As temperatures drop and holiday plans take shape, most people aren’t thinking about their drains. But this time of year is one of the most common for backups and plumbing emergencies—especially in homes with older lines or high water usage.
Leaves can clog outdoor drains. Cold weather causes grease to harden in your pipes. And kitchen sinks take on a heavier load as people cook more at home. If your drains are already slow, smelly, or have backed up in the past, this season could push them over the edge.
Before that happens, it helps to understand your options: snaking or hydro jetting. Each works differently—and depending on your problem, one may be a much better solution than the other.
Why Fall Clogs Are So Common
There’s a reason drain problems tend to spike in the fall:
- Outdoor drains collect leaves, dirt, and debris from yard runoff
- Cooler temperatures cause fats, grease, and food waste to solidify faster
- Holiday cooking increases the volume of oils and waste entering kitchen drains
- Bathroom usage increases in homes with guests or more time spent indoors
- Older systems struggle to keep up with seasonal demand
The result: clogs in kitchen sinks, main sewer lines, floor drains, and even storm drains. Taking action now can prevent surprise repairs later—especially during the holidays, when you need everything working properly.
What Is Drain Snaking?
(Also called cabling, augering, or rooter service)
Drain snaking is one of the most commonly used methods for clearing drain clogs. It involves feeding a long, flexible metal cable into the drain line. As the cable rotates, it drills a small hole through the obstruction—clearing a path so water can flow again.
Depending on the severity of the blockage, technicians may use:
- A manual drain auger
- A toilet auger for clogs in the toilet trap
- A motorized power snake for deeper blockages
- A snake machine for tougher clogs in larger pipes
Snaking is a fast, affordable solution—but it doesn’t clean the inside of the pipe. Instead, it punches a narrow opening through the clog, which often leaves behind grease, soap scum, or other buildup that can quickly lead to another blockage.
When Snaking Works Well
Drain snaking is typically the best option when:
- The clog is in a single drain (like a bathroom sink or toilet)
- The blockage is caused by soft material like hair or toilet paper
- You need a quick fix without deeper cleaning
- The pipes are too fragile for high-pressure cleaning methods
For minor backups, snaking gets the job done. But for long-term results—or multiple affected drains—hydro jetting may be the better option.
Explore our professional drain snaking service →
What Is Hydro Jetting?
(High-pressure water cleaning for your pipes)
Hydro jetting is a more powerful drain cleaning method that uses high-pressure water to blast away buildup and restore full flow inside your pipes. It’s often compared to power washing—but for the inside of your plumbing system.
Unlike snaking, which clears only a path through the blockage, hydro jetting completely cleans the pipe walls. This removes:
- Hardened grease
- Sludge and sediment
- Food buildup
- Soap scum
- Tree roots (in some cases)
- Foul-smelling organic material
The result is a cleaner pipe, fewer recurring problems, and better flow—especially important in homes preparing for the winter months ahead.
When Hydro Jetting Makes More Sense
Jetting is a better fit than snaking when:
- You’ve experienced repeat clogs in the same drain
- There’s a noticeable smell coming from your sinks or drains
- Grease or food buildup is likely causing the issue
- You want to prevent backups before the holidays
- You live in an older home with cast iron or clay sewer lines
- More than one drain is backing up at the same time
Because jetting scours the full diameter of the pipe, it delivers a long-term solution—not just a temporary fix.
Check out our hydro jetting service →
Why Fall Is the Right Time to Clean Your Drains
Waiting for a drain to clog is like waiting for your furnace to break during a snowstorm—it's better to take care of it now, before the rush.
Fall is the best time to schedule service because:
- Drain lines are already under more strain
- Weather conditions accelerate clog formation
- The holidays increase bathroom and kitchen usage
- Outdoor drains need to be clear before freezing temperatures set in
- You avoid dealing with emergencies during the busiest season of the year
If your home or business has had even one backup in the past year, it’s time to consider a preventative cleaning before winter sets in.
Start with a Video Drain Inspection
If you’re not sure which solution is best—snaking or jetting—the safest place to start is with a video drain inspection.
Zoom Drain technicians use advanced cameras to inspect the inside of your drain or sewer line in real time. This allows us to:
- Identify the exact location of the clog
- Determine what’s causing the issue (grease, roots, scale, etc.)
- Rule out larger problems like pipe damage or collapse
- Recommend the right fix the first time—no guesswork, no unnecessary service
Learn how our video drain inspections work →
Jetting vs. Snaking: Which One Do You Need?
- Hair clog in the bathroom sink? Snaking
- Smelly kitchen drain with grease buildup? Hydro Jetting
- Toilet clog with paper blockage? Snaking
- Multiple slow drains in the house? Hydro Jetting
- Holiday preparation and maintenance? Hydro Jetting
- Drain has backed up more than once? Hydro Jetting
If you're still unsure, we’ll diagnose the issue and explain your options. Our goal is long-term performance—not just a quick patch.
Why Customers Trust Zoom Drain
Zoom Drain isn’t a general plumbing company—we specialize in drains and sewers only. That focus allows us to provide faster service, better results, and deeper expertise than anyone else.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Flat-rate pricing with no surprise fees
- 24/7 emergency availability—same price nights and weekends
- Fully equipped trucks with jetters, camera systems, and trenchless tools
- Clean, background-checked technicians trained in drain systems only
- Same-day service in most areas
We get in, solve the problem, and get your life flowing again—quickly, cleanly, and completely.
Meet your local Zoom Drain team →
Book Fall Drain Cleaning Before the Holidays
The holidays are busy enough. Don’t let a backed-up kitchen sink or overflowing toilet disrupt your season. Whether you’ve noticed a slow drain or just want to prevent a bigger issue, now is the time to act.
Schedule your inspection, snaking, or hydro jetting service before the fall rush begins.
Call now or book online →
Let’s make sure your plumbing is ready—before you really need it.
