What’s the Best Way to Clean Out Sewer Line Blockages?
Using a plumber who uses a camera in conjunction with hydrojetting is the best method of removing a persistent clog in your sewer line. While plumbing snakes make holes in clogs and leave the coating on your pipes; hydrojets remove this coating entirely.
If you have multiple slow drains, this is a sign that you need to inspect your main sewer line. LA Sanitation reports that tree root intrusion combined with fats, oils and grease dumped into sewers create more than half of all sewer backups in the city, all of which can be cleared with hydrojetting.
Below is a September 2026 comparison of four companies that provide hydrojetting in the Los Angeles area, along with how each compares based on different factors including price, features, pros/cons.
Roto-Rooter
Pricing: Roto-Rooter charges $500-$900 for hydrojetting for main line clogs and additional fees for video inspections of your sewer line. They charge a fixed rate regardless of how much time it takes them to complete your job. This is beneficial because you don’t pay extra for longer visits. However, it does mean that you will spend more money upfront.
Features: They claim that their equipment reaches 4000 PSI and provides jetting capabilities on pipes ranging from 1.5 to 9 inches in diameter. After hydrojetting a technician films the entire sewer line to visually verify that everything has been cleaned.
Pros/Cons:
- Has a 24/7 call center and provides their service anywhere in the U.S.
- Prices for small jobs such as unclogging a single toilet or pipe may be higher than competitors.
Use Cases: Clogged kitchen lines due to grease buildup, backed up sewage after hours and debris left behind from construction are some examples of issues that are well suited for hydrojetting. Their commercial section states that hydrojetting is more effective at removing heavy grease and sediment buildup than mechanical rootering.
Maintenance Cadence: The maintenance options available are geared toward business customers and property management. These plans offer discounts and extended warranties. Residential customers receive little direction regarding scheduling regular jetting.
Safety/Pipe Compatibility: Their Sacramento location notes that they always run a camera before performing any service, and reduce the pressures used in older clay tile and cast iron pipes. Enquiries should be directed at a particular franchise for this special service prior to booking.
Environmental Angle: When compared to chemical drain cleaners, hydrojetting uses water to clean your pipes. Some locations also sell Pipe Shield, an enzymatic-based grease prevention product that adds products to your drain instead of relying solely on water.
Related Services: Video inspections of your sewer line, repairs to the sewer line, and pipe replacements are additional services offered.
Ritz Plumbing
Pricing: Residential hydrojetting ranges from $350 to $600. Commercial hydrojetting is priced higher, however, Ritz Plumbing’s prices are lower than that of Roto-Rooter. Pricing depends on the line length and accessibility of the blockage.
Features: Hydrojetting service uses nozzles rated to 4000 PSI. All hydrojetting begins with a camera inspection to identify the cause of the obstruction and to assess the condition of the piping. Typically, all residential hydrojetting jobs require one to two hours.
Pros/Cons:
- Has been servicing Los Angeles for over 90 years with clients trusting Ritz Plumbing Since 1931, and there are over 720 reviews on Yelp for Ritz Plumbing.
- Ritz Plumbing is focused on California, and may not be as accessible for people outside of this area.
Use Cases: Clients include homeowners with recurring clogs, slow draining of one or more fixtures, gurgling toilets or debris remaining in the system after a renovation. Ritz Plumbing also provides hydrojetting to restaurants, hotels and apartments as grease can accumulate in these systems quickly.
Maintenance Cadence: Residential clients must perform hydrojetting every one to two years, and commercial clients must perform hydrojetting every six months or as the need arises. In addition, older homes must be inspected by a camera every year to ensure that there are no issues building up.
Safety/Pipe Compatibility: Prior to using any type of cleaning method, Ritz Plumbing performs a camera pass through the piping. If the client’s piping is old or damaged, they will recommend a less invasive solution. When piping is severely damaged or extremely old, hydrojetting may be an inappropriate solution.
Environmental Angle: Because their hydrojetting equipment uses only water, they claim that their hydrojetting method is eco friendly. However, after the cleaning is completed, the loosened debris is flushed downstream into the sewer system.
Related Services: Sewer camera inspection, drain repair, trenchless pipe lining and sewer repair are additional services offered. This means that an inspection can lead into repair, all within the same company.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing
Pricing: Mr. Rooter does not publish pricing for hydrojetting, and instead asks that customers contact their local office to get an estimate. They advertise that they have upfront pricing and that an in-home inspection is complimentary with any service.
Features: The branded HydroScrub system has the ability to run at 3500PSI. In addition to residential pipes, Mr. Rooter also provides a sewer line jetting service.
Pros/Cons:
- As part of its parent company, Neighborly, there are over 250 Mr. Rooter locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, with scheduling available 24 hours a day.
- Each location is independently owned, and therefore quality and pricing of service may vary.
Use Cases: Their jetting page references soap residue, hair and oil buildup, and describes cable snaking as a short term solution since soft materials tend to reform again. That case is strongest for recurring residential clog issues.
Maintenance Cadence: Recommends regular use of the HydroScrub system for cleaning purposes and using an enzymatic drain care product for preventative measures. The recommended frequency is not provided, however they recommend contacting your local plumber to determine what works best for you.
Safety/Pipe Compatibility: While the page states that HydroScrub systems are compatible with residential plumbing, it makes no references to the need for a pre-jet camera assessment prior to performing a hydrojetting service, nor does it discuss how the increased pressure may affect older clay or cast iron piping.
Environmental Angle: Promotes the use of jetting as an alternative to hazardous chemicals used for drain cleaning; in addition, they sell a separate biological enzyme-based product specifically designed to keep lines open between visits.
Related Services: Sewer camera inspection, trenchless sewer line repair and pipe lining are offered in addition to hydrojetting.
Rescue Rooter
Pricing: Published pricing is not available, as local estimates vary by location.
Features: Offers hydrojetting alongside sewer inspection and trenchless pipe repair. No published PSI ratings were located for their equipment except for a general claim stating that hydrojetting uses pressure up to 4000 PSI.
Pros/Cons:
- Rescue Rooter is able to scale with approximately seventy service centers local throughout twenty-four states.
- Focuses on residential and light commercial customers, therefore heavy grease lines may require the use of a specialized hydrojetting company.
Use Cases: Homeowners seeking one stop shopping for all their drain, plumbing and HVAC needs are ideal clients, along with homeowners experiencing back-ups during emergencies.
Maintenance Cadence: Rescue Rooter does not have a recommended jetting frequency. A schedule for cleaning must be determined after the initial camera inspection as it will depend on if the line gets clogged by grease or roots.
Safety/Pipe Compatibility: Does not provide public information regarding compatible pipes. Plumbers generally state that PVC and ABS pipes can withstand hydrojetting, while brittle clay pipes may crack. A camera survey must be conducted prior to proceeding with jetting.
Environmental Angle: States that it uses a drain-cleaning fluid that is 100% biodegradable, non-acidic and non-corrosive that is safe to use on any drain. Does not mention that this product is used in conjunction with their hydrojetting service.
Related Services: Trenchless replacement, sump pump service, gas line work, water heaters and HVAC all sit under the same brand.
Comparison at a Glance
| Provider | Typical Jetting Price | Key Feature | Best For | Limitation |
| Roto-Rooter | $500 to $900 | 4,000 PSI equipment | After-hours backups nationwide | Flat rate costs more on simple jobs |
| Ritz Plumbing | $350 to $600 residential | 4,000 PSI cleaning with an initial camera inspection | Recurring clogs in Los Angeles | Southern California only |
| Mr. Rooter | Not published | 3,500 PSI HydroScrub service | Residential lines | Pricing varies by franchise |
| Rescue Rooter | Not published | Multi-service network | One provider for plumbing and HVAC | No published specifications |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hydrojetting Better Than Snaking For A Sewer Blockage?
For recurring blockages, yes. The cable will open up the path for water to flow down the drain; however the root cause of most clogs (grease, root infiltration and mineral buildup) is left behind. Hydrojetting blasts away these clogs and keeps recurring clogs away for a longer time.
Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Work On A Sewer Line Clog?
Rarely. They are aimed at fixture clogs, and plumbers warn that abrasive products can cause environmental damage as well as damage to existing plumbing systems, particularly if the system is old.
How Often Must A Sewer Line Be Jetted?
Ritz Plumbing suggests that homes must be hydrojetted every one to two years while commercial properties must be done every six months or as the need arises.
Conclusion
The Problem: Persistent sewer clogs from roots and grease reoccur when standard snaking leaves pipe residue behind.
Key Takeaways: Hydrojetting alongside a camera inspection completely restores pipe capacity. Los Angeles homeowners can choose budget-friendly local specialists like Ritz Plumbing or 24/7 national networks like Roto-Rooter.
Next Steps:
- Schedule a camera line inspection.
- Request upfront hydrojetting estimates.
- Establish a routine maintenance schedule.
