How Much Does Main Sewer Line Clog Repair Cost? [2024 Data]

Factors That Affect the Cost to Unclog a Sewer Line

While $372 is the national average main sewer line clog repair cost, where you live can also impact the final price of hiring a sewer cleaner near you. Costs vary by company, region, and type of job, as well as some more specific details.

Severity and Size of Clog

Unclogging a main sewer line is a much more significant undertaking than simply unclogging a bathroom drain. And this is even more true if the main sewer line is clogged with tree roots, which are much harder to clear than a grease clog. The cost to snake a drain is $100 to $250. Unclogging a main sewer line costs $350 to $600.

Pipe Accessibility 

It goes without saying, but a clog in a place that’s tough to reach will cost you more than a clog that is in an easy place to access. This increase is mainly due to labor hours because it simply takes more time to get to harder-to-reach pipes and blockages. Additionally, breaking through concrete slabs or squeezing into crawl space for pipe access can also increase the price.

Video Inspection

Depending on the type and location of the blockage, your plumbing professional might need to use a special camera to inspect the sewer line to inform them of exactly what to expect. If this step is necessary, you can expect to pay between $200 to $1,300 or more for this task alone. 

Method of Removal 

The size of the clog dictates the best cleaning method. Snaking a main line—also known as rodding or augering—costs between $100 to $250, but can leave residue or smaller debris. 

Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure hose for major clogs and clears out the pipe more extensively. This service runs a bit higher at $350 to $600.

Permits

For more extensive repairs, such as replacing a sewer line and those requiring a trench to get to the pipe, some regions require additional permits. These permits can range from $400 to $1,600, depending on your location and exact clog situation. 

Pipe Material 

Repairing a main sewer line clog costs about $50 to $250 per linear foot depending on the material. Depending on the age of your home, you might have clay, cast iron, bituminized fiber, or plastic PVC pipe, and each pipe material faces unique challenges when clogged or broken. Older pipe material requires more care and precision, as it’s more prone to breaking. PVC pipe tends to be the least expensive to repair, while the main sewer line repair cost for cast iron or copper pipes tends to fall on the more expensive end of the price range.

Labor

What do gurgling pipes, tubs that refuse to drain, and strange smells from your plumbing have in common? They're all telltale signs of a sewer line blockage. Since the pipe sits underground, you'll need a sewer line professional to take a look.

For standard fixes, sewer line specialists either charge an hourly or flat rate to diagnose and treat the problem. Hourly rates to inspect and clean a main sewer line range between $45 to $200 an hour, depending on where you live and the severity of the clog. However, some professionals charge an hourly rate instead for this project, averaging around $250 for a simple snake. 

Your sewer line cleaning costs may include:

• Home visit and initial diagnosis

• Camera inspection

• Rodding or hydro jet cleaning

Expect higher prices for hydro jetting drain cleaning costs, the cost to remove tree roots, and other, more complex jobs, that we'll jump into more below.

Cost to Clean a Main Sewer Line by the Type of Service

Sewer specialists have seen it all: Clogs from the inside of the pipe come from hair, grease, and even household items such as bulky toilet paper. Outside intruders include tree roots, soil pressure, and crumbling foundations.

Whether you need a basic clog removed or a full pipe replacement, these are some common ranges for water main cleaning costs:

Ongoing Costs for Main Sewer Line Clog Repairs

Aside from considering the main sewer line clog repair cost or how much sewer rodding costs, there are ongoing costs you will want to budget for to keep your main sewer line operating smoothly. You’ll pay monthly utility fees if your main sewer line connects to municipal wastewater management services, and keeping up with regular maintenance can minimize the risk of future clogs.

Maintenance

First, you can help maintain the main sewer line by installing a drain trap over the kitchen sink and tub drains. These traps cost about $5 to $15 each but can save you money by catching food debris, hair, and other items that can clog your pipes.

Schedule a plumbing inspection about once per year. A plumbing inspection costs $100 to $1,380, and this service helps catch any wear and tear, forming clogs, or other problems in your plumbing system before they become bigger, and more expensive, problems.

Finally, if your main sewer line connects to a septic system, you’ll need to spend about $175 to $600 every three to five years on the cost to pump the septic tank. This helps prevent sewage backups and flooding.

Operating Costs

If you are connected to municipal wastewater management services, you’ll spend anywhere from around $15 to $150 per month for sewage and water bills. The final cost primarily depends on local utility rates in your area.

If your home is on a septic system, you’re not connected to the local wastewater management system and won’t have a monthly bill. However, maintenance involves pumping the septic tank every few years for $175 to $600.

Main Sewer Line Service Costs Estimates

The warning signs of a sewer main clog can build up over time. The good news is that catching the problem early means less money down the drain, so to speak.

For example, does your toilet make bubbling sounds when you run the dishwasher? 

How about a sink that takes several minutes to drain? In both cases, it's time to call your sewer line team before these issues grow. Here's where sewer line clog costs fit into each budget:

$40 to $100

Environmentally safe treatments such as RootX® and Bio-Clean® run between $40 and $100 for sewer main lines.

$100 to $400

The majority of sewer line clog costs fall in this range. Your company may offer a flat fee of $350 to inspect and clear basic clogs or provide simple snaking services for up to $250.

$400+

This cost applies to bigger projects, such as a 100-year-old elm tree that has been wrapping its roots around your sewer line for several decades. Sewer line repairs, root removal, and hydro jetting costs run between $400 and $1,000. Expect additional costs to dig a trench, replace the pipe, and repair your landscape.

DIY Sewer Line Clog Repair vs. Hiring a Pro

If you detect a sewer line clog, only a certified professional has the right tools to inspect and unclog the underground pipe.

But there are DIY steps you can take in the meantime. Turn off your home's water, call your plumber, and check your cleanout line. The cleanout line is a white pipe in your basement or the side of your home that sits several inches above the ground. Unscrew the rubber cap to relieve pressure while you wait for the team.

Signs You May Have a Clogged Main Sewer Line

Call a sewer line company if you detect any of the following plumbing red flags:

• Your tub or sinks won't drain, even after trying to clean the clog yourself

• You hear gurgling sounds coming from your drains or toilet

• Water gathers around your basement drain or in your lawn

• There is a raw sewage smell throughout your home

• You smell foul odors in and around your home

Did you just move into a beautiful Victorian or a great fixer-upper?  Be sure to get your main sewer line inspected, especially for lines older than 40 years.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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