You wake up in the morning, maybe start a pot of coffee and head to the bathroom to start a shower, you look down into the sink and see a small, unwelcome water feature forming below. Your bathroom drain is clogged, again!
You have tried the over-the-counter clog removal chemicals, plunging and maybe you have even said a little prayer, but nothing seems to keep the persistent pond in your sink from returning repeatedly each day. A drain that is perpetually clogged is the worst.
We understand your frustration, and we are here to help. Since 1993 our professional, licensed and insured plumbers at Baethke Plumbing have been handling drain clogs of all shapes, sizes and frequency. And now we would like to share this extensive knowledge with you.
Let’s break down why these pesky clogs are so tenacious, and then we can provide you with the best and most affordable options to get rid of them.
Plumbing Problems: Why Does Your Drain Keep Clogging?
To properly fix a recurring clog, you must first understand what is causing it. Different drains in your house face different enemies. Here are the primary culprits behind repeated blockages.
The Kitchen Sink: Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG)
Some people believe pouring liquid grease down the sink is fine if they flush it with hot water. Nothing could be further from the truth! Once the grease cools inside your pipes, it solidifies, and over time food particles stick to the grease, creating a problem no amount of hot water is going to solve.
The Bathroom Drain: Hair
Hair, you have it, I have it, but where does it all go? Chances are it goes directly into your drains every day. And the accumulation of this day-to-day shedding is a major enemy of bathroom plumbing.
The Hidden Threat: Tree Root Intrusion
If multiple drains in your home are backing up consistently and simultaneously, the problem could be in your main sewer line in the form of tree roots. Tree roots can enter through tiny cracks, growing into massive blockages that trap all household waste.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Clogged Drain?
At Baethke Plumbing we understand plumbing costs can feel unpredictable or even overwhelming, but let’s ease your mind by talking about realistic costs for clearing a recurring clog, so you can choose the best solution for your specific problem.
The DIY Cost ($10 – $50)
If you choose to handle the clog yourself, your costs are limited to materials. A standard plastic hair-snaking tool costs less than $10. A manual hand auger (plumbing snake) ranges from $20 to $50.
Note: Chemical drain cleaners are highly discouraged by all professional technicians. The harsh acids generate heat that can soften PVC pipes or corrode older metal plumbing, which is prevalent in Chicago. These cleaners rarely clear the entire blockage, leaving you with a recurring problem just weeks or days later, and sometimes creating even more damage to your drainage system.
Always remember, chemical cleaners are like a band-aid that makes things worse!
Snaking / Rodding ($600+)
Cable cleaning or “rodding” is the most common professional plumbing service to solve the recurring clog issues in your home. This includes clearing the immediate blockage but may not prevent it from returning if structural pipe damage exists.
Hydro Jetting ($2000+)
This process uses high-pressure water to scrub the inside of the pipes clean. This process removes the residue that causes clogs to return and flushes it away.
When applying either method, (jetting or rodding) our experienced Baethke plumbers have found a 98% success rate with particularly stubborn household clogs.
Enzyme-Based Cleaners ($75 – $400+)
Typically, these will be used as a prevented technique after a jetting or rodding has been performed at the home. We use RootX for tree root prevention and Total-C for clog prevention.
- RootX is generally applied around six weeks AFTER a rodding or jetting to prevent tree roots from growing inside the main sewer lines. The initial treatment will clear three feet of space around the pipe area. Proper application will prevent roots from growing for about 12 months.
- Total-C is a citrus based cleaner that is non-corrosive. Once a technician does the first treatment of Total-C, they will leave the remaining bottle with you and show you how to perform the treatment on your own. Each bottle will contain about 32 treatments. Proper scheduled treatments can prevent clogs from returning.
Main Sewer Line Repair ($10,000+)
Before we can properly repair your main sewer line, a camera inspection must be done by one of our licensed technicians. This ensures that we have diagnosed the problem correctly. If that inspection reveals tree roots have broken your main sewer line, unfortunately, no amount of cleaning will help.
Keep in mind this type of service is the worst-case-scenario when it comes to drain clogs. Repairing or replacing underground pipes requires an extensive amount of work and will reflect in the cost as well.
Please keep in mind, prices will vary based on each individual job. There are many variables we must consider before an accurate cost analysis can be made by our technicians. Also, customers that have, or sign up for our Baethke Advantage Plan will receive up to 20% off products and services.
Comparison: DIY vs. Professional Drain Cleaning
Feature | DIY Methods (Plungers, Snakes, Chemical Cleaners) | Professional Plumbing Services |
Upfront Cost | Very Low | Moderate to High |
Time Required | Immediate | Dependent on plumber availability |
Effectiveness | Punches a temporary hole through the clog | May completely clear the pipe volume |
Risk of Damage | High risk of pipe corrosion from chemical cleaners | Minimal risk when performed by a licensed technician |
Diagnostic Capability | None (guessing the location of the clog) | High (uses specialized fiber-optic cameras) |
Stop Recurring Drain Clogs For Good
Now you are armed with the power of drain clog knowledge! It feels good, doesn’t it? If you are sick of the clogs causing your sinks to become ponds and want the water to flow away like your worries, let’s talk… If you decide to go the DIY route first, you can pick up a 20-inch snake for less than $10.00.
If DIY isn’t your thing, let our professional plumbers handle it. We will thoroughly inspect and fix the issue so you can rest easy knowing it won’t trouble you again anytime soon.
We know you have a lot to consider when it comes to drain clogs. If you want to figure out which solution is best for you, please reach out to us, and we will send one of our licensed plumbers to do a comprehensive inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chemical drain cleaners?
Chemical cleaners can damage old metal or plastic pipes. These harsh acids create intense heat that softens PVC and corrodes the older metal plumbing typical found in Chicago homes. Use a plunger or a snake first.
When should I call a plumber?
Call a professional if multiple drains clog at the same time or if water backs up into your tub when you flush the toilet.
How do I stop future clogs?
Clean your drain stoppers once a month and never pour grease or wipes down any drain.
