Drain clogs are inevitable in every home, commercial, or industrial property. Fortunately, most clogs are easy to fix. Many DIY solutions can clear a clog in minutes, from hot water to baking soda, white vinegar concoction, and the good old faithful plunger. However, when the problem is recurrent, the underlying issue will need the intervention of an expert plumber. That leads to the question: what is the cost to unclog a drain?
Table of Content
- The Average Cost to Unclog a Drain
- Factors Influencing the Cost to Unclog a Drain
- Why You Should Hire a Professional Plumber
- Partner with Total Underground Construction Today
The Average Cost to Unclog a Drain
| Highest Range | $300 |
| Lowest Range | $100 |
| National Average Cost | $250 |
The cost to unclog a drain ranges between $100 and $300. Charges vary because of several reasons and factors. Here is a detailed breakdown of services and conditions that impact the cost of unclogging a clog.
Factors Influencing the Cost to Unclog a Drain
1. Nature of the Blockage
Clogs form for multiple reasons, from scale buildup, foreign material, hygiene products, fat, oil, and grease (FOG), pipe disintegration, food particles, or hair accumulation. Plumbers conduct comprehensive inspections to determine the blockage’s nature, size, and position before stating the cost of unclogging the drain.
The clog’s size and nature influence labor complexity and time required to clear the blockage. A simple blockage can cost between $100 to $250, while a complex obstruction can cost upwards of $500. Clog complexity arises from its position in the pipe and composition or resistance to water or equipment pressure.
2. Type of Pipeline
Clogs can occur in drains or the main sewer line. Drains are smaller pipes that clear wastewater from single outlets like the kitchen sink, shower, bathtub, or toilet. Drains empty their content on the main sewer line. Thus, sewer lines are large and often buried underground in most properties.
Clearing clogs from drains is significantly more affordable and easier than unclogging the main sewer line. Drains are shorter and smaller. You can snake the drain or hydro jet the line to clear the clog. On the other hand, main sewer lines are more likely to contain complex clogs because of the volume of wastewater they receive from all drains.
Main sewer lines are also larger in diameter, complicating the unclogging process. Plumbers may also require digging to access underground main sewer pipes. Unclogging a drain can cost anywhere between $150 to $250, while the main sewer line can cost over $500.
3. Type of Drain
Pricing also varies between drains. It is easier to restore wastewater flow in some drains than others. Plumbers will give different quotes depending on work simplicity.
| Type of Drain | Average Cost to Unclog Drain |
| Sink | <$80 |
| Showers and Bathtub | $100 |
| Toilet | $225 |
Sink Drains
The kitchen and bathroom sink drains require the least effort to clear clogs. Sink drains are accessible, contain fewer obstructions, have a simplified layout, and undergo regular maintenance. Unclogging sinks may cost you less than $100 with a professional plumber.
Showers and Bathtub Drains
Hidden drains make showers and bathtub drains slightly more expensive than sinks to unclog. Although they contain screens, soap scum, hair, and other solid particles can end up forming clogs. Clearing the clog may require snaking or hydrojetting services, costing anywhere between $125 to $225.
Toilet Drains
Clogs on toilet clogs are the most expensive because of the work complexity. Clearing the clog may also require removing and repositioning the toilet. It costs between $150 and $300 to clear blockage on toilet drain lines, with average costs falling at $225.
4. Labor Intensity
Clogs on multiple drains or a main sewer blockage can lead to backup in all drains in your home. The nature of the clog can also complicate the unclogging process. Most plumbers charge per hour. Thus, the price of unclogging goes up if the plumber takes longer to unclog the pipeline. The average hourly rate for a plumber ranges between $20 and $50. You may also get contractors giving a flat cost rate of approximately $200.
5. Type of Unclogging Service
Plumbers use different techniques depending on the clog’s nature, location in the pipe, and the condition of your pipes. Old pipes cannot tolerate the intense water pressure of hydro jetting, which typically ranges from 2,000 to 60,000. So, plumbers may use a drain snake to preserve the integrity of the infrastructure. Each service has a different price tag.
Drain snaking costs an average of $250. On the other hand, hydro jetting costs between $300 and $1100, with the average cost to unclog a drain being $700. Remember, plumbers choose techniques based on your plumbing system needs, not costs.
6. Access Point
Pipes hidden behind drywall, floors, crawlspaces, or underground require technological intervention to detect the clogged location and effectively destroy it without destroying the pipe. Drains with an easy access point cost less than those in places that require minimal digging to insert the drain snake or hydro jet and backfill after clearing the clog.
Drain pipes inside slabs sometimes require breaking the concrete to access the clog. Once the drain is fully functional, the plumber has to fix the slabs.
7. Additional Services
Some plumbers provide inspection as a complimentary service, while others list it separately. Inspections are essential for detecting the exact location of a clog in the drain and its components. Plumbers use the findings to develop accurate diagnoses and unclogging solutions.
Most contractors use camera inspections, which require minimal to no excavation. Contractors insert a small, high-resolution camera down the drain to capture live footage of the clog and pipe. They then analyze this video footage to determine the best course of action. Trenchless inspection costs range between $300 and $1200, depending on the technicalities of the service.
Sometimes, clogs create fractures in the pipe wall due to the pressure buildup. Plumbers perform wastewater flow and pressure tests to ascertain no leakages or other structural issues caused by the clog. Tests are also part of the overall service charge.
Why You Should Hire a Professional Plumber
While DIY unclogging can reduce the cost of unblocking your drain, it also leaves your pipe vulnerable to cracks and leakages. Furthermore, without proper equipment, you may not know if you have dislodged the clog without damaging your pipeline walls. While you may be saving money initially, resulting errors can be costly.
Plumbing companies or contractors invest in technologies, equipment, and manpower to provide quick, efficient, and seamless unclogging services. Certified plumbers guarantee quality service and much-needed peace of mind despite the cost of unclogging the drain.
Partner with Total UC Today
At Total Underground Construction, we provide comprehensive unclogging services leveraging our expertise and experience in unblocking all drain lines. Call us today to request a quote on the cost to unclog a drain.
