Pipe & Drain
Drain Snaking
When a plunger or store-bought cleaner won't cut it, a drain snake physically breaks up and removes the blockage rather than masking it.
Drain snaking uses a flexible cable fed into the line to break up and pull out clogs caused by hair, grease, soap buildup, and small object obstructions. It's effective for kitchen, bathroom, and laundry lines, and is often the first line of defense before considering hydro-jetting.
We select cable size and technique based on the pipe diameter and material to avoid damaging older or fragile pipe, then confirm full flow restoration before finishing the job.
Warning Signs
Signs You Need Drain Snaking
Standing water in a sink or tub that won't drain
Repeated use of a plunger without lasting results
Slow draining that has gotten progressively worse
Toilet that gurgles when other fixtures are used
A single fixture is affected rather than the whole system
Common Causes
What Usually Causes This
Realistic explanations, not a diagnosis of your specific property — an on-site visit confirms the actual cause.
- Hair and soap buildup wound tightly around the trap in bathroom drains
- Grease that's cooled and hardened inside a kitchen line
- A foreign object or excess paper lodged at a bend in the line
- Years of buildup narrowing the pipe until normal debris finally blocks it completely
Our Process
How It Works
Assessment
We check the affected fixture and estimate the clog's likely location.
Snaking
A cable is fed through the line to break up and retrieve the blockage.
Verification
Water is run to confirm the clog is cleared and flow is restored.
Recommendation
If snaking reveals a deeper issue, we recommend a camera inspection.
Pricing Guidance
Typical Cost Factors
Drain snaking costs depend on which fixture is affected and how far into the line the clog sits, so pricing follows a quick assessment. What typically factors in:
Final pricing depends on the fixture affected and how the clog responds to snaking.
NYC Considerations
What's Different About NYC Housing
- Older buildings with narrower or partially scaled pipe diameters require more careful cable sizing to avoid damage
- Multi-family buildings sometimes share branch lines, so a clog in one unit's fixture can occasionally trace back to a line serving neighboring apartments
- Prewar bathrooms with original cast-iron drain lines need a different technique than modern PVC
Our Work
Before & After
Photo gallery of specific completed jobs coming soon — here's what the visit typically looks like.
Drain Snaking photos coming soon
Drain Snaking photos coming soon
Reviews
What Homeowners Say
“I had a leak in my living room ceiling and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Keon and his employee showed up quickly after I reached out. They were professional, patient, and took the time to explain everything to me.”
Lisa B.
Brooklyn, NY · Pipe Repair
“Worked on the complicated pipes in our 125-year-old home. We were satisfied with the work and would hire again.”
Makeba D.
Brooklyn, NY · Pipe Repair
“Keon was able to come the same day. He was very meticulous pinpointing the issue and tried to be as minimally invasive as possible.”
Elias Z.
Brooklyn, NY · Pipe Repair
Service Area
Drain Snaking Across New York
Choose your borough for local details and neighborhood coverage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when the correct cable size and technique are used for the pipe material and diameter.
Snaking mechanically breaks up a clog with a cable; hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the full pipe wall, better for grease buildup or recurring issues.
Improper technique can, which is why we match cable size and approach to your specific pipe material and condition.
Most single-fixture clogs are cleared within 30-60 minutes.
We'll recommend the next step, which may include hydro-jetting or a camera inspection to identify a deeper blockage.
Related Services
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From the Blog
More on Drain Snaking
Drain Cleaning Checklist: What to Try Before You Call a Plumber
Not every slow drain needs a service call — but knowing when it does can save you from a bigger repair later.
Why Drains Keep Clogging in Brooklyn Apartments
If the same drain clogs every few months no matter how careful you are, the cause usually isn't what you think.
Need Drain Snaking?
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