A plumber uses a nozzle to enter the sewage system to begin the cleaning procedure, typically through a cleanout aperture. A high-pressure stream of water will be shot down the sewer line by the plumber once the jetter is ready. The high pressure of 3,500 pounds per square inch (psi) may be utilized to pressurize the water, which causes it to flow down the line at tremendous speeds and forces.

It is common practice for plumbers to perform a preliminary video examination to get an accurate view of any clogs in the sewer system. Perhaps the issue is not so much a mass of solid waste but a tangle of tree roots. However, in most cases, a plumber will first use a snake to sever the roots into smaller pieces before using hydro jetting to remove root blockages.