Top Drain Cleaning Companies in Columbus, Ohio Ranked

A slow-draining sink or a backed-up toilet is more than just an inconvenience; it's a sign your home's plumbing needs attention. Drain cleaning is the essential service of removing blockages and buildup from your pipes to restore proper water flow and prevent more serious damage. For Columbus homeowners, understanding the common causes of clogs and the professional solutions available is key to maintaining a healthy plumbing system. This guide will help you navigate your options for clearing blockages and finding reliable local specialists to get your water flowing freely again.

Gunther Plumbing

3080 Scioto Darby Executive Ct, Hilliard, OH 43026

Gunther Plumbing is a family-owned plumbing company serving Columbus, OH, and surrounding suburbs. With over 20 years of experience, they offer a wide range of residential plumbing services including water heater installation and repair, sump pump maintenance, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, and hydro jetting. Their team uses camera inspection technology to accurately diagnose plumbing issues and provides certified backflow testing to ensure water safety. Gunther Plumbing is known for handling both routine maintenance and emergency repairs efficiently.

5.0

755 Reviews

Foust Plumbing & Heating

321 W Bigelow Ave Suite 200, Plain City, OH 43064

Foust Plumbing & Heating is a family-owned plumbing and HVAC contractor serving Columbus, OH, and surrounding areas. They offer a range of services including water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, sump pump repair, drain cleaning, gas line installation, and garbage disposal repair. With over 40 years of experience, the company provides skilled technicians and services for all major brands of heating, air conditioning, and plumbing equipment. Emergency service is available for urgent needs.

5.0

433 Reviews

The Local Plumber LLC

461 Industry Dr, Columbus, OH 43204

The Local Plumber LLC provides a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services in Columbus, OH. Their expertise includes water heater installation and repair, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, leak detection, gas line installation, and toilet repair. They specialize in installing Navien brand tankless water heaters, offering energy-efficient solutions with on-demand hot water. Founded in 2022 by Trevor Randall, who has five years of professional plumbing experience in the Columbus area, the company emphasizes honest, hands-on service delivered by a small, dedicated team.

5.0

311 Reviews

Josh's Ground Effects

1350 George Rd NE, Lancaster, OH 43130

Josh's Ground Effects is a full-service plumbing company serving Columbus, OH, and the Central Ohio area. With over 10 years of experience, they provide a wide range of plumbing services including sewer camera inspections, water heater installation and repair, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, trenchless sewer repair, and gas line installation. Their team is licensed by the DOT for gas services, ensuring safety and expertise in gas line installation and repairs. They use advanced technology and non-invasive methods to address plumbing issues efficiently.

5.0

193 Reviews

Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians

4691 Northwest Pkwy, Hilliard, OH 43026

Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians provides a range of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC services in Columbus, OH. Their plumbing expertise includes water heater repair and installation, tankless water heater services, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, and leak detection. They use advanced equipment for sewer camera inspections and eco-friendly technology for drain and sewer maintenance. Founded by Aaron Gaynor, who earned his contractor's license at age 23 and rebuilt his business after the 2007 financial crisis, the company emphasizes sustainable solutions and home comfort. They also offer an app for HVAC system monitoring and a membership plan with priority scheduling and annual system checks.

4.9

20k Reviews

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Common Culprits of Clogged Drains in Columbus Homes

Every clog has a source. In Columbus residences, the typical offenders vary by location in your home, often influenced by daily habits and local environmental factors like mature trees.

• Kitchen Drains: The most frequent issues stem from grease, cooking oils, and food scraps like coffee grounds ¹. Over time, grease solidifies inside pipes, catching other debris and creating a stubborn, restrictive mass.
• Bathroom Drains: Here, the battle is against hair, soap scum, and toothpaste residue ¹. Even "flushable" wipes and hygiene products can snag and create major blockages further down the line.
• Main Sewer Line: This is where problems become more serious and costly. Invasive tree roots seeking moisture can crack and infiltrate underground pipes ¹. Heavy sediment, years of accumulated buildup, or foreign objects can also cause a complete main line stoppage, affecting multiple fixtures in your home.

Professional Drain Clearing Methods Explained

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

Drain Snaking (Augering)

This is the most common method for tackling localized clogs. A plumber uses a long, flexible metal cable (an auger or snake) with a coiled tip. The cable is fed into the drain until it encounters the obstruction, where it either breaks the clog apart or hooks and pulls it out.

• Typical Cost: $100-$250 for sink, shower, or tub lines; $150-$500 or more for main line access ^{1 2}.
• Best For: Single-fixture clogs caused by hair, food, or small obstructions. It's a effective, targeted solution.

Hydro Jetting

For severe, recurring, or deep-seated blockages, hydro jetting is the powerhouse solution. This technique uses a specialized hose with a multi-directional nozzle that blasts streams of high-pressure water (often 1,500 to 4,000 PSI) through the pipe. It doesn't just create a hole through the clog; it scours the entire interior pipe wall clean of grease, scale, roots, and sediment ³.

• Typical Cost: $300-$800+, with higher costs for complex jobs involving larger or longer pipes ^{1 4}.
• Best For: Complete main line cleanouts, heavy grease buildup, root intrusion, and preventing future clogs by restoring full pipe diameter. While the upfront cost is higher than snaking, it offers superior, longer-lasting results for stubborn issues ³.

Diagnostic Camera Inspection

Sometimes, the cause of a recurring drain problem isn't obvious. A video camera inspection involves sending a waterproof, high-resolution camera on a flexible rod down your drain. This allows the technician to see the exact condition of your pipes in real time, identifying the precise location and nature of the problem, such as cracks, offsets, root masses, or collapsed sections ⁴.

• Typical Cost: Adds approximately $150-$350 to the total service call ^{1 4}.
• Best For: Diagnosing mysterious recurrent clogs, assessing pipe condition before purchasing a home, or verifying that a repair was successful.

Understanding Drain Cleaning Service Costs

The total price for professional drain cleaning in Columbus depends on several factors: the location of the clog, the severity, the method required, and the time of day. Here's a general breakdown to help you budget:

• Basic Sink or Tub Clog: Using a snake for a simple, localized blockage typically ranges from $50 to $300^{1 5}.
• Main Sewer Line Clog: Clearing a main line stoppage is more involved, with costs generally between $150 and $1,000 or more, heavily dependent on the clearing method used (snake vs. hydro jet) and the severity of the blockage ^{1 6 7}.
• Hydro Jetting Service: As a comprehensive cleaning solution, expect to invest $300 to $800+ for hydro jetting services ^{1 4}.
• Combined Service (Main Line + Camera): For a full diagnostic and clear-out, combining a main line clean (especially with hydro jetting) with a camera inspection can exceed $800¹.

When to Call a Professional vs. DIY

It's tempting to try a chemical drain cleaner or a store-bought auger first. For minor, fresh clogs in a sink or shower, a plunger or a hand-crank snake can sometimes do the trick. However, chemical cleaners can corrode older pipes over time and are often ineffective against serious blockages.

You should call a professional drain cleaning service if:

• Multiple fixtures are backing up simultaneously (a classic sign of a main line clog).
• Water backs up into other drains when you use one (e.g., running the washing machine causes toilet water to bubble).
• You hear gurgling sounds from drains or toilets.
• DIY methods have failed.
• The problem is recurrent, indicating a deeper issue like root intrusion or pipe damage.

Maintaining Clear Drains After Service

Once your drains are professionally cleared, keep them flowing smoothly with good habits:

• Kitchen: Avoid pouring grease or oil down the drain. Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps.
• Bathroom: Install hair catchers in showers and tubs. Never flush anything besides toilet paper.
• General: Schedule periodic maintenance, like an annual hydro jetting service for your main line, if you have mature trees near your sewer lateral or older plumbing.

Frequently asked questions

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