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Drain Cleaning Service in San Diego, CA

The safest way to restore your home’s drainfast and hassle-free:

  • No Damage to Plumbing
  • Deep & Safe Cleaning
  • No Toxic Chemicals
  • Long-Lasting Performance

And, you’ll get:

  • Free Estimates
  • Free Sewer Camera Inspection

Restore your sewer pipes?

    What is Drain Cleaning, and Why Does Your Sewer Need This Professional Service?

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    Professional drain cleaning in San Diego effectively removes stubborn clogs, grease buildup, soap scum, and even invasive tree roots from your home’s plumbing system. Unlike temporary DIY solutions that only poke a small hole through blockages, professional drain cleaning fully clears your pipes using advanced tools like hydro jetting and carbide chains.

    Sewer camera inspections allow technicians to visually assess the inside condition of your pipes.

    Unlike temporary DIY methods that only punch a small hole through the blockage, professional drain cleaning completely clears your pipes using advanced tools such as hydro jetting and carbide chains. Control sewer camera inspections allow technicians to see inside your pipes.

    If your drains are slow, gurgling, or backing up, it could be a sign of deeper issues in your sewer lines. Drain cleaning by a licensed San Diego plumbers helps prevent:

    • Recurring clogs in kitchens and bathrooms
    • Foul odors coming from sinks, tubs, or toilets
    • Sewer backups that damage flooring and walls
    • Corrosion or pressure damage in aging pipes

    There are two main reasons why drains clog. First, when something that shouldn’t be flushed or washed down the drain—like baby wipes or toys—gets stuck. Second, a more serious issue with the drain pipe itself is causing the clog. If this is the case, it’s a clear sign that repairs should be done as soon as possible.

    Vlad Khorenko, CEO Almco Plumbing

    Recurring clogs in kitchens and bathrooms
    Foul odors coming from sinks, tubs, or toilets
    Sewer backups that damage flooring and walls
    Corrosion or pressure damage in aging pipes

    The Epoxy Pipe Lining San Diego team, a division of Almco Plumbing, brings over 20 years of experience cleaning sewer and drainage systems. Each epoxy lining project begins with a thorough pipe cleaning using carbide chain equipment (the “Picotte” machine) and high-pressure hydro jetting.

    Main Methods of Professional Drain Cleaning Service

    The three primary methods of professional drain cleaning are hydro-jetting, carbide chain descaling, and drain snaking. Equally important are the initial and final steps of a CCTV camera inspection.
    Hydro Jetting

    Hydro-jetting is a high-pressure cleaning method that uses a specialized nozzle to blast water through pipes at pressures up to 4,000 PSI. This powerful stream removes grease, sludge, soap buildup, and other soft deposits without damaging the pipe.

    It is one of the most effective and eco-friendly ways to restore flow in residential and commercial plumbing systems and works especially well on cast iron, ABS, and clay pipes.

    Read More
    Carbide Chain Descaling Carbide Chain Descaling

    Carbide chain descaling uses a rotating head with hardened, carbide-tipped chains to safely grind away years of scale, rust, and corrosion from pipe interiors.

    This method is highly effective for restoring the full diameter of old cast iron and ABS sewer lines and is ideal for final cleaning before epoxy lining.

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    Drain Snaking Drain Snaking

    Also known as drain augering, drain snaking is a traditional method for clearing simple clogs in sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and smaller drain lines.

    A flexible metal cable with a cutting or hook attachment is fed into the pipe to break up or remove blockages like hair, soap buildup, or small debris.

    While it doesn’t clean pipe walls as thoroughly as hydro-jetting or carbide chains, it is a reliable and quick first-line solution for minor or localized clogs.

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    Drain Cleaning Service: Pros & Cons for San Diego Residential

    While minor clogs may respond to DIY fixes, more serious or persistent problems often require the tools and expertise of a licensed San Diego plumber to be resolved safely and effectively. Below are the advantages and drawbacks of professional drain cleaning services.

    • Thorough & Lasting Results: Professional drain cleaning does more than just clear clogs. It removes buildup, identifies underlying issues, and restores full pipe function
    • Specialized Tools & Experience: Licensed plumbers use advanced equipment such as hydro-jetters, augers, and cameras to safely and effectively handle even the toughest blockages
    • Preventative Care: Routine professional service helps prevent future blockages, backups, and potential damage to your plumbing system
    • Higher Upfront Cost: Compared to DIY methods, hiring a professional involves service fees and possible inspection costs
    • Timing & Availability: Scheduling an appointment may delay immediate action, especially during peak service periods
    Removes the Entire Blockage

    Professional tools fully clear pipes, rather than just poking a hole

    Fast & Efficient

    Most clogs are cleared in a single visit, which restores full function quickly

    Concise Diagnosis

    Non-invasive identification of hidden issues, such as cracks or root intrusion

    Safe for All Pipe Types

    Modern cleaning methods are safe for cast iron, PVC, ABS, and clay pipes

    Drain Cleaning Cases: Before & After

    Hydro-jetting

    A customer came to us with a sewer backup problem. It was caused by an accessory dwelling unit that was built on top of the hill behind the main property and has a sewer line with a belly.

    Our Solution: We used hydrojetting to flush all the debris out of the line.

    Result: The system is functioning properly and is expected to remain so for approximately 60 months under normal usage. However, due to a structural issue in the line’s belly, we recommend performing hydrojet maintenance every three to six months to prevent future backups and maintain optimal flow.

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    Carbide Chain Descaling

    Our customer complained that the 2-inch kitchen and laundry drain line was completely clogged and unusable.

    Our Solution: Due to extreme internal scaling and buildup, hydrojetting and cable snaking were ineffective. We used a carbide chain descaling method to properly resolve the issue, which successfully removed all internal scale and debris.

    Result: Descaling the line with a carbide chain restored its full flow, enabling it to function properly. A final camera inspection also revealed multiple cracks in the existing pipe structure. To prevent future failures and extend the pipe’s lifespan, we applied an epoxy lining, which added an estimated 50 years to the sewer’s service life.

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    Drain Snaking

    The restaurant experienced multiple floor drain backups.

    Our Solution: We temporarily restored the flow using a cable snake, then cleared the blockage and conducted a camera inspection of the main sewer line. The inspection revealed that the main line was severely deteriorated, with significant buildup and corrosion.

    Result: Due to the poor condition of the existing sewer system, we can only provide a limited warranty of three days on snaking. The long-term solution requires replacing the entire sewer line under the restaurant. We recommend using trenching and pipe bursting technology to replace the entire system and prevent future failures.

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    How Much Does Your Drain Cleaning Services Cost?

    Here are the costs of the most popular drain clearing services.

    Type of WorkAverage Price
    Tub Sink$175
    Mainline SnakingStarts at $225
    Hydro Jetting Starts at $650

    The above prices are for guidance only and do not constitute an offer.

    Google Reviews

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Drain Cleaning Services

    How do I know if I need professional drain cleaning?

    If you’re experiencing slow drains, gurgling sounds, recurring clogs, or foul odors coming from your sinks or tubs, it’s likely time to call a professional. These signs often indicate deeper issues that DIY fixes can’t resolve.

    What’s the difference between hydro-jetting and drain snaking?

    • Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to clean the entire inner surface of the pipe, removing grease, sludge, and soft deposits.
    • Drain snaking (or augering) is best for breaking up smaller blockages like hair or soap buildup but does not clean pipe walls thoroughly.

    Why Use a Carbide Chain Machine for Drain Cleaning?

    Hydro-jetting isn’t always safe or effective indoors, especially in flooded pipes or lines with many bends. The carbide chain machine uses a rotating chain head to mechanically grind away clogs, corrosion, and buildup without relying on water pressure. After cleaning, we flush the line and perform a camera inspection to ensure the pipe is clear.

    Traditional cable snakes often only move back and forth, failing to remove compacted blockages or buildup, which makes carbide chain cleaning a more thorough and reliable option in tough cases.

    Can professional drain snaking prevent future clogs?

    Traditional cable snaking is often mistakenly believed to be a long-term solution for drain maintenance. While it can temporarily clear a blockage, it does nothing to address the root cause or prevent future problems.

    When a pipe is technically open but has corrosion, grease, or sludge lining its walls, a cable snake simply pushes through the center of the pipe. It moves back and forth, but it doesn’t clean or remove the buildup. These materials remain on the pipe walls, allowing waste and debris to collect and create repeat blockages.

    Cable snaking also doesn’t remove soft sludge or biofilm that builds up over time, and it offers no preventive benefit. Therefore, relying on snaking for regular maintenance is essentially a waste of money because it neither cleans the pipe nor stops the problem from recurring.

    The only effective method for preventive drain maintenance is hydro jetting.

    Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to thoroughly clean the inside of the pipe, blasting corrosion, sludge, grease, and debris from the walls. This restores proper flow and helps extend the life of the drain system by preventing future clogs.

    How does a sewer camera inspection work?

    A small, waterproof camera is fed through your pipes to provide a real-time view of their condition. This allows plumbers to identify the exact location and cause of problems, including cracks, root intrusion, and collapsed sections.

    Is drain cleaning safe for all types of pipes?

    Yes. Professional plumbers in San Diego use methods compatible with various pipe materials, including cast iron, PVC, ABS, and clay. The method chosen depends on the condition of the pipes and the type of blockage.

    What if the pipe breaks during cleaning?

    Your sewer and drain pipes are designed to withstand the pressure of professional cleaning tools, such as cable snakes, hydrojetters, and chain cleaning machines. These tools are industry-standard equipment used to restore flow and clean out buildup inside the pipe.

    If damage occurs during the cleaning process, the tools are not the cause—it’s a sign of severe pipe deterioration. A pipe in good structural condition can easily withstand these tools. If a pipe fails during cleaning, it means that it has been neglected for too long and has deteriorated beyond normal functionality.

    This type of failure means the pipe can no longer perform its job and must be repaired, replaced, or rehabilitated—often through methods like epoxy lining—to restore its structural integrity and ensure it can handle daily use and future maintenance.

    Professional cleaning does not break good pipes. It exposes pipes that are already broken.

    Do I need a camera inspection every time I clean my drains?

    Not necessarily, but it’s recommended if you’ve experienced frequent clogs, suspect root intrusion, or plan to perform trenchless pipe lining. This method ensures an accurate diagnosis and helps avoid unnecessary digging.

    Is professional drain cleaning worth the cost?

    Yes. Although it has a higher upfront cost than DIY methods, it provides long-term results, prevents damage, and helps you avoid the need for expensive emergency repairs or full pipe replacement.

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