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 |  | Do-It-Yourself: $10-$75+ |  | Plumber, Simple Clog: $50-$450+ |  | Plumber, Snake Main Line: $100-$800+ |
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Typical costs: |
- Plumbers may charge may charge a flat fee per project or an hourly rate of $45-$150 or more. While some might provide a rough estimate over the phone, many will want to see the project before giving a firm quote.
- Hiring a plumbing company to unclog a sink or tub drain can cost $50-$450 or more for a simple obstruction (not a blockage in the main sewer line), depending on local rates, company rates, the difficulty in clearing the clog and the time of the service call (there can be extra charges for evenings, weekends, holidays or immediate response). For example, CostHelper readers report paying $52-$430 to unclog a sink or tub, at an average cost of $226.
- Having a plumbing company unclog a toilet can cost $65-$250 or more for a simple obstruction just in the toilet itself (rather than the main sewer line). CostHelper readers report paying $95-$210 to have a toilet unclogged, at an average price of $164.
- If turning on a faucet or flushing a toilet causes backflow in another fixture like a tub, shower or sink, the main household sewer line is probably blocked. Having a plumbing company clean the household sewer line by "snaking" it with a long cable device and cutting head can cost $100-$800 or more, depending on the distance snaked, local rates and the time of the service call. A few companies advertise unclogging services for a flat fee of $50-$60, but several consumers report feeling pressured to agree to expensive additional services. CostHelper readers report paying $148-$900 to have a main household sewer line snaked, at an average cost of $410.
- The unclogging process may reveal broken or damaged pipes. Sewer Line Replacement can cost $1,000-$25,000, depending on the length and depth of the lines that need replacing, the type of replacement pipe and local rates.
- Do-it-yourself supplies for cleaning a sewer or drain can cost $10-$75 or more, depending on what is needed. CostHelper readers report paying $29-$70 to rent a 50'-100' industrial-quality sewer snake, for an average cost of $55.
Related articles: Unclogging a Drain, Unclogging a Toilet, Sewer Inspection, Sewer Line Replacement, Plumber
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What should be included: |
- To clear the main sewer line between the house and the connection to the public system, a plumber will typically locate the clean out (usually a y-shaped fitting near where the pipe leaves the house) and snake a cable with a cutting head through the line. A Wisconsin plumber demonstrates snaking a sewer line[1] .
- A video by a Florida plumber compares snaking and jetting[2] .
Additional costs: |
- Some companies include a video camera inspection of the inside of the pipes in the total cost of cleaning a sewer line. If it is not included there could be an additional charge of $100-$800.
Shopping for sewer or drain cleaning: |
- CIDNetwork.com lists tips for choosing a plumber[3] .
- Ask for and check references; verify that the company is properly bonded, insured and licensed.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Angela Bettencourt in PHOENIX, AZ. | Posted: May 14th, 2021 04:05PM |
| Cleaner: C.R.WELLMANco. | Type of Obstruction: Wipes and paper |
I have a child that is wiping his own butt now and hasn't mastered the less is more theory yet... I had a clog in the sewer main approx 47feet out... Chase from C.R.WELLMANco. 928-350-5383 Phoenix area worked diligently to get the drain cleared so that we could shower and use toilets by morning. In addition he spent hrs with the cleanup and sanitizing inside and out of the home... Then only charged me 100$ cause it was coming on mother's day... Other companies quoted me 10$ per foot of snake which would have been over 500$ plus the fee for the service call... Would definitely recommend him... |
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| Posted by: tulipox in san rafael, CA. | Posted: August 25th, 2020 11:08PM |
| Cleaner: local plumber | Type of Obstruction: unknown |
first floor toilets bubbling, backing up sewage into tub. called plumber. house is on a hill so cleanout not in easy spot to use, so he wanted to use the heavy duty snake from the toilet. two man job just to bring the snake in the house. removed toilet, cleared blockage. a little over an hour. nice hourly wage!! |
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| Posted by: Roto-Rooter Rip-Off in Vero Beach, FL. | Posted: August 7th, 2019 07:08AM |
| Cleaner: Roto Rooter | Type of Obstruction: basic kitchen clog |
WARNING!!! Roto-Rooter is a RIP-OFF, wouldn't tell me before they came out that their flat rate is $370. That is so much more than any local plumber would have charged me. Thought RR would have been competitive but after checking around, the work they did would have cost at least $300 less by a local plumber. |
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| Posted by: Wexy in Ellicott city, MD. | Posted: December 8th, 2017 04:12PM |
| Cleaner: Roto Rooter | Type of Obstruction: Sewer Backup |
Basement sewer backed up and got toilet overflow. I could not use laundry machine for a week. I did everything I could for a week. After 1 week, 10 pm Thursday night, I called roto rooter. Technician came at 11pm and did the job for 2 hours. He used roto rooter snake 100'. He removed toilet bowl in basement and did snake 2times. Got cleaning wipes out after all. Snake reached 85'. I paid $740 and I think that was way too much. I regret to hire Roto Rooter cuz I did not compare the estimate with other companies. I should have done this myself using home depot rental powered snake for $60.
That was a bitter sweet moment. |
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| Posted by: Snaked in Edgewater, NJ. | Posted: September 28th, 2017 09:09AM |
Main line backed up and come up through basement shower. I rented a small snake from Depo but for major blockage you can't use these small drills. You need a huge snake. Two young guys showed up and they said $250 for starters and $95 ever 10 feet of snake. I knew the cost would be the max at this point and sure enough they charged $950 which was 95 feet of snake, the full length of their snake. A scam. |
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| Posted by: NT in Alameda, CA. | Posted: May 11th, 2017 03:05PM |
| Cleaner: | Type of Obstruction: Blockage |
we had two upstairs toilets not draining. Plumber had to take both out, snake the main line and r-install toilets. |
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| Posted by: z in oak park, MI. | Posted: March 16th, 2017 06:03PM |
| Cleaner: | Type of Obstruction: grease/possible more |
wanted camera, but dispatcher sayz not for small pipes, so I said send him anyway. he charged me to snake it and wants me to make a appointment for a 100 snake check from his company. there might be a break in the line. |
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| Posted by: george kraus in Torrington, CT. | Posted: December 13th, 2016 04:12PM |
| Cleaner: Dan's Discount Rooter | Type of Obstruction: Paper,medical gauze,baby wipes |
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| Posted by: MTR in Sanford, FL. | Posted: July 27th, 2016 08:07PM |
| Cleaner: Frank Gay Services | Type of Obstruction: Clorox Clean Wipe |
Had water back up in downstairs shower of 3 1/2 bath house after doing 4 loads of laundry. Tried everything I could as a DIYer, except renting a powered "snake" from box store. No other drainage problems throughout house. Apparently this was not a complete block as water did go down. There are a lot of trees in yard and house is 55 years old... so I thought the worst. FGS ran a powered snake down toilet pipe after removal (by me). Pulled out small amount of fibered material that looked like clean wipes, no roots or plant matter. They tried to sell me on cutting pipe to put in a cleanout, scoping and possible pipe replacement. I paid $380 for what I could have done for $50... now I know. I was happy with service, just seemed expensive. |
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| Posted by: KJGP in Saint Louis, MO. | Posted: July 2nd, 2016 03:07PM |
| Cleaner: Roto Rooter | Type of Obstruction: Clog |
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| Posted by: Chris Chugg in Batavia, NY. | Posted: March 13th, 2016 06:03AM |
| Cleaner: Roto rooter | Type of Obstruction: House trap clogged |
About4to6feet of snake. Half hour. This normal price? Saturday afternoon. |
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| Posted by: Sanjosemom in San Jose, CA. | Posted: August 20th, 2015 01:08PM |
| Cleaner: Midas | Type of Obstruction: Roots |
Called in morning and arrived as promised on time. Easy outdoor access to drain clean out in front yard. Set up auger and cleaned both ways. Cleared root obstruction. Took about 30 minutes from arrival to departure. |
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| Posted by: Lumberjack man in Palisades park, NJ. | Posted: June 14th, 2015 09:06AM |
| Cleaner: Rao rooter | Type of Obstruction: Roots |
We had water in the basement. Anthony came and snaked the main line within an hour he had pulled out three big sections of roots. And he offered to camera the line at no extra charge. Year was 2015. Their number 917 588 0408 |
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| Posted by: joe vin in westlake, OH. | Posted: May 11th, 2015 06:05PM |
| Cleaner: Micah Calster | Type of Obstruction: clogged |
25 mts of job, clean work, 50 ft of snake run, flush the drain with water to make sure it's free from obstruction |
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| Posted by: AllanWalledLake in Walled Lake, MI. | Posted: May 11th, 2015 01:05PM |
| Cleaner: MI Drain Cleaning | Type of Obstruction: Roots |
I had water coming from my basement floor drain and I called a company to tell me how much it would cost to repair or service the drain. They charged me $99 and snaked out the main sewer line. Found roots, offered me some $100+ chemical.. I declined and has been open ever since. |
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| Posted by: s b in doylestown, PA. | Posted: April 19th, 2015 10:04AM |
| Cleaner: ZOOM DRAIN | Type of Obstruction: |
Came out and the customer has been having issues with the main drain backing up. They called out horizon but they were unable to reach the blockage. They had removed a toilet to access the line. They did not reinstall the toilet. I reinstalled the toilet because I was able to locate outside access at the rear of the house. Once the toilet was reinstalled I powercleaned the main drain. Powercleaned the line going back towards the house first. Powercleaned this section of the line several times to ensure a proper cleaning. Powercleaned from the cleanout going out towards the city sewer. I was able to get the hose out about 110'. Pushed the camera out to this point and found a very large root mass in the pipe. Video inspected the line going back into the house and found this section of the line is clean and clear. |
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| Posted by: Bob P. in Roanoke, VA. | Posted: March 28th, 2015 10:03AM |
| Cleaner: JC Plumbing | Type of Obstruction: Unknown blockage |
Toilets in house started bubbling and tubs started backing up. Septic system was pumped out 4-months ago. |
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| Posted by: a chinese homeowner in San Gabriel, CA. | Posted: February 6th, 2015 02:02PM |
| Cleaner: Shun Lee Handy | Type of Obstruction: root |
Gavin used snake up to 100ft to clean out root blockage. Don't know much of the details of what he did as I wasn't around. At most a couple hours of work. Year is not 2014 but 2015. |
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| Posted by: a user in Kewanee, IL. | Posted: December 31st, 2014 08:12AM |
| Cleaner: | Type of Obstruction: Build up |
Laundry drain and shower drain. Old house, drains were corroded and just general build up in trap and pipes. Shower was a pretty yucky mess... |
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| Posted by: THEMAGICPLUMBER.PLUMBING in San Jose, CA. | Posted: July 16th, 2014 12:07AM |
| Cleaner: the magic plumber | Type of Obstruction: roots and sludge buildup |
45 minutes to unload machine with 5/8 cable and 4 inch blade 30ft. run to clog and additional 25ft. run to the city lateral to make it a 55 ft. of total cable run plus a second run out to sewer lateral to make sure its free from obstructions and any solids that may clog the drain again. run water for 10 minutes to make sure its not clogged clean the area with sanitizer and wash down plus a six month workmanship warranty against clogs under normal usage and against roots that caused the blockage in the first place.. its not the unclogging that is done to prevent it from functioning is how you perform the service to make sure the clogging doesn't come back for at least a couple of years instead of the normal 6 to 1 year period which is a common issue for most home owners.. commercial buildings on another hand normally don't get warranties because we the service provider cannot control what the employees or outside crowds flush down the drains or sewer lines.. you would be surprised !! |
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| Posted by: a user in Lambs Grove, IA. | Posted: July 9th, 2014 03:07PM |
| Cleaner: | Type of Obstruction: Roots |
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| Posted by: ESz in Falls Church, VA. | Posted: July 6th, 2014 08:07PM |
| Cleaner: | Type of Obstruction: Blockage (Build Up) |
To access the main sewage line, one need to remove the downstairs toilet in a small carpeted area. It was really difficult to access and the plumber had difficulty getting the roto-rooter in there. I felt we paid a lot but he was out within an hour on a Saturday. |
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| Posted by: Erincaldwell in Dayton, OH. | Posted: July 22nd, 2013 10:07AM |
| Cleaner: All Drain | Type of Obstruction: Rag stuck in pipe |
Our main drain is in a crawl space so it's tough to get at. That made the cost a bit more. |
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External Resources: |
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=181VRfyxZUc
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2e-fFkgfEQ
- www.cidnetwork.net/finding-plumber.htm
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