What is the most common cause of sewer line clogs in St. Louis?

Tree root intrusion is a very common cause of main sewer line blockages in the area. Roots are attracted to the moisture and nutrients in sewer pipes and can grow into small cracks or joints, eventually creating a dense net that catches debris and causes backups .

What's the difference between snaking and hydro jetting my drain?

Snaking uses a rotating cable to break through a clog, which is effective for simple blockages. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to completely scour the inside of the pipe, removing all debris and buildup, making it more effective for tough clogs like grease and roots and for preventive cleaning .

When should I consider a video pipe inspection?

A camera inspection is highly recommended for recurring clogs, slow drains in multiple fixtures at once, or before purchasing a home. It accurately diagnoses the problem, saving time and money by ensuring the right cleaning method is used the first time .

Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use before calling a professional?

It's generally not advised. Chemical cleaners can damage older pipes, create hazardous fumes, and pose a safety risk to plumbers who later work on the line. They often only clear a small portion of the clog, leading to quicker re-clogging.

How can I prevent future kitchen drain clogs?

Avoid pouring grease, fats, and cooking oils down the drain. Use a strainer to catch food scraps, and run hot water for a minute after using the garbage disposal. Regularly flushing drains with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can help maintain clear pipes.

Can hydro jetting damage my pipes?

When performed by a trained professional using the correct pressure settings for your pipe material (like PVC, cast iron, or clay), hydro jetting is a safe and non-destructive cleaning method. The operator will adjust the pressure to effectively clean without harming the pipe.

Plumbers in St Louis, MO | Search a Plumber

A slow drain or a complete backup can disrupt your home and peace of mind. Professional drain cleaning is the process of safely and effectively removing blockages from your plumbing system, restoring proper flow and preventing potential water damage. In St. Louis, common culprits like hair, grease, and tree roots require specific solutions. This resource helps you understand your options and connect with local specialists equipped to diagnose and clear your clogged drains.

Able Rooter Plumbing & Drain Cleaning St. Louis

st louis

Able Rooter Plumbing & Drain Cleaning St. Louis provides drain cleaning and plumbing services in St Louis, MO. They specialize in clearing clogged drains and maintaining plumbing systems to ensure proper function.

5.0

1.0k Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

300 Biltmore Dr Ste 348, Fenton, MO 63026

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides a wide range of plumbing services in St Louis, MO, including sewer camera inspections, water heater repairs and installations, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, and sewer line repairs using both conventional excavation and trenchless methods. They also install water softeners and filtration systems to address hard water issues common in the area. The company offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services to address urgent problems promptly. Their technicians use video camera inspections to accurately diagnose sewer line issues and provide effective solutions.

5.0

504 Reviews

CLEANSTREAM LLC

Monterey Dr, O'Fallon, IL 62269

CLEANSTREAM LLC is a plumbing and HVAC service provider located in St Louis, MO. They offer a wide range of services including drain cleaning, sewer camera inspections, hydro jetting, water heater repair and installation, leak detection, toilet repair, and water softener installation. Their capabilities include detailed video camera inspections and sewer and drain hydro-jetting to clear blockages effectively. CLEANSTREAM LLC also provides heating and cooling services such as air conditioner and furnace repair and replacement. The company offers 24/7 professional service and serves multiple nearby communities including O'Fallon, Belleville, and Collinsville.

5.0

202 Reviews

Tony LaMartina Plumbing Co. Inc

5705 Dale Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

Tony LaMartina Plumbing Co. Inc is a family-owned plumbing company serving St Louis, MO. They offer a wide range of plumbing services including water heater repair and installation, tankless water heater services, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer line repair, trenchless sewer repair, leak detection, and repiping. The company has over 40 years of experience and a legacy of plumbing expertise in the St. Louis area dating back over 100 years. They emphasize thorough preparation and clean work practices to ensure quality results.

4.9

1.4k Reviews

Plumbing Masters

11012 Lin Valle Dr Suite K, St. Louis, MO 63123

Plumbing Masters is a locally owned and operated plumbing and HVAC company based in St Louis, MO. With over 40 years of family-owned experience and licensed expertise, they provide plumbing installation, repair, and drain cleaning services. Their team of licensed technicians, each with around 20 years of experience, can quickly diagnose issues and offer multiple solutions. Plumbing Masters serves the St Louis community with a focus on comfort and safety in homes.

4.9

567 Reviews

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Common Causes of Clogged Drains in St. Louis Homes

Understanding what's blocking your pipes is the first step toward a lasting solution. Different areas of your home face unique challenges.

Kitchen Drains: These are frequently clogged by a combination of grease, fats, oils, and food scraps. Even with a garbage disposal, items like coffee grounds and starchy foods can create a thick, stubborn sludge when mixed with soap scum ¹ ² ³.
Bathroom Drains: Hair is the primary offender in showers and sinks, binding with soap scum, toothpaste, and mineral deposits from hard water to form a tough, net-like blockage ¹ ³.
Main Sewer Lines: For the larger pipes that carry waste from your home to the city sewer, tree root intrusion is a major issue in St. Louis. Roots seek out moisture and can infiltrate small cracks in pipes, eventually causing significant blockages or even collapse. Heavy grease buildup and flushed debris are also common causes of main line problems ¹ ² ³.

Professional Drain Cleaning Methods Explained

When a plunger or store-bought chemical cleaner fails, it's time to call a professional. Local plumbers use specialized equipment designed for different types and locations of clogs.

Drain Snaking (Cable Cleaning)

This is a common and effective method for clearing localized blockages in sink, tub, and toilet drains. A technician feeds a long, flexible metal cable with a cutting head into the drain. As the cable rotates, it breaks apart or retrieves the clog. Snaking is ideal for softer obstructions like hair clumps or small debris ¹ ⁴ ⁵.

Hydro Jetting (Water Jetting)

For tougher, more stubborn blockages-especially in main sewer lines-hydro jetting is the superior 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 poke a hole through the clog; it scours the entire interior pipe wall, removing grease, scale, silt, and even tree roots to leave the pipe clean and flowing freely ¹ ⁴ ⁶ ⁵.

Video Pipe Inspection

Before any cleaning begins, a video inspection is often the smartest first step, particularly for recurring or mysterious blockages. A plumber inserts a waterproof, high-resolution camera on a flexible rod into the drain. This transmits a live feed to a monitor, allowing them to pinpoint the exact location, nature, and cause of the clog. This diagnostic tool ensures the correct cleaning method is used and can reveal underlying issues like broken pipes or severe root intrusion ¹ ⁴ ⁷ ⁵.

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Choosing the Right Service for Your Clog

How do you know whether snaking or hydro jetting is appropriate? The decision often depends on the severity and location of the blockage.

For Simple, Localized Clogs: A standard drain snaking service is typically sufficient and cost-effective. This applies to a single slow-moving sink drain or a bathtub that won't drain due to hair ⁸.
For Recurring or Severe Blockages: If you have frequent slow drains throughout the house or a complete sewer backup, you likely have a problem in the main line. Hydro jetting is the recommended solution here, as it provides a more thorough cleaning that can prevent near-term repeat clogs ⁶ ⁸ ⁵.
For Preventive Maintenance: Homeowners with older plumbing or many trees on their property may benefit from periodic hydro jetting as a preventive measure to keep main sewer lines clear of accumulating grease and small roots.

Understanding Drain Cleaning Costs in St. Louis

The price for professional drain clearing services can vary based on the method required, the location of the clog, and the time of day. Here's a general overview of what you might expect:

Standard Drain Snaking: For a single fixture like a sink or tub, this service typically ranges from $100 to $250¹ ⁸.
Hydro Jetting Service: Given the advanced equipment and more intensive labor, hydro jetting costs more, generally starting around $300 and can range to $800 or more, with main line cleaning often falling in the $300 to $600+ range ¹ ⁸ ⁹.
Main Sewer Line Cleaning: Clearing a blockage from your main sewer line can cost between $200 and $800+, with the final price heavily dependent on the accessibility of the cleanout and the complexity of the job ¹.
Video Pipe Inspection: A standalone diagnostic camera inspection usually costs between $150 and $350. This fee is sometimes waived if you proceed with the recommended cleaning service ¹.

Local St. Louis Drain Cleaning Services

Several established plumbing companies in the St. Louis area offer comprehensive drain and sewer cleaning solutions. These providers utilize the techniques discussed to address local plumbing challenges.

Hoffmann Brothers employs a full suite of services including snaking, hydro jetting, and video inspections for both drain and sewer line issues ⁴ ⁶ ¹⁰.
Tony LaMartina Plumbing offers drain cleaning using cable machines and hydro jetting technology to handle various types of blockages ⁴.
Nu Flow St. Louis provides drain cleaning, video inspections, and hydro jetting services, with specific outreach to areas like University City and Fenton ² ¹¹ ¹².
A & J Drain Service LLC specializes in drain services, offering hydro jetting, snaking, and video inspections, and they provide emergency service for urgent situations ⁷.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost? - CMW Plumbing - https://cmwplumbingbg.com/drain-cleaning-cost/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰
5 Most Common Residential Sewer Line Problems in St. Louis - https://www.nuflowstlouis.com/5-common-residential-sewer-line-problems-st-louis/ ↩ ↩² ↩³
Common Causes of a Clogged Drain and Steps for Resolving Drain Clogs - https://www.128plumbing.com/common-causes-of-clogged-drain/ ↩ ↩² ↩³
Drain Cleaning | Repair | St. Louis, Ladue & University City, MO - https://www.tonylamartinaplumbing.com/residential/drain-cleaning/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵
Which Is the Better Drain Cleaning Method: Hydro Jetting or Snaking? - https://www.superiorplumbingjax.com/which-is-the-better-drain-cleaning-method-hydro-jetting-or-snaking ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Expert Local Hydro Jetting Service in St. Louis, MO - https://www.hoffmannbros.com/plumbing/drains/hydro-jetting ↩ ↩² ↩³
Drain Cleaning | A & J Drain Service LLC | St. Louis, MO - https://www.ajdrain.com/ ↩ ↩²
Drain Clogs: When to Choose Snaking vs. Hydro-Jetting - https://www.tlpremierplumbing.com/blog/2026/january/drain-clogs-when-to-choose-snaking-vs-hydro-jett/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Hydro Jetting Cost: Prices, Factors, and When It's Worth It - https://anchorplumbingservices.com/hydro-jetting-cost/ ↩
Sewer Cleaning St Louis - Expert Drain Plumbers, 40+ Years - https://www.hoffmannbros.com/plumbing/sewers/cleaning ↩
Professional Drain Cleaning in University City, MO - Nu Flow St. Louis - https://www.nuflowstlouis.com/service-areas/university-city-mo/drain-cleaning/ ↩
Thorough Drain Cleaning in Fenton, MO - Nu Flow St. Louis - https://www.nuflowstlouis.com/service-areas/fenton-mo/drain-cleaning/ ↩

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