How do I choose the best professional to clean my sewer line?
Follow these guidelines to help ensure you hire the best professional to clean your sewer line:
Make sure the professional is licensed. Licensing requirements differ by state. Depending on where you live, they might need to have a plumbing contractor’s license and/or sanitation system contractor license.
Prioritize professionals who have several years of experience. Find out when the professional started their business or received their license. Sometimes, this information is on their profiles, but you can also check with your state’s licensing board.
Compare quotes. Getting quotes from professionals can help you find someone who offers a fair price for their sewer cleaning services.
Check online reviews. Read through the professionals’ reviews and testimonials to ensure they have a good reputation and a lot of experience. If you see too many reviews that mention unfair pricing or damaged sewer lines, you might want to go elsewhere.
Ask about a warranty. Warrantees and guarantees can give you peace of mind and help ensure your sewer line is cleaned properly. For example, some warranties may promise that the drain will stay unclogged for a certain period of time. If you experience the issue again too soon, the professional should be able to address it at no extra cost to you.
For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page.
How much do plumbers charge to clean sewers?
The national average cost to clean a main sewer line is about $330,* according to Thumbtack data. However, many factors — like the length of the line and the cleaning method — can impact the cost. Getting quotes from several pros is the best way to understand how much sewer cleaning will cost for you.
When you’re contacting plumbers for estimates, find out if they plan to clean your line with a mechanical drain auger — also called a powered drain snake — to scrape inside the pipe or a hydro jet, which blasts pressurized water into the sewer line to force debris out. Using a drain auger tends to cost less than hydro jetting.
Also, if you have older pipes, the professional might want to perform a video inspection to ensure the pipes can handle the force of a hydro jet. Some professionals might charge extra for this service, so be sure to ask.
*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.
What does sewer cleaning entail? What should I expect?
Sewer cleaning is the process of removing a blockage from a home’s sewer line. Debris, leaves, tree roots and grease are a few things that can clog a sewer line.
When you hire a plumber for sewer cleaning, they typically start by inspecting your sewer line, possibly with a camera.
Because waste from this line ends up in public sewers, plumbers usually don’t use chemicals for cleaning. Instead, depending on the severity of the blockage, they will likely use an auger or hydro jetting to clear it:
A mechanical auger (also called a powered drain snake) has a long, flexible attachment that goes deep into your pipes to dislodge stuck objects.
A hydro jet uses a forceful, high-pressure stream of water to flush out obstructions.
How long does it take a professional to clear a sewer line?
Clearing a sewer line usually takes a professional between 45 minutes and two hours. However, the exact amount of time typically depends on the severity and cause of the clog. For example:
Simple blockages: A buildup of grease or small debris usually takes less than two hours to clear via hydro jetting or a mechanical auger.
Complex clogs: More severe issues like tree root intrusion or complete stoppage often take several hours. The professional may need to use a camera to inspect the line, and a stoppage may require digging up the main for repairs.
When a professional comes to your home to inspect your sewer line and create a quote, ask them to provide an estimated timeline.
Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your pro to provide an estimate.
How often should you have your sewer line cleaned?
Generally, it’s recommended that you get your sewer lines cleaned every 18 to 24 months. However, it’s best to contact a sewer cleaning professional. They can recommend a custom cleaning schedule after inspecting your sewer line.
Here are some general signs that indicate you might need to inspect or clean your sewer line more regularly:
The pipes are at least 50 years old.
The pipes are made from clay or cast iron, which tend to get crusted with mineral deposits.
Plumbers have previously found tree roots in the sewer line, or there’s a tree close to the line.
The sewer line gets significant use, which may cause grease and soap scum to build up quickly.
Your family uses flushable wet wipes, which don’t always flush as well as advertised.
What are signs my sewer line is clogged or needs to be cleaned?
If your sewer line becomes clogged, it may lead to sewage water backing up into your home. Watch out for these potential signs that your sewer line may need to be cleaned:
Gurgling sounds: This might be a sign that water and air are backing up into your drains.
Foul smell: A sewer line clog might cause your sinks or tubs to smell like sewage.
Slow draining: If multiple sinks in your home drain slowly, there might be a blockage.
Standing water: Water from a blocked sewer line might create puddles or patches of tall grass in your yard.
Sewage backups: If you know that sewage is coming up from your drain, schedule a cleaning immediately to avoid severe water damage.