Drains & Sewer
Drain cleaning
Drain cleaning clears a blocked or slow drain with a drain cable (snake) or a high-pressure water jet. Grease in kitchen lines, roots in clay sewers, and scale and rust in older cast iron are the most common causes. When clogs keep coming back, a camera inspection shows why.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Licensed local plumbers
- Quote before work
Kitchen lines clog with grease and food waste. Bathroom lines clog with hair and soap scum. In older homes with cast iron drains, scale and corrosion narrow the pipe from the inside, and clay sewer lines let roots in at the joints.
A main-line clog usually shows up at the lowest fixture first, often a shower or tub, or the cleanout in the yard.
Drain Cleaning at a glance
- Methods
- Cabling and hydro-jetting
- Recurring clogs
- Get a camera inspection
Signs you need drain cleaning
- Slow drains in one fixture
- Gurgling when the washer drains
- Water backing up into the tub when the toilet flushes
- Sewage smell from drains
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Diagnose
The plumber checks which fixtures are affected to tell a branch clog from a main-line clog.
- 2
Clear
They cable from the cleanout or fixture, or hydro-jet greasy and scaled lines.
- 3
Verify
They run water to confirm flow and recommend a camera inspection if the clog is recurring.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Branch vs. main line
- Cleanout access
- Cabling vs. jetting
- Camera inspection
What you can do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Use a plunger or hand auger on a single fixture
- Pull hair out of tub drains
Call a plumber
- Chemical drain openers in a line that's fully blocked
- Main-line clogs with sewage coming up
Frequently asked questions
Is hydro-jetting safe for old pipes?
A plumber should camera the line first. Jetting is very effective, but badly deteriorated pipe may need repair instead.
Where to get drain cleaning
By state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Need drain cleaning?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.