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Most homeowners will deal with a clogged drain now and again. It’s an annoying problem that seems to come out of nowhere and can require homeowners to bust out a drain snake or bottled drain cleaner. However, those solutions don’t always solve the problem. And when a homeowner leaves a clogged drain unaddressed, it can cause more significant problems in the long run.
In addition to potentially leaving an appliance unusable, a clogged drain can cause problems such as unpleasant odors (which can attract pests), water contamination, slow drainage, and even structural damage due to water flowing backward. To save homeowners from experiencing larger issues, they can call in one of the best drain cleaning services when a clog is detected.
- BEST OVERALL: Mr. Rooter
- RUNNER-UP: Roto-Rooter
- BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE: Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
- BEST AGGREGATOR: Angi
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Drain Cleaning Services
While many homeowners like to go the DIY route when unclogging drains, some blockages are too big to handle on their own. That’s why it’s best to hire an expert with the right equipment and training to get the job done without causing damage to the plumbing. However, before booking with the first available company after searching online for “drain cleaning near me,” homeowners will want to ensure the service providers are appropriately trained and licensed, can service their area, and are within their budget.
Service Area and Scheduling
Homeowners will want to confirm with the plumbing service that their home is within the company’s service range. They can also ensure the services required are available in their specific area, as select services may not be available at each company’s location. A quick search for “drain cleaner service near me” or “drainage cleaners near me” should provide customers with a list of options nearby that service their area. The closer the company is to the home, the faster the service can arrive.
Many companies offer scheduling options both online and over the phone. However, if a situation is complex, homeowners may benefit from talking with an expert over the phone to describe the situation in full and get an accurate quote.
Licensing and Insurance
Before hiring a drain cleaner, it’s best to ensure the person or company is licensed and insured. Anybody who works on a homeowner’s property should be insured; otherwise the homeowner could be held liable if a worker is injured.
Most professional companies and franchises require their employees to maintain the proper credentials. However, the same isn’t always true for hired individuals. In this case, it’s wise to check for any formal complaints filed against the individual before hiring.
Guarantees
Even the best drain cleaners can sometimes make mistakes that require a return visit for additional repairs. However, the best plumbing services will typically stand behind their work with a guarantee. Most companies will at least offer a satisfaction guarantee on the work performed by their professionals. In contrast, others have more specific warranties, like an on-time guarantee.
Before committing to a plumber, it’s wise for homeowners to check their website or call them to determine what kind of guarantees they offer if the clog isn’t fully taken care of or the situation worsens.
Additional Services
A homeowner may need more than just a drain service, depending on the condition of their property and the extremity of their situation. In this case, homeowners can consider what additional services may be required and ensure that any hired plumber offers those services.
While most plumbers can handle standard plumbing services, large-scale services (such as septic tank cleaning or water damage remediation after a big leak) may not be available from every company.
Our Top Picks
We compared many highly regarded drain cleaning services to identify the right options for homeowners. By conducting in-depth reviews of services offered and comparing service areas, pricing, and testimonials, we narrowed down the options to determine the best drain cleaning companies around.
Best Overall
Mr. Rooter
- Service area: 46 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Guarantee: 90-day labor warranty
Pros
- Up-front, flat-rate pricing
- 90-day labor warranty
- No upcharge for weekend, holiday, or after-hours service
- Priority scheduling and preferential pricing for Advantage Plan members
Cons
- Some reports of overcharging
Why It Made the Cut: Mr. Rooter provides customers with a solid warranty and flat-rate pricing—with no upcharges for after-hours services—so customers feel like they’re hiring a trustworthy service. Mr. Rooter came in at the top of the list due to its transparency in pricing and generous 90-day labor warranty. The company offers flat-rate, up-front pricing, allowing customers to budget for their plumbing services without worrying about an unexpected charge. Even more, customers can get services after hours and on weekends and holidays without an upcharge, allowing them to get the help they need on their schedule. Members of Mr. Rooter’s Advantage Plan can also access priority scheduling, along with other benefits. There were some customer reports of high pricing; however, these were situational and hard to verify. Therefore, customers will want to clearly communicate with the service and provide all possible details to get an accurate quote and final price.
Runner-Up
Roto-Rooter
- Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Guarantee: Satisfaction guarantee
Pros
- Convenient, easy-to-use online scheduling system
- Educational information on plumbing available online
- Maximum 2-hour arrival window for emergency technicians
Cons
- Services and guarantees may vary by location
Why It Made the Cut: Roto-Rooter has a wide-ranging service area expanding through all 50 states and Washington, D.C., so homeowners across the country can utilize its services. Roto-Rooter is a nationwide name in plumbing, with over 500 locations across the entire country and a long history of providing exceptional service. Roto-Rooter offers a simple online scheduling system so customers can easily book services. There is also telephone scheduling and customer support for those who prefer to talk with an expert. Customers can also verify each branch’s exact service offerings by speaking with customer support or when booking online. Those needing an emergency technician can get help within 2 hours, and customers can access educational resources on the company’s website to help resolve more minor problems on their own. Roto-Rooter’s work is backed with a satisfaction guarantee, the specifics of which vary based on the location.
Best Customer Service
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
- Service area: 25 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Guarantee: Satisfaction guarantee, on-time guarantee
Pros
- On-time guarantee pays customer $5 for every minute a technician is late
- No upcharge for weekend, holiday, or after-hours service
- Customer complaints evaluated by a third party
Cons
- Only available in 25 states
- Some services may not be available at all locations
Why It Made the Cut: Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers numerous guarantees along with helpful customer support options to ensure the company’s services meet the needs of every customer. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing stands out for the extra steps it takes to assure customer satisfaction. It notably offers generous customer guarantees and ensures every customer issue is evaluated and processed through a third party. This process sees that problems are assessed objectively and customers don’t feel swindled or misled. Although Benjamin Franklin has a smaller service range (and doesn’t offer all services at every location), homeowners within the service area can enjoy the company’s on-time guarantee. For every minute a technician is late, the customer is paid $5. In addition, Benjamin Franklin offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, so customers can feel confident in the work they receive. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has 24-hour service availability without an upcharge for after-hours service. Scheduling appointments is easy and can be done online or over the phone.
Best Aggregator
Angi
- Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online
- Guarantee: Varies by provider
Pros
- Customers can filter by project and choose from local professionals
- Customers can obtain quotes or bids within minutes
- Streamlined and user-friendly website
- Comprehensive resource center organized by project type
Cons
- Name, phone number, and email address are required to browse local services
- Persistent follow-up emails
Why It Made the Cut: Angi provides customers with a clean and easy-to-use website and is available nationwide to help them find qualified local professionals in their area. For customers across the country looking to hire an independent professional or a company for drain cleaning, Angi is the best solution. Customers can easily browse and schedule services online, filtering by project on the user-friendly, modern website. Users can browse local professionals’ profiles to choose the right expert and obtain quotes or bids within minutes. Angi offers a comprehensive resource center sorted by project type for those looking for additional resources. Angi customers must provide a name, phone number, and email address to browse the services—which may lead to persistent follow-up emails. However, customers who desire services via Angi may find these promotional emails beneficial.
Our Verdict
Mr. Rooter is our top pick because of its solid warranty and flat-rate pricing with no upcharges for after-hours service. Our runner-up, Roto-Rooter, has over 500 locations in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and a long history of exceptional service dating back almost 90 years.
How We Chose the Best Drain Cleaning Services
To choose the best drain cleaning services, we performed extensive research. We looked into numerous plumbing services and evaluated their customer service, scheduling options, and service areas. We then chose the best plumbing services based on budget-friendly options, whether companies provided a warranty or a guarantee, and the number of locations available nationwide. We also considered whether customers could schedule online, by phone, or both.
Before You Hire One of the Best Drain Cleaning Services
Before hiring one of the plumbing services listed above, homeowners will want to consider their own unique plumbing needs. Some jobs may require a professional drain cleaning service—especially if it is an emergency, such as an overflowing toilet, burst pipes due to the clogged drain, or plumbing that is rusted or backed up. Homeowners won’t want to hesitate to contact an emergency plumbing service if the home’s plumbing could damage the home or potentially injure someone during the repair process.
Other jobs can be taken care of by the homeowner without professional help. If a home’s shower is clogged with hair, homeowners can search for the best shower drain cleaner online and choose a product or two to take care of the issue. If homeowners want to unclog the sink with a sink drain cleaner tool, they can try using a drain snake.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Drain Cleaning Services
The cost of plumbing services depends on a few factors, including the type of drain that needs repair. However, the average price of drain cleaning services across all locations is $220. Companies will either charge a fixed fee per job or by the hour—which can add up, depending on the severity of the issue. Here are the typical costs of drain cleaning services by job:
- Toilet: Between $110 and $275
- Sink and/or garbage disposal: Between $110 and $215
- Tub or shower: An average of $225
- Main sewage line: Between $100 and $800
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Drain Cleaning Services
Hiring a professional is an excellent way for homeowners to rid themselves of clogged, blocked, or rusted drains and steer clear of any toxic drain cleaner fumes. Whether a homeowner is experiencing an emergency or they don’t have the time or expertise to clean their drains, hiring a plumber offers multiple benefits:
- Plumbers have more experience than most homeowners, boasting an average of over 240 hours of technical education.
- Professional plumbers can clear many drains in less than 2 hours.
- Plumbers have access to all the necessary materials to clear a pipe. While homeowners can run to their nearest home improvement store to get a drain snake, this may not be the best decision if time is of the essence.
FAQs
For homeowners with questions about the best drain cleaning services, here is some additional information.
Q. Are drain cleaning services part of plumbing services?
Yes, drain cleaning services are provided by professional plumbers and are usually part of plumbing companies’ service menus.
Q. How often should I hire a drain cleaning service?
It’s recommended to hire a plumber to annually inspect drains throughout the home to head off any future issues. Drains may not show any warning signs developing larger clogs that can cost more time and materials to repair.
Q. Can I clean drains on my own?
Yes, it is possible for homeowners to clean their own drains, depending on the size of the clog. Homeowners can use one of the best drain cleaners or best drain snakes on their sinks or tubs to clear debris and perform regular maintenance.
Q. Do drain cleaning services charge by the hour?
It depends on the company. Some plumbing companies will charge a fixed rate per job, while others will charge hourly with added costs for materials and labor. However, per-hour rates are more typical.
Q. Do drain cleaning services include sewer cleaning?
While it is a slightly different process than cleaning drains within the home, a plumber can perform a sewer cleaning service to ensure wastewater flows efficiently out of the house.
Q. What do drain cleaning services include?
First, a plumber will inspect the drain to determine the cause of the clog or backup and how to proceed. Next, the plumber may use a waterproof camera to assess underground pipes if homeowners have issues with their sewer lines. Finally, the plumber will use various tools and techniques to clean the drain, including a drain snake, a drain auger, hydro-jetting, or specialized drain cleaners.
Sources: Angi