Hydro Jetting in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Why grease is the problem jetting solves in Bay Ridge

New York City's water agency, DEP, says "the most common cause of sewer backups in New York City is blocked pipes due to the improper disposal of grease, wipes and other items down toilets and sinks." Its 2019 sewer plan adds that grease buildup causes the majority of the backups it has confirmed.

"Grease clogs are among the leading causes of blocked sewer lines"

Emily Lloyd, then Commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, in 2016. Outside expert, not affiliated with Power Rooter.

A snake can open a hole through grease. It leaves the rest stuck to the wall, and the line closes up again. High-pressure water jetting cleans the wall itself and restores proper flow, without excavation. That is the job it was built for.

Snake or hydro jet? How we decide on a Bay Ridge sewer line

Tree roots are the other common reason a Brooklyn sewer line needs more than a snake. An equipment maker that builds both machines agrees on the split: "Water jetters are best for grease, fine sand, and ice," while "cable machines are best for cutting roots and retrieving solid objects."

How much does hydro jetting cost in Bay Ridge?

We charge a set price per job type, which covers up to an hour of work. If a job runs longer, an hourly rate applies to the extra time. The camera inspection before and after is part of the job.

If the same line backs up within 90 days, we come back and make it right at no extra cost. Coverage depends on the condition of the line, and terms apply.

Two-family homes and shared lines

About 60% of households in the Census area that covers Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights rent. Where several homes share one building, their kitchens often drain into one main line. More kitchens mean more grease in the same pipe.

The owner pays to keep that part of the plumbing system working. DEP says owners "own and are responsible for maintaining and repairing their sewer service line," all the way to the city main in the street. A backup in a shared line hits every unit, so a cleaning plan is cheaper than a weekend emergency.

Old sewer pipes need the camera first

In the Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights Census area, 16,130 of 19,889 owned homes, or 81%, were built before 1960. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water, and aging sewer pipes in Brooklyn homes that old can be cracked, thin or out of line. Jetting pressure that cleans a sound pipe can do more harm on a failing one.

"All sewer pipe can be damaged,"

Kent Carlson, vice president of the National Clay Pipe Institute, in Cleaner magazine. Outside expert, not affiliated with Power Rooter.

So the camera goes in before every jetting job. If a section cannot take the pressure, we do not jet it. In New York City, repairing a broken service line takes a licensed master plumber and permits, so it pays to find damage before it gets worse.

Signs of a drain issue jetting can fix

Slow drains in several fixtures, a kitchen sink that clogs again soon after it was cleared, and a main sewer line that backs up more than once a year are the usual signs. In a building with several kitchens, a clogged sewer often shows up first in the lowest unit. A camera look tells us whether it is grease, roots or a damaged pipe.

What a hydro jetting visit looks like

1. We run the camera through the line and show you what is inside.
2. If jetting fits, you get the set price for the job type before we start.
3. We jet the line and work the nozzle through the trouble spots.
4. We run the camera again so you can see the clean pipe.
5. Both videos and the technician's notes go into your Rooter Record at customer.powerrooter.com.

Drain cleaning services and sewer services to keep the line clear

For most residential and commercial properties we recommend a professional cleaning at least once a year. Buildings with several kitchens on one line often need more. If your basement has floor drains or a sump pump, have those checked on the same visit. We also repair sump and sewage pumps, and we jet grease lines for commercial kitchens, so a home or business on the same block can use the same crew. Our PowerProtect plans start at $695 a year for three sewer cleanings, and Power Plus at $849 a year includes four plus line testing. See the maintenance plans.

DEP's finding points to one habit: keep grease, wipes and other items out of sinks and toilets. It protects your line and the city's.

Want to see the line first? Book a sewer camera inspection in Bay Ridge. Or see all our Bay Ridge services and hydro jetting across Brooklyn.

Sources

• NYC DEP, "Sewer Backups"
• NYC DEP, "A Plan to Prevent Confirmed Sewer Backups" (2019)
• NYC DEP press release 16-018 (2016)
• US Census ACS 2024 5-year, Brooklyn Community District 10
• General Pipe Cleaners, "Water Jetters vs. Cable Machines" (2026)
• Cleaner, "Take Pipe Material Into Consideration on Waterjetting Jobs" (2020)
• NYC311, "Broken Sewer Line"
• Power Rooter maintenance plans