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Drain cleaning
Clogged Drain? Cleared, and the Cause Found
Slow sinks, gurgling toilets and a basement floor drain that backs up all have a cause. We clear the clog and tell you why it happened, so it doesn’t keep coming back.
- Kitchen & bath drains
- Main sewer lines
- Snaking
- Hydro jetting
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy
Warning signs
Signs Your Drain Needs More Than a Plunger
Several drains slow at once
When the tub, toilet and floor drain all act up together, the main line is usually the problem, not one fixture.
Water at the floor drain
Water coming up the basement floor drain when the washer empties or someone showers points to a blocked main.
Gurgling and bubbling
Air pushed back through a toilet or sink as other fixtures drain means water can’t get past a blockage.
Clogs that keep coming back
If you clear the same drain every few weeks, roots, grease or a sag in the pipe may be holding it up.
Sewer smell indoors
A dry trap or a vent or drain problem can let sewer gas into the house.
Chemical cleaners haven’t worked
Liquid drain openers rarely clear a real blockage and can be hard on older pipes.
How we clear drains
The Right Tool for the Clog
Drain snaking (cabling) runs a rotating cable through the line to bore through hair, grease and paper clogs and to cut roots. It is the right first step for most sink, tub and toilet clogs, and for many main-line backups.
Hydro jetting scours the inside of the pipe with high-pressure water. It removes grease and scale buildup from the pipe walls instead of just punching a hole through it, which helps lines that clog again and again.
A camera inspection shows what is causing a repeat clog: roots at a joint, a belly where water sits, or a cracked or collapsed section that cleaning can’t fix.
- Kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tub and shower drains
- Toilets and floor drains
- Laundry standpipes and utility sinks
- Main sewer lines and cleanouts
Snaking or jetting?
Drain Snaking vs. Hydro Jetting
| Snaking | Hydro jetting | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A rotating cable bores through the clog | High-pressure water scours the whole pipe wall |
| Best for | Single clogs in sinks, tubs, toilets and many main lines | Grease, sludge and scale buildup; lines that clog over and over |
| Roots | Cuts a path through roots | Flushes out root debris after cutting |
| Pipe condition | Works on most pipe | Pipe is checked first; fragile or broken pipe may need repair instead |
Prevention
Keep Drains Running Clear
Most clogs start with what goes down the drain. The City of Ann Arbor asks residents to flush only the three P’s, and to keep fats, oils and grease out of the sink, because they clog home drains and city sewers alike.
- Scrape grease and food into the trash, not the sink
- No wipes in the toilet, even ones labeled flushable
- Use hair catchers in tubs and showers
- Run plenty of water after using the disposal
- If one drain clogs often, have the line checked before it backs up
FAQ
Drain Cleaning Questions
Why does my basement floor drain back up?
The floor drain is usually the lowest drain in the house, so when the main sewer line is blocked, water from the rest of the house comes up there first. It is a sign the main line needs cleaning, and possibly a camera inspection to see why it clogged.
Are chemical drain cleaners safe for my pipes?
They are a poor fix for a real blockage. They often don’t clear it, they can sit in the pipe and damage older metal drains and rubber parts, and they make the job hazardous for whoever opens the drain next. A cable or jetting clears the clog without them.
How often should a main sewer line be cleaned?
Most don’t need routine cleaning. If roots grow into the line or there is a low spot, cleaning on a schedule can prevent backups until the pipe is repaired. A camera inspection tells you which situation you are in.
Can tree roots really get into a sewer line?
Yes. Roots find the moisture at loose joints and cracks, especially in older clay and cast iron laterals, then grow into a mat that catches paper and waste. Cutting them restores flow; lining or replacing the pipe keeps them out.
Why does my drain clog again right after it was cleaned?
The clog was cleared but the cause was not: grease left on the pipe walls, roots that regrow, or a sag or break in the line. A camera inspection after cleaning shows which, and whether jetting or a repair is the lasting fix.
How much does drain cleaning cost?
It depends on which drain, how far the clog is, the access (a cleanout or pulling a toilet) and whether a camera inspection is needed. Typical ranges are on our plumbing costs page; you get your price before work starts.
Also helpful
Related Plumbing Services
Problems in one part of the plumbing often point to another. These services go hand in hand.
Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
Root-filled, cracked, sagging or collapsed laterals repaired or replaced, with trenchless options where they fit.
Learn more →Sewer Camera Inspection
A video look inside your sewer line before you buy a house or spend money on a repair.
Learn more →24/7 in Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
Drain Backing Up? Let’s Clear It
Call (734) 228-7852 or send a request with what is clogged and how long it has been happening.
Request service
Tell Us What’s Going On
Send a few details and we will call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. We answer 24/7: for water running or sewage backing up right now, call (734) 228-7852.
- 24/7 emergency service, nights, weekends and holidays
- $99 diagnostic fee, applied to the repair
- Financing: 25 months same as cash, on approved credit
- The price explained before work starts
- Call(734) 228-7852
- Service areaAnn Arbor & Washtenaw County
- LicensingMichigan plumbing license #A111705
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy