How Much Does it Cost to Clean Out a Drain?

There are many factors that go into drain cleaning costs. Depending on the severity of the issue there may be additional fees to compensate for complicated fixes and planning out the best strategy for your house. The most common fees fall under snaking a drain and unclogging main sewer lines. In more serious cases a professional may need to use high-powered hydro jetting to cut through grease and video inspection to assess the condition of a line.

Drain Clog

Prices may vary from local market and severity of clogs when it comes to snaking drains. Some companies may even offer flat-rate fee specials, although most employ fees are based on severity. On average to clear a tub, kitchen or bathroom drain runs $109 to $214. Laundry drain costs between $151 to $214. Toilet clogs costs between $109 to $273. Additional service fees may sometimes be included on top of fixed rates.

Main Sewer Line Clog

For main sewer lines a licensed professional may need to unclog beyond the main sewer line if they notice other drain fixtures are affected. A professional will start with an initial service fee and add extra service fees if needed. Unstopping a main line using an exterior clean out averages at $184. Clearing a drain through a drain vent on a one-story roof averages at $273. Pulling a toilet and using drain clean equipment averages at $399. Professionals recommend stopping all home water usage to prevent potential flood and extra fees needed to fix complications.

Hydro Jetting and other repairs

When the drain becomes too built up with grime and grease your plumbing professional may need to consider using a hydrojetter to cut through it. Most plumbing companies start at $395 for using this equipment. If a drain line has questionable issues, a professional may choose to use video inspection to look for failing lines and perform spot repairs. This averages at $395 per line. If your lines needs to be removed and replaced it can cost from $395 to thousands of dollars depending on the material, length and time needed to repair.

Should I spend money on a professional?

In most cases you can avoid calling a plumber all together by keeping your pipes clean. Avoid letting FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) down the drains. Hot FOG cools down in pipes and creates clogs needing to schedule future plumbing appointments. When using a food waste disposal, leave water running for 30 seconds to push debris through. Use a stainless strainer in your sinks and tubs to catch food scraps and hair before it gets a chance to clump up with FOG that may have drained into your homes pipes.

In some cases though it pays to be wise. It may be tempting to fix your home drains in a  cost-effective manner, however, cleaning a drain is more complicated than picking the first cleaner you see. Many acid-based drain cleaners can damage metal components and drain finishes. Not to mention emit toxic fumes that can irritate your lungs and burn your eyes. Call a professional if the task is too difficult to handle or worsens. A professional can help protect your home by providing good honest service.

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