Blocked drains don’t care about your calendar. When the shower pools or the kitchen sink gurgles, you need the right tool—not just the nearest one. If you’re comparing methods, jump straight to a local explainer via electric eel drain cleaning and then use this guide to weigh speed, safety, cost, and long-term outcomes.

What each method actually does

Electric eel (drain snake). A flexible steel cable spins a cutting head through the pipe. It chews into obstructions—hair, wipes, some roots—and bores a path so water can move again.

Hydro jetting (water jet). A hose with multi-directional nozzles blasts high-pressure water (often 3,000+ psi) down the line. The forward jet breaks blockages; rear jets scour pipe walls, flushing debris back toward the entry point for removal.

Bottom line: Eels punch a hole; jets cleanse the line. That difference guides most of the pros and cons.

When an electric eel shines (and when it struggles)

Strengths

• Fast entry in tight access. Eels set up quickly from a small clean-out or even under a sink.
• Good at “grab and go.” Hair nests, cloth wipes, and soft obstructions can be torn apart without a full-pipe setup.
• Lower immediate cost. Less gear, less water, shorter set-up time—often a cheaper urgent call-out.

Limitations

• Limited wall cleaning. You’ll reopen the pipe, but residue can cling to the walls, inviting the blockage back sooner.
• Tree roots can re-form. The cutter might leave root tails; without follow-up, regrowth is common.
• Risk in brittle pipes. Aggressive heads inside fragile, old earthenware or cracked PVC can cause damage if used without care.

My real-world moment: In an older terrace, I cleared a kitchen line with an eel in under 20 minutes. Great—until the grease and soap scum we didn’t fully flush re-settled. Three months later, déjà vu. The fix that stuck? Jetting the same line to scour it clean, plus a hot-water and enzyme routine.

When hydro jetting earns its keep

Strengths

• Full-bore clean. Jets strip grease films, scale, and silt. Think reset, not just relief.
• Root cutting plus wash-out. With the right nozzle, fine roots are sliced and flushed, not just mulched in place.
• Reach and versatility. Long runs, multiple bends, stormwater lines—jets deal with distance and debris better.

Limitations

• Needs access. You’ll want a suitable clean-out or an external point; set-up space matters.
• Water management. Back-flush and debris need collection or containment to avoid mess.
• Higher upfront cost. More equipment and time mean a larger invoice—though often offset by fewer repeat visits.

Anecdote: We tackled a boundary trap clogged with builder’s silt after a reno. An eel just kept corkscrewing a hole that collapsed again. The jet, running a rotating head, stripped the silt layer and restored flow properly—one visit, done.

CCTV, diagnosis, and choosing the order of operations

Before you decide “eel or jet,” consider a quick look inside. A small camera run can show if you’re facing grease, roots, a collapsed section, or a stray toy. For deeper reading, bookmark CCTV drain inspection before jetting—it’s the plain-English explainer most homeowners wish they’d seen first.

Practical sequence:

1. CCTV to diagnose (especially for repeat blockages or older homes).
2. Choose tool (eel for tight internal access/soft blockages; jet for roots, grease, scale, and long lines).
3. Post-clear footage to confirm a clean pipe or flag repairs (e.g., cracked joints inviting roots).
   
    

Safety, compliance, and who should do what in NSW

Drain work isn’t just about tools; it’s about responsibility. If you’re wondering who’s allowed to do what, or what standards apply, skim blocked drain responsibilities in NSW linked to the NSW Government’s trade guidance: blocked drain responsibilities. You’ll get the gist on licensing, competency, and why a reputable operator matters—especially when water pressure and spinning steel cables are involved.

For a neutral look at site safety around jets—nozzle control, PPE, exclusion zones—see high pressure water jetting safety as a companion resource.

 

Cost, recurrence, and the real “value” question

One-off blockage in a tight spot? An eel can be the quickest, cheapest fix. If the blockage is soft and caused by a single incident (e.g., wipes), you might never see it again.

Grease-heavy kitchens, tree-lined yards, or stormwater silting? Hydro jetting’s deeper clean usually pays off with longer intervals between call-backs. Add in a short CCTV confirmation and you reduce the “mystery comeback” factor.

Smart budgeting tip: Compare quotes as cost per clear month. If the eel fix is $X but the blockage returns in two months, and the jetting is $1.5X but lasts a year, the maths speaks for itself.

Pipes, materials, and risk tolerance

• Old earthenware with fine root intrusion: Jetting with a root-rated nozzle, then CCTV to check joints. Consider lining if roots are chronic.
• PVC with grease and soap scum: Jetting excels; follow with enzyme maintenance and hot-water flushes.
• Internal traps and short runs under a sink: Eel is fast and tidy—save the jet for when access allows or blockages repeat.
  
   

Prep, aftercare, and ways to avoid a second call-out

Before the visit

• Clear access to traps/clean-outs.
• Avoid DIY chemicals; they can cut technician options and corrode tools.
• Note recent building or landscaping—clues for silt and intrusion.

After the visit

• Run hot water and a gentle enzyme regimen for kitchen lines.
• Install simple leaf guards on downpipes if stormwater is your culprit.
• Agree a check-in: if flow hasn’t improved or backs up again within the stated window, call the technician—don’t let it compact.

Behavioral swaps that matter: No “flushable” wipes, fewer food scraps, and 30-second hot water bursts after greasy washes.

Quick decision table (keep this handy)

• Need a fast fix in tight indoor access? Start with eel.
• Recurring grease or roots, long runs, or stormwater? Book jetting.
• Older pipes or repeat issues? CCTV first, then choose.
• Worried about safety/compliance? Engage licensed pros; review NSW guidance and request method statements.
  
   

First-hand: The two-visit mistake I don’t repeat

I once okayed an eel-only clear on a rental with known roots “just to get tenants by the weekend.” It worked—for six weeks. The follow-up call-out cost more than the difference to jet and inspect initially. Since then, if roots are even suspected, I recommend jet + CCTV, document the condition, and talk lining if needed. Fewer surprises, fewer weekend emergencies.

Final thoughts

Both tools have a place. Eels are brilliant for speed and tight access; jets excel at deep, lasting cleans. The smartest move is matching the method to the blockage, the pipe, and your tolerance for repeat visits. Start with diagnosis when you can, sanity-check licensing and safety, and choose the tool that leaves your line clean—not just open. If you’re in Sydney and want a plain-talking walkthrough, save electric eel drain cleaning, it’s a solid primer before you book.