Hydro Jetters: Types, Uses, Parts, & Cost - US Jetting (2024)

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There are various names used in the jetting industry for high pressure jetting machines, but it’s important to understand the basics. A hydro jetter is an industrial piece of equipment that uses high pressure water to clean sewers, pipes, and other surfaces. These industrial drain cleaners can be fitted with a water tank sized per the requirements of the operator. Depending on access to water, jet operators may find they need water storage anywhere from 100 gallons to 1000 gallons depending on whether the unit is a van pack, trailer or truck mount.

• Pipe cleaning: Pipes that have roots, grease, and other debris can be cleaned out with a hydro jetter. From residential pipes to major sewer systems for schools, prisons, apartment complexes, and more, jetting is the most efficient way to clean drains.
• Culvert cleaning: Culverts are large 12”+ drains that pass under roads or embankments. They often fill with debris as a result of their location. Hydro jetters equipped with appropriate high pressure high flow nozzles such as dragon jets or PDR nozzles can tackle rocks, sand, and other heavy debris that are often the culvert clog culprits.
• Relining pipes: Prior to pipes being relined, jetting units are often used to properly clean the pipes and prep the surfaces.
• Pressure washing: Surface cleaning is a great application for high pressure jetting units. By selecting the appropriate wash down guns and hose reels, jetting units are perfect for cleaning parking decks,sidewalks, pool surrounds, graffiti or gum from concrete, and other difficult to remove residues.

• 4000PSI at 18GPM: This unit is the industry leader for good reason. For the majority of applications such as residential line cleaning, pressure washing, and smaller culvert cleaning, the 4018 is the solution. It has the power to blast roots, grease, and sludge in lines 2” – 18”.
• 4000PSI at 25GPM: For customers who want more range from their machine, they may take the next step to 25 gallons per minute. This additional flow gives the operator the ability to handle culverts, storm drains, and municipal applications, while still maintaining the ability to do smaller residential lines (approximately 2” – 24” lines).
• 3000PSI at 30GPM: This high pressure medium flow machine is a favorite for municipalities. With enough flow to flush out debris while maintaining high pressure, this machine is fully equipped for storm drains and large pipes ranging from (2” – 24”. ).

As with all high quality machinery, there is always a cost that comes with it. At US Jetting, we understand that we are not the least expensive jetting unit, and we take pride in the fact that our prices reflect our estimation of the quality of the machines we build. To offset that, we work with many financing companies that can help any new jet operator get into the jetting industry with low monthly costs.

In addition, we encourage new operators to evaluate the potential earnings from the ever expanding drain cleaning business. Most plumbing companies can charge $450+ per hour with a two hour minimum for jet jobs, which makes the approximately $1000 monthly finance cost highly affordable.

If you’re still unsure about the cost of a hydro jetter, you might consider renting first. Rentals are available from our Rent a jet locations and will give you the opportunity to put the machine through its paces and see if it is up to your specific tasks. This will also give you some understanding of its operating costs before you take the plunge and commit to one hydro jet model. Rentals are available at the Georgia and California branches of US Jetting.