Overview
Every drain in the house feeds into branch lines, and those branches feed one main sewer. When a single fixture is slow, the clog is usually close by: hair in a tub drain, soap scum in a lavatory, grease in the kitchen line. When several fixtures back up together, or a toilet flush makes the tub burp, the blockage is further down in the main.
We pick the tool for the clog. A hand auger handles most fixture clogs. A larger cable machine clears kitchen and main lines. When a line keeps clogging, a camera shows whether we are dealing with buildup that cleaning fixes, or a broken pipe that cleaning only postpones.
How we handle it
Pinpoint the clog
Which fixtures, how slow, and where the cleanout is.
Clear it
Auger or cable sized to the line, from the right access point.
Confirm the flow
Run water through every affected fixture before we pack up.
What it costs
A single fixture clog cleared from the sink or tub is the low end. Kitchen lines and main sewers cost more because they need a bigger machine and longer cable. No cleanout, a clog far down the line, or a line that needs a camera afterward add to the total.
Good to know
- Use a hair catcher in tubs and showers; it is the cheapest drain insurance there is.
- Run hot water for a minute after the dishwasher finishes to push grease along.
- Never pour bacon fat or cooking oil down any drain, even with hot water chasing it.
Kitchen lines in the bigger northwest subdivisions run long before they reach the main, so grease has more room to cool and stick. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing.
Drain cleaning questions
Should I try a store-bought drain cleaner?
We would skip it. Harsh chemicals rarely clear a solid clog and can be tough on older pipe and on the person who has to open the line after.
Why does my drain keep clogging?
Buildup left on the pipe walls, a sag in the line or roots. A camera tells which.
Can you clear a drain on a Sunday night?
Yes. We run 24/7.
Is it safe to use a plunger on a double sink?
Yes, but cover the other drain tightly with a wet rag, or the pressure just blows out the second bowl.