What snaking does
A cable machine uses rotating tooling to break through or retrieve an obstruction. It can be effective for localized clogs and certain root or debris conditions. Tool selection matters, especially in fragile or unknown pipe.
What hydrojetting does
Hydrojetting uses controlled high-pressure water and specialized nozzles to scour and flush grease, sludge, roots or scale from suitable pipe. Pressure and tooling must match the pipe condition.
Why a cleared opening may not be a clean line
A cable can restore a flow path without removing material across the pipe wall. That may be sufficient for the immediate problem, but recurring buildup may justify more complete cleaning.
Inspect when failures repeat
Repeated blockages, old cast iron, suspected roots or an unknown line route are reasons to consider video inspection. The goal is to identify whether the issue is cleanable or structural.
Cleaning has limits
Neither snaking nor jetting repairs a crack, collapsed section, missing wall or severe offset. A responsible scope separates cleaning outcomes from repair recommendations.
Questions for the service company
Ask what pipe material is expected, whether inspection is recommended before or after cleaning, what nozzle or tooling will be used, and how the result will be verified.