High-Pressure Drain Cleaning & Hydro Jetting – Montreal, Laval, South and North Shore

5 Star Drain uses high pressure water line jets to blast away loose sediment, grease, and waste to effectively clean the inside of your drain and sewer pipes in the ground when it is called for. We still use a drain rooter for removing blocked pipes, but there are many blockages too tough for a rooter, and for these high pressure jetting works perfectly.
We also use high pressure water jetting to clean out drains in basements and to blast the heavy grease that builds up in commercial sewer lines.
High-Pressure Drain Cleaning Service
High-pressure cleaning is a combination of water, driven at very high pressure machine with 8 GPM @ 3500 PSI. A blast of water at high pressure is sent into the lines that will usually remove blockages and deposits of grease, hair and other debris. Hydro jetting has become the industry standard for sewer and drain cleaning because of its effectiveness.
It is a very safe method of cleaning the drain because water is not corrosive. High-pressure cleaning will scrub your pipes clean. It will not require us to damage any part of your house; instead, our professional technicians will use the drain openings already there.
High-Pressure Drain Cleaning - Effective Solutions

To determine the cause and location of the problem, a video inspection should be done first. If tree roots harm your main drain, the high pressure should cut through them. However, in order to tear up heavy roots, sometimes a rooter must be used first. Also hydro jetting will not solve problems with broken pipes, causing weakened areas to break. That’s why preliminary video inspection is so important.
When you need drain cleaning services call us for experience our professional services. We are always available, day or night.
Get a quote 514-316-1043The Benefits of Hydro Jetting
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Eco-Friendly
Unlike many other pipe-cleaning methods, hydro jetting relies on good, old-fashioned water to get the job done. No hazardous chemicals required!
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Economically Friendly
Your wallet will thank you in the long run — trust us. Having your plumbing cleared regularly will help you avoid costly repairs in the future. Prevention is key!
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Bacteria-Banishing
As you can imagine, there’s a ton of gunk that can latch on and build up within you plumbing. With hydro jetting, bacteria breeding grounds are banished once and for all.
High-Pressure cleaning is particularly useful for any homeowners who experience repetitive blockages. Furthermore, it can be beneficial against sand and silt buildup from chemical cleaners we often use around the house. It can also help improve older sewer lines that have years of buildup.
🔧 What Types of Pipes Can Be Cleaned with High-Pressure Hydro Jetting?
One of the biggest advantages of hydro jetting is its versatility. At 5 Star Drain, our technicians are trained to work with virtually every pipe material found in Montreal, Laval, Blainville, and Terrebonne homes and businesses — but the approach is never one-size-fits-all. Pressure levels, nozzle types, and technique are always adjusted based on what's running beneath your property.
PVC Pipes
PVC is the most common pipe material in newer homes and renovations across the Greater Montreal area. It handles hydro jetting exceptionally well. Because PVC has smooth interior walls, grease, soap scum, and mineral deposits tend to cling rather than absorb — making high-pressure water jets the ideal solution for a fast, thorough clean. We typically run PVC lines at controlled pressure to avoid any stress on joints and connectors.
Cast Iron Pipes
Cast iron is the pipe of choice in older Montreal homes and classic Laval neighbourhoods built before the 1980s. Over time, cast iron develops interior rust, scale buildup, and rough surfaces that trap debris and accelerate blockages. Hydro jetting is particularly effective on cast iron because the water pressure physically scrubs the corroded interior walls. However, a camera inspection always comes first — cast iron pipes that are severely deteriorated may be too fragile for aggressive pressure and require a liner or replacement instead.
Clay and Concrete Pipes
Clay and concrete pipes are most commonly found in older sewer lines connecting your home to the municipal system, especially in mature neighbourhoods of Montreal, Terrebonne, and surrounding municipalities. These materials are porous and highly vulnerable to tree root intrusion — roots actively seek out the moisture and nutrients inside these lines. Hydro jetting with a root-cutting nozzle can clear moderate root intrusion efficiently. For heavy root infiltration, a rooter may be used first to break up the mass before the jet wash clears the debris.
ABS Plastic Pipes
ABS plastic is found in many mid-century homes and is slightly more rigid than PVC. It responds well to hydro jetting at standard residential pressure settings. Like PVC, it benefits from the smooth-wall cleaning effect of high-pressure water.
| Pipe Type | Hydro Jetting Compatible? | Special Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | ✅ Yes | Ideal — smooth walls clean easily |
| Cast Iron | ✅ Yes | Camera inspection required first |
| Clay / Concrete | ✅ Yes | Root-cutting nozzle recommended |
| ABS Plastic | ✅ Yes | Standard residential pressure |
| Severely damaged pipes | ❌ No | Repair or relining required first |
Important: Hydro jetting should never be performed on pipes that are already cracked, collapsed, or severely corroded. This is exactly why every job at 5 Star Drain begins with a video camera inspection — so we know exactly what we're working with before a single drop of pressure water enters your lines.

Why is High-Pressure Drain Cleaning so Effective?
Due to its extreme water pressure, high-pressure drain cleaning, also known as hydro jetting, removes debris within the drains that can be left behind by temporary fixes. When a clogged drain is snaked, some of the debris causing the clog is removed, but there are particles left behind. This is only a temporary fix because a large portion of the clog is left behind.
Hydro jetting is the only service that guarantees every single piece of debris is caught and swept out of the pipes. This not only removes the blockage problem but also cleans out the pipes restoring them to like-new conditions. As a result of the high pressure, everything is pressured out, leaving behind no issues that can create blockages again.
Get a quote 514-316-1043Residential vs. Commercial High-Pressure Drain Cleaning
High-pressure drain cleaning looks very different depending on whether we're clearing a kitchen sink drain in a Blainville bungalow or descaling a grease trap line in a Montreal restaurant. Here's what sets the two apart — and why it matters for your service call.
Residential High-Pressure Drain Cleaning
For homeowners in Montreal, Laval, Blainville, and Terrebonne, the most common reasons to call for hydro jetting are:
- Recurring slow drains that keep coming back despite snaking
- Main sewer line buildup from years of grease, soap, and mineral deposits
- Tree root intrusion into clay or concrete pipes in older properties
- Pre-sale inspections where a full pipe cleaning is needed before a buyer's camera inspection
- Seasonal maintenance — particularly in spring, when winter freeze-thaw cycles can shift debris and stress older lines
Residential jobs typically involve pipes ranging from 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Our residential hydro jetting service uses equipment calibrated to clean thoroughly without over-pressurizing the smaller-diameter pipes found in most single-family homes. A typical residential hydro jet service takes 1 to 2 hours, is minimally invasive, and leaves no mess behind — we use existing cleanout access points without opening walls or floors.
Commercial High-Pressure Drain Cleaning
Commercial properties in Montreal — restaurants, apartment buildings, hotels, shopping centres, and industrial facilities — face a completely different level of drain stress. Higher volumes of use, heavier grease loads, and larger-diameter pipes all demand more powerful equipment and a more strategic approach.
The most common commercial applications we handle include:
- Restaurant grease trap and kitchen drain lines — commercial kitchens generate enormous grease buildup that coats pipe walls and hardens into a near-solid mass over time. Hydro jetting is the only method that fully removes this type of buildup rather than simply punching through it
- Apartment and condo building main stacks — multi-unit buildings accumulate decades of buildup in their vertical stacks and horizontal drain lines. Regular hydro jetting as part of a preventive maintenance contract dramatically reduces emergency calls and tenant complaints
- Parking garage floor drains — sand, grit, motor oil, and debris are constant problems in Montreal's underground garages. High-pressure cleaning keeps these drains flowing and avoids costly backup situations
- Industrial and warehouse facilities — heavy-duty lines carrying process water and solids require industrial-grade pressure equipment operating at up to 3,500 PSI to maintain flow
Commercial jobs may also involve large-diameter pipes of 8 inches or more, requiring specialized jetting equipment and nozzles not used in residential work. We also offer scheduled maintenance programs for commercial clients — regular hydro jetting intervals that prevent the emergency situations that cost far more to fix.
| Residential | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe diameter | 3–6 inches | 6–12+ inches |
| Main causes | Grease, roots, sediment | Grease traps, heavy volume, solids |
| Typical job time | 1–2 hours | 2–6 hours |
| Pressure used | Standard residential | Up to 3,500 PSI industrial |
| Maintenance plan | Annual recommended | Monthly/quarterly contracts available |
| Camera inspection | Always included | Always included |
Whether you own a home in Terrebonne or manage a restaurant in downtown Montreal, 5 Star Drain has the right equipment and expertise for the job. Call us 24/7 at 514-316-1043 or get a free quote online.
❓ FAQ – High-Pressure Drain Cleaning
Is hydro jetting worth the cost?
Yes. Unlike a drain snake, which only punches through a clog, hydro jetting deep-cleans the entire pipe wall — removing grease buildup, mineral deposits, and tree roots.
The results typically last 1 to 2 years, helping reduce emergency calls and preventing costly pipe replacements.
What is the difference between a drain snake and high-pressure jetting?
| Feature | Drain Snake | Hydro Jetting |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Punches through the clog | Scours the entire pipe wall |
| Effectiveness | Quick fix for simple clogs | Removes grease, roots & scale |
| Longevity | Temporary | Long-lasting (1–2 years) |
| Best for | Localized blockage | Preventive maintenance & heavy buildup |
A drain snake is useful for an immediate blockage, but it often leaves residue behind.
Hydro jetting uses water pressure up to 3,500 PSI to fully clean the pipe and restore proper flow.
Can hydro jetting damage my pipes?
Not when performed by a professional.
Our technicians evaluate your pipe material and condition before cleaning, including:
- PVC
- Cast iron
- Clay
- Concrete
The water pressure is adjusted accordingly to ensure safe and effective cleaning.
Improperly calibrated equipment used without expertise can cause burst pipes, which is why it is important to call a professional plumbing company.
Can I do hydro jetting myself?
DIY hydro jetting kits exist, but they are not recommended for main sewer lines or severe blockages.
Most consumer pressure washers do not produce enough PSI to properly clean a drain.
Incorrect use can:
- Damage older pipes
- Cause sewage exposure
- Void home insurance coverage
For anything beyond a minor clog, it is best to call a professional.
Why do plumbers recommend avoiding chemical drain cleaners like Drano?
Chemical drain cleaners create heat and strong chemical reactions that can damage plumbing systems.
They can:
- Corrode metal pipes
- Crack PVC fittings
- Damage toilet bowls and seals
They also rarely remove the entire blockage and may kill beneficial bacteria in septic systems.
Hydro jetting is a safer, more effective, and environmentally friendly solution.
Do you offer emergency high-pressure drain cleaning in Montreal, Laval, Blainville, and Terrebonne?
Yes. Drain 5 Étoiles offers hydro jetting and drain cleaning services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.
We serve the entire Greater Montreal region:
- Montreal
- Laval
- Blainville
- Terrebonne
- Surrounding areas
How much PSI is needed for a sewer jetter?
YFor residential drain cleaning, 1,500 to 2,500 PSI is typically sufficient to clear grease and sediment buildup. For main sewer lines, tree root cutting, and commercial applications, professional equipment operating at 3,000 to 3,500 PSI is required. At 5 Star Drain, our hydro jetting equipment reaches up to 3,500 PSI — powerful enough for the toughest blockages in Montreal, Laval, Blainville, and Terrebonne.