Yeah, snaking’s a lifesaver with old pipes. I’ve noticed even after using enzymes, there’s still gunk that builds up, especially in the elbows. Sometimes I wonder if hydro jetting is worth it, or if that’s overkill for a house...
Hydro jetting’s like bringing a bazooka to a pillow fight—sometimes it’s just too much for residential pipes, especially if they’re older. I’ve seen folks end up with leaks after a jetting session because the pressure found a weak spot. Snaking and enzyme treatments usually do the trick, but if you’re still getting slow drains, maybe try a camera inspection first. Sometimes it’s just a stubborn wad of gunk in an elbow, not a full-on pipe apocalypse.
Hydro jetting always seemed like overkill to me, especially after seeing what it did to my neighbor’s 60s-era pipes. They had a slow kitchen drain, called in a plumber, and next thing you know, water’s leaking into the basement. That pressure just found every weak joint.
- I stick with snaking for most clogs. It’s cheap and gets the job done.
- Enzyme stuff is hit or miss in my experience—works best if you use it regularly, not just when things back up.
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— 100% agree here. I rented a scope once and found a big hairball right at a bend. Saved me from tearing out half the wall.“maybe try a camera inspection first”
If you’ve got old pipes, gentle is better. Hydro jetting might clear things out, but it can also turn a small problem into a big repair bill. Just my two cents after years of fighting with these old drains...
Hydro jetting can be risky with older pipes, no doubt. I’ve seen joints blow out or even sections collapse from too much pressure. Snaking’s usually my first step too—less drama, gets most stuff moving. If you’re dealing with cast iron or galvanized, I’d always scope it first like you said:
. Saves a lot of guesswork.“maybe try a camera inspection first”
Curious—has anyone tried using those mini hand augers for bathroom sinks? Sometimes they’re just enough for hair clogs and don’t stress the pipes at all. Wondering if folks have had luck with them or if they just end up making a mess.
Mini hand augers for bathroom sinks? Used 'em plenty. They’re actually my go-to for hair clogs, especially when folks have those old chrome traps that’ll leak if you just look at them wrong. I get what you mean about the mess, though. If you don’t know how to wind it back up slow, you can end up flinging gunk all over the vanity. Not the best way to start your day.
That being said, they’re a lot gentler than a power snake or—like you mentioned—hydro jetting, which is just asking for trouble on old pipes. I’ve seen more than one “quick fix” turn into a full repipe after someone got too aggressive with the pressure.
“Sometimes they’re just enough for hair clogs and don’t stress the pipes at all.”
Couldn’t agree more. For most bathroom sink jobs, a mini auger’s all you need. Just gotta have a little patience and a towel handy... trust me on that one.
