How a drain snake works
A drain snake (cable) is a rotating steel cable with a cutting or boring head. It pushes through a blockage, breaks it up and pulls debris back out. It is fast and gentle on many pipes, which is why it is the go-to for emergencies.
The limitation is that it clears a path rather than the whole pipe, so buildup on the walls remains.
How hydro jetting works
A hydro jetter pushes a hose with a nozzle through the line and blasts water in all directions, scouring the entire inside of the pipe and flushing the debris away. It is excellent for grease, scale, sludge and fine roots.
Pressure is adjusted to the pipe, and a camera check beforehand ensures the pipe can take it.
When to choose a snake
A local clog in a sink, tub or toilet, a line that clogs rarely, an emergency where speed matters and fragile pipe where jetting is risky are all good cases for a cable.
When to choose jetting
Repeat clogs, heavy grease, restaurant lines, scale in older lines and routine maintenance of main sewers are best handled by jetting, because it removes the buildup that keeps causing clogs.
Often, the answer is both
Many professional jobs begin with a cable to open the line and then jet to clean it, followed by a camera pass to confirm. You get fast relief and a long-lasting result.
Use a snake to open a clog and a jetter to clean the pipe, and use a camera to decide which you need.
