Clogged Toilet

Toilets become clogged in either of two ways: blockages in the toilet or blockages in the plumbing beyond the toilet. Either can create plumbing problems that will stop you from being able to flush the toilet.

If the blockage is not within the toilet itself, then the likely cause is a blockage in the branch line or main sewer line. Sewer lines typically become blocked due to build-up in the line from greases, fats, wipes, and hygiene products that build up on the walls of the sewer line and reduce its capacity. Another way that a sewer line’s capacity can be compromised is when roots enter the line as they seek water and nutrients or when scale builds up due to aging pipes. When that capacity is restricted, drains will not drain and toilets will not flush.

Depending on the severity of the blockage, we recommend starting by unclogging the line using a heavy-duty cable machine (also called an auger). The technician will wheel their electric powered cable machine to the area of the clog and run the auger until they clear the clog – going up to 150’ to the city sewer line if necessary. The end of the cable machine has a rotating cutting head that will shred soft obstructions. This will send them down the sewer line to the city main line.

Cabling the mainline will cost $180 and we can reach up to 150′ using two cables. There will be an additional $50 charge if our technician has to clear the drain from a roof vent (about 25% of the time). If the blockage is farther than 150’ out, we will need to use the hydrojetter to clear the line (more details on that below). Unlike many competitors, we do not charge additional fees for pulling or resetting a toilet with a new wax ring.

If the blockage is due to roots, grease, sludge, or other hard obstructions in the line, we recommend using a trailer-mounted high pressure hydrojetter instead of a cable machine. The hydro jetting nozzle will blast the pipe with upwards of 20 gallons of water per minute at 4000 psi in a full 360 degrees to thoroughly clean and restore the full capacity of the line. Stubborn clogs and recurring blockages are no match for a hydrojetter. Unlike the cable machine that may just punch a hole in the blockage, a hydrojetter will provide a longer-lasting solution.

Jetting the main line will cost $425, with no hidden fees or taxes¹.

Depending on the cause of the original blockage, our technician may advise a camera inspection once the line is open and flowing to assess the condition of your pipes. A camera inspection also provides peace of mind that the blockage has been cleared. If the camera inspection reveals any issues with your lines, our technician will then mark the exact location for repair (including depth!).

Knowing the exact condition of your pipes will save you money in the long term by avoiding costly replacements until absolutely necessary. A camera inspection will cost $250, which includes high resolution digital footage with detailed analysis from our technician and pipe locating and/or marking¹.

Keeping your main line flowing smoothly after using a cable machine or hydrojetter requires proper care and maintenance. Depending on the cause of the clog, our technician will recommend treating your lines with enzymes or RootX (a tree root inhibitor).

Enzymes are living organisms that break down fats and other organic materials before they accumulate into a blockage. We have had great results using enzymes with restaurants and other commercial customers. Each bottle of enzymes costs $55 and includes enough for 32 individual 2 oz treatments.

We highly recommend applying RootX immediately after the line is clear of roots for maximum effectiveness. This formula not only kills the roots, but it also prevents future growth for up to a year. RootX is easy to use and is the top environmentally safe root killer on the market. A single application will cost $75 and will treat up to 50’ of line.

1. Please call our office to confirm pricing over the phone. We charge a reasonable fee to cover gas for jobs outside of Davis, Weber, and Morgan Counties. We also charge a $100 overtime fee for cabling and a $100 overtime fee for jetting. We also charge a $100 after-hours fee for emergency service on nights, weekends, and holidays.