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In most areas, drain cleaning professionals don’t technically need a license, as they aren’t altering your plumbing system in any way. However, we recommend hiring a drain cleaning professional with a plumbing license and certification. Certified plumbers are more likely to provide professional solutions to drain clogs without damaging your system. They’ll also have the diagnostic tools and experience necessary to remove the clog entirely rather than providing a temporary solution, as a handyperson might. Use Angi’s state licensing tool to check your plumber’s professional licenses before hiring.

There are several common signs that your main sewer line may be clogged. Key indicators include multiple fixtures in your home draining slowly, gurgling sounds coming from drains or toilets, and water backing up into showers, sinks, or toilets. You might also notice water backing up from the plumbing system's drain cleanout, water in your basement drain, or unexplained wet patches on your lawn. Foul odors, such as the smell of raw sewage or rotten eggs, are another common symptom. The most reliable way to confirm a main sewer line clog is to hire a professional plumber to perform a camera inspection.

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.

Cat pee has a strong ammonia-like smell, so if you smell cat pee but don’t have a cat or don’t suspect your cat has any accidents, there could be other issues at hand. Aside from pet urine, your house may smell like cat pee from leaking freon from an old fridge, mold, spilled cleaning supplies, or even outside odors from nearby farms.