Get matched with top drain pipe installers in Brandon, MS

The P-trap (or S-trap in older homes) under your shower is designed to prevent sewer gas from coming back up, so you shouldn’t normally experience foul odors coming from your shower drain. If you do, the vent stack that introduces air into your plumbing system may be clogged, or you may have a more severe sewer main blockage. In either case, hire a plumber to fix the issue for you.

Some experts estimate that descaling your cast iron pipes can extend their lifetime by upwards of 50 years, although there’s not a lot of research to prove it. But we do know that without proper maintenance, cast iron pipes can quickly rust—leading to more expensive issues like burst pipes or main line clogs.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to clean your linear drain every two to three months to prevent debris buildup. However, if you notice it draining slowly or an odor from your drainpipes, it’s best to clear the clogged drain and maintain it more often. If you let a clog go for too long, you may have to invest in the price of professional shower drain cleaning, which costs about $225.

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.