How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Clogged Drain?

Repair a Clogged Drain Costs
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Average reported costs:
based on 9,563 cost profiles
Most homeowners
spent between:
$275 - $391
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Clogged drains can range from a minor annoyance to a major plumbing problem. It can be tough to predict what the cost to repair a clogged drain will be without knowing the full extent of your problem. Ultimately, the cost to repair a clogged drain will depend on a couple of factors.

Severity of the Clog

Some clogs are minor and can be cleared with a drain opening liquid like Draino, or a simple plunger. For more severs clogs you may need to call in a professional plumber to snake your drain. Most plumbers charge by the hour, so the more difficult and time consuming it is to clear the drain, the more expensive it will be. However, some plumbers will charge by the job and have a set fee for clearing a drain.

Number of Clogs

If you have one clogged drain, then it is most likely a matter of hair or inappropriate objects that have fallen down the drain. If there are multiple drains that are clogged, then the problem could be in the drain between the fixture and main line or branch drain line. A warning sign of a multiple drain clog could be if water appears on your bathroom floor when you're doing laundry, for example. This could be a sign that a clog has occurred in the main line. The cost to repair a clogged drain will increase if it's in the main line or if there are multiple drains that need to be repaired.

Removing Parts

If your toilet needs to be removed, or if the pipes below your sink need to be taken apart, then the cost to repair a clogged drain will be higher. This usually signifies a more complicated clog as well which will contribute to the higher cost.

Clog Causes

One of the potential causes of clogs is pipe corrosion. Corroded pipes provide the perfect environment for clogs to get started. Corrosion is typically caused by water with low or high pH, the presence of salt or sulfates, suspended solids, bacteria or improper installation. If this is the cause of your problem, then the cost to repair a clog might increase if it means the eventual replacement of corroded pipes. Other more innocent causes are hair or objects that have fallen down the drain.

Drain Maintenance

By flushing your drains regularly with hot water and baking soda, you can help to keep the cost to repair a clogged drain in the future. This will help to ensure that you don't get serious clogs. This will mean that you won't need to get your drains snaked, which is what increases the cost to repair a clogged drain.

