Get matched with top sewer cleaners in Derby, VT

It’ll take 20 to 30 minutes to unclog a sewer line using a drain snake or drain cleaner. If you hire a professional, you should expect them to be on-site for three hours or less. In addition to clearing the clog, they’ll do other routine inspections, which adds to the overall time (and cost) required.

When hiring a sewer line company, you need to consider more than just the quoted price. Make sure to check that the company or contractor is licensed, certified, and insured to protect you both. Check for positive reviews, and you can even request references for extra peace of mind. 

To find the best contractor, you might also want to consider how long the company has been in business doing sewer line cleaning and if they’ve won any industry awards for their work and service. Review potential contracts closely, and look for transparent pricing.

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.

With a one-way cleanout, you can access your sewer line from one direction. Depending on the way it curves, a plumber can either access the side of the pipe that goes into your home or the side that goes to your yard. On the other hand, two-way cleanouts allow pros to access both sides of the sewer line, thanks to their dual-pipe design (they’re usually U-shaped).