How much does it cost to snake a main sewer line?

Author: Delmer Runte  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Snake Main Sewer Line The cost to snake a main sewer line is $100 to $500, depending on if you will use a regular snake or an auger.

How much does a plumber charge to snake a main line?

The average plumber cost to snake a drain is $100 to $275 for a toilet, sink, tub, shower, or laundry drain. The average cost to snake a main line is $150 to $500. Roto-Rooter prices are $225 to $500 on average to snake a drain. Drain snake rental costs $30 to $80 per day.

How long does it take to unclog a main sewer line?

Clearing a clogged sewer line can take an hour to a few hours, depending on the blockage. If your lines are severely blocked, a video inspection and more advanced techniques may be necessary to find and address the clog.

How much does Roto Rooter charge to snake a drain?

Roto-Rooter's most popular service is clearing sewer lines using an auger strong enough to cut through tree roots. This service typically costs $400 to $600. Unclogging a branch line, or plumbing within the home, costs $350 to $500 on average. The technician uses a smaller auger to snake a drain in your home.

How do I know if my main sewer line is clogged?

When the sewer line that carries waste away from the house is blocked, you'll notice the four signs that follow.
  1. All Your Drains Reek. ...
  2. Your Drains Are Blocked or Slow-Moving. ...
  3. You Hear Loud Gurgling Sounds Coming From Your Pipes Throughout Your Home. ...
  4. You Have an Unnaturally Lush Landscape or a Smelly, Sunken Lawn.

How Much Does Sewer Line Maintenance and Repair Cost?

Is a clogged sewer line covered by insurance?

Homeowners insurance may cover sewer line damage if it stems from something already included in your policy, like a fire or windstorm. Sewer line damage that is the result of wear and tear is excluded from home insurance coverage.

What is the easiest way to unclog a sewer line?

Mix 1/3 of a cup of vinegar with 1/3 of a cup of baking soda and pour the fizzy mixture into the clogged sewer drain immediately. If you don't know how to unclog main sewer line, take advantage of vinegar to eliminate the grime, grease, and hair in the pipe. Flush the pipe with hot water after one hour.

How long does it take a plumber to snake a drain?

A drain snake is used to physically remove blockages. This method can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to almost an hour, depending on how complex your clog is. For more severe or deeper blockages, your plumber might use hydro-jetting.

How much does it cost to get your sewer clean out?

Cleaning out a sewer line doesn't have to be cost-prohibitive. According to a . net plumbing job estimator, the national average charge for a professional to service your sewer line is $196-$289. The lower end for a straightforward drain cleaning is $55, with the maximum around $1300.

How much does it cost to unblock a sewage drain?

Cost Factors of Cleaning and Unclogging Drains

The overall cost of drain unclogging will depend on the blockage type, for instance, a small blockage in a toilet or sink is normally only priced at around £50 to £70. However, a more extensive blockage deep in your drains could end up costing you around £150 to £200.

Is a clogged main sewer line an emergency?

Once there is a blockage, you might quickly smell the foul odor or see water leaking. You certainly will know there is a problem. A sewer line clog is a very serious problem that can be considered a plumbing emergency.

Can you rent a drain snake?

Whether you're struggling with plumbing blockages or trying to prevent them, United Rentals has a variety of plumbing snake rentals to help. Our electric plumbing snakes for rent are compact yet powerful enough to tackle tough clogs. Clear drainage and pipes with ease to ensure the proper flow of fluids or sewage.

How much does Roto-Rooter charge for hydro jetting?

Twin Facts: Did you know Roto-Rooter's hydro jetting can cost on average $500.00 to $900.00. Want a better quote? Call the Twins for your hydro jetting project as your next local plumber.

What is the cheapest way to replace a sewer line?

Trenchless sewer repairs, such as pipe lining or pipe bursting, are typically 30-40% less expensive than traditional excavation and less invasive. Traditional excavation, which involves digging a trench to access the damaged pipe, is usually more expensive and can cause significant damage to your yard.

Why is sewer line replacement so expensive?

Sewer work is expensive because of the labor-intensive process involved, which includes excavation, pipe removal, and installation of a new one. It requires significant manual labor and expertise, driving up the overall cost.

How often should you snake your main sewer line?

Cleaning your sewer lines is an important task, even though it can be hard to remember. Drain blockages and clogs can cause major problems. Take it from the experts: no one ever wants to see sewage backup in their home! That's why we recommend scheduling drain cleaning every 18 to 22 months.

Does insurance cover sewer line replacement?

Does homeowners insurance cover your sewer line if it's damaged? Damage to your sewer line may be covered by your policy if it is caused by perils such as hail or windstorms, explosions, lightning or fire, damages caused by vehicles, vandalism or falling objects.

Why is sewer fee so expensive?

The water released by the treatment facility is usually cleaner than the drinking water's receiving stream. Typically, the advanced systems are expensive to build and operate, increasing the overall cost of wastewater treatment. So, it is logical that sewer bills are higher than water bills.

How much does it cost to snake a main line?

How much does it cost to have a main sewer line snaked? Due to extended labor and equipment needs, clearing obstructions from main sewer branch lines averages $200 to $500 though costs run higher for extensive tree root removal or follow-up repairs.

How much does it cost to hydrojet a sewer line?

How much does it cost to Hydrojet old pipes? On average, hydro jetting old pipes can cost between $350 and $600, though in more severe cases it could be up to $1,000 or higher.

Is a clog worse after snaking the drain?

You Could Make the Clog Worse

For example, if the clog is caused by mineral buildup from hard water, the snake may scrape off pieces of the buildup, only to push them deeper into the pipe. This could result in a larger blockage that's even harder to remove.

How long does it take to unclog the main sewer line?

The good news is it takes about 1 to 3 hours to unclog a sewer line using video inspection, augers and/or a high-pressure power flushing system. Call a drainage contractor to deal with interior drains emptying slowly or backing up.

How much does it cost to clean a sewer line?

Average Cost to Unclog a Sewer Line

Clearing a clogged sewer line costs $250 to $800, depending on where the clog is located, what causes it, and the necessary cleaning.

Why does my main sewer line keep clogging?

Potato peels, eggshells and coffee grounds are some of the main culprits plumbers deal with when clearing clogged sewer lines. Greases and fats: Many people pour grease right down the drain, not realizing that the hot liquid will immediately solidify once it hits your cold pipes, creating a grease blockage.

How do you clear a sewer line without a snake?

Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow this with a cup of vinegar, before waiting for at least 10-15 minutes so the solution has time to do its work. After the time has passed, follow it up with boiling water to see how well the drain has cleared.

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