In the Los Angeles area, a standard drain cleaning costs about $110 to $345, with an average of around $227. A clogged main sewer line usually runs $250 to $1,000, and hydro jetting or a camera inspection costs extra. The price depends on which drain it is, how the plumber gets into the line, and what's actually causing the clog. Here's what to expect in Burbank, Glendale and across the Valley.
Typical 2026 prices by drain
| Job | Typical LA range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen sink | $150–$300 | Angi (LA) |
| Toilet | $150–$350 | Angi (LA) |
| Bathtub or shower | $250–$500 | Angi (LA) |
| Main sewer line (cabling/snaking) | $250–$1,000 | Angi (LA) |
| Sewer camera inspection | $150–$450 (commonly $200–$350) | LA plumber pricing |
| Hydro jetting, main line | $400–$1,200 (Angi LA avg. about $540) | Plumbing Connection LA, Angi |
LA plumbers generally charge $100 to $200 an hour when they bill by time, according to Angi. Many quote a set price per job instead. Either way, ask for the number before work starts.
About those $49–$99 drain cleaning coupons
You'll see lots of rooter specials in the Valley in the $49–$99 range. They can be a real deal, but read the fine print. Most only cover a residential line through an accessible, ground-level cleanout, and some are for first-time customers or business hours only. Some cap the cable length at around 75 feet. If the plumber has to pull a toilet to get in, go through a roof vent, or come out at 11 p.m., the coupon may not apply. Ask, "What would make this cost more?" before they start.
What moves the price up or down
Access: the cleanout matters more than you think
A main line is cheapest to clear from an outdoor cleanout, a capped pipe usually near the front or side of the house. Many older Burbank and Glendale homes have more than one, or have one buried under landscaping. Others have none, and the plumber has to pull a toilet, which takes more time. Not sure where yours is? See how to find your sewer cleanout. If you don't have one, a cleanout installation makes every future visit faster and cheaper.
Where the blockage is
Plumbers often run a camera from one cleanout and find that section clear. The stoppage turns out to be further along, reachable only from a different access point. That isn't padding the bill. It's normal on older lines with several branches, and it's why a good tech checks more than one access point before calling a line "fine."
What's in the line
Grease, wipes and paper clear quickly with a cable. Tree roots are the big one in LA: ficus, pine and other street trees find the joints in old clay pipe. Roots can be cut out, but they grow back. If you see the same backup every 6–12 months, read tree roots in your sewer line.
Time of day
Some companies charge more for nights, weekends and holidays. Sewage coming up the shower drain at midnight is an emergency. If that's you, here's what to do during a main line backup while you wait.
Snaking, hydro jetting or a camera: which do you need?
- Snaking (cabling) punches through a clog and restores flow. It's the cheapest option and fine for a one-time blockage.
- Hydro jetting scours the pipe wall with high-pressure water, clearing grease, scale and fine roots. It costs more but usually lasts longer. See hydro jetting vs. snaking and our hydro jetting cost guide.
- A camera inspection shows why the line clogged: roots, a belly (sag), an offset joint, or a crack. On older clay or cast-iron lines, a camera should come before jetting, because high pressure can damage a broken pipe. See sewer camera inspection.
When cleaning isn't the fix
Sometimes the camera finds roots or damage in a spot that's hard to get to, like a short section under the house slab or under a driveway. Digging up a slab to fix a small section can cost far more than the problem is worth. In that case, many plumbers recommend scheduled maintenance cleaning instead, every 6–12 months depending on how fast the roots return. When damage runs along the whole line, replacing or lining it costs less in the long run than repeated cleanings. Our guides to signs your sewer line is failing and trenchless lining cover the next step.
How to avoid paying twice
- Ask for the price first, and ask what could change it.
- If the same drain clogs again within weeks, ask for a camera inspection instead of another quick snake job.
- Ask to see the camera video and where the problem is located.
- Skip chemical drain cleaners. They can damage older pipes and make the job more dangerous for the plumber.
- Keep wipes, grease and coffee grounds out of your drains. Here's what not to flush.
Backed-up drain in Burbank, Glendale or the Valley? Rooter Pros is a licensed, Burbank-based mobile plumber (CSLB #917630), open 24/7. Call and we'll tell you the price before we start.
Call (818) 669-9019Prices are typical published ranges for the Los Angeles area as of October 2026 and change over time. Your price depends on your home. Sources are linked in each table.