The Cost of Professional Drain Cleaning

Thursday, 22 April 2021 22:41
The Cost of Professional Drain Cleaning

We forget all about our plumbing until there's a problem. When you find your sink will not drain, or there is an unexpected foot-bath in your shower, or you have a puddle in the bottom of your dishwasher or washing machine, only then are you painfully aware there is an issue. When things go awry, it is inconvenient and can be costly. For residential and commercial property owners, you typically want to do as much of your own repairs as possible. When you are dealing with a clogged drain, there are a few things you can try before you call plumbers; however, many find that they want to bring in the pros to make sure the job is done quickly, properly, and thoroughly. Here is what you need to know about clogged drains.

 

How Do Drains Become Clogged?

Drains take wastewater out of your home and send it to your sewer main. Eventually, the water will flow through the sewer main to a wastewater treatment plant, where it will be cleaned. It is relatively common for drains to become clogged for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Hair that gets past the drain trap. 
  • Dirt and debris build-up within the pipes.
  • Flushing items that should not be flushed, such as small toys, paper towels, hygiene products, etc. 
  • Pouring cooking grease into the sink and down the drain.
  • Flushing too much toilet paper at one time. 
  • Flushing kitty litter down the toilet. 
  • Damage to pipes.

Some clogs will present as sinks or toilets draining slowly. Other times, you may find that there is absolutely no water going down the drains. Many simple clogs can be jostled loose by using plungers. Some may try to break up the clog with vinegar and baking soda or a store-bought liquid solution. For an especially stubborn clog, you may try using a plumbing snake. Whatever you do, you cannot just ignore a clog.

Why Can't You Ignore Clogged Drains?

Clogged drains will not get better on their own. Whatever is slowing the flow can move down into the p-trap and continue to trap more debris. This will eventually lead to the wearing down of pipes such that they become leaky. Leaking drain pipes can leak many gallons of water in just a month. The ultimate result is often catastrophic failure. What began as a slow draining sink or shower can become a major plumbing repair project. Plus, when plumbing systems fail in your home or commercial property, it could cause indoor water damage that leads to additional problems such as wood rot and organic growth. Imagine how disappointing it would be to leave your house in the morning knowing your sink was clogged only to return home in the evening to a flooded kitchen.

How Much Should You Expect to Spend on Drain Cleaning

If you cannot unclog your sink, toilet, or shower entirely, you are going to need the help of a professional plumber. The cost of unclogging a drain will be dependent on a few factors, including:

  • The placement of the clog.Whether the clog is near the top of the drain or down in the pipes and p-trap will factor into the cost.
  • The extent of the clog.How extensive the clog is, will factor into the cost. 
  • The tools needed to remove the clog.What tools or methods are required will factor into the cost.
  • The location of the clog. Whether the clog is the sink, toilet, or shower will factor into the cost.

To free your drain of a clog, your professional plumber will employ one of these methods:

Snake: Snaking the drain is often the first method plumbers will attempt. A drain snake is a long metal auger plumbers run through the drainpipe in order to free the clog. It is flexible, so it can actually pass through the p-trap. Some augers are motorized to help dislodge especially difficult clogs. 

  • Snaking typically costs between $250 to $375. 

Hydro Jetting: This process is slightly more expensive than snaking, but it is also more effective. Plumbers send a hose down the drain that shoots high-pressure water at the clog. This can dislodge some of the most stubborn clogs while freeing the drainpipe of grease and other build-ups. This will help prevent future clogs. 

  • Hydro Jetting typically costs between $350 to $600, but it could be more for some projects. 

If the clog turns out to be in the sewer main line, it will be a more extensive project than a typical drain cleaning.

One of the advantages of using a professional plumber for unclogging your slow drains is that they will be able to determine if there is a more significant issue. They will also have the experience to know whether or not your slow drains are due to a clog in your sewer main line. A sewer mainline clog needs to be dealt with immediately and may require excavation by experienced, skilled and safe means.

Action Service Company, LLC has decades of experience unclogging drains and identifying plumbing issues and Statesville, Iredell County, and beyond. If you are having trouble with slow drainage or clogs, our team of plumbing experts is here to help. Contact Action Service Company, LLC for more information about our licensed and experienced plumbing services.