Drain Cleaning in San Francisco
Slow sink, backed-up shower or a main line that keeps clogging? We clear it with professional snake and hydro-jetting equipment and tell you why it clogged.
- Same-day service, 24/7
- Snake, hydro-jetting and camera inspection
- Price agreed before we start
“I had a plugged drain that Drano could not fix. A.B. Plumbing Services fixed it in a timely manor, they were clean and professional.”
“I used a different plumbing service ~2 months prior for the same issue. A.B. solved my issue permanently, and at half the price.”
“Basilio (ab plumbing) showed up ON TIME! Pow the kitchen sink was fixed in 30 minutes.”
Signs your drain needs a professional cleaning
A single slow sink can often be fixed with a plunger. When the same drain keeps clogging, or more than one fixture is slow, the blockage is deeper in the pipe and needs professional equipment.
- Water draining slowly in a sink, tub or shower, even after plunging.
- Gurgling sounds from a toilet or drain when another fixture runs.
- More than one fixture slow at the same time, a sign of a main line clog.
- Water coming up in the tub or a floor drain when the washer or toilet runs.
- Bad smells from drains that come back after cleaning.
- Clogs that return a few weeks after the last cleaning.
How we clear clogged drains
- Find the clog. We check which fixtures are affected to tell a local clog from a main line problem.
- Clear it with the right tool. A drain snake for most sinks, tubs and toilets. Hydro-jetting for grease, scale and lines that keep clogging, because it scours the whole inside of the pipe instead of punching a hole through the clog.
- Look inside when it keeps coming back. A video camera inspection shows roots, sags, buildup or broken sections, so you fix the cause once.
- Test and explain. We run water through every affected fixture and tell you what caused the clog and how to avoid it.
What drain cleaning costs
Most drain cleaning jobs in San Francisco run about $150 to $350. Main line clogs, hydro-jetting and camera inspections cost more, depending on access and the length of the line.
We give you a fixed price before we start. No hourly surprises.
Why drains clog in San Francisco homes
Many SF buildings still have their original cast iron and galvanized drain pipes. Over decades the inside wall corrodes and gets rough, so grease, soap and paper catch on it and build up layer by layer. Bends are the worst spots. In the cast iron drain line we cleared in Palo Alto, buildup at a 90 degree bend had closed off the pipe completely.
Tree roots in older side sewers, wipes flushed down toilets and kitchen grease are the other common causes. A simple habit helps: keep grease out of the sink and only flush toilet paper.
When a clog is really a sewer problem
If several drains back up at once, or water comes up in the lowest drain of the house, the problem is usually in the main line or the side sewer to the street. We clear it from the cleanout and can camera-inspect the line. If the pipe is broken, see our sewer line repair service.
Real jobs and guides from our plumbers
Leaks & Pipes
Fully Clogged Cast Iron Drain Line: A Real Repair in Palo Alto
Heavy buildup closed off a cast iron drain. How we cleared it and replaced the bend and 10 feet of pipe.
Leaks & Pipes
Record High Tides in San Francisco: How to Protect Your Home From a Sewer Backup
Which SF homes are at risk of sewage coming up through a low drain, and the steps to take before October 27.
Areas we serve
- San Francisco Our base on San Bruno Ave, minutes from Portola, Excelsior, Bayview and Visitacion Valley.
- South San Francisco, Brisbane & Daly City Right across the county line from our shop.
- San Bruno & San Mateo Homes and businesses along the Peninsula.
- Redwood City & Palo Alto Including the cast iron drain line job in Palo Alto.
- Mountain View Including the commercial sprinkler replacement at a bank branch.
Frequently asked questions
How much does drain cleaning cost in San Francisco?
Most drain cleaning jobs in San Francisco run about $150 to $350. Main line clogs, hydro-jetting or a camera inspection cost more. We give you a fixed price before we start.
Is hydro-jetting better than snaking a drain?
A snake punches a hole through the clog and is fast and affordable for most sinks, tubs and toilets. Hydro-jetting scours the whole inside of the pipe with high-pressure water, so it is better for grease, scale and lines that keep clogging. We recommend the right one after looking at the drain.
Why does my drain keep clogging?
Repeat clogs usually mean a problem inside the pipe: grease and scale buildup, roots, a sag in the line or a damaged section. A camera inspection shows the cause so you fix it once instead of clearing it every few weeks.
Should I use chemical drain cleaners?
We do not recommend them for repeat or main line clogs. They rarely clear the blockage fully and can damage older pipes and finishes. If a plunger does not work, call a plumber.
Do you clean main sewer lines too?
Yes. If several fixtures are slow or water backs up into a tub or floor drain, the clog is likely in the main line. We clear it from the cleanout and can inspect it with a camera.