Drain Cleaning in Knoxville, TN

When do I need a plumber to clean a drain?

Call a plumber when a plunger doesn't clear it, when more than one drain is slow at the same time, or when water backs up into a tub or shower. Several slow drains together usually means a blockage in the main line, not just one fixture.

• Water draining slowly from several fixtures at once
• Gurgling from toilets or drains when another fixture runs
• Sewage smells from drains
• Water coming up in a tub or floor drain when the washing machine empties
• The same drain blocking again within weeks

How do plumbers clear blocked drains?

Most blockages are cleared with a drain cable (often called a snake) that breaks up or pulls out the clog. For grease, scale or roots in a main line, many plumbers use hydro jetting, which scours the pipe with high-pressure water.

If a line keeps blocking, ask about a camera inspection. A small camera on a cable shows whether the problem is a clog, roots or a broken pipe, so you're not paying to clear the same line again and again.

How much does drain cleaning cost?

A simple fixture clog is usually a standard service call, while main-line work costs more. HomeServe’s Tennessee sewer line figures put average sewer line maintenance, such as clearing a main line, at about $445.

HomeServe notes its Tennessee sewer prices may have risen as much as 10% since 2022, so treat these as a guide. Ask for the price before work starts. More figures are in our Knoxville plumbing cost guide.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?

Use them with care, if at all. Read the label, never mix products, and tell the plumber what you've already poured down the drain so they can protect themselves.

For a single slow sink, try a plunger or clean the trap first. If water is backing up in more than one place, call instead.