A slow or clogged drain is easy to clear badly. Anyone can push a blockage down the line; the difference is finding out why it clogged so it does not come back next month. We match the method to the obstruction, the pipe condition, and how often the drain has backed up before.
For a simple grease or hair clog, a properly sized cable is the right tool. For recurring backups, roots, or a greasy main line, we run a camera first and often recommend hydro jetting to scour the pipe wall clean — but only when the pipe is in good enough condition to handle it. You get the findings, not a guess.
Snaking, hydro jetting, or a camera? Matching the method to the clog
Anyone can push a clog down the line. The difference is choosing the right method for your pipe and finding out why it clogged so it doesn't come back. We never jet a line automatically — the diagnosis decides.
Cable snaking
A motorized cable clears a specific blockage — hair, grease, or a foreign object — in a sink, tub, or branch line. Fast and effective for an isolated clog.
Best for: A single slow or blocked fixture
Hydro jetting
High-pressure water scours grease, scale, and roots off the full pipe wall — not just a hole through the clog. We use it only when the pipe condition and access support it.
Best for: Greasy or root-filled main lines in sound pipe
Camera inspection
A camera sends live video through the line to show the obstruction, pipe condition, and exact location — so any repair is based on evidence, not a guess.
Best for: Recurring backups or an uncertain cause
How we clear a clog the right way
- Locate which line is affected and how far down the obstruction sits
- Run a camera on main-line and recurring clogs before choosing a method
- Match the method to the obstruction, pipe condition, and access
- Hydro-jet only when the line can safely handle the pressure
- Verify free flow and explain exactly what caused the clog
- Recommend how to keep it from coming back
When to call us for drain cleaning
Slow or gurgling drains
Water backing up in a sink, tub, or shower, or gurgling when another fixture drains, signals a partial blockage.
Multiple fixtures backing up
When several drains back up at once, the problem is usually in the main line, not a single fixture.
Recurring clogs
A drain that clogs again and again points to grease, roots, or a pipe problem a camera can pinpoint.
Sewer odor or bubbling toilet
Smells and bubbling can mean a venting problem or a developing main-line blockage worth inspecting.
What's included in our drain cleaning
Every drain cleaning job is a complete, documented service — not a quick patch. Here's what you can expect when our licensed team is on site.
- Locating which line is affected and how far down the obstruction sits
- A camera inspection on main-line and recurring clogs, with footage you can see
- Cabling, snaking, or hydro jetting matched to the pipe condition and access
- Root and grease removal — cleared to the pipe wall, not just punched through
- A verified free-flow test before we close out the visit
- A plain explanation of what caused the clog and how to prevent the next one
Our process
- 1
Locate the blockage
We identify which line is affected and how far down the obstruction sits before choosing a method.
- 2
Camera when it matters
For main lines and recurring clogs, we run a sewer camera to see buildup, roots, or damage and show you the footage.
- 3
Clear it the right way
We snake, cable, or hydro-jet based on the obstruction and pipe condition — jetting only when the line can handle it.
- 4
Verify & advise
We confirm free flow, then explain what caused the clog and how to keep it from returning.
What affects the price
We never post fake prices. Here's what actually drives the cost — and we put the real number in writing before any work begins.
- Which line is clogged and how accessible the cleanout is.
- Cabling/snaking vs. hydro jetting.
- Whether a camera inspection and locating are needed.
- Severity — a single fixture vs. a fully blocked main line.
- Root intrusion or a pipe defect that needs follow-up repair.
Typical Bloomfield Hills drain and sewer cleaning benchmarks range from $133–$350 per job, with a broader planning range of $100–$600. Camera inspection, jetting, and difficult access change the quote — we tell you before we start.
Why Bloomfield Hills homeowners choose Bloomfield Hills Plumbing for drain cleaning
We've served Bloomfield Hills and Oakland County for over 17 years, hold a 4.9-star rating across 138 reviews, and back every job with a licensed Michigan master plumber. Here's what that means for your drain cleaning.
We find the cause, not just clear the clog
A cleared drain can still hide a cracked or bellied pipe. For repeat backups we camera the line first so we fix the real problem.
The right tool for the pipe
We never jet a line automatically. Snaking, jetting, or a camera is chosen by the obstruction and the pipe’s condition — so we don’t damage older lines.
Same-day service
A blocked kitchen or main line does not wait. We carry the equipment to clear most clogs on the first visit, often the same day you call.
Clean and respectful
We use drop mats and clean up completely — your kitchen or bathroom looks the way it did before the clog, minus the clog.
Drain Cleaning & Clog Removal FAQs
For main-line and recurring clogs, yes. A sewer camera shows the actual obstruction, pipe condition, and location so any repair recommendation is based on evidence, not a guess. We are happy to show you the footage.
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour grease, scale, and roots off the pipe wall. It is the best fix for greasy or root-filled main lines — but only when the pipe is in good enough shape to handle the pressure. We check the line first.
Repeat clogs usually mean grease buildup, tree roots entering a joint, a bellied (sagging) pipe, or a venting issue. A camera inspection finds the true cause so we can fix it instead of clearing the same clog every few months.
Generally no. They can damage older pipes, are often ineffective on grease and roots, and leave a hazard for the next person who opens the drain. Mechanical clearing and, where appropriate, hydro jetting are safer and more effective.
A single slow or blocked fixture is usually a local clog. When several fixtures back up at once — or a toilet gurgles when the washer drains — the problem is in the main line, which calls for a camera inspection rather than a plunger.