changes with the length of the line, the number of junctions, and how heavy the blockage is. A long run of pipe with multiple bends takes longer to work through, as the jetter needs to be fed through several access points to restore proper drainage and full flow rate.

While the upfront cost is higher than a quick cable clean, one jetting session usually does the work of three or four traditional clears. By stripping the walls clean, the cleaning process prevents recurring clogs and often provides a powerful solution that saves hundreds in callouts. For many families, it ends up being the most cost-effective option, especially if it saves you from an emergency plumbing bill.

Call Outright Plumbing for hydro jetting in Melbourne

When your drains need more than a quick fix, you want a team you can trust. Outright Plumbing has built a reputation across Melbourne with over 600 five-star reviews and a commitment to getting every job done right the first time.

Here’s what you can expect from us:

• Same-day response for urgent jobs.
• Upfront, fixed pricing with no surprises.
• A licensed, local team of professional plumbers.
• The best gear for the job: we’ve invested in industrial jetters that can cut through grease, roots, and scale that DIY tools or home cleaners simply can’t touch.

From routine maintenance to urgent blockages, our plumbing services give you the confidence that your drains will be properly cleared and stay that way. Call Outright Plumbing today and get your pipes back to full health.