A professional drain cleaner is a plumber or specialized drain cleaner with the necessary tools to unclog drains and tiles to keep waste water flowing out to the septic tank or city sewer for processing. Keeping wastewater from backing up into your home helps keep you and your family safe from potential contamination and sickness. These pros can help resolve nearly any drain situation in a safe and efficient manner.
While some chemical drain cleaners with hydrochloric acid can dissolve hair, this method is not recommended as it can also destroy your plumbing pipes. A common DIY alternative is using baking soda and vinegar, which can help break down the clog but will not actually dissolve the hair. The best and safest method for clearing a hair clog is to remove it manually. You can use a drain snake, a straightened wire hanger with pliers to fish out the clog, or have a plumber use a professional auger for more severe blockages.
Unlike regular cleanings, snaking your sewer line should be done as needed. There’s no reason to snake your sewer line if you don’t have any noticeable issues, like slow drainage or plugged drains. You can add it to your regular sewer cleaning checklist as a prevention method (on the same 18- to 22-month schedule), but it’s not always necessary.
The cost to clean a sewer line is about $370, ranging from about $190 to $550 on average. The specific cleaning method and the problem's severity will impact the project's overall cost.
Some of the most common sewer line cleaning methods include:
Snaking or rodding: $100–$250
Hydrojetting: $350–$600
Chemical treatments: $600–$1,000
Repair or replacement: $1,000–$7,500
In most cases, drain cleaners will not clear a clogged sewer line, and they’re likely to damage your plumbing. Sewer lines are several inches wide, meaning any material that clogs it will need to be large. Drain cleaner can work on small clogs, but it usually won’t clear a larger one in a sewer main. Drain cleaners can also easily damage and corrode your plumbing with prolonged contact, and a clog will keep the cleaner in contact with the pipes for an extended period. Hire a professional sewer cleaner instead for a safe fix.
The Scobey, MT homeowners’ guide to sewer cleaning services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A clogged main sewer line can lead to gas or wastewater leaks. Find out what main sewer line clog repair costs by type of service, clog severity, and more.
The best way to keep your sewer line running smoothly is with some regular maintenance. But don’t worry—it doesn’t take much effort. Read on to learn how.
When was the last time you gave your sewer system some attention? If it’s been a while, it might be a good idea to clear any debris out of your sewer line.
