Why I Finally Called
My kitchen sink in Highland Park kept burping up gray water. It smelled like old ramen and pennies. I tried a snake. I tried hot water and baking soda. Nope. By day three, the sink was a grumpy swamp. So I called a Los Angeles hydro jet crew. (If you want to screen companies first, a quick scroll through the BBB-accredited hydro-jetting options in Los Angeles helps cut the guesswork.)
Spoiler: it turned into my own Los Angeles hydro jet story of grease, roots, and real relief.
I chose a local outfit a neighbor liked. They serve Northeast LA and the Valley. The tech, Luis, said, “Old cast iron plus jacaranda roots. Classic.” I laughed. It wasn’t funny. But it was true.
What They Did, Step by Step
They pulled up around 9 a.m. The taco truck on Figueroa hadn’t even fired up yet. If you're craving ideas for where to grab a bite while the hoses run, To Live and Eat in LA has a running map of local gems. And if you’ve ever day-dreamed about working behind those kitchen doors instead of just eating in front of them, check out my honest take on private chef jobs in Los Angeles for a reality check.
Two guys. A portable jet machine. Hoses. A camera kit. My dog barked at the hose like it had a grudge.
- First, they found my clean-out near the driveway.
- Then they ran a small camera down the line.
- We watched the screen together. Grease looked like white soap clouds. Roots looked like spider legs.
- He said, “We’ll jet at 3,500 to 4,000 PSI. We’ll start low.” That mattered because my pipes are old.
The hydro jet sounded like a pressure washer on caffeine. It whooshed. The hose pulsed in the pipe. It took about 30 minutes on the kitchen line and another 25 on the main. They paused a few times to pull the hose and flush.
The Gross but True Part
When the jet hit the grease, I heard it break up. Like wet sand. When it hit the roots, the machine tone changed. A lower hum. They pulled out stringy, wet roots. Purple bits from the jacaranda stuck to them. I felt weirdly proud. City trees have hustle.
The Good Stuff
- The sink cleared right away. No glug-glug.
- The shower drained faster too. Bonus I didn’t expect.
- They showed me before and after video. Before looked like a cave with cotton candy walls. After looked like a clean, dark tube with a smooth floor. I could see the joints.
- They left the work area clean. No muddy boot prints on my tile. I notice that stuff.
The Not-So-Great Stuff
- It’s loud. Not unbearable, but my cat hid under the bed.
- It uses a fair bit of water. In LA, I care about that. The tech said the machine recycles some, but still.
- If your pipes are super fragile, you need a careful hand. Ask about pressure. They were careful with mine and started low.
- Parking. It’s LA. They had to double park for a bit. My neighbor gave me a look.
All that fuss just to keep the pipes happy made me laugh at how a single “meow” from my scaredy-cat could out-decibel a 4,000-PSI pump. That little feline moment sparked a reminder that the French word “minou” means both “kitty” and—depending on context—something far more risqué. If linguistic double-entendres entertain you, take a peek at this cheeky French photo diary — it illustrates the playful overlap between innocent pet talk and adult slang, giving you a humorous cross-cultural tidbit to share at your next trivia night.
Cost, Time, and the Little Add-Ons
I paid $625 total:
- $500 for the hydro jet on the kitchen and main line
- $125 for the camera before and after
Time on site: about 90 minutes, start to finish.
They offered a “spot repair” on a flaky section by the sidewalk for $2,800. I said not now. I’m planning to save and get a liner later this year. If you’ve got an older duplex like mine, you know—one fix leads to the next.
Tips I Wish I Knew Before
- Ask for a camera check both before and after. Keep the video file. It helps if you need a quote later.
- Ask what PSI they’ll use on older cast iron. Mine handled 3,500 fine.
- Clear a path to the clean-out. Saves time and stress.
- If roots keep coming back, set a reminder for a yearly jet or a liner plan.
- Check if your city lateral is your responsibility. In my part of LA, it is. Fun, right?
A Small Tangent About Smells (And How It Ended)
That metal, eggy stink in my kitchen? Gone. I cooked beans that night and didn’t smell a thing but cumin and onions. I didn’t realize how tense I’d been about the sink until I wasn’t. Funny how pipes do that. They’re quiet until they shout. With the swamp smell gone, my partner and I could finally think about something more fun than plumbing—like deciding where to go for our next night out. We actually used this roundup of real date night wins in Los Angeles to celebrate the victory with tacos and a rooftop movie.
If you happen to be farther east and single, you can scope out the local micro-dating scene through Speed Dating Bessemer where you’ll swap the endless app swipes for face-to-face conversations with a dozen potential matches in one relaxed evening.
Would I Do Los Angeles Hydro Jet Again?
Yes. For clogs, grease, and light roots, this hit the sweet spot. If you’re still weighing the pros and cons, take a peek at the hassle-free benefits of hydro-jetting sewer lines for homeowners—it lays out why the method makes sense for both stubborn blockages and long-term pipe health. It felt fast and thorough. It also felt safer than chucking chemicals down the line. If your pipes are paper-thin, ask for a gentle pass and proof on camera.
You know what? I wish I’d called a week sooner. I lost two mornings to that swampy sink. If your drains gurgle, don’t wait for the full horror show. Hydro jet saved me from that. And the next time the jacaranda gets cute, I’ll be ready.