A backed-up drain is one of the most common plumbing calls a homeowner makes. The question is what method fixes it — and whether you're getting the right one for your situation.
Drain Snaking: What It Is and When It Works
A drain snake (also called an electric eel or auger) is a flexible metal cable with a cutting head that drills through or hooks and removes clogs. Cost: $150–$500 depending on the drain location and clog depth. Best for: hair clogs in bathroom drains, toilet blockages, single-drain slow-drain issues, and any simple obstruction. Not ideal for: grease buildup coating pipe walls, root intrusion in sewer lines, or widespread slow drains throughout the house (which indicate a main line issue).
Hydro-Jetting: When to Upgrade
Hydro-jetting uses a high-pressure water stream (up to 4,000 PSI) to scour the interior walls of pipes clean. Cost: $350–$1,000 depending on pipe diameter and length. Best for: restaurants and homes with recurring grease clogs, tree root intrusion in older clay sewer lines, pre-sale pipe inspection and cleaning, and main line issues affecting multiple drains. Most plumbers run a camera inspection first ($150–$400) to confirm hydro-jetting is appropriate — high pressure can damage older, fragile pipes.