Drain Cleaning in Laredo, TX: Clogged Drains and the Main Line
Short answer: One slow sink is usually a local clog. Several slow drains at once, water coming up in the tub or shower when you flush, or gurgling toilets usually point to the main sewer line. Stop using water and have a licensed plumber clear it. Nationally, clearing a drain averages about $241.
Texas requires a license for plumbing work. Look up any plumber in the state's public database before you hire.
What to do right now
- Stop running water if anything is backing up: no flushing, no laundry, no dishwasher.
- Keep people and pets away from dirty water. Sewage carries harmful bacteria.
- Stay away from outlets and appliances if water has reached them.
- Skip the drain chemicals while water is backing up, and tell the plumber if you already used any.
One drain or the whole house?
| What you notice | What it usually points to |
|---|---|
| One sink or tub is slow, the rest are fine | A clog in that fixture's drain: hair, soap, food or grease |
| Toilet won't flush, other drains work | A clog in the toilet or its drain |
| Several drains are slow at the same time | The main sewer line |
| Water comes up in the tub or shower when you flush | The main sewer line |
| Gurgling from toilets or drains | Air trapped by a blockage further down |
| Sewer smell inside, or a wet, smelly spot in the yard | A blocked or broken sewer line |
More on the last three in is your main sewer line clogged?
What a plumber usually does
- Asks what's happening: which drains, since when, and whether anything came back up.
- Clears the line with a drain machine (a "snake") or, for grease and buildup, a water jetter.
- Looks inside with a camera when the main line keeps clogging, to find roots, a sag or a broken pipe.
- Gives you a written estimate if the line needs repair or replacement, not just cleaning.
Texas requires a license for plumbing work. Look up any plumber in the state's public database before you hire.
What drain cleaning costs
National figures from HomeAdvisor: clearing a drain averages $241, with most jobs between $147 and $345. Cleaning the main line typically runs $100 to $800. If the main line is broken and has to be repaired or replaced, Angi puts most jobs between $1,200 and $6,000. Prices in Laredo can be different; the plumber confirms the price before starting.
What moves the price: which line is clogged, how far the blockage is, whether a camera inspection is needed, after-hours work, and whether the pipe is damaged.
Keep drains flowing
- Only toilet paper goes in the toilet. "Flushable" wipes, paper towels and hygiene products don't.
- Keep grease out of the sink. Let it cool, wipe the pan and throw it in the trash.
- Use a strainer in the kitchen sink and a hair catcher in the shower.
Before you hire
- Check the license in the state's public search before work starts.
- Ask for the price in writing. Texas rules require proposals and invoices to show the Responsible Master Plumber's name and license number.
- Ask if a camera inspection is included or extra, and to see the video.
- Ask what happens if the line is damaged: repair options and a written estimate before any digging.
Related
- Plumbing emergencies
- Leaks, slab leaks and burst pipes
- Water heater problems
- Installation and replacement
- How to hire a plumber in Laredo
Drain cleaning FAQ
Why do all my drains back up at once?
When several drains are slow together, or water comes up in the tub when you flush, the blockage is usually in the main line that carries everything out of the house. A plumber clears it from a cleanout and may check it with a camera.
Is a clogged toilet an emergency?
If the toilet overflows or water comes up in other drains, stop using water and treat it as urgent. If it's one toilet that's slow and other drains work, it can usually wait for a regular appointment.
Does homeowners insurance pay for a broken sewer line?
Often not. Angi notes that most standard policies don't cover sewer line replacement, though some insurers sell it as an add-on. Check your policy.
What's hydro jetting?
A method that uses high-pressure water to clean grease and buildup from inside the pipe, instead of a cable. Ask the plumber whether it suits your line and what it costs compared with a regular cleaning.
Before you hire, check the license
Texas requires a license for plumbing work. Look up any plumber in the state's public database before you hire.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor, "Unclog drain cost" (2025)
- Angi, "Signs of a sewer line problem" (reviewed by a journeyman plumber, Oct. 12, 2023)
- This Old House, "What to do when your sewer backs up" (updated Mar. 10, 2026)
- 22 Texas Administrative Code § 367.10
Last updated: November 14, 2026