Alright, so I finally got around to messing with that hydro jetting kit I picked up a while back. Figured I'd share how it went down – the good, the bad, and the clogged!

First off, why'd I even bother? My kitchen sink. It's been draining slower than molasses in January for months. I tried the usual stuff – you know, the plunger, the chemical drain cleaners (I know, I know, bad for the pipes, but I was desperate!), even snaked it myself with one of those cheapo augers. Nothing worked. So, hydro jetting seemed like the next logical step before calling a plumber and emptying my wallet.

The kit itself was pretty straightforward. It came with a hose, several different nozzles, and adapters to hook it up to my pressure washer. I already had a decent pressure washer, so that wasn't an issue. The instructions were kinda vague, classic "made in China" situation, but hey, how hard could it be, right?

So, I started by hooking everything up. This part was actually easier than I expected. The adapters fit snugly, and no leaks right off the bat – always a good sign. I made sure the hose was fully extended and not kinked, because I heard those things can be a real pain when they're under pressure. I then started inspecting the drain, looking for the best access point. I decided to go through the cleanout pipe under the sink. Messy, but it seemed like the most direct route to the clog.

Next, I chose a nozzle. The kit had a few different ones – a rotating nozzle, a jetting nozzle, and a few others I couldn't quite figure out the purpose of. I went with the jetting nozzle first, figuring a direct blast of water might be what I needed. I slowly fed the hose into the drain, making sure not to force it. You gotta be gentle, especially with older pipes, because you don't want to cause more problems than you solve.

Here's where things got interesting. I started the pressure washer on a low setting, just to test the waters (literally!). Water started flowing through the hose, and the nozzle started doing its thing. I slowly increased the pressure, and could feel the hose vibrating as it worked its way through the pipe. For a few minutes, nothing happened. I was starting to think this was another bust. Then, all of a sudden, whoosh!

A torrent of nasty, greasy, gunk shot out of the drain. It was disgusting. I mean, seriously, I don't even want to describe it. Let's just say it was a mix of food scraps, hair, and who-knows-what-else. I quickly shut off the pressure washer to avoid making too big of a mess. After cleaning up (which took way longer than the actual hydro jetting), I ran the water to see if the drain was clear. And, hallelujah, it was! Draining like new!

I ran the pressure washer for a few more minutes to make sure everything was really cleared out. I also switched to the rotating nozzle for a bit, just to give the pipes a good scrubbing. I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed with how well this little kit worked. It saved me a ton of money, and now my sink drains like a champ.

Now, for some lessons learned. First, wear some freakin' eye protection! Seriously, that gunk can splash back, and you don't want that in your eyes. Second, don't go full blast right away. Start with a low pressure and gradually increase it. You don't want to blow your pipes apart. Third, be prepared for a mess. Cover everything in the area with plastic or towels. And finally, if you're not comfortable doing this yourself, call a plumber. It's better to be safe than sorry.

So, yeah, that's my hydro jetting adventure. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try if you're having drain problems. Just be careful, be prepared, and get ready to get a little dirty!

• Wear eye protection!
• Start with low pressure
• Be prepared for a mess

Good luck and happy cleaning!