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Using less toilet paper is the easiest way to prevent future clogs. Also, avoid flushing sanitary products, thick paper towels, or hair down the toilet. If you’ve been using a brick in the tank to reduce the water used to flush the toilet, take it out immediately. Bricks will eventually fall apart and clog your toilet drain. Keeping your toilet lid closed also helps avoid future clogs.

The cost to unclog a drain varies based on the location and severity of the clog. For simple clogs within your home, such as in a sink, toilet, or shower, hiring a plumber typically costs between $110 and $350, with an average of around $200. Snaking a toilet or sink usually costs between $110 and $275, while a bathtub or shower clog costs about $225.

For a more serious clog in the main sewer line, the cost is higher. Clearing a main line clog generally costs between $200 and $600, with an average of about $380. However, prices can range from as low as $100 for snaking a minor clog to over $1,600, particularly if advanced methods like video inspection and hydrojetting are needed for a large or hard-to-reach blockage. Some severe main line clogs can cost upwards of $1,000 to clear depending on factors like the cause of the clog, its distance from an accessible cleanout, and whether the pipe is located beneath an occupied space (e.g., in an apartment building). You may be able to save money on minor clogs by using a drain snake or bladder yourself.

You should hire a sewer service professional to unclog a main sewer line with tree roots. Tree roots can grow into the main sewer line, and this problem requires a specialized hydro jet, or rooter, that is powerful enough to clear the roots. The tree can also damage the main sewer line, and a professional will need to make repairs or replace the damaged sections. Sewer line replacement costs about $60 to $250 per linear foot.

Never pour used motor oil down the drain. Doing so can have serious environmental consequences, including contaminating groundwater, endangering animals, and killing vegetation. It can also clog your pipes, causing backups in your plumbing or the wastewater treatment plant. In most places, pouring motor oil down the drain is illegal, whether you do it in your home or a storm drain.