Get matched with top sewer cleaners in Ephraim, WI

If you’re wondering whether rats can come up the toilet, the unfortunate answer is yes, it’s possible, though it’s extremely rare. These rodents are excellent swimmers and can travel through sewer pipes in search of food, and they may follow plumbing lines leading to your home if they’re drawn by the scent of scraps and waste. The toilet’s U-bend holds a small pocket of air, which can help a rat catch its breath before making its final push into your bathroom. While more common in cities with larger rat populations, this can happen anywhere with connected sewer systems; sealing entry points and keeping drains clean can help reduce the risk.

There are many things that could cause your basement floor drain to back up. One significant cause of a drainage backup is flushing non-flushable items, such as wipes, paper towels, and facial tissue. Other causes of a backed-up basement floor drain include tree roots impeding the drain pipe or an accumulation of hair, oil, and grease. 

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).