What Is Pipeline Jetting?

Pipeline jetting, also known as high-pressure water jetting or drain jetting, uses a specialised jetting truck to clean the inside of sewer and stormwater pipes.

The jetting hose is fed into the pipe through a maintenance hole, pit, access chamber or pipe opening. High-pressure water is then pushed through a nozzle, creating powerful water jets that break up and move material through the line.

Depending on the pipe and blockage type, jetting can be used to remove:

• Silt and sediment

• Gravel and construction debris

• Leaves and organic material

• Grease and fat build-up

• Roots and root masses

• Mud and sludge

• Foreign objects

• General pipe obstructions

• Build-up affecting pipe capacity

This makes pipeline jetting an important part of drainage maintenance, defect investigation and pre-CCTV preparation.

Why Use a Jetting Truck?

A jetting truck provides the pressure, flow and water capacity needed to clean larger drainage assets efficiently.

For mainline sewer and stormwater pipes, smaller domestic drain cleaning equipment may not be suitable. Larger infrastructure pipes often require higher water volume, stronger jetting capability and the ability to work over longer distances.

A jetting truck is commonly used for:

• Sewer main cleaning

• Stormwater pipe cleaning

• Culvert cleaning

• Subdivision handover preparation

• Off-maintenance inspections

• Pre-CCTV pipe cleaning

• Blockage clearing

• Silt and debris removal

• Civil construction drainage cleaning

• Council drainage maintenance

By using the right jetting equipment for the pipe size and site conditions, drainage lines can be cleaned more thoroughly and safely.

Pipeline Jetting Before CCTV Inspection

CCTV pipe inspection relies on clear visibility and camera access. If a pipe contains heavy silt, debris, roots, grease or standing obstructions, the CCTV crawler may not be able to travel through the line or capture usable footage.

Jetting before inspection helps improve the quality and reliability of CCTV reporting by clearing the pipe and exposing the internal wall, joints, connections and defects.

This is especially important for:

• Council handover inspections

• Subdivision off-maintenance inspections

• Sewer condition assessments

• Stormwater condition assessments

• Defect investigations

• Pre- and post-construction inspections

• Asset condition reporting

• WinCan reporting and coded inspections

A clean pipe allows the CCTV operator to identify defects more accurately and provide better reporting for the client, council or asset owner.

Sewer Pipe Jetting

Sewer mains can become restricted by grease, roots, debris, scale, foreign objects and general build-up. Over time, these restrictions can reduce pipe capacity and increase the risk of blockages, overflows or recurring maintenance issues.

High-pressure sewer jetting can assist with:

• Clearing blockages

• Removing grease and fat deposits

• Cutting or dislodging root masses

• Flushing debris from the line

• Preparing pipes for CCTV inspection

• Supporting sewer defect investigations

• Improving flow through restricted sections

For civil and council projects, sewer jetting is often required before a CCTV inspection can be completed to the expected standard.

Stormwater Pipe Jetting

Stormwater pipes are especially prone to silt, sediment, leaves, gravel, mud and construction debris. These materials can build up inside the line and reduce the pipe’s ability to carry water during rainfall events.

Stormwater jetting can help remove:

• Silt and sediment

• Gravel and rocks

• Leaves and vegetation

• Mud and sludge

• Construction debris

• Root intrusion

• Debris washed in from pits and kerbs

For subdivision, roadworks and civil construction projects, stormwater pipes often need to be cleaned before final CCTV inspection or asset handover.

A clean stormwater network provides better inspection footage and helps reduce the risk of future drainage issues.

Jetting for Subdivision Handover and Off-Maintenance

During subdivision construction, stormwater and sewer pipes can collect mud, gravel, concrete slurry, geofabric, rocks, timber, plastic, sediment and other construction material.

Before council or asset owner acceptance, the drainage network may need to be cleaned and inspected.

Pipeline jetting can support:

• Practical completion

• Off-maintenance inspections

• Council handover requirements

• Defect rectification

• CCTV inspection preparation

• Final asset condition confirmation

• Removal of construction debris

By coordinating jetting and CCTV inspection, contractors can reduce delays and ensure the pipe condition is properly documented before handover.

Common Signs a Pipeline May Need Jetting

Pipeline jetting may be required when there are signs of poor flow, blockage or internal build-up.

Common signs include:

• Slow-draining pits or chambers

• Water backing up through the system

• Recurring blockages

• Heavy silt or debris visible in pits

• CCTV camera unable to pass through the line

• Pipe capacity reduced by sediment

• Standing water caused by obstruction

• Odour or overflow issues in sewer lines

• Council or client requiring cleaning before inspection

• Failed or incomplete CCTV inspection due to debris

If a CCTV crawler cannot complete a survey because the line is obstructed, jetting may be needed before the inspection can continue.

Jetting and CCTV Inspection Together

Jetting and CCTV inspection work best together.

Jetting removes the material blocking or obscuring the pipe. CCTV inspection then confirms the condition of the pipe after cleaning and identifies any underlying defects.

This combined approach is useful for:

• Finding the cause of a blockage

• Confirming whether a line is clean

• Identifying cracks, displaced joints or root entry points

• Locating damaged or collapsed pipe sections

• Confirming repairs or cleaning work

• Providing video evidence for clients and councils

• Supporting condition assessment reporting

For many drainage projects, cleaning the pipe first and then inspecting it with CCTV gives the most reliable result.

Benefits of Pipeline Jetting

Pipeline jetting provides a practical, non-destructive way to clean and maintain underground drainage infrastructure.

Restores Pipe Capacity

Jetting removes material that restricts flow, helping sewer and stormwater pipes perform as designed.

Improves CCTV Inspection Quality

A clean pipe provides better visibility, allowing defects to be identified and recorded more accurately.

Reduces Excavation

Many blockages and obstructions can be cleared without digging up the pipe.

Supports Council Handover

Clean, inspectable pipes help meet project and asset handover requirements.

Helps Identify Underlying Issues

Once debris is removed, CCTV inspection can reveal cracks, displaced joints, root entry points or pipe damage.

Useful for Preventative Maintenance

Regular jetting can help reduce the risk of recurring blockages and drainage issues.

What Pipe Sizes Can Be Jetted?

Jetting capability depends on the equipment, access, pipe size, pipe condition and type of material being removed.

For civil and infrastructure projects, jetting trucks are commonly used on sewer and stormwater pipes from 150mm diameter and above, including larger mainline assets and culverts.

Common pipe sizes may include:

• 150mm

• 225mm

• 300mm

• 375mm

• 450mm

• 600mm

• 750mm

• 900mm and larger, depending on access and site conditions

If a pipe is heavily blocked, collapsed, badly damaged or unsafe to work in, further investigation may be required before cleaning can continue.

Pipeline Jetting Across Queensland and Northern NSW

HD Inspections supports sewer and stormwater projects across South East Queensland, wider Queensland and Northern NSW with practical pipe cleaning and CCTV inspection solutions.

Our pipeline jetting support is suitable for:

• Civil contractors

• Councils and local governments

• Developers

• Plumbing and drainage contractors

• Engineering consultants

• Asset owners

• Commercial property managers

• Maintenance contractors

Whether your project requires pipe cleaning before CCTV inspection, blockage clearing, subdivision handover preparation or stormwater maintenance, HD Inspections can help coordinate a reliable solution.

Book Pipeline Jetting or CCTV Inspection Support

Need sewer or stormwater pipes cleaned before inspection or handover?

HD Inspections can assist with pipeline jetting support, CCTV pipe inspections, WinCan reporting and condition assessment services for sewer and stormwater assets 150mm diameter and above.

Contact HD Inspections today to discuss your project requirements or request a quote.