Sewer Line Cleaning Costs

Having your main sewer line cleaned will improve the flow of wastewater from your home and can remove serious clogs that may have backed up the line. The cost of this service varies, depending on the severity of the clog or problem, what type of line clearing method is used, and where you live, among other factors.

Typically, plumbers will charge an hourly rate for sewer line cleaning with additional costs for materials and specialty equipment used. The bulk of the cost is in the labor, with projects varying significantly depending on the amount of work involved. Stubborn blockages could take several hours to repair.

Sewer line clean: hourly labor, materials, and potential pipe repairs.

Other considerations and costs

• If related issues or repairs are required, this could incur additional charges, such as replacing fittings or lines within the home. Be sure to get an estimate that is done after an inspection and includes all potential costs and repairs.
• This estimate does not include applicable taxes and local permit fees.
• In the event of a total system failure or full mainline replacement, this project could cost upwards of $5,000 for the sewer line, excavation, cleanup, and replacement of soil or concrete when the property needs to be dug up for repair or replacement.
• Some plumbers will waive the service call fee for more severe drain cleaning issues or if they are called specifically for a line clearing and there is little investigative work required prior to completing the task.
• There are some companies that may charge a flat rate for drain cleaning services, based on the type of service required. Be sure to inquire as to whether your plumber charges hourly or flat rates for sewer line cleaning.

DIY considerations

• If you have a minor clog or drain issue, you can reduce your costs significantly by renting a drain snake from your local tool supply or home improvement store.
• Manual and electric drain snakes can be purchased at local home improvement stores and may be handy to keep on hand if you have consistent drainage issues.
• If you attempt DIY cleaning or clog removal without success, do not try again. Call a licensed plumber immediately. Cleaning and clearing drains improperly can lead to much more expensive problems.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.