What "Drain Cleaning" Actually Means at Andy's
Most homeowners call when something is slow, gurgling, or backing up. That's the symptom. The cause is one of a handful of things: hair and soap in a bathroom drain, grease buildup in a kitchen line, roots in a sewer main, a belly or break in the line itself, or a vent issue. Each one needs a different fix, and quoting it before we look at it is how customers end up paying for the wrong thing.
Here's what we actually do:
- Ask what you're seeing, how long it has been happening, and whether it is a single fixture or multiple drains.
- Inspect traps, accessible cleanouts, crawlspace piping, visible drain lines, and available access points.
- Run the correct cable for the line size and blockage type when cabling is the right first step.
- Recommend camera inspection on mainline stoppages, recurring backups, slab lines, and lines where access and conditions allow.
- Show you what we find, explain whether the issue is a simple clog or a deeper line problem, and quote the next step before doing more work.
Why We Recommend Camera Inspection on Mainlines
A cable can clear a blockage, but it does not tell you why the line backed up. On mainline stoppages, repeat backups, slab lines, and accessible crawlspace drain lines, camera inspection can show roots, grease, scale, bellies, breaks, bad fittings, improper slope, or a failing section of pipe. We recommend it when access allows because it protects you from guessing and helps us quote the right repair if the line has a real problem.
Camera inspection is not promised on every drain. Some lines do not have usable access, some fixtures are not worth camera work, and some blockages clear cleanly without needing it. When it makes sense, we explain why before moving forward.
Hydrojetting
For grease, scale, or heavy buildup that a cable just punches a hole through, we use a hydrojetter. High-pressure water cuts the line wall clean. We follow up with the camera to confirm. Hydrojetting is more expensive than cabling because it takes more equipment, more setup, and more time. We only recommend it when it's the right tool.
Spot Repair or Line Replacement
If the camera shows the line itself is broken, collapsed, or full of roots in multiple spots, you're past drain cleaning. That's a sewer repair conversation. We quote that separately and walk you through trenchless versus traditional options.
What It Costs
Drain cleaning is flat-rate, told to you before we start. The price depends on the line, the access, and what's likely to be in it. Most kitchen and bathroom drains fall in a predictable range. Sewer mains and stubborn blockages cost more because they take more equipment and more time.
What you won't pay for: a trip charge, an emergency upcharge, or a "diagnostic fee" if you decide not to do the work. Free estimate means free.
Common Drain Cleaning Calls We Run
- Slow kitchen drain that's been getting worse for weeks
- Bathroom sink that takes 2 minutes to drain
- Tub or shower with standing water
- Multiple drains backing up at once (usually a main line issue)
- Recurring sewer backups in the same drain or floor cleanout
- Toilet that gurgles when the washing machine drains
- Rotten egg or sewage smell from a drain
The Andy's Difference on Drain Cleaning
Most plumbing companies treat drain cleaning as a loss-leader to find a bigger sell. We don't. If a cable clears the line and the line is sound, that's the job, and we leave. If something deeper needs fixing, we show you on the camera and quote the actual fix. No upsell scripts. No "while we're here..." pressure.
During regular business hours, we aim to send the same plumber back to the same home whenever scheduling allows. If another plumber from Andy's team is sent, we still keep clear records on your home, your drain history, and what was found so the next visit picks up where the last one left off.