(408) 978-3093

Household Drain Cleaning in San Jose, CA

Kitchen sinks, tubs, showers, laundry lines, floor drains and yard drains cleared by licensed San Jose plumbers. Most jobs cost $250 to $600, depending on the drain and the clog. We find what caused the clog, clear it without damaging your pipes, and leave the area clean.

  • Google 4.9130+ reviews
  • Licensed C-36 · C-20 · ACSLB License #1101278
  • 1-year labor warranty24/7 service since 1986
Call (408) 978-3093See prices
Plumber clearing a clogged toilet with a toilet auger

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Drain Cleaning Services in San Jose

Every drain in and around the house, with tools sized for the pipe so the clog comes out and the pipe stays intact.

  • Kitchen drain cleaning

    Grease, food and disposal waste cleared from the sink, the trap and the branch line in the wall, where kitchen clogs usually sit.

  • Bathroom drain cleaning

    Hair and soap cleared from tubs, showers and sinks, and toilets augered without scratching the bowl.

  • Laundry and utility drains

    Lint-clogged laundry standpipes and utility sinks that overflow when the washer drains.

  • Floor drain cleaning

    Garage, laundry room and commercial floor drains cleared and checked for proper flow and trap seals.

  • Storm and yard drain cleaning

    Catch basins, area drains and downspout lines cleared of leaves, dirt and debris, ideally before the rainy season.

  • Emergency drain service

    Overflowing fixtures and backups on nights and weekends. If several drains are backing up, see drain and sewer cleaning.

Signs You Need Drain Cleaning

Catching a clog early is quicker and cheaper than clearing a full backup.

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  • Water drains slowly

    A tub that holds water while you shower or a sink that takes minutes to empty has buildup in the line.

  • Odors from the drain

    Smells come from decaying food, hair and soap trapped in the pipe.

  • Gurgling or bubbling

    Air pushed past a partial blockage makes drains gurgle as they empty.

  • Clogs that keep coming back

    A drain that clogs again weeks after you clear it still has buildup further down.

  • Water backing up in another fixture

    Kitchen water rising in the other sink, or washer water in the tub, means a shared line is restricted.

  • Puddles around yard drains

    Water pooling around a catch basin or downspout after rain means the drain line is blocked.

This page is about clogs in one fixture: a sink, tub, shower, toilet or laundry drain. If several drains back up at once, the main line is blocked; see main drain and sewer cleaning. For tree roots in the sewer, see rooter service.

Tools We Use for Drain Cleaning

The right tool clears the clog without damaging the pipe or the fixture:

  • Hand augers for sink and tub traps and short runs.
  • Drum machines with cables and cutting heads sized for 1-1/2 to 3-inch drain lines.
  • Toilet augers with a protected bend, so the bowl isn’t scratched.
  • Portable hydro jetters for kitchen lines packed with grease and for scale.
  • Inspection cameras to see what caused the clog and whether the pipe is damaged.

Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Clogs

Kitchen sinks clog with grease, starch and food scraps, usually in the horizontal branch line inside the wall rather than at the trap. Snaking opens it; jetting cleans the grease off the walls so it doesn’t close up again. A garbage disposal helps, but it doesn’t make grease or fibrous peels drain-safe.

Bathroom sinks, tubs and showers clog with hair, soap and, in the South Bay, mineral scale from hard water. Most clogs are within a few feet of the drain. If a tub and a toilet both slow down, the shared line further down is the problem.

Laundry drains fill with lint and occasionally overflow the standpipe when the washer pumps out. A lint trap on the washer hose prevents most of it.

When a Drain Clog Is a Bigger Problem

A clog in one fixture is a drain cleaning job. If several drains slow down at once, water comes up in a shower or floor drain, or you hear toilets gurgle when the washer drains, the main sewer line is probably blocked. That needs clearing from a cleanout, and often a camera inspection; see drain and sewer cleaning.

Preventing Clogs

  • Wipe grease and food scraps into the trash before washing dishes.
  • Use strainers in sinks, tubs and showers, and empty them often.
  • Flush only toilet paper.
  • Run hot water after using the bathroom sink, and cold water with the disposal.
  • Clear yard drains and gutters before the first big storm.
  • Skip chemical drain openers; call us if a plunger doesn’t work.

Sources

Checked October 2026.

How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost in San Jose?

Most San Jose drain cleaning jobs cost $250 to $600, depending on the drain and the clog. Lines that need hydro jetting run $400 to $700 for a branch line.

Typical drain cleaning prices in San Jose, installed, in US dollars. Checked October 2026.
ServiceTypical San Jose price (USD)
Drain cleaning (snaking)$250–$600
Hydro jetting, branch line$400–$700
Camera inspection$300–$600
Inspection feeWaived for service plan members$59

What affects the price

  • Which drain. A sink trap is quicker than a kitchen line clogged deep in the wall.
  • What's in it. Hair and soap clear faster than hardened grease or an object.
  • Access. Removing a toilet or working through a roof vent adds time.
  • Camera inspection. Recommended when a drain keeps clogging.
  • Timing. Nights, weekends and holidays are billed at emergency rates.

Most repairs are quoted as a fixed price before we start. Ranges are typical for San Jose and the South Bay and don't include current specials.

Read the drain cleaning cost guide →

How Our Drain Cleaning Works

  1. Call or book online

    Tell us which drain is clogged and what you've tried. We schedule by urgency.

  2. Find the clog

    We check nearby fixtures to tell a local clog from a main line problem.

  3. Written price

    You get a written price before we start.

  4. Clear it

    We use a hand auger, drum machine, toilet auger or jetter sized for the pipe, and protect your floors.

  5. Test

    We run water to confirm the drain flows freely, and offer a camera look if the clog keeps returning.

  6. Clean up

    We clean the area and show you what we pulled out, with tips to keep it from happening again.

Drain Cleaning in San Jose Homes

What clogs drains here depends on the age of the house, the water and the season.

  • Hard water and soap scum

    South Bay water is moderately hard. Minerals combine with soap to build scale inside tub and shower drains.

  • Older galvanized drains

    Many pre-1970s homes still have galvanized steel drain arms that narrow with rust and catch everything that goes by.

  • Rainy-season yard drains

    Leaves from mature trees clog catch basins and downspout lines. Cleaning them in the fall keeps water away from foundations.

  • Kitchen grease

    Grease poured down the sink cools and hardens in the line. It's the most common kitchen clog we clear, and the City's fats, oils and grease program warns it builds up along pipe walls in home plumbing as well as the sewer.

Neighborhoods we serve: Downtown San Jose · Willow Glen · East San Jose · South San Jose · Evergreen · Cambrian Park · West San Jose · Berryessa · North San Jose · Blossom Valley

Current Specials

Save on your visit. Mention the offer when you book.

What Our Customers Say

Google 4.9 from 130+ reviews: read more →See photos of our work →

  • I called CPI Plumbing after my daughter flushed some snack wrappers down the toilet and the toilet was not flushing properly. I also tried to do it myself with a plunger and a snake, but it wasn’t working out and I probably wasn’t doing it right. When the plumber from CPI arrived, he was friendly and was confident he could fix our issue. He used specialized equipment specifically for toilet clogs, that also would not scratch the inside of the toilet bowl, and was able to clear the issue within 10 minutes. He also wore shoe covers inside the house and made sure to clean everything up before he left. The price was also very reasonable. Great service, great plumber, great value!

    Marshall L.Google review

  • Antonio from CPI Service did an amazing job fixing a serious plumbing issue at my house. My kitchen drain pipe was broken, and whenever we used the kitchen sink, water leaked down and flooded the garage. Antonio quickly identified the problem, opened the wall, replaced the broken drain pipe, and made sure everything was working properly. This was a large job, but he finished it all in a half day. He was professional, efficient, and very careful with the work area. After the repair, he cleaned everything up and left the space in great condition.

    I really appreciate Antonio’s hard work and attention to detail. I would highly recommend him and CPI Service to anyone who needs reliable plumbing work done.

    Tianyang Z.Google review

  • CPI came to my rescue before the rain storms hit the Bay Area last week. I needed drains in my back patio because there was no drainage system there. Anytime it would rain, there was a “trough” that would lead water right to my back door. Since I bought my condo, I have been dreading the idea of flood water coming into my home. Luis and Alex of CPI Plumbing did an outstanding job creating the drainage system for me! They have had years of experience, were real professionals and very hard workers. I trusted them when I had to leave at times, for the 3 days they worked on my property. I am more than pleased with their work and the solution they created for me. I will always be indebted to Luis and Alex and CPI Plumbing!

    Lynne W.Google review

Drain Cleaning FAQs

How much does drain cleaning cost in San Jose?

Most drain cleaning costs $250 to $600. Hydro jetting a branch line runs $400 to $700. You get a written price before we start.

What's the safest way to unclog a drain?

A plunger or a hand drain snake. Avoid caustic chemical drain cleaners, which can damage pipes and are dangerous in a blocked line. See how to unclog a drain and how to use a drain snake.

Is hydro jetting safe for older plumbing?

Yes, when the pipe is inspected first and the pressure is matched to the pipe. If a camera shows a cracked or badly corroded line, we repair it rather than jet it.

What should I do if all my drains are backing up?

Stop using water right away, including toilets, sinks, the washer and the dishwasher, and call. It usually means the main sewer line is blocked.

How often should drains be cleaned?

Most homes only need it when a drain slows down. Homes with heavy kitchen use, older pipes or nearby trees may benefit from cleaning every year or two.

Why does my tub drain keep clogging?

Hair and soap scum build up in the trap and drain, and hard water adds mineral scale. A strainer helps; a recurring clog needs cleaning further down. See signs of a clogged bathtub drain.

Helpful Guides

Serving San Jose and the South Bay

Our shop is at 2880 Aiello Dr in San Jose. We provide drain cleaning across the city and nearby South Bay and Peninsula communities. See our full service area.

Content and prices reviewed October 2026.

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