What is the difference between snaking and hydro jetting?

Snaking punches a hole through a clog to restore flow. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the full pipe wall, clearing grease and roots. Snaking is cheaper for a one-off; jetting is better for recurring or grease-heavy lines.

When do I need a camera inspection?

If a drain keeps clogging, get a camera inspection before paying for repeated snaking. It finds the real cause — roots, a belly, or a broken pipe — so you fix the problem once instead of paying to clear the same clog every few months.

Can I clear a clogged drain myself?

Often yes. A plunger, a hand auger, or removing and cleaning the P-trap clears most sink and tub clogs. Skip chemical drain cleaners — they damage pipes. Call a pro for a main line backup or a clog you can't reach.

How to find the best drain cleaning service

Q: How much does drain cleaning cost?

A basic drain snaking runs about $150 to $350. A main sewer line clears for $250 to $600, and hydro jetting runs $400 to $900. A camera inspection is often $100 to $300 and worth it for a recurring clog.

The best drain cleaning service quotes a flat rate before they start, camera-inspects a recurring clog, and clears the cause instead of just punching a hole through it. A clog you pay to clear three times in a year isn't a clog — it's roots, a belly, or a broken pipe that a camera would have found the first time. A good plumber finds the why; a cheap one keeps charging for the symptom.

Here's how to vet a drain company, what snaking and jetting cost, and the clogs you can clear yourself before paying for a visit.

What a good drain company does

💵 Flat-rate, upfront pricing

You should know the price before the snake goes in, not after. Be wary of an hourly clock that runs while a tech "tries a few things." A flat rate keeps the incentive on solving it fast.

📷 A camera for repeat clogs

If the same drain backs up again and again, a camera inspection finds the real cause — roots, a sag, or a crack. Paying for repeated snaking without ever looking is throwing money at a symptom.

💧 Snake vs jet, explained

A good tech tells you when a snake is enough and when a grease or root-heavy line needs hydro jetting. They don't push the expensive option on a simple clog, or undersell a recurring one.

🧾 A warranty on the work

Many companies warranty a cleared main line for 30 to 90 days. If it backs up again in that window, they come back free. That guarantee is a sign they actually cleared it, not just opened it.

What drain cleaning costs

Real 2026 ranges by service:

→ $150–$350 — a basic sink, tub, or branch-line snaking.
→ $250–$600 — clearing a main sewer line through a cleanout.
→ $400–$900 — hydro jetting for grease or root-heavy lines.
→ $100–$300 — a camera inspection, often credited toward the repair.

Emergency, after-hours, and no-cleanout-access jobs run higher. For more, see our drain cleaning cost guide.

When you can clear it yourself

Plenty of clogs don't need a plumber:

• A slow sink or tub — a plunger or a $20 hand auger clears most hair and soap clogs in minutes.
• A gurgling P-trap — unscrewing the trap under the sink and cleaning it out is a 15-minute job with a bucket.
• Skip the chemical drain cleaners — they corrode pipes and rarely fix the real blockage. Call a pro for any main-line backup, sewage smell, or multiple drains backing up at once.

A note for plumbing businesses

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Common questions

How much does drain cleaning cost?

Basic snaking runs $150 to $350, a main line $250 to $600, and hydro jetting $400 to $900. A camera inspection is $100 to $300.

Snake or hydro jet?

Snaking punches through a clog; jetting scours the whole pipe. Snaking is cheaper for a one-off, jetting better for grease or recurring clogs.

Can I do it myself?

Often. A plunger, a hand auger, or cleaning the P-trap clears most sink and tub clogs. Skip chemical cleaners. Call a pro for a main-line backup.

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