Vactor (vacuum truck)
Removes sediment, debris, water, and pollutants from catch basin sumps and manholes by suction. This is the workhorse of stormwater maintenance — every routine cleaning starts here. A single truck can clear 20–40 basins in a day depending on debris load.
Hydro jetting
High-pressure water (typically 3,000–4,000 PSI) fired through a nozzle down a pipe run to clear roots, grease, hardened sediment, or a blockage between structures. It doesn't remove material — it dislodges it so the vactor can pull it out. Priced per foot of pipe cleaned.
When you need vactor only
Annual maintenance, post-storm sweep, sump > 25% full but pipes flow clean. Roughly 70% of the routine work we do.
When you need jetting too
Basin holds water after cleaning. Slow drainage between two structures. CCTV shows roots or hardened sediment. FOG buildup in a restaurant lateral. Any post-CCTV corrective work usually pairs the two.
Cost impact
A vactor-only visit prices per basin. Adding hydro jetting prices per foot of pipe. Bundling both in a single mobilization saves setup time — see hydro jetting cost, catch basin cost, and our vactor service page.
