💧 Drain Jetting vs Rodding: Which Actually Works?
Last updated: February 2025
Drain blocks. You call someone. They rod it. £120. Drain flows again. Three weeks later? Blocked again. You call them back. Rod it again. £120. Repeat.
Sound familiar? Here's why rodding doesn't always work, what jetting actually does, and which method you need for different blockages.
Drain Rodding: What It Actually Does
Method: Flexible rods screwed together, pushed through drain. Plunger or corkscrew attachment on end breaks up or pushes blockage.
What it's good for:
- Soft blockages (toilet paper, waste)
- Accessible blockages (within 10m of access point)
- Simple, cheap, quick
What it's terrible for:
- Fat/grease buildup (rods slide through it, don't remove it)
- Root ingress (pushes roots aside temporarily, they grow back)
- Scale buildup (rods can't scrape pipe walls clean)
- Long drain runs (50m+ is exhausting with rods)
The problem with rodding: It moves the blockage. Doesn't remove it. Pushes it further down the drain. Or breaks it up so water flows around it. But the obstruction is still there, catching more waste. Blocks again in weeks.
💡 Why Your Drain Keeps Blocking After Rodding: Rods cleared path through middle of fatberg/root mass. Water flows through that path. But sides of pipe still coated in fat/roots. Path gradually fills in. Blocked again. Rodding = temporary fix, not cure.
High-Pressure Drain Jetting: What It Actually Does
Method: Flexible hose inserted in drain. Water pumped at 1,500-4,000 PSI (pounds per square inch). Nozzle has jets pointing backwards and forwards, blasting debris away and propelling hose forward.
What it's excellent for:
- Fat/grease buildup (blasts it off pipe walls)
- Root ingress (cuts roots, flushes away)
- Scale/sludge (high pressure cleans pipe to near-original diameter)
- Long drain runs (hose can reach 100m+)
- Preventive maintenance (jet drains every 2-3 years = fewer blockages)
What it can't fix:
- Collapsed pipes (need excavation/relining)
- Solid objects (brick, stone—need removing manually)
- Structural defects (offset joints, cracks)
The advantage: Jetting removes the cause. Cleans pipe walls. Blockage less likely to return quickly. If it does block again, it's usually a new issue or structural problem (need CCTV survey).
💷 Costs Compared (2025)
Drain Rodding:
- Simple blockage (up to 10m): £95-180
- Longer run (10-30m): £150-280
- DIY rods (buy your own): £30-60
High-Pressure Jetting:
- Standard drain (up to 30m): £150-280
- Long run (30-60m): £220-380
- Root cutting + jetting: £280-550
- Full system jet (preventive): £300-600
Which Method For Which Blockage?
Use RODDING for:
- First-time blockage (try cheapest option first)
- Toilet paper blockage in toilet or nearby drain
- Obvious single obstruction (toy dropped down toilet)
- Budget constraints (rodding is cheaper up-front)
Use JETTING for:
- Recurring blockages (been rodded 2+ times already)
- Fat/grease issues (kitchen drains, commercial properties)
- Tree roots visible in drain or trees near drainline
- Slow drainage (not fully blocked but sluggish)
- Preventive maintenance (every 2-3 years keeps drains clear)
- Post-CCTV survey if survey showed buildup/roots
Long-Term Cost Comparison
Scenario 1: Recurring Blockage (Fat Buildup)
Rodding approach:
- Rod it: £120
- Blocks again in 4 weeks, rod it: £120
- Blocks again in 4 weeks, rod it: £120
- 12 months = 12 callouts = £1,440
Jetting approach:
- Jet it once: £280
- Blocks again in 18 months
- Jet it again: £280
- 12 months = 1 callout = £280
Saving: £1,160 over 12 months by jetting properly.
Commercial vs Domestic: Different Needs
Domestic properties:
- Lower waste volume
- Rodding often sufficient for one-off blockages
- Jetting recommended every 3-5 years as preventive
Commercial (restaurants, cafes, etc.):
- High grease load
- Rodding basically useless
- Need jetting every 6-12 months minimum
- Some councils require quarterly jetting (environmental health)
DIY Jetting: Does It Work?
Pressure washer attachments (£30-80):
- Domestic pressure washers = 1,200-2,000 PSI max
- Professional jetters = 3,000-4,000 PSI
- Might clear light blockages
- Won't touch fat buildup or roots
- Risk of damaging old pipes (can't control pressure properly)
Verdict: Save £80 on attachment, spend £280 calling professional when it doesn't work. Just call professional first.
After Jetting: How To Keep Drains Clear
- Kitchen sinks: No fat/grease down drain. Wipe plates before washing. Install grease trap if commercial.
- Toilets: Only 3Ps (pee, poo, paper). No wipes.
- External drains: Clear leaves regularly. Cut back tree roots near drains.
- Preventive jetting: Every 2-3 years for domestic. Every 6-12 months for commercial.
Red Flags: Cowboy Drain Clearers
🚩 They claim to "jet" but actually rod:
- No jetting equipment visible (no van-mounted pump, no high-pressure hose reel)
- Takes 10 minutes (real jetting takes 30-60 min)
- Charges jetting price (£250+) for rodding work
Ask to see the equipment. Jetting machine is obvious—large pump, thick hoses, van-mounted or trailer. Rods are just... rods.
Need Drains Jetted Properly?
National Drainage Dispatch: 0333 600 0990
Professional high-pressure jetting vans. 3,000-4,000 PSI equipment. Root-cutting nozzles. CCTV survey available if blockage won't clear (shows why). Fixed pricing before we start. Drains properly cleaned, not just temporarily rodded.