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 to 40 basins in a day depending on debris load.
Hydro jetting
High-pressure water (typically 3,000 to 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.
