Colorado · typical $125–$350
Drain cleaning
Most clogs are a single blockage a few feet into the pipe: hair in a tub drain, grease in a kitchen line, wipes in a toilet. A plumber with the right cable clears those in under an hour. The trick is knowing when it's one fixture and when it's the whole house.
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Sounds like this?
- One sink, tub or shower draining slowly or not at all
- Gurgling from a drain when another fixture runs
- A toilet that clogs again a day or two after plunging
- Sewer smell coming up from a drain
- Water backing up in a tub when the washer drains
One drain or every drain?
Before anything else, run water in a few other fixtures. If only the bathroom sink is slow, the clog is in that sink's branch line, usually within a few feet of the trap. If the tub gurgles when the toilet flushes, or water comes up in a basement floor drain when the washer empties, the blockage is further down, in the shared drain or the main sewer line. That's a different job with different tools, so it's worth telling the plumber what you've noticed.
How a drain gets cleared
- 01
Find the access point
For a sink it's the trap or the drain opening; for a tub, the overflow plate; for a toilet, the bowl or pulling the toilet off the flange.
- 02
Run the right cable
A small hand or drum machine with a 1/4 to 3/8 inch cable handles branch lines. The head is chosen for the clog: a bulb head for hair, a cutting head for grease or roots.
- 03
Flush and test
Hot water is run for several minutes to confirm the line drains at full speed and to wash debris downstream.
- 04
Say what was found
A good plumber tells you what came out on the cable. Grease, hair and wipes mean one thing; roots or bits of pipe mean the main line needs a closer look.
Shower, tub and toilet clogs
Shower and tub drains clog with hair and soap scum, and Colorado's hard water helps glue it together. A plumber usually clears these through the overflow, which avoids pulling the drain assembly apart.
Toilets are the most common clog in homes with kids. A closet auger clears most of them from the bowl. If a toy or a hard object is wedged in the trapway, the toilet has to come off the floor, which is why that job sits higher in the price range.
What not to pour down the drain
- Chemical drain openers. They rarely clear a full clog, sit in the pipe, and make the plumber's job riskier.
- Bacon grease and cooking oil, even with hot water. It sets up in the pipe a few feet downstream.
- Flushable wipes. They don't break down like toilet paper and are one of the most common causes of main line clogs.
- Coffee grounds and eggshells in the disposal. They settle into a sludge in the kitchen line.
Common questions
How much does drain cleaning cost in Colorado?+
A single sink, tub or shower drain usually runs about $125 to $350. Toilets are $150 to $400 depending on whether the toilet has to be pulled. Nights and holidays cost more.
Can I just use a drain cleaner from the store?+
For a slow drain, a plunger or a cheap plastic hair snake is safer and often works. Chemical openers can damage older pipes and are dangerous for whoever opens the drain next.
How long does drain cleaning take?+
Most single-fixture clogs are cleared in 30 minutes to an hour. Main line work takes longer.
Why does my drain keep clogging?+
Repeat clogs in the same fixture usually mean buildup further down the line, a sagging section of pipe, or a partial blockage in the main line. A camera inspection shows which.
Is a clogged toilet an emergency?+
If it's your only toilet or water is coming up in other drains, yes. Otherwise, stop flushing and book the next available time.