How much does it cost to get a drain cleaning service in Charleston, SC?

Price depends on four things: which drain is clogged, how we can reach it, which method it needs, and whether we find damage. A kitchen sink we can reach from under the cabinet is a smaller job than a main line we have to access by pulling a toilet because the outdoor cleanout is buried. Snaking costs less than HydroScrub® Jetting, and a camera inspection adds a separate line item when it's needed. If the camera shows a cracked or collapsed pipe, that repair is quoted on its own, and you decide whether to go ahead. You'll see the full price before we start, and it doesn't change for nights, weekends, or holidays. Check our current special offers before you book.

What's the difference between hydro jetting and snaking?

The short version? Snaking opens a path. Jetting cleans the pipe. A motorized auger spins a cable through the blockage and gets water moving, which is ideal for a single clogged drain caused by hair, wipes, or a small grease plug. HydroScrub® Jetting uses pressurized water up to 3,500 psi to scrub the entire inside of the line, removing the buildup that makes clogs come back. If you've had the same drain snaked more than once in a year, jetting usually costs less in the long run.

How can I tell if the clog is in my main sewer line?

There are a few signs that tell you the clog is further in the sewer line rather than a few inches down your sink drain. Watch for trouble at more than one fixture at a time. Flushing the toilet and seeing water rise in the tub is the classic sign. Others include gurgling in a sink when the washing machine drains, every drain in the house running slow at once, and water or a sewage smell around the floor drain or outdoor cleanout. A single slow sink is almost always a branch line. Several fixtures acting up together points to the main. Main line clogs are also the ones that turn into sewer drains backing up into the house, so stop running water and call. If the camera shows roots or a broken section, we'll walk you through sewer repair options.

How often should I clean my drains?

Once a year works for most homes. Plan on every six months if you have an older home with cast-iron or clay lines, large trees near the sewer lateral, or a kitchen that sees heavy cooking. Commercial kitchens usually need cleaning every one to three months because of grease volume. Scheduled maintenance tends to cost less than waiting. Catching buildup before it closes the line means a shorter visit and no water on the floor. Ask us to set up a recurring cleaning when you book.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe for my pipes?

Not really. Caustic and acid cleaners work by generating heat, and repeated use can corrode old cast iron and weaken the glued joints in PVC. They also rarely clear the whole clog. What's left is a pipe full of harsh chemicals sitting in standing water, which is dangerous for anyone who has to open the line afterward. For a minor slow drain, try hot tap water with a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar, then flush with more hot water after 15 minutes. Hair screens in showers and keeping grease out of the kitchen sink prevent most problems. For ongoing upkeep, we offer BioChoiceES®, an enzyme treatment that eats organic buildup like grease, food, and hair without harming your pipes.

Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?

Usually, yes, as long as the pipe is structurally sound. Plenty of cast-iron lines in older Charleston homes jet cleanly and come out in better shape. The risk is jetting a pipe that's already failing. Heavily scaled cast iron with thin walls, clay pipe with separated joints, or a line that has partly collapsed can be damaged by high pressure. That's why we put a camera in first. If the pipe looks solid, we jet. If it doesn't, we'll show you the footage and recommend drain repair for the damaged section before cleaning the rest.

Do you offer emergency drain cleaning in Charleston, SC?

We do offer emergency drain cleaning. Our Charleston emergency plumbing services respond 24/7, including holidays. While you wait, stop using water in the house, turn off the valve behind the toilet if it's overflowing, and skip the chemical cleaner so our plumber can work on the line safely. For burst pipes, leaks, and other urgent problems beyond the drain, call our emergency plumbers .

Why do my drains back up after heavy rain in Charleston?

Stormwater is getting into the sewer system. During downpours and king tides, groundwater seeps into old lines through cracks and loose joints, and overloaded municipal mains can push water back toward homes in low-lying areas. The first place you'll notice it is usually the lowest drain in the house. A camera inspection shows us where water is entering your lateral. From there, sealing or repairing the damaged section and installing a backflow preventer keeps sewer water from coming back in during the next storm. If you're in a flood-prone area, book an inspection before hurricane season rather than after the first backup.

Why do my drains smell like rotten eggs?

That sulfur smell is hydrogen sulfide, and it usually comes from one of three places. The most common is a dry trap in a floor drain, laundry sink, or guest bathroom that rarely gets used. Pour a gallon of water down it every few months to refill the seal. The second is organic buildup rotting inside a slow line, which a professional cleaning removes. The third is a blocked or cracked vent pipe letting sewer gas into the house, and our plumbers can check that on the same visit.

What does a drain auger do?

A drain auger can handle small or medium-sized clogs without issue, but large, stubborn clogs typically require a different approach to drain cleaning. If your Charleston, SC residential plumbing system has particularly extensive clogs or your drain lines are particularly dirty, our Charleston drain cleaning experts will recommend hydro jetting. While an auger can unclog blockages, hard-to-reach clogs are best handled with hydro jetting services.

My drain clears on its own after a day or two. Do I still need service?

Yes. The water pressure has pushed through a partial blockage, but the buildup on the pipe walls is still there, and so is whatever caused it. Expect the slow drain to return within a few weeks. A drain that keeps cycling between slow and normal is one of the clearest signs a cleaning is overdue.

Who can I call for drain cleaning in Charleston, SC?

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston. Our licensed plumbers clear drains every day across the peninsula, Mount Pleasant , North Charleston , Daniel Island , and the rest of the Lowcountry. You'll get an upfront price before any work begins and the same rate day or night. Pick up the phone or book online to schedule your drain cleaning today.

Drain Cleaning Charleston, SC

Slow drain, gurgling toilet, or water coming up in the shower? Most clogs need one of three fixes: a motorized snake for a single blocked line, HydroScrub® Jetting for grease and root buildup, or a camera inspection when the cause isn't obvious. That’s why you call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston. Since 2002, we've provided expert drain cleaning in Charleston, SC. Every Charleston plumber we send is licensed, insured, and on call 24/7.

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How Our Drain Cleaning Services in Charleston Work

Every drain cleaning starts with two questions: where is the clog, and what is it made of? A bathroom sink that backs up on its own usually has a blockage in that branch line. A toilet that gurgles when the washer drains points farther down, often to the main sewer lateral. To confirm the cause and location of the clog, we run a sewer camera inspection. A waterproof camera on a flexible cable goes into the line through a cleanout, and you can watch the live feed right beside us. Grease, roots, a sagging belly in the pipe, a cracked clay joint. We'll see it. The camera also marks the depth and distance of any problem, so if a repair is needed, we know exactly where it is instead of guessing. That footage decides the next step, so you don't pay to jet a line that only needed a snake or to snake a line that's actually broken. You'll get the video and a written estimate before any repair work begins.
Most kitchen sink, tub, and toilet clogs sit within a few feet of the fixture, and a motorized drain auger clears them fast. The spinning cable drives a cutting head through hair, soap scum, or a wad of wipes and opens the line so water moves again. The hand-crank snake from the hardware store tends to push a clog deeper instead of breaking it up. Our machines have the reach and torque for main lines as well as branch drains, which matters when the clog is a single plug of wipes or paper in the sewer lateral rather than years of buildup. Snaking is usually the quickest, lowest-cost way to get a drain running today. Before we leave, we run water through the line to confirm it drains at full speed. The trade-off is that it cuts a path through the blockage but leaves residue on the pipe walls. If a drain keeps clogging every few months, that leftover buildup is the reason, and jetting is the better fix. Best for a single slow or stopped drain, hair clogs in showers and tubs, toilet blockages, and anything that needs to be open before dinner.
HydroScrub® Jetting sends water at up to 3,500 psi through a nozzle that cuts forward through the blockage while rear jets scour the pipe walls. Instead of poking a hole in the clog, it strips out the grease, scale, sludge, and small roots coating the inside of the line, so the full width of the pipe opens back up. No chemicals involved. It works on kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and main sewer lines. Clean walls give grease and biofilm less to grab onto, so clogs take much longer to return. It's the method we reach for when a kitchen line is coated in cooking grease, when roots have worked into a sewer lateral, or when a drain has been snaked two or three times and keeps coming back. Badly corroded cast iron or cracked clay may need repair before jetting, and we'll tell you that before we start. Best for recurring clogs, grease-heavy kitchen lines, root intrusion, and scheduled maintenance cleanings.

Why Charleston Drains Clog Differently

We've been clearing drains across Greater Charleston since 2002, from Summerville to Folly Beach. That's long enough to know which neighborhoods have clay laterals, which streets flood at high tide, and which kitchen lines need jetting instead of another snake. Every job goes to a licensed, insured plumber who shows up on time and in uniform. You'll get upfront pricing before any work starts. And the price is the same at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday or 2 a.m. on a holiday, because our emergency line runs 24/7.

Our trucks carry camera equipment and HydroScrub® Jetting, so we usually diagnose and fix the issue in one visit. When a problem needs more than cleaning, you'll see the video and a written estimate first, and nothing moves forward without your approval. No surprise fees. We'll also explain what caused the clog and how to keep it from coming back. The Neighborly Done Right Promise® backs our work, and you can read what your neighbors say in our customer reviews. Call us any time.

For Routine or Emergency Drain Cleaning, Charleston, SC Homeowners Choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston has been the top choice for Charleston drain cleaning services for years. That's why, when you need a professional drain service, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is always a top recommendation.

Reasons why Mr. Rooter Plumbing comes highly recommended for drain cleaning in Charleston include:

We guarantee our workmanship.
We're available 24/7 for emergency plumbing services—including service on holidays.
All of our work is performed by licensed plumbers.
Our team is fully insured.
Our team will arrive on time and in uniform, making them easy to identify.
Our plumbing services include modern equipment such as video plumbing inspections and HydroScrub® Jetting technology.

Whether it’s a service for hot water heater repair, trenchless sewer line repair, or drain cleaning, Charleston homeowners and business owners can depend on our team of expert plumbers for dependable service for their home or commercial plumbing needs.

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FAQs on Drain Cleaning: Charleston, SC

Price depends on four things: which drain is clogged, how we can reach it, which method it needs, and whether we find damage. A kitchen sink we can reach from under the cabinet is a smaller job than a main line we have to access by pulling a toilet because the outdoor cleanout is buried. Snaking costs less than HydroScrub® Jetting, and a camera inspection adds a separate line item when it's needed. If the camera shows a cracked or collapsed pipe, that repair is quoted on its own, and you decide whether to go ahead.

You'll see the full price before we start, and it doesn't change for nights, weekends, or holidays. Check our current special offers before you book.
The short version? Snaking opens a path. Jetting cleans the pipe.

A motorized auger spins a cable through the blockage and gets water moving, which is ideal for a single clogged drain caused by hair, wipes, or a small grease plug. HydroScrub® Jetting uses pressurized water up to 3,500 psi to scrub the entire inside of the line, removing the buildup that makes clogs come back. If you've had the same drain snaked more than once in a year, jetting usually costs less in the long run.
There are a few signs that tell you the clog is further in the sewer line rather than a few inches down your sink drain. Watch for trouble at more than one fixture at a time. Flushing the toilet and seeing water rise in the tub is the classic sign. Others include gurgling in a sink when the washing machine drains, every drain in the house running slow at once, and water or a sewage smell around the floor drain or outdoor cleanout. A single slow sink is almost always a branch line. Several fixtures acting up together points to the main.

Main line clogs are also the ones that turn into sewer drains backing up into the house, so stop running water and call. If the camera shows roots or a broken section, we'll walk you through sewer repair options.
Once a year works for most homes. Plan on every six months if you have an older home with cast-iron or clay lines, large trees near the sewer lateral, or a kitchen that sees heavy cooking. Commercial kitchens usually need cleaning every one to three months because of grease volume.

Scheduled maintenance tends to cost less than waiting. Catching buildup before it closes the line means a shorter visit and no water on the floor. Ask us to set up a recurring cleaning when you book.
Not really. Caustic and acid cleaners work by generating heat, and repeated use can corrode old cast iron and weaken the glued joints in PVC. They also rarely clear the whole clog. What's left is a pipe full of harsh chemicals sitting in standing water, which is dangerous for anyone who has to open the line afterward.

For a minor slow drain, try hot tap water with a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar, then flush with more hot water after 15 minutes. Hair screens in showers and keeping grease out of the kitchen sink prevent most problems. For ongoing upkeep, we offer BioChoiceES®, an enzyme treatment that eats organic buildup like grease, food, and hair without harming your pipes.
Usually, yes, as long as the pipe is structurally sound. Plenty of cast-iron lines in older Charleston homes jet cleanly and come out in better shape. The risk is jetting a pipe that's already failing. Heavily scaled cast iron with thin walls, clay pipe with separated joints, or a line that has partly collapsed can be damaged by high pressure.

That's why we put a camera in first. If the pipe looks solid, we jet. If it doesn't, we'll show you the footage and recommend drain repair for the damaged section before cleaning the rest.
We do offer emergency drain cleaning. Our Charleston emergency plumbing services respond 24/7, including holidays. While you wait, stop using water in the house, turn off the valve behind the toilet if it's overflowing, and skip the chemical cleaner so our plumber can work on the line safely. For burst pipes, leaks, and other urgent problems beyond the drain, call our emergency plumbers.
Stormwater is getting into the sewer system. During downpours and king tides, groundwater seeps into old lines through cracks and loose joints, and overloaded municipal mains can push water back toward homes in low-lying areas. The first place you'll notice it is usually the lowest drain in the house.

A camera inspection shows us where water is entering your lateral. From there, sealing or repairing the damaged section and installing a backflow preventer keeps sewer water from coming back in during the next storm. If you're in a flood-prone area, book an inspection before hurricane season rather than after the first backup.
That sulfur smell is hydrogen sulfide, and it usually comes from one of three places. The most common is a dry trap in a floor drain, laundry sink, or guest bathroom that rarely gets used. Pour a gallon of water down it every few months to refill the seal. The second is organic buildup rotting inside a slow line, which a professional cleaning removes. The third is a blocked or cracked vent pipe letting sewer gas into the house, and our plumbers can check that on the same visit.
A drain auger can handle small or medium-sized clogs without issue, but large, stubborn clogs typically require a different approach to drain cleaning. If your Charleston, SC residential plumbing system has particularly extensive clogs or your drain lines are particularly dirty, our Charleston drain cleaning experts will recommend hydro jetting. While an auger can unclog blockages, hard-to-reach clogs are best handled with hydro jetting services.
Yes. The water pressure has pushed through a partial blockage, but the buildup on the pipe walls is still there, and so is whatever caused it. Expect the slow drain to return within a few weeks. A drain that keeps cycling between slow and normal is one of the clearest signs a cleaning is overdue.
Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston. Our licensed plumbers clear drains every day across the peninsula, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Daniel Island, and the rest of the Lowcountry. You'll get an upfront price before any work begins and the same rate day or night. Pick up the phone or book online to schedule your drain cleaning today.

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