Drain Cleaning

What is the Average Cost of Getting Drains Cleaned by an Expert?

The national average drain cleaning cost is $206.

Typically, it can cost you anything between $127 and $285, with the lower end being about $80 and the higher end at about $520.

However, remember that the final cost will depend on the severity of the clog.

Types of Drain Cleaning and the Costs Associated

You’re probably aware that the blockages range in severity – from limiting the speed of the draining water to completely blocking the water from going down the drain.

Usually, treating the blockage at the very beginning and on your own may take up an hour of your time at most and cost you the price of a bottle of drain cleaner or a plunger. So it would be somewhere in the range of around $20.

But the longer you wait to clean the drains, the more clogged they will become and it may be necessary for you to hire a plumber to take care of them. Plumbers usually charge an hourly rate and the cost varies by region, but it will probably be between $45 and $150.

That being said, the total cost to hire a professional plumber depends on the amount of work involved. But you can expect to pay around $127 to $285 for labor and parts, at an average of $201.

Small jobs can cost as little as $81 and severe blockages can set you back by at least $500.

Here’s a breakdown of what it can cost you if you attempt a DIY approach vs calling in a professional to do the task.

While the DIY methods may sound cheap and doable, remember you’ll be dealing with foul smelling and extremely unhygienic sewer water.

So unless you really know what you’re doing, it’s best to call in the experts.

Factors that Affect Drain Cleaning Cost

You also need to know that the cost to hire a local plumbing company near you depends on a number of factors as below:

• Regional and seasonal price
• Severity of the blockage
• Number of clogs
• Cause of the blockage

When to Call a Professional Drain Cleaning Company?

A clogged drain is not something that will occur overnight. The gunk builds up over a few months and starts slowing the drainage of water.

Hence, if you don’t want to spend a lot, you should watch out for signs of a clogged drain. If you’ve noticed any of the below, it’s probably a good time to call a professional drain cleaning company right away before the condition worsens.

• Water backs up
• Water pools around a shower drain
• Toilet bowl water bubbles
• Slow draining of water from your bathtub, sink or other fixtures
• Gurgling sounds from drains, especially after running a washing machine or dishwasher
• A mysterious puddle of water on the floor near tub or sink
• Rotting food smell from the kitchen garbage disposal
• Water rising slowly toward your ankles in the shower
• An unpleasant odor coming from the drains
• Toilet clogs and overflows
• A constantly running toilet that may spontaneously refill
• Poor flushing or no flush at all
• Leaks around your toilet
• A hissing sound or water trickling inside the toilet tank

Why Should You Call a Local Drain Cleaning Company Near You?

Most DIY approaches to clean drains are quick fixes and not permanent solutions. When you’re dealing with clogged drains, the situation can go out of hand rather quickly and cause severe damage to your pipes and homes even though you may have temporarily fixed them.

Here are 4 reasons why you should hire a professional drain cleaning company the next time trouble strikes.

#1 – Safety

Have you ever read the ingredients and handling procedures of store-bought drain cleaners? You may probably not be aware but most cleaners are extremely dangerous and can cause serious health issues if not handled with care. On the other hand, a professional drain cleaning company are trained and know how to deal with such products. This keeps everyone safe and healthy.

#2 – Effective

As a trained technician, the professionals are in a better position to determine the cause of the clogs and clean them accordingly.

#3 – Cheaper

Yes, you read that right!

Many store-bought and DIY solutions to drain clogs will either remove the clog partially or sometimes even damage the pipes that were meant to be cleaned.

If you hire a professional, then they will clean the clog completely without causing any damage to the pipes. This will also prevent any formation of future clogs or developing other leaks in your pipes.

#4 – Guarantee

Since professional drain cleaning companies are effective, most of them will offer a guarantee on their work.

What are the Different Methods of Drain Cleaning Used by Professionals?

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners can be in solid or liquid form that are readily available through hardware stores, though some (primarily acidic ones) are intended for use by licensed local plumbers.

Handheld Drain Augers

These are typically designed to clean portions of a drain within 25 ft of the drain opening. The cable of a handheld drain auger is driven into a drain by the mechanical force created when the operator rotates a drum that anchors the cable.

Air Burst Drain Cleaning

This method uses accelerated carbon dioxide, air or other gas to rupture the clog membrane. Accelerated gas creates a force on standing water that can dislodge clogs near the drain openings.

Hydro Mechanical Drain Cleaning

This method uses high-pressure water to break up obstructions and flush the smaller particles down the drain.

Electric Drain Cleaners

These are also called plumber’s snakes, it uses the mechanical force of an electric motor to twist a flexible cable or spring in a clockwise direction and drive it into a pipe. Electric drain cleaners are commonly available with cable lengths of up to 25 feet or longer.

Sewer Jetters

This is composed of a controlled high-pressure water source through a flexible high pressure line of up to hundreds of feet in length and a nozzle that uses hydraulic force to pull the line into sewer drains, clean the sides of pipes, and flush out residue.

What to Check Before You Hire a Drain Cleaning Company?

License – All local and state business licenses.

Proof of Insurance – Proof of both, workman’s compensation and liability Insurance.

Business Stability – Find out how long the company has been in business. The more experience, the better!

Check Reviews Online – Visit sites like Yelp to find out about various drain cleaning companies.

References – Ask for references. If possible, call and find out about the work, timeliness, cost and whether the clients would use the company again.

24-hour Emergency Service – A toilet or sink can overflow any time. So make sure your local company offers emergency 24 hour service.

Over the Phone Pricing –  Not recommended at all! No professional company can give an estimate without determining the extent of the problem.

Free Estimates – Ask for free estimates, most companies will oblige.

Safety Record – Hire a company that doesn’t have a high incidence of on-the-job mishaps or injuries.

Building Codes – In certain areas, you’ll need to make sure that the local company meets all building code requirements.

Satisfaction Guarantee – Choose a company that offers a satisfaction guarantee. It will ensure that they get the job done right the first time, and save you money and frustration in the long run.

Cleanup – Ask about the cleanup services the company offers.