If a drain keeps clogging no matter how many times it is snaked, a plumber may recommend hydro jetting, and the first question most homeowners ask is about hydro jetting cost. Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure stream of water to scour grease, scale, sludge and roots off the inside of a pipe instead of just punching a hole through the clog. This guide covers the national hydro jetting cost, Los Angeles drain cleaning prices, The 5 Star Plumbing’s typical price, what moves the number up or down, and when jetting is worth paying for.
What This Guide Covers
- Average hydro jetting cost
- Hydro jetting cost in Los Angeles
- What affects the price
- Hydro jetting or snaking: which to pay for
- When hydro jetting is worth it
- When hydro jetting is not the right call
- How to keep the bill down
- Frequently asked questions
Average hydro jetting cost
According to HomeAdvisor (updated June 2026), standard residential hydro jetting averages about $475 nationally, and most jobs fall between $350 and $600. A minor job can cost as little as $100, while severe blockages that need extensive work can reach $2,000. Angi’s 2026 hydro jetting cost guide reports the same average and the same $100 to $2,000 spread.
Those national numbers mix very different jobs: a quick jetting of a short kitchen line counts the same as a long main sewer line full of roots. That is why the hydro jetting cost you are quoted can sit well above or below the average.
Hydro jetting cost at a glance
| Item | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro jetting, national average | About $475 | HomeAdvisor, Angi |
| Hydro jetting, typical range | $350 – $600 | HomeAdvisor |
| Hydro jetting, full low to high | $100 – $2,000 | HomeAdvisor, Angi |
| Plumber labor | $45 – $200 per hour | HomeAdvisor, Angi |
| Tree root removal (added to jetting) | $100 – $600 | Angi |
| Snaking a main sewer line | $100 – $400 | Angi |
Hydro jetting cost in Los Angeles
Angi’s Los Angeles drain cleaning cost guide (updated February 2026) puts basic drain cleaning in Los Angeles at about $227 on average, with most jobs between $110 and $345, and a simple sewer main clog at $250 to $1,000. Hydro jetting is a more thorough service than basic cleaning, so expect it to price above a standard snaking visit.
In Los Angeles, The 5 Star Plumbing’s typical hydro jetting cost is $700 – $1,200. The exact price is confirmed after the technician sees the job, because line length, access and what is inside the pipe all change the work.
Related work that sometimes goes with jetting, at The 5 Star Plumbing’s typical prices (exact price confirmed on site):
- Sewer camera inspection: $180 – $500
- Sewer cleanout installation: $450 – $2,000
- Partial sewer repair: $500 – $2,000
For larger repairs, The 5 Star Plumbing offers financing options, and current offers are listed on the promotions page.
What affects hydro jetting cost
Five things explain most of the difference in hydro jetting cost from one home to the next.
Type and severity of the clog
HomeAdvisor notes that simple sink clogs cost less than major sewer obstructions, and root intrusion takes more specialized work. Hardened grease, scale and dense roots take longer to cut through, and labor time is what you pay for.
Access to the line
Jetting through an existing cleanout keeps the hydro jetting cost lower. If there is no cleanout, the technician may have to pull a toilet or work through a harder entry point, and HomeAdvisor lists toilet removal at $50 to $200. Homes with no usable cleanout often benefit from installing one, which makes every future cleaning simpler.
Pipe size and length
Larger-diameter and longer lines need more time, water and equipment. A main sewer line running from the house to the street is a bigger job than a single branch drain.
Camera inspection
Many plumbers run a camera before or after jetting to check pipe condition and confirm the line is clear. Angi lists sewer camera inspection at $275 to $1,800 nationally and notes some areas require one for sewer line work. A camera first also protects you from paying for jetting on a line that is actually broken.
Tree roots
Angi notes that jetting may clear roots on its own, but heavy intrusion can add $100 to $600 for root removal. Roots usually come back if the joint they entered through is not repaired.
Hydro jetting or snaking: which to pay for
A drain snake (auger) bores through a clog and is the cheaper option for a simple, localized blockage near an access point. Angi lists snaking a main sewer line at $100 to $400. Hydro jetting costs more, but it cleans the full diameter of the pipe and removes the buildup that causes clogs to return.
| Snaking | Hydro jetting | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Single, simple clogs | Recurring clogs, grease, scale, sludge, roots |
| How it works | Cable cuts a path through the clog | High-pressure water scours the pipe walls |
| Typical national price | $100 – $400 (main line) | About $475 average |
| Older or damaged pipe | Usually the safer first step | Needs a pipe check first |
If you have had the same line snaked several times in a year, the repeat visits can add up to more than one jetting job. That is the main case where the higher hydro jetting cost pays for itself.
When hydro jetting is worth it
- Clogs keep coming back after snaking, especially in kitchen lines where grease builds up.
- Several fixtures back up at once, which points to the main line. See our guide on why drains back up at the same time.
- A camera shows grease, scale or roots lining an otherwise sound pipe.
- Slow drains throughout the house that do not respond to basic cleaning.
- You received a notice about roots or debris in your sewer lateral. Los Angeles County Public Works notes that homeowners must keep the lateral flowing and free of roots and grease.
Our hydro jetting service page explains how the process works, and our clogged drain and backup service covers the other options.
When hydro jetting is not the right call
Angi warns that hydro jetting can damage old or weakened pipes, while newer PVC is generally considered safe for it. If your sewer line is old, cracked or partly collapsed, high-pressure water can make the damage worse, and paying the hydro jetting cost only to need a repair the next week is the worst outcome. That is why a sewer camera inspection first is often the smart move.
If the camera finds a break or a collapsed section, the line needs repair rather than cleaning.
How to keep the bill down
- Use an existing cleanout. Easy access is one of the biggest ways to lower hydro jetting cost.
- Ask what the quote includes: camera inspection, root cutting and toilet removal can be separate line items.
- Bundle the camera and the jetting in one visit when both are needed.
- Keep grease out of the drain. LA County Public Works advises against pouring grease or used oil down the drain and against washing food scraps down the drain or grinding them in the garbage disposal.
- Fix the cause. If roots entered through a cracked joint, repairing that joint prevents paying for jetting again and again.
The bottom line
Nationally, hydro jetting averages about $475, with most jobs between $350 and $600 and severe jobs reaching $2,000. In Los Angeles, The 5 Star Plumbing’s typical hydro jetting cost is $700 – $1,200, confirmed after the technician sees the job. Jetting is worth it for recurring clogs, grease and roots in a sound pipe, and a camera check first protects older lines. The 5 Star Plumbing is a family-owned, licensed plumbing company (CA License #1041772) with experience since 2006, available 24/7 across Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. Call (888) 909-0120 or contact us to schedule hydro jetting.
Frequently asked questions: hydro jetting cost
How much does hydro jetting cost?
HomeAdvisor and Angi put the national average at about $475, with most jobs between $350 and $600 and a full range of $100 to $2,000. The 5 Star Plumbing’s typical price in Los Angeles is $700 – $1,200; the exact price is confirmed after the technician sees the job.
Why does hydro jetting cost more than snaking?
Jetting uses specialized high-pressure equipment and cleans the entire pipe wall, not just a path through the clog. That takes more equipment and time, but it removes the buildup that makes clogs return.
Is hydro jetting worth the cost?
Usually, if you have recurring clogs, grease buildup or roots in a pipe that is otherwise in good condition. For a single simple clog, snaking is often enough.
Can hydro jetting damage pipes?
It can damage old or weakened pipes, according to Angi. A camera inspection before jetting shows whether the pipe can handle the pressure.
Does hydro jetting remove tree roots?
It may clear roots on its own, but heavy root intrusion can need separate root cutting, which Angi lists at $100 to $600. Roots usually return unless the entry point is repaired.
Is a camera inspection included in the hydro jetting cost?
Not always. Many quotes list it separately, so ask. The 5 Star Plumbing’s typical camera inspection price is $180 – $500.
How long do hydro jetting results last?
Angi says results should last several years, depending on what goes down the drain and whether roots or pipe damage are still present.
Who pays for hydro jetting the sewer line in Los Angeles County?
Usually the homeowner. LA County Public Works states that the private property owner is responsible for the sewer lateral, including keeping it free of roots and grease, while the county maintains the public mainline.
Sources: HomeAdvisor – Hydro Jetting Cost (updated June 2026); Angi – How Much Does Hydro Jetting Cost? (updated July 2026); Angi – Drain Cleaning Cost in Los Angeles, CA (updated February 2026); LA County Public Works – Sewer Maintenance Customer Information. The 5 Star Plumbing prices are typical ranges; the exact price is confirmed after the technician sees the job.
