How Much Does It Cost to Unclog a Drain?

Scope of this guide: This page is for professional drain-cleaning prices and quote factors. The linked sink guide covers DIY methods that avoid chemical cleaners.

A slow or completely blocked drain is one of the most common plumbing calls. The cost depends on where the clog is, how bad it is, and how the plumber clears it.

Drain Cleaning Cost by Method

Drain snaking (standard auger): $100-$300 The most common approach. A mechanical snake breaks up or retrieves the clog. Works on most kitchen, bathroom, and laundry drain blockages.

Hydro jetting: $300-$600 High-pressure water blasts through the pipe, clearing grease buildup and debris. More thorough than snaking, often used for recurring clogs or main line issues.

Chemical treatment (from a plumber): $50-$150 Professional-grade enzyme or chemical cleaners for slow drains with mild buildup. Not effective for full blockages.

Camera inspection: $150-$350 A video camera goes into the drain to identify the problem before attempting a fix. Often added when the blockage source isn't clear, or when snaking fails.

Cost by Drain Location

• Bathroom sink: $100-$200
• Bathtub or shower: $100-$250
• Kitchen sink: $150-$300 (grease buildup makes these harder)
• Toilet: $100-$250
• Floor drain: $100-$300
• Main sewer line: $200-$700 for snaking; $500-$1,000+ for hydro jetting

The main sewer line handles all drainage from the house. If multiple drains are slow or backing up at once, it's usually the main line.

When to DIY and When to Call

DIY is reasonable for: - Bathroom sink clogs (usually hair + soap scum right at the drain) - Slow drains that a plunger hasn't fully cleared - Using an inexpensive hand snake on a single fixture

A $25 hand snake and 20 minutes handles most bathroom sink and tub clogs. Start with a plunger. Move to a drain snake. If neither works, call a plumber.

Call a plumber when: - Multiple drains are slow or backing up at once (main line) - You have sewage smell or gurgling sounds in multiple fixtures - You've snaked the drain and the clog came back within a week - You have a suspected root intrusion (trees near the sewer line) - The clog is in a floor drain or main cleanout

Root intrusion and main line blockages require professional equipment. DIY attempts can push the clog further or damage older pipes.

What Drives the Cost Up

Location of clog: Main line clogs cost more than fixture clogs. Clogs in the p-trap are cheapest; clogs 50 feet down the main line require more equipment and time.

Pipe material: Older cast iron or clay pipes require more care. PVC is easier and cheaper to work on.

Grease buildup: Kitchen sink clogs from grease accumulation are harder to clear than hair clogs. Hydro jetting is often needed for serious grease buildup.

Camera inspection add-on: If the plumber can't clear the clog or it keeps coming back, a camera inspection adds $150-$350 but identifies the real cause.

Access: Cleanout access in the floor or wall makes the job faster and cheaper. Limited access (old homes with no cleanout) adds time.

How to Prevent Drain Clogs

• Use a drain hair catcher in showers and tubs
• Never pour grease down the kitchen drain
• Run hot water for 30 seconds after washing greasy dishes
• Flush cleanout traps annually with an enzyme-based drain cleaner
• Have trees near your sewer line inspected every 3-5 years

Bottom Line

Unclogging a drain costs $100-$300 for a standard snake job. Main line blockages or hydro jetting run $300-$700. Most bathroom clogs can be DIY'd with a plunger and hand snake. For main line issues or recurring clogs, a licensed plumber is the right call.

Sources and editorial notes

Prices and permit requirements vary by location, property, equipment, and scope. Treat price ranges as planning estimates and confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and contractor.

• California Contractors State License Board - when a contractor license is required

Related guides

• How to Unclog a Sink Without Chemicals
• How to Fix a Slow Drain in Your Sink or Shower
• How to Unclog a Toilet Without Calling a Plumber

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