How much does Drain cleaning cost?

If your sink, shower, or bathtub drain is partly or fully clogged—or if it smells sour, gurgles, or leaks—you may need drain repair services provided by a licensed professional plumber. 

This guide explains the cost of hiring a pro to fix common drain problems. Pricing data is based on real quotes provided to Yelp users by plumbing businesses, along with industry research. Learn more in the methodology section at the end of the guide.

Most common drain repairs cost $195 (including parts and labor) to repair, according to estimates provided by Yelp pros on real-life projects. 

Costs can range from $120–280 to fix “simple, localized kinds of drain issues,” such as clogged sink and shower drain pipes, notes Adam Kinder, co-owner of Ready Rooter in Bellevue, Washington. Your specific costs will depend on the type and complexity of the job, regional labor rates, and other factors. 

The expense can be much higher for extensive, time-consuming projects, such as fixing a sewer line. (See “Major drain repair costs,” below.)

To repair a drain, plumbers’ typically charge $148 per hour, according to Yelp data, with costs for all job types ranging from $85–230, depending on your location. Some plumbers offer flat fees for common drain repairs.

Clearing a simple clog usually takes 1–1½ hours. Snaking a clog that’s deep in the drainage system, inspecting drain pipes with a sewer camera, and dealing with problems in the main sewer line all take longer.  

Experienced plumbers often know in advance how long common repairs will take, so they charge a flat fee. In most cases, they’ll visit your home and determine the problem before setting the cost. “I’d say 90+ percent of our jobs are flat rate,” says Patrick Finegan, owner of Drain-EEZ Plumbing in Chicago. 

When you call a plumber, they may quote a “service-call fee” for their initial visit. That fee—typically $50–120—covers time and travel. “If we come out and we don’t do any work, we charge $85,” says Drain-EEZ Plumbing’s Finegan. In most cases, when you hire the plumber to make repairs, this fee is deducted from their labor charges.  

Whether a plumber charges an hourly rate or flat fee, the total cost of drain repairs will depend on the type of service and how long it takes. “Even though we don’t charge by the hour, the price is based on the time it takes us to do that job,” says Finegan.

Here’s what you’ll pay to fix the most common drain problems, according to Yelp data.

Typical cost: $195

Cost range: $125–270

Drains inevitably get clogged over time. In kitchen drains, grease, food scraps, and soap residue gradually accumulate until they form blockages. In bathroom drains, soap scum, hair, toilet paper, and other debris can clog the pipes. A plumber can often clear a household drain in well under an hour using a drain snake (or auger), a flexible tool that reaches far into the drain.

In the main plumbing lines that run under your yard (to connect your plumbing to the sewer), tree roots, shifting soil, and sewage buildup can create serious blockages or break drain pipes. If that happens, repairs are likely to be much more expensive (see “Major drain repair costs,” below).

Typical cost: $195

Cost range: $125–270

If water goes down a drain too slowly, the cause is usually a partial clog that hasn’t developed into a complete blockage yet. In some cases, you can fix a partially clogged drain yourself. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need a plumber to remove the buildup before the drain becomes fully blocked.

Typical cost: $210

Cost range: $135–305

Bad odors coming from a drain are typically caused by an accumulation of organic matter and debris in the pipes. A plumber may use any of several methods to clean and sanitize the pipes, depending on the source of the problem. That may include snaking the drain to remove any debris or applying enzyme cleaners or chemical drain cleaners to neutralize the bacteria.

Typical cost: $210

Cost range: $130–300

When water puddles on the floor near a drain or drips from a drain pipe under the sink, it’s a leak that needs repair. A plumber may be able to fix a dripping drain pipe by tightening the pipe connections. Cracked or corroded pipes can be patched with epoxy in some cases, but replacing the pipes is usually the best option.

Typical cost: $195

Cost range: $125–350

A drain pipe or trap (the U-shaped pipe that prevents gases from entering) under a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or bathtub can sometimes become rusted or corroded, and will need to be repaired or replaced. Most minor repairs of this nature can be handled in 1–2 hours.

If you need to repair or replace rusted or corroded pipes in a basement, small crawl space, or underground outdoors, accessing the pipes makes the project more expensive (see “Major drain repair costs” below). 

Here’s what you can expect to pay for drain repair in different locations in your house, according to Yelp data.

Typical cost: $225

Cost range: $125–390

If a kitchen or bathroom sink has a minor clog, DIY-oriented homeowners can try clearing it themselves with a sink plunger (about $7–20 in hardware stores and online). Otherwise, you’ll need a plumber to clear it. 

If the sink drain is corroded, the plumber will need to replace it, at a typical cost of $125–350.

Typical cost $200

Cost range: $145–305 

If your garbage disposal has problems such as foul odors, slow drainage, or clogs, the problem may be with the disposal, the drain, or both. The typical cost of garbage disposal repair ranges from $145–305. Replacing a garbage disposal typically costs $250–625, including the new equipment and labor to install it.

If the garbage disposal hasn’t been doing a good job of grinding, food wastes may be clogging the pipes. Hiring a plumber for sink drain clearing typically costs $125–245.

Typical cost: $215

Cost range: $120–$315

Clogged bathtub and shower drains are typically caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum, and other debris, and will usually need to be snaked or “rodded” by a plumber or drain-cleaning specialist.

Typical cost: $250

Cost range: $120–275

The cost of clearing a toilet clog depends on the blockage and its location. Generally, the cost of unclogging a toilet ranges from $120–275, according to Yelp data. Easier, “localized” clogs can often be cleared during a 1-hour service call by a pro. But complex clogs that are deeper in the drain system can cost more. For example, if there are blockages in the main line leading to the sewer (often caused by tree roots), a plumber will typically clear them with a motorized drain auger, at an average cost of $120–400.

The sewer lines running from your home’s waste system to the municipal sewer system—called lateral or main lines—can rupture or clog as a result of shifting soil or invasive tree roots. If that happens, repair costs can be considerably higher. They depend on the severity and location of the blockage, and the plumber’s ease of access to the blockage—typically through “cleanouts” (Y-shaped branches in pipes where plumbers can insert drain-clearing equipment). 

To clear blockages in the main lines or other stubborn clogs in the plumbing system,  plumbers may use a process called hydro jetting, at a cost of $200–800. A high-pressure water spray is employed to blast out drain clogs and clean inner surfaces—it’s like a power washer for your pipes. “Hydro jetting can get any kind of sludge, debris, small tree roots, or mud out of the pipe properly,” says Juan Rave, owner of Rave Plumbing & Rooter in La Crescenta, California. 

If the main sewer line is broken, replacement costs typically run from $50–200 per linear foot, depending on the method used. Digging up the existing sewer line and laying new cast iron or ABS pipe in the trench will raise prices toward the higher end of the range.

Trenchless sewer line repairs cost an average of $155 per linear foot. In this process, plumbers use a camera to inspect the inner walls of problem sewer pipes to see if they can be repaired without digging. If so, the pipes are “healed” with epoxy coatings or by inserting a new plastic liner through the entire length of the pipe.

Before starting work, pros will often conduct a video inspection to determine the source of the problem. A camera is attached to a long fiber-optic rod, then sent through the pipes. It typically costs $250–700, but you may find discounts at certain times of year.

“Our flat rate for camera inspection is $350, but we have specials for that,” says Kinder of Ready Rooter. His company will sometimes offer a cable-and-camera special to resolve winter storm drain problems for $89.

Here are some additional issues that will affect your costs for drain repairs.

Repair costs vary in different areas, depending on local labor rates and the general cost of living. In fact, prices may be significantly different even within a single state. For example, the cost of drain repairs in Los Angeles ranges from $135–225, but in San Jose, it’s $185–275, according to Yelp data.

The ease of access to drain pipes can affect your costs. When plumbers work on major pipes, the presence of cleanouts (access points designed for easy entry into the pipes) may reduce labor costs significantly. If cleanouts are strategically located and unobstructed, plumbers can insert drain-clearing equipment into pipes with a minimum of hassle and disruption. 

When it comes to drain repair costs, labor is usually the main element of the cost. But if pipe replacement is required, the cost of new pipes makes a difference—some types are significantly more expensive to buy and work on. Replacing cast iron or copper drain pipes, for example, is much more expensive than PVC or ABS (plastic) pipes.

Here are some tips for reducing your drain repair costs.

It’s a good idea to get and compare quotes from 2 or more trusted local plumbers. Ask if they charge by the hour or with a flat rate, and if there will be any additional charges (such as a fee  for travel to your home). 

Some plumbing services offer discounts for new customers, senior citizens, or military vets. Or they may have online coupons or seasonal specials on common services. 

You can reduce the plumber’s time by clearing away any obstructions around the drain area. For example, move all the cleaning supplies and other items you may be storing under the kitchen sink. “That way, they’re not spending 15 or 20 minutes removing 16 to 20 years’ worth of stuff,” says Finegan. 

Plumbers are usually the best choice for solving drain issues, thanks to their knowledge, experience, and tools. Tackling a minor sink or tub clog yourself can save you money, but doing this depends on the nature of the clog and whether you have the right tools. If you do decide to try it yourself, wear gloves and safety glasses.

For more complex problems, it’s best to hire a professional drain cleaning service. 

When interviewing a plumber for drain repairs, ask about their qualifications and customer-service practices. You’re also likely to find the answers to questions about the business on their Yelp Business Page.

Questions about the business

Questions about repair costs

How much does it cost to replace or repair a drain assembly?

Kitchen and bathroom sink drain assemblies cost about $300 to replace. Repair costs range from $125–245, according to Yelp data. Nationally, the most typical repair cost is $185.

How much does it cost to unclog a toilet drain line?

The cost of unclogging a toilet drain is $250, according to Yelp data. That price can range from $120–275, depending on the blockage and its location.

How much does it cost to fix a broken underground drain pipe?

Digging up the existing sewer line and laying new cast iron or ABS pipe typically costs $50–200 per linear foot. Trenchless sewer line repairs—inserting a new plastic liner—average $155 per linear foot.

Find a licensed plumber in your area.

Cost data in this guide is based on project quote estimates provided to Yelp users by licensed professionals and businesses on Yelp (as well as analysis of industry data). Actual project costs may vary depending on location or complexity of the project. Cost data has been reviewed by our industry expert, Don Vandervort, a nationally known home improvement author. Don is the founder of the website HomeTips.com and has written or produced more than 30 home improvement books.