Drain Cleaning in McLean, VA

Most clogs build up over time. Grease, soap, hair and food stick to pipe walls until the opening is too narrow. A plunger may help for a while, but the clog comes back. We clear the drain and look for the cause, so you are not calling again next month. If the problem is in the main line, our sewer line repair page covers roots, breaks and sags. If water comes up through a basement floor during rain, read our guide on water coming up through the basement floor to tell a drain problem from groundwater.

What our drain cleaning service includes

• Kitchen, bathroom and laundry drain clearing.
• Toilet clogs and toilet pulls when needed.
• Basement floor drains and laundry standpipes.
• Main drain and sewer line clearing through a cleanout.
• Hydro jetting for grease, scale and root buildup.
• Camera inspection to find sags, breaks and roots.
• Advice on what not to put down the drain.

Signs and causes

How we clean a drain

1. Find which drains are affected. One fixture points to its branch line. Several fixtures point to the main.
2. Choose the access. We use the fixture drain or a cleanout so we reach the clog with the least mess.
3. Clear the blockage. A drain snake opens the line. For heavy grease, scale or roots, hydro jetting cleans the full pipe wall.
4. Look inside if needed. For repeat clogs or main line problems, a camera shows roots, cracks, sags or offsets.
5. Test and advise. We run water through the line and tell you what we found and what will help prevent it.

Drain cleaning methods compared

What affects the cost

• Fixture drain versus main line.
• Access: an outdoor or basement cleanout versus pulling a toilet.
• Snaking versus hydro jetting.
• Whether a camera inspection is needed.
• Time of day.

DIY vs calling a pro

A plunger and a hand snake handle many single-fixture clogs. Hot water and dish soap can loosen light grease. Skip chemical cleaners. Call a plumber when more than one fixture is slow, a floor drain backs up, the clog returns within weeks or you smell sewage.

Insurance and permits in Virginia

Drain cleaning does not usually need a permit. If a camera shows a broken line that must be replaced, Fairfax County requires a residential plumbing permit for that repair. For water damage from a backup, Virginia's Bureau of Insurance notes that insurers must offer water and sewer backup coverage, which may cost extra, so check whether your policy includes it.

How to keep drains clear between cleanings

Most repeat clogs come from what goes down the drain. A few habits make a big difference:

• Kitchen: Wipe grease into the trash, not the sink. Run cold water when using a garbage disposal and avoid fibrous peels, coffee grounds and eggshells.
• Bathroom: Use a hair catcher in tubs and showers and clean it weekly.
• Toilets: Flush only toilet paper. "Flushable" wipes do not break down like paper and often snag in main lines.
• Laundry: Use a lint trap on the washer drain hose, especially if it drains into a utility sink.
• Floor drains: Pour a bucket of water into seldom-used basement floor drains every few months so the trap does not dry out and let sewer gas in.

Local note

Mature trees along older streets in Falls Church and North Arlington send roots into sewer laterals. Basement floor drains are common in Vienna and Oakton, and a backup there is usually the first sign of a main line clog.

Drain cleaning questions

What is the difference between snaking and hydro jetting?

A snake (drain auger) breaks through or pulls out a clog. Hydro jetting sprays high-pressure water to scour grease, scale and roots from the pipe walls. Snaking opens a drain; jetting cleans the full width of the pipe.

Is hydro jetting safe for old pipes?

Often, but not always. Fragile cast iron, clay or damaged pipe can be harmed by high pressure. We check the line with a camera first when there is any doubt about its condition.

Why does my drain keep clogging?

Repeat clogs usually mean buildup along the pipe, a sag where waste settles, roots, a broken section or a venting problem. A camera inspection shows which one.

Should I use chemical drain cleaners?

We advise against it. Harsh chemicals can damage older pipes, rarely clear a main line clog and can burn whoever opens the drain next. A plunger or a hand snake is safer for small clogs.

When is a clog an emergency?

When sewage or dirty water comes up through a floor drain, tub or toilet, or several fixtures back up at once. That usually means the main line is blocked. Stop using water and call.

Sources

• Fairfax County Land Development Services — Residential Plumbing Permit
• Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance — Homeowners Insurance Consumer's Guide

Last reviewed 2026-11-07. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Read how we research and check pages in our editorial policy.

Related plumbing services

• Sewer Line Repair

  Camera inspection, root removal and repair of the main sewer line.

• Sump Pump Repair

  Repair, replace and back up the pump that keeps your basement dry.

• Toilet, Faucet & Shower Repair

  Stop running toilets, dripping faucets and leaking shower pans.

Drain cleaning near you

• Drain cleaning in McLean
• Drain cleaning in Great Falls
• Drain cleaning in Vienna
• Drain cleaning in Tysons
• Drain cleaning in Falls Church
• Drain cleaning in Arlington
• Drain cleaning in Oakton
• Drain cleaning in Reston
• Drain cleaning in Herndon

Helpful guides

• Water & Sewer Lines

  Sewer Camera Inspection Cost

  What a sewer scope shows, what moves the price and when buyers should ask for one.

• Seasonal & Emergencies

  Water Through Basement Floor

  Tell groundwater from a plumbing leak, and know whether you need a sump pump, a plumber or both.

• Leaks & Detection

  Water Leak in Ceiling

  Plumber, roofer or HVAC tech? How to tell where ceiling water is coming from and what to do first.