Top Drain Cleaning Companies in Des Plaines, Illinois Ranked

A slow-draining sink or a backed-up sewer line can disrupt your home and cause significant stress. Professional drain cleaning services are essential for removing blockages, restoring proper flow, and preventing costly water damage. This guide will help you understand the common causes of clogs in Des Plaines homes, the most effective methods for clearing them, and what you can expect in terms of service and cost, so you can make an informed decision when you need help.

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, IL

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

Drain & Plumbing Services

3663 Woodhead Dr, Northbrook, IL 60062

Drain & Plumbing Services offers a wide range of plumbing and drain cleaning solutions in Chicago, IL, including water heater repair and installation, tankless water heaters, leak detection, toilet and garbage disposal repairs, and hydro jetting. Their team uses advanced technology such as sewer camera inspections and hydro jetting equipment to diagnose and resolve plumbing issues efficiently. Serving both residential and commercial clients, they provide comprehensive services tailored to local infrastructure needs. The company also offers 24/7 emergency plumbing service to address urgent repairs promptly.

5.0

267 Reviews

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Common Causes of Drain Clogs in Des Plaines Homes

Understanding what's likely causing your drainage problem is the first step toward a solution. Different areas of your home face unique challenges based on daily use.

• Kitchen Drains: These are frequent victims of grease, cooking oils, coffee grounds, and food scraps. Over time, grease solidifies inside pipes, trapping other debris and creating a stubborn, restrictive buildup. Soap scum from dishwashing can add to the problem.
• Bathroom Sinks & Showers: Hair is the primary culprit here, binding with soap scum, toothpaste residue, and skin oils to form a dense, gelatinous clog. This combination is particularly common in Des Plaines households.
• Toilets: Blockages here are often due to excessive toilet paper or, more seriously, non-flushable items like wipes, feminine hygiene products, or paper towels, which do not break down in water ¹.
• Main Sewer Lines: These are the most serious and costly clogs. In Des Plaines, invasive tree roots seeking moisture are a major cause, as they can crack and infiltrate pipes ². Heavy, accumulated grease from the kitchen or solid objects that make it past individual drains can also create a total blockage in the main line.

Professional Drain Clearing Methods Explained

When a plunger or store-bought chemical cleaner fails, it's time to call a professional. Plumbers use specialized tools designed to safely and effectively clear blockages without damaging your pipes.

Drain Snaking (Augering)

This is a common and effective method for many household clogs. A plumber inserts a long, flexible metal cable (a snake or auger) into the drain. The cable has a cutting head on the end that breaks apart or hooks obstructions like hair, soap clumps, and minor debris. It's a targeted solution ideal for localized clogs in sink, shower, or toilet lines.

Hydro Jetting

For tougher, more extensive blockages, hydro jetting is the superior choice. This process uses a specialized hose with a multi-directional nozzle to blast streams of high-pressure water (often at 1,500 to 4,000 PSI) through the pipes. It doesn't just poke a hole through the clog; it scours the entire interior pipe wall, removing grease, scale, mineral deposits, and even tree roots. The result is a comprehensively clean pipe that restores full flow and can improve long-term drainage performance.

Video Camera Inspection

When the cause or location of a clog is unknown-especially for main line issues-a video inspection is a critical diagnostic tool. A plumber feeds a waterproof, high-resolution camera attached to a flexible rod into the pipe. The live feed allows them to see exactly what's inside, pinpointing the blockage's location, identifying its cause (like roots or a broken pipe), and assessing the overall condition of your plumbing ³. This ensures the correct cleaning method is used and can reveal if repair is needed instead of, or in addition to, cleaning.

What to Expect: Drain Cleaning Services & Costs in Des Plaines

Service costs can vary based on the clog's location, severity, the method required, and whether it's an emergency. Here's a general overview of what Des Plaines residents might expect ⁴.

• Basic Sink, Tub, or Toilet Snaking: For a standard clog in a single fixture, prices typically range from $100 to $250. This covers the service call and the use of a hand-held or small motorized auger.
• Main Sewer Line Snaking: Clearing a blockage in your main line, which requires a larger, more powerful machine, is more involved. Costs generally fall between $200 and $500 or more, depending on access points and difficulty.
• Hydro Jetting Service: This more intensive cleaning method has a higher starting cost due to the advanced equipment. You can expect to pay $300 to $800+ for hydro jetting a kitchen, bathroom, or main line. Severe, deep-seated blockages or very long pipe runs will be on the higher end of this scale ^{5 6}.
• Video Camera Inspection: A standalone diagnostic inspection usually costs between $150 and $250. This fee is often waived or reduced if you proceed with the recommended cleaning or repair service.
• Emergency/After-Hours Fees: For problems that occur on weekends, holidays, or outside standard business hours, most companies add an emergency service premium, which can be an additional $75 to $100 or more on top of the standard service charge ⁷.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Clog

Selecting the best method depends on the clog's nature and location. Here's a simple guide:

• For Hair & Food Debris Clogs: A standard drain snaking is often the quickest and most cost-effective solution for these common, localized issues ^{8 9}.
• For Grease, Scale, or Root Buildup: Hydro jetting is the recommended choice. Its high-pressure water can cut through solidified grease and clear root masses, providing a deeper clean that can help prevent near-term future clogs ¹⁰.
• For Unexplained or Recurring Main Line Issues: Always start with a video inspection. It removes the guesswork, allowing the plumber to confirm whether the problem is a root intrusion, pipe collapse, or simple blockage, ensuring you pay for the right service ¹¹.

In summary, while snaking offers an affordable fix for simple clogs, hydro jetting is a powerful investment for stubborn buildup and main line health. Be prepared for higher costs for main line work, complex jobs, or services required outside of normal hours.

Frequently asked questions

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