Sewer line cleaning cost by method
| Cleaning method | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Snaking (drain auger) | $100–$500 | A drain auger; the cheapest method |
| Rodding (sewer machine with cutting heads) | $150–$600 | A sewer machine with cutting heads for roots and heavier clogs |
| Hydro jetting | $350–$1,400 | High-pressure water that scours the pipe walls; costs the most |
The guides agree on snaking and disagree on hydro jetting. HomeGuide puts hydro jetting at $600 to $1,400, while Angi and Fixr both put it at $350 to $600, and Angi's snaking range is lower than the other two. Angi puts the national average at $380 and Fixr at $475, and Forbes Home's hydro jetting page puts the job at $700 to $1,100 with an average of $700, though its own snaking and repair pages give lower figures. HomeGuide adds a diagnostic or service call fee of $50 to $200 that may be waived if you hire the company.
What changes the price
- Method. Snaking costs the least, rodding more, and hydro jetting the most.
- Roots. Cutting roots out of the line is a separate charge.
- Access. A house with no cleanout may need one installed first.
- Camera inspection. Looking inside the pipe is priced on its own.
- Timing. Nights, weekends and holidays cost more.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's plumber wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Camera inspection | $125–$800 | To find the cause of a clog or check the pipe |
| Tree root cutting | $100–$600 | Roots are in the line |
| Emergency or after-hours service | $50–$500 | Nights, weekends and holidays |
| Installing a cleanout | $600–$5,000 | The house has no access point to the main line |
If a camera finds a cracked or collapsed pipe, cleaning will not hold: see sewer line replacement cost. Roots are a common cause, and tree removal cost covers taking out the tree. For a leak under the floor instead, see slab leak repair cost, and for the aftermath of a backup, water damage restoration cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Which method are you quoting, and why that one?
- Is the service call or diagnostic fee waived if I hire you?
- Will you run a camera before and after, and is that in the price?
- Is there an after-hours charge, and is it in the quote?
- Does the price cover coming back if the clog returns?
Methodology and sources
We price each method from published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Forbes Home is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: sewer line cleaning cost — snaking, hydro jetting, camera, roots, cleanout
- Angi: main sewer line clog cost — national average, snaking, hydro jetting, labor rate
- Fixr: unclog main sewer line cost — price by method, camera, roots, cleanout, fees
- Forbes Home: hydro jetting cost — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2152, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| Angi |
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| Fixr |
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| HomeGuide |
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Common questions about sewer line cleaning costs
How much does sewer line cleaning cost?
A typical job (rodding) comes to about $350 nationally, within a range of $150 to $600. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
How much does hydro jetting a sewer line cost?
About $350–$1,400. HomeGuide runs well above Angi and Fixr, at $600 to $1,400 against $350 to $600.
Is hydro jetting more expensive than snaking?
Yes. Snaking costs about $100–$500 and rodding $150–$600, against $350–$1,400 for hydro jetting.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
About $125–$800. HomeGuide puts a stand-alone inspection at $125 to $500 and Angi at $200 to $1,300 or more.
How much does tree root removal add?
About $100–$600. A job with a camera and root cutting comes to $330–$1,900 with snaking or $580–$2,800 with hydro jetting.
Is there an extra charge for emergency or after-hours service?
About $50–$500. HomeGuide puts it at $150 to $500 for evenings, weekends and holidays, and Fixr at $50 to $100 plus a premium on the hourly rate.
How much does a sewer cleanout cost to install?
About $600–$5,000. HomeGuide puts a two-way cleanout at $2,000 to $5,000 and Fixr at $600 to $2,000.
How much do plumbers charge per hour?
Angi puts plumber labor at $45 to $200 per hour. Cleaning is mostly time, which is why the calculator treats about 75% of the price as labor.
What if cleaning does not fix the clog?
A camera inspection shows whether the pipe is damaged. Repair or replacement is a different job, priced at $50 to $250 per linear foot by Angi; see the sewer line replacement page.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 3 published cost pages from 3 publishers, last checked Oct 9, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 3 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.