Top Drain Cleaning Companies in Chicago, Illinois Ranked

A clogged drain is more than a minor inconvenience; it's a disruption to your daily routine and a potential sign of a deeper plumbing issue. Drain cleaning is the essential service of clearing blockages from your home's pipes, restoring proper water flow, and preventing costly backups. Whether you're dealing with a slow-draining kitchen sink or a complete sewer line stoppage, understanding your options and finding a reliable local specialist is key to a quick and lasting solution.

Reid & Pederson Drainage

1762 S Dixie Hwy #1, Crete, IL 60417

Reid & Pederson Drainage is a sewer and drain cleaning specialist serving Chicago, IL, and the surrounding South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana. With over 40 years of experience, they offer services including drain cleaning, sewer line repair, and trenchless sewer repair. The company is known for using the latest technology and providing 24/7 emergency service. Founded in 1984, they also operate Trenchless Innovations, a leader in trenchless pipe repair solutions that minimize disruption during sewer repairs.

5.0

3.0k Reviews

Keeley's Plumbing

270 Eisenhower Ln N #6, Lombard, IL 60148

Keeley's Plumbing is a locally owned plumbing company serving Chicago, IL, and nearby areas including DuPage County. They provide a range of plumbing services for residential and commercial clients, including drain cleaning, sewer camera inspections, sewer line repair and replacement, repiping, water heater repair, sump pump repair, gas line installation, and hydro jetting. Keeley's Plumbing uses sewer camera inspections to accurately diagnose issues before recommending repairs. The company offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services and focuses on serving a limited area to maintain local code knowledge and reduce travel times.

5.0

615 Reviews

Excellent Plumbing

785 Oakwood Rd Suite E101, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Excellent Plumbing is a family-owned plumbing company serving Chicago, IL, and the northern Chicagoland suburbs since 2006. They offer a wide range of plumbing services, including drain cleaning, sewer line repair, water heater installation and repair, leak detection, and water softener installation. Their team is equipped to handle specialized plumbing tasks such as high-pressure hydro jetting and comprehensive boiler and radiator services. With over 17 years of experience, Excellent Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency service and same-day appointments to address urgent plumbing needs promptly.

5.0

511 Reviews

Walsh & Son Plumbing and Sewer

chicago

Walsh & Son Plumbing and Sewer is a licensed plumbing company serving Chicago, IL, and the surrounding Chicagoland area. Since 2013, this family- and woman-owned business has provided a range of plumbing services including sewer line repair, water heater installation and repair, sump pump maintenance, drain cleaning, leak detection, repiping, and gas line installation. Their team uses advanced technology for sewer camera inspections and offers a 10-year warranty on pipe installations, reflecting their commitment to durable workmanship. They also provide fast, same-day responses to plumbing issues and offer discounts for seniors, veterans, and first responders.

5.0

364 Reviews

Legendary Service

960 Rand Rd Suite 200F, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Legendary Service is a plumbing and home comfort provider serving Chicago, IL. They offer a range of services including water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, repiping, toilet repair, and garbage disposal repair. With over 40 years of combined experience, their licensed team handles plumbing and HVAC needs with thoroughness and professionalism. They also provide indoor air quality solutions and maintenance plans to support ongoing home system care.

5.0

278 Reviews

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Common Culprits Behind Chicago's Clogged Drains

Understanding what's causing your drain problem is the first step toward a fix. In Chicago homes, blockages typically fall into a few familiar categories based on the location.

• Kitchen Sinks: These drains often fall victim to grease, cooking oils, coffee grounds, and food particles that congeal and stick to pipe walls over time ^{1 2}.
• Bathroom Drains: Showers, tubs, and bathroom sinks are prime locations for clogs from a combination of hair, soap scum, toothpaste, and personal hygiene products ^{1 3}.
• Toilets: Blockages here are usually caused by excessive toilet paper or, more problematically, non-flushable items like wipes, paper towels, or small objects ^{2 4}.
• Main Sewer Lines: The most serious clogs occur in the main line leaving your home. In Chicago's older neighborhoods, these are frequently invaded by tree roots seeking moisture. Heavy sludge, mineral buildup, and even collapsed pipes from shifting soil can also cause major backups ^{3 4 5}.

Professional Drain Clearing Methods Explained

When a plunger or store-bought chemical cleaner isn't enough, it's time to call in a professional with the right tools for the job. The two primary methods for drain cleaning are snaking and hydro jetting.

Snaking (or Augering) This is the classic approach for clearing a pipe blockage. A plumber inserts a long, flexible metal cable (the "snake" or auger) into the drain. The cable is fed down the pipe until it encounters the clog, where a cutting head at the tip can break it apart or hook onto it to pull it out. Snaking is highly effective for localized clogs caused by hair, soap, or small obstructions in sink, tub, or toilet lines ^{1 6 7}.

Hydro Jetting For tougher, more stubborn problems, hydro jetting is the powerful solution. This technique uses a specialized hose with a multi-directional nozzle that blasts water at extremely high pressure (often 1,500 to 4,000 PSI) into the pipe. It doesn't just punch a hole through the clog; it scours the entire interior pipe wall, blasting away grease, scale, root masses, and years of accumulated sludge ^{6 3 5}. It offers a more comprehensive clean than snaking alone.

Camera Inspection Often used in conjunction with hydro jetting, a video camera inspection is a diagnostic powerhouse. A small, waterproof camera is snaked through the pipes, sending a live feed to a monitor. This allows the technician to precisely locate the source of a persistent clog, identify root intrusion, spot cracks or misaligned joints, and assess the overall condition of your plumbing ^{3 7 4}.

What to Expect: Drain Cleaning Costs in Chicago

The cost for professional drain cleaning in Chicago varies based on the location of the clog, its severity, the method required, and whether it's an emergency. Here's a general breakdown based on local service data:

• Small Drains (Sink, Tub, Toilet): Clearing a clog in a single fixture with a standard snake typically ranges from $100 to $275^{1 8 9}.
• Main Sewer Line: Addressing a blockage in your main line is more involved, with costs generally between $200 and $600 or more, depending on whether snaking or jetting is needed ^{1 2 10}.
• Hydro Jetting Service: This more intensive service for main lines or severe buildup usually costs $300 to $800+^{8 9 6}. The higher upfront cost is often justified by the superior, longer-lasting results.
• Emergency/After-Hours Service: If you need immediate service outside of standard business hours, expect an additional premium, often $75 to $100 or more added to the base service charge ^{1 2 10}.

Snaking vs. Hydro Jetting: Choosing the Right Solution

How do you know which drain cleaning method is right for your situation? The choice often comes down to the nature and location of the clog.

• Choose Snaking For: Isolated, minor clogs in a single fixture (e.g., a bathroom sink draining slowly due to hair). It's a faster, more budget-friendly option for straightforward blockages ^{7 11}.
• Choose Hydro Jetting For: Recurring clogs, complete stoppages, or when you suspect heavy grease buildup or root intrusion in your main sewer line. Hydro jetting provides a thorough, deep clean that can improve flow and prevent near-future problems, making it a cost-effective long-term investment for severe cases ^{4 11 5}.

A reputable technician can assess your situation, often with a camera inspection, and recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective method for your specific plumbing issue.

Maintaining Clear Drains After a Cleaning

Once your drains are flowing freely again, you can take steps to keep them that way.

• Use Drain Guards: Simple mesh screens in sink and tub drains catch hair and food debris before they go down the pipe.
• Dispose of Grease Properly: Never pour cooking oil or grease down the kitchen drain. Let it cool and solidify, then scrape it into the trash.
• Be Mindful of What You Flush: Only human waste and toilet paper should go in the toilet. Even products labeled "flushable" wipes can cause major blockages.
• Schedule Regular Maintenance: For older homes or properties with large trees, consider periodic professional drain cleaning as a preventive measure to catch small issues before they become big, wet problems.

Frequently asked questions

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