Find top rated drain cleaning pros in your area

It may only take five minutes to snake a drain for loose clogs near the tub, toilet, or sink basin. However, clogs near the main line can take hours to resolve, especially if they affect multiple pipes. Plumbers have the skills, experience, and equipment to get the job faster, though you may pay a premium for their help.

Sometimes, using a snake to unclog a drain can cause more damage than intended. Too much force risks scratching the surface and damaging the coating, which could eventually cause cracks to develop. Depending on what’s obstructing the drain, the snake could worsen the problem by jamming the debris tighter and further down the pipe. It’s best to hire a pro with experience tackling a variety of clogged pipes.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent clogged drains is to install snug mesh screens over the drain openings in your sinks, bath, and shower. This tool prevents hair, food particles, and other solid items from entering the drain and forming clogs. A non-corrosive bacteriological drain cleaner is also a smart option to reduce the chances you’ll need to absorb the cost of unclogging a drain.

Hiring a Roto-Rooter professional for drain-clearing services costs between $160 and $450, depending on the complexity of the project. Roto-Rooter costs to snake drains are usually charged on a flat rate basis rather than an hourly fee. These job estimates may include the price of the sewer inspection and the Roto-Rooter sewer line cleaning cost. However, they do not cover the additional cost of repairs or parts replacement.