(close-proximity, common household clog using plunger or chemicals)
(long-distance, unclogging clog in main drain using camera and auger, standing water removal)
Cost to unclog a kitchen sink varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from plumbers in your city.
The average cost to unclog a kitchen sink is $300.
Clogged kitchen sinks are among the most common reasons for calls to plumbers, and the causes may vary dramatically. It is imperative to address clogged drains promptly, as this could be a sign of a much bigger, more hazardous plumbing issue.
While the underlying cause dictates the cost you will pay to resolve the situation, on average it will cost $300 to unclog the kitchen sink when a plumbing contractor comes for a common, household clog related to food or grease near your main drain.
Expect there to be some distinct factors that affect the cost of unclogging your kitchen sink:
Usually the underlying cause of a kitchen sink clog is human error; that is, disposing of food, grease, eggshells, or coffee grounds in your sink or garbage disposal. These typically can become a lot less frequent with some simple steps toward clog prevention, such as using traps on all your sinks and drains. There are more serious problems that can manifest as a clogged sink, such as a broken or damaged sewer line 2. These types of situations are usually diagnosed after other attempts to unclog the sink have proven unsuccessful and require more labor and materials than simple clogs.
The first goal of your plumber should be to find the location of the clog. Whether it is near the kitchen sink branch line or in the main sewer line dictates how severe your plumbing situation is. The closer a clog is to your branch line, the easier it is to resolve; when you are looking at clogs in the main sewer line, you could have an extensive project on your hands. Make sure to call a professional plumber to address these stubborn situations.
The professional may also check the vent pipes on the roof of your home; these are prone to clogs due to birds or wildlife that nest nearby. You will need to remove whatever is clogging this vent to resolve the clog in your sink. Expect to pay around $400-$500 to have a contractor unclog your vent pipe and remove debris and wildlife.
So how will the professional plumber unclog your sink? There are a few tactics typically used; generally, they will start with the most non-invasive, like a snake or auger, and proceed depending on whether or not it does the trick.
Method | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Sewer snake ($150) | Cheap Good for small to midsize clogs Fast Effective | Doesn’t resolve tough or large clogs Doesn’t address corrosion or build-up on pipes Doesn’t always identify source of clog |
Electric power auger ($300) | Faster Flushes away clogs and debris | Can be harsh and damaging to older or compromised pipes |
Hydro-jetting ($400) | Flushes pipe with high-powered spray Cleans pipes at same time Good for bigger clogs | Can be damaging to older systems May cause leaks or breakage |
Opening/cleaning pipe ($600) | Opens up pipe to manually remove blockage Effective | Messier More complicated Takes more time |
Sewer line replacement ($3,000) | Resolves major plumbing issues effectively Can conserve resources and utilities costs | Major plumbing project Very expensive Time-consuming |
Whether or not your clogged sink has a garbage disposal is an important consideration when unclogging your kitchen sink. A garbage disposal makes the task more complex, as there are numerous causes for a disposal to fail and cause standing water. Also, the disposal requires a professional to safely disassemble the system to dislodge whatever is causing the clog. Frequently, cutlery or small items can become jammed inside the disposal. Know that when it comes to your garbage disposal clogs and malfunctions, it is always safest to rely on a professional plumber for resolution.
You run the risk of damaging delicate plumbing lines and pipes when trying to unclog a stubborn kitchen sink drain; hire plumbing professionals instead at an average rate of $45-$65 per hour. In other instances, you will be charged a flat rate to unclog a sink or address a plumbing issue; these rates are typically offered when you call to inquire about service and are guaranteed (with some limitations of course) regardless of how long it takes to complete the job. Plumbing contractors are best suited for unclogging your kitchen sink and typically can successfully tackle even the most stubborn clogs within a couple of hours.
Consumers living in urban areas and large cities will likely pay more than those living in rural regions and small towns. The time of day the clog occurs also affects labor costs. For instance, in an emergency plumbing scenario, expect to pay $300 to unclog a conventional sink with a common cause, but during non-business hours you will pay an additional call out fee between $50 and $100, and a premium of $50 to $75 per hour added to the regular hourly rate. Therefore, if their normal hourly rate is $50 per hour, you could be charged $100 to $125 per hour for emergency plumbing services in the evenings, or on weekends or holidays.
Perhaps your efforts are better spent in preventing clogs in the first place with practices like pouring boiling water down the kitchen drain periodically to melt away any residues that could eventually clog the sink. You could also use a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar poured down the sink when you notice a slower-than-usual drain.
Watch what you are washing down the drains in your home. Set aside a coffee can or metal receptacle to collect grease, fat, or oils that can congeal and clog your drain. These can be upcycled into homemade soap later or simply discarded in the trash. Scrape plates well into the kitchen trash before rinsing in the sink to prevent food particles from collecting in your drains; always secure your home’s drains with traps to ensure items and objects don’t get lodged in your pipes accidentally.
Also, schedule sewer line cleaning to ensure your sewer line doesn’t cause clogs in the home; the cost to clean a sewer main line is around $300, which is a lot cheaper than replacing the sewer line which can cost over $3,000. You should also plan to have your main line inspected during this visit; the plumber uses a camera that identifies any issues before they become crises. They usually charge a one-time service or inspection fee of around $100, unless they are also opening the line to remove blockages, which will raise the cost to around $600 for the entire visit.
Keep the following additional considerations and subsequent costs in mind when unclogging your kitchen sink:
A plumbing contractor typically charges from $45-$65 per hour and the average cost to unclog a kitchen sink is approximately $300, depending on where you live.
There are a lot of factors that can be involved in unclogging a main drain, and many will cause the cost to fluctuate. This often involves access through the largest opening in a plumbing system, which is your toilet. The cost can be anywhere from $300 to over $1,000.
You can tell that your plumbing vent is clogged when your toilet gurgles and doesn’t flush quite right. You will also notice a slow drain and possibly a strong, gas-like smell. Your plumbing vent will need to be cleared and unclogged via a plumbing auger fed into the vent opening by a plumbing professional, typically costing between $400 and $500 for the visit.
You can avoid a lot of mess by bailing out standing water from your clogged sink, but this may not be feasible given your plumbing dilemma. In these instances, do plunge and try to get the clog to move and, hopefully, wash away, but never add chemicals to these clogged sinks. You will likely get splashed or wet, and if you have added drain remover, it can be dangerous for a plumber coming in later.
Yes, you can pour small amounts of Drano or other lye-based drain cleaners down your sink and pipes, but use gingerly. These chemicals are harsh on your pipes and may be toxic for you. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the product label before using.
To unclog your kitchen sink without chemicals or a carbon footprint, try a pot of boiling water first. Pour slowly and carefully down the clogged drain. Wait a few minutes and try again. This may help to melt and move whatever is causing the issue.
Cost to unclog a kitchen sink varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.