In short: If your shower drain keeps backing up after snaking or chemical treatments, hydro jetting uses high-pressure water (up to 4,000 PSI) to scour the inside of your pipes clean. It’s the most effective way to clear stubborn clogs and prevent them from coming back.
Why Shower Drains Clog
Shower drains collect hair, soap residue, and mineral deposits over time. In Santa Fe, hard water accelerates this buildup, leaving calcium and lime scale inside your pipes that traps debris faster. A slow drain that responds to plunging or a basic snake often has a deeper blockage forming further down the line.
What Hydro Jetting Is and Why It Works
Hydro jetting uses a specialized nozzle attached to a high-pressure water hose. The system pushes water through your drain line at up to 4,000 PSI, enough force to cut through grease, break apart mineral scale, and flush out compacted hair and soap buildup.
Unlike a drain snake, which punches a hole through a clog, hydro jetting cleans the full interior wall of the pipe. That means the clog is removed completely rather than pushed aside, and the pipe stays clearer for longer.
A plumber will typically run a camera inspection first to check the condition of your pipes and locate the blockage. This step matters because hydro jetting isn’t appropriate for every situation. Older pipes with existing damage or root intrusion may need a different approach.
When to Call a Plumber Instead of DIY
A plunger or hand snake handles most minor shower clogs. But if you’re dealing with any of the following, it’s time to call in professional equipment:
- The drain keeps slowing down within days or weeks of clearing it.
- Multiple drains in the house are backing up at the same time.
- You notice a sewage smell coming from the drain.
- Water backs up into the shower when you run the washing machine.
These signs usually point to a blockage deeper in your main drain or sewer line, not just the shower trap.
Get Your Drains Cleared
CaitCo Drainworks provides drain cleaning and leak repair for homes across Santa Fe. If a deeper issue is involved, our team also handles sewer line cleaning and repair, including camera inspections and hydro jetting.
Call (505) 424-9191 or request a quote online.