Clogged Drain/Back up

Drain Cleaning Los Angeles: Find Where the Clog Is First

Many homes in Los Angeles and Orange County have drain and sewer pipes that are decades old. Effective drain cleaning starts with finding where the blockage sits (one fixture, a branch line, or the main sewer line), because that decides which tool fits the job.

Signs Your Drain Needs Professional Cleaning

• A sink, tub or shower still drains slowly after plunging.
• A toilet or drain gurgles when another fixture runs.
• Dirty water rises in a tub or floor drain when the toilet is flushed.
• Sewer odors come from a drain or the yard cleanout.
• Several fixtures back up at once, which usually points to the main line. See why all your drains can back up at once.

Common Causes of Clogged Drains

Grease. LA Sanitation reports that more than half of sewer backups are caused by tree roots and poured fats, oils and grease, which “solidifies inside pipes like concrete.” Put cooled grease in a sealed container in the trash, not the sink.

Tree roots. Roots grow into small cracks in older clay and cast-iron sewer laterals, a common problem in established neighborhoods from Pasadena to Long Beach. A sewer camera inspection shows whether roots or a broken pipe cause repeat clogs.

Wipes. Many wipes do not break down like toilet paper, and California’s Public Resources Code sets “Do Not Flush” labeling rules for many premoistened wipes. These reasons toilets clog are worth sharing at home. For hair-and-soap clogs, start with these clogged shower drain fixes.

How Drain Cleaning Works: Snaking vs. Hydro Jetting

A single slow fixture is usually cleared with a drain snake (auger). When grease, scale or roots coat the pipe walls, hydro jetting scours them with high-pressure water. Main-line clogs are reached through a sewer cleanout; homes without one can add cleanout installation. A camera check afterward shows whether the pipe needs sewer repair.

Who Is Responsible for the Sewer Line in Los Angeles?

LA Sanitation states that City of Los Angeles property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing their entire private sewer lateral, from the building to the street connection. LA County Public Works says the owner is responsible for the entire length of the lateral, including any part under the street. Work in the public right-of-way needs a separate Bureau of Engineering permit. If your lowest drain sits below the street manhole cover, LA Sanitation suggests asking a licensed plumber whether a backwater valve is needed. Orange County agencies set their own rules.

What Affects Drain Cleaning Cost

Cost depends on which drain is clogged, how far the blockage is from an access point, the method, and whether a camera inspection is needed. Nationally, Angi reports an average of about $240, with most homeowners paying $147 to $344 and main sewer line clearing about $100 to $800 (updated August 2024). These are national figures, not The 5 Star Plumbing’s prices. See also our hydro jetting cost guide.

Drain Cleaning Los Angeles Area Pages

Local information is on our Los Angeles plumbing page and pages for Pasadena, Santa Monica, Long Beach and Sherman Oaks. Main-line work is covered under sewer, drain and rooter services. Our contact page lists the ways to reach us.

Sources: LA Sanitation, Managing and Protecting LA’s Underground Sewer System; LA County Public Works, homeowner sewer lateral responsibilities; California Public Resources Code, Part 9 (premoistened wipes); Angi, How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost.