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Some lines clog again a few weeks after they're cleared. That usually means the cable opened a hole through the blockage but left grease, scale or root hair stuck to the pipe walls. Hydro jetting washes the inside of the pipe clean instead. A-1 Sewer Service jets sewer and drain lines for homes and businesses around Iowa City and the Corridor from our shop off Bay Ridge Ave. Call (319) 600-4224 or use the contact page.
A jetter pushes water through a hose and out of a nozzle at high pressure. Most of the jets point backward, which pulls the nozzle forward through the line and scrubs the pipe walls as it goes. A forward jet breaks up whatever is directly ahead. Everything the water loosens flushes downstream to the city sewer.
We feed the hose in through a cleanout, work it to the end of the problem section, then pull it back slowly so the whole length gets cleaned. On most lines the water runs clear by the time the nozzle comes back out.
A cable machine is the right tool for a single clog in a sink or a toilet. It's fast and it gets the drain running again. Jetting makes more sense when the problem is spread along the pipe: years of kitchen grease, soap scum in a long main, sand and silt, or a line that a cable has already opened two or three times this year.
If you're not sure which one your drain needs, start with a standard drain cleaning visit. We'll tell you if the line looks like a candidate for jetting before we do anything more.
Grease is the most common reason a kitchen line keeps clogging. It coats the pipe a little thicker every week until the opening is the size of a pencil. A cable punches through that. Jetting removes it. For restaurants and other commercial kitchens, a scheduled jetting keeps the line open between grease trap pump-outs.
Clay and cast iron sewer laterals in older neighborhoods have joints that roots can work into. A cutter on a cable machine shears off the roots, and jetting washes out the fine root hair the cutter leaves behind. Neither one stops roots from growing back, so a line with roots usually needs cleaning on a schedule. If the roots have cracked or shifted the pipe, the long-term fix is repairing that section, which our plumbing page covers.
On a line we haven't seen before, we like to look inside it first. A video inspection shows whether the problem is grease, roots, a sag or a broken pipe, and it tells us where the trouble is. After jetting, a second pass with the camera shows you the clean pipe. You see what you paid for.
High-pressure water isn't right for every pipe. A collapsed section, a badly cracked clay joint or very old pipe that's already falling apart can get worse under a jetter. If the camera shows that kind of damage, we'll tell you, show you the footage and talk through repair options instead of jetting it anyway.
We jet drain and sewer lines in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, Cedar Rapids, West Liberty, Kalona and the Amana Colonies. Recent jobs are on the projects page.
Finished work from across Eastern Iowa. Drag the slider to compare.
“First time using A1 and I can’t say enough positive. Andy came within the hour that I called to unclog a basement floor drain. He was very thorough and checked to make sure the blockage was not coming from more than one area. He cleaned it out in a short time, got things moving and had good suggestions to help minimize future problems. Reasonable charges for good work and an honest pleasant person. Highly recommended.”
“Fantastic service! Called, told him the bottom of my water heater is leaking, sent him pics of everything and he was out the next day replacing it at a reasonable price! Highly recommend 👌 Thank you!”
“10 Stars if I could. Coming from someone who builds systems and processes for a 9 figure company, Andy does it all right and keeps it simple. Easy to find in search, stands out in reviews, easy to see why. Answered the phone 8am first try, flexible to when I needed, arrived within hours of first contact. Followups easy in text. Got pertinent info, walked the house, got to work, fixed it and another issue after quick run to store for parts. More than reasonable price. In my phone for next time if I ever need it! Thanks Andy!”
For pipe in sound condition, yes. That's why we look with a camera first on older lines. If the pipe is cracked or collapsing, we'll recommend a repair instead.
It depends on the length of the line and how much buildup is in it. We'll give you a realistic time once we've seen the line.
No. It clears them out, but roots grow back as long as there's a gap in the pipe for them to get into. Regular cleaning keeps them under control until the pipe is repaired.
Rental jetters exist, but high pressure in the wrong pipe or in untrained hands can damage the line or flood a basement. It's a job we'd rather do for you.
Main sewer lines, kitchen sinks, floor drains and bathroom drains.
Learn moreHigh-pressure water that scours grease, roots and buildup off pipe walls.
You’re on this pageA camera look inside the line, with the problem marked on the ground.
Learn moreFixtures, disposals, sump pumps, downspout lines, leaks and sewer repair.
Learn more24/7 response for sewer backups, burst pipes and failed sump pumps.
Learn moreTank and tankless heaters, with gas and venting checked first.
Learn moreIf a line keeps clogging no matter how often it's cleared, call A-1 Sewer Service at (319) 600-4224 or send a message through the contact page.
Drain cleaning and plumbing from our shop off Bay Ridge Ave on the south side of Iowa City.
