How Much Does It Cost to Snake or Hydro Jet a Main Sewer Line per Hour?
What do gurgling pipes, tubs that refuse to drain, and strange smells from your plumbing have in common? They're all telltale signs of a sewer line blockage. Since the pipe sits underground, you'll need a sewer line professional to take a look.
For standard fixes, sewer line specialists either charge an hourly or flat rate to diagnose and treat the problem.
Hourly rates to inspect and clean a main sewer line range between $45 to $150 an hour depending on where you live and the severity of the clog. Some companies like Roto-Rooter® charge a flat rate of approximately $350 to cover both the inspection and fix, no matter how long it takes to clear the clog.
Your sewer line cleaning costs may include:
Home visit and initial diagnosis
Camera inspection
Rodding or hydro jet cleaning
Expect higher prices for hydro jetting drain cleaning costs, the cost to remove tree roots, and other, more complex jobs, that we'll jump into more below.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Main Sewer Line Near You?
While $320 is the national cost to unclog a sewer line, where you live can also impact the final price of hiring a sewer cleaner near you. Costs vary by company, region, and the type of job, as well as some more specific details:
Local Labor Prices: Cities may be more expensive than rural areas, for example.
Local Laws and Permits: For more extensive repairs, such as replacing a sewer line and those requiring a trench to get to the pipe, some regions require additional permits.
Pipe Accessibility: Breaking through concrete slabs or squeezing into crawl space for pipe access can also increase the price.
Home Age and Pipe Material: Depending on the age of your home, you might have a clay, cast iron, bituminized fiber, or plastic PVC pipe, and each faces unique challenges when clogged or broken.
What Main Sewer Line Services Can I Get on My Budget?
The warning signs of a sewer main clog can build up over time. The good news is that catching the problem early means less money down the drain, so to speak.
For example, does your toilet make bubbling sounds when you run the dishwasher? How about a sink that takes several minutes to drain? In both cases, it's time to call your sewer line team before these issues grow.
Here's where sewer line clog costs fit into each budget:
$40-$100
Environmentally safe treatments such as RootX® and Bio-Clean® run between $40 and $100 for sewer main lines.
$100-$400
The majority of sewer line clog costs fall in this range. Your company may offer a flat fee of $350 to inspect and clear basic clogs or provide simple snaking services for up to $250.
$400+
This cost applies to bigger projects, such as a 100-year-old elm tree that has been wrapping its roots around your sewer line for several decades. Sewer line repairs, root removal, and hydro jetting costs run between $400 and $1,000. Expect additional costs to dig a trench, replace the pipe, and repair your landscape.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Main Sewer Line Yourself?
Plumbing is one of the most empowering categories of DIY home repair. When the pipes inside your home clog, a plunger, and your favorite drain cleaner could solve the problem.
Sewer main lines are a bit different. If you detect a clog, only a certified professional has the right tools to inspect and unclog the underground pipe.
But there are DIY steps you can take in the meantime. Turn off your home's water, call your plumber, and check your cleanout line. The cleanout line is a white pipe in your basement or the side of your home that sits several inches above the ground. Unscrew the rubber cap to relieve pressure while you wait for the team.
Main Sewer Line Clog Cost Breakdown
Pinning down the exact cost of cleaning your main line can be tricky. After all, aggressive tree roots in your sewer line will cost more than removing a large hairball. Expect your costs to break down the following ways:
Inspection
As we noted above, some companies charge a flat rate for emergency services that include inspection and basic rodding for an average of $350.
Other companies may charge a base fee to come out to the house. If necessary, they may charge $250 to $500 for additional visual inspection with a camera-topped-auger that snakes through your pipes for a closer look.
Cleaning Method
The size of the clog dictates the best cleaning method. Snaking a main line—also known as rodding or augering—costs between $100 to $250, but can leave residue or smaller debris.
Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure hose for major clogs and more extensively clears out the pipe. This service runs a bit higher at $350 to $600.
Repairs and Replacements
Here's where costs can start to rack up. High pressure, aging pipes, or even shifting ground can cause your main sewer line to crack, deteriorate, or sag. Repairs and sewer line replacements run between $1,000 and $7,500, depending on:
The severity of the repair
Access to the pipe (whether they need to dig a trench)
Lenth of new pipe
Additional services including foundation and landscape repair
How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Main Sewer Line by the Type of Service?
Sewer specialists have seen it all: Clogs from the inside of the pipe come from hair, grease, and even household items such as bulky toilet paper. Outside intruders include tree roots, soil pressure, and crumbling foundations.
Whether you need a basic clog removed or a full pipe replacement, these are some common ranges for water main cleaning costs:
| Water Main Cleaning | Cost |
|---|---|
| Minor Debris Removal | $100 – 600 |
| Tree Root Removal | $200 – $600 |
| Trenchless Pipe Repair | $160 per foot |
| General Line Repairs | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Full Pipe Replacement | $3,000 – $25,000 |
