Drain Cleaning & Hydro Jetting Services in Southeast Michigan
When your drain won't budge, we've got the tools - and 20+ years of know-how - to clear it right the first time.
From a simple kitchen clog to a grease-packed main sewer line, Pete The Plumber handles it all. Licensed Master Plumber serving Livonia, Dearborn Heights, Wayne County & all of Southeast Michigan. Available 24/7 - upfront pricing, no surprises.
Why Hire A Master Plumber
Drains Don't Lie - And Neither Do We
Licensed & Insured
Michigan-licensed Master Plumber. Every drain cleaning job comes with a 1-year warranty on workmanship. If it backs up again due to our work, we come back - no charge.
Camera Diagnostics First
We don't guess. We use professional camera inspection to find the exact problem before recommending a solution. No unnecessary upsells. No blind snaking of lines that need jetting.
24/7 Emergency Response
Backed-up sewer on a Sunday night? That's exactly when you need us. We dispatch 24/7/365 with real response times - not an answering service that books you for next week.
Our Services
Complete Drain Cleaning & Hydro Jetting Services
Clogged Drain Clearing & Snaking
The first line of defense against stubborn drains. We run a professional drain snake - also called a drain auger - through the line to break through and remove the clog at its source. No chemicals, no guessing, just mechanical clearing that gets water moving again.
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Hydro Jetting (High-Pressure Pipe Cleaning)
When snaking isn't enough, hydro jetting blasts 1,500–4,000 PSI water through your pipe walls - removing grease, scale, and root debris from wall to wall. The most thorough pipe cleaning available without digging, and the results last years instead of weeks.
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Camera Sewer Inspection & Pipe Diagnostics
We feed a high-definition waterproof camera through your sewer line and show you exactly what's in there - cracks, root intrusion, belly in the pipe, grease buildup. You watch it live. No guessing, no unnecessary repair recommendations. Diagnose first, then fix.
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Kitchen & Bathroom Sink Drain Cleaning
Kitchen sink clogged with grease and food? Bathroom sink backing up with hair and soap scum? These are the most common drain calls we get - and the ones we can clear the fastest. No chemicals, no damage to your pipes. Professional results every time.
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Bathtub & Shower Drain Snaking
Standing water in your tub or shower? That's almost always a hair-and-soap-scum clog sitting in the trap or P-trap branch line. We snake it clean, flush the line, and make sure the problem won't be back next week. Fast, clean, and done right.
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Not Sure Which Service You Need?
No problem. Call us and describe what's happening. We'll tell you straight - whether it's a simple snake job, a situation that needs hydro jetting, or something that warrants a camera look first. 20+ years means we've seen every kind of drain problem Southeast Michigan has to offer.
Warning Signs
Is Your Drain Telling You Something?
Most people ignore drain problems until they become emergencies. Here are the warning signs that mean it's time to call a professional:
Water Draining Slowly
Slow drains mean partial blockages. Left alone, partial blockages become complete blockages - usually at the worst possible time.
Gurgling Sounds
Gurgling in your toilet or drains when another fixture runs? That's air being forced back through the system by a restricted main line. It won't fix itself.
Sewage Smell
Sewer gas odors inside your home are a health concern. Could be a dry trap, a cracked pipe, or buildup in the line - all of which we can diagnose and fix quickly.
Multiple Drains Backing Up
When more than one fixture backs up simultaneously, it's your main sewer line - not individual drain clogs. This needs professional attention immediately.
Recurring Clogs
If the same drain clogs every few months, you're treating symptoms - not the cause. We'll find what's actually building up in there and clear it properly so it stops coming back.
Water Backup in Basement
Sewage or water backing up through your basement floor drain is a main line blockage. Stop using water immediately and call us - this is a plumbing emergency.
Common Causes
What's Really Clogging Your Drains?
After 20+ years of clearing drains in Southeast Michigan, we've pulled just about everything imaginable out of pipes. The most common culprits:
- Grease & FOG - Fats, oils, and grease from cooking solidify on cast-iron pipe walls and accumulate over years until flow is restricted to a trickle.
- Hair & Soap Scum - The most common bathroom drain clog. Hair binds with soap residue and creates a sticky net that catches everything else.
- Tree Roots - Michigan's mature tree canopy means root intrusion is a major issue in older neighborhoods. Roots enter at pipe joints and grow until they block flow entirely.
- Mineral Scale - Hard water deposits build up in older galvanized and cast-iron pipes, gradually reducing interior diameter over years.
- Foreign Objects - Wipes labeled "flushable" (they aren't), feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs. They don't break down and they create blockages fast.
- Food Waste - Coffee grounds, rice, pasta, and eggshells don't break down properly - even with a garbage disposal. They accumulate in the trap and P-trap.
Drain Cleaning Methods
How we Fix Your Drain
We match the method to the problem - never upsell hydro jetting when a snake will do the job, and never recommend a snake when jetting is clearly the right call:
Best for isolated clogs - hair in a shower, grease in a kitchen drain, foreign object blocking a toilet. Fast, effective, affordable. Works in most cases.
Best for recurring clogs, grease-coated sewer lines, root debris, and commercial applications. Cleans pipe walls - not just punches through the clog. Results last years.
When we're not sure what's causing repeated problems, we run a camera before recommending a solution. This protects you from paying for the wrong fix.
Common Questions
Drain Cleaning FAQ
How much does drain cleaning cost in Southeast Michigan?
Drain snaking for a standard fixture runs $150–$300 depending on the drain location and difficulty of access. Hydro jetting for a residential main sewer line typically runs $350–$600. We give you an upfront price before any work starts - no surprises on the invoice. Camera inspection is $150–$250 and the cost is credited toward any repair work.
How long does a drain cleaning take?
Most standard drain cleanings take 30–60 minutes from arrival to completion. A main sewer line cleaning with hydro jetting typically takes 1–2 hours. Camera inspections run 45–90 minutes. We'll give you a realistic time estimate on the phone before scheduling.
Should we use chemical drain cleaners before calling a plumber?
Our honest answer: no. Chemical drain cleaners like Drano and Liquid-Plumr contain caustic lye (sodium hydroxide) that generates heat and can soften and warp PVC pipe joints. On older metal pipes, they accelerate corrosion. Worse, if we have to work on a drain right after you've poured chemicals in, we'm now working with caustic liquid that creates a safety hazard. Use a plunger if you want to try something yourself - but skip the chemicals.
Do we need hydro jetting or just a snake?
If you have a first-time, isolated clog with no history of recurring problems, a snake is almost always the right call - it's faster and more affordable. If the same drain has been snaked twice this year, if multiple fixtures are slow simultaneously, or if you have grease buildup or root intrusion, hydro jetting is the right tool. We won't push jetting on a problem that a $200 snake job will fix.
Can drain cleaning damage old pipes?
Done correctly, no. Snaking is gentle on pipe walls. Hydro jetting on pipes in poor structural condition is a concern - which is exactly why we do a camera inspection first if we have any doubt about pipe integrity. We calibrate the jetting pressure to the pipe type and age. Homes with 60-year-old cast iron get treated differently than homes with newer PVC.
Is drain cleaning covered by homeowner's insurance?
Standard drain cleaning is typically not covered - it's maintenance. However, if a drain backup causes water damage to your property, the resulting water damage may be covered depending on your policy. If you have a sudden and accidental sewage backup (not gradual neglect), some policies cover cleanup. We recommend calling your insurance agent directly to understand your specific coverage.
How do we prevent drain clogs?
The basics that actually work: use a hair catcher in every shower and tub drain. Never pour grease down the kitchen sink - let it solidify and throw it away. Avoid "flushable" wipes entirely. Run hot water for a full minute after each time you use the garbage disposal. And consider a professional drain cleaning once a year if your home is older than 30 years with cast-iron or clay pipes.
What are the signs my main sewer line is clogged?
Multiple fixtures backing up at the same time is the clearest sign. Other signs: sewage odor in your basement or near floor drains, gurgling in your toilet when you run water elsewhere in the house, water backing up in the shower when you flush the toilet. Any of these means your main line - not just a branch drain - needs attention.
WHO WE SERVE
Residential & Commercial - Both Done Right
Homeowners & Residential
Every service Pete offers is available for residential homes - from a single backed-up bathroom sink to a full main sewer line camera inspection and hydro jetting. Upfront pricing. 1-year workmanship warranty. No surprises.
Restaurants & Commercial Kitchens
Grease buildup in commercial kitchen lines is one of the most common - and most damaging - drain problems. Pete provides commercial-grade hydro jetting, grease trap line cleaning, and recurring FOG maintenance for restaurants and food service operations throughout Metro Detroit.
Multi-Family & Property Managers
Own rental units or manage multi-family properties? Pete works with landlords and property managers who need fast, reliable drain and sewer service with documented work records. Whether it is one unit or an entire building, we respond and get it done.
PRICING & PAYMENT
Flexible Payment Options & Our Price Guarantee
Financing Available
Drain and sewer work can be unexpected. Pete The Plumber works with third-party financing partners to help make the cost manageable. Ask about financing options when you call - approval is quick and getting your drain fixed shouldn't wait.
1-Year Workmanship Warranty
Every drain cleaning and plumbing service comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty. If the problem recurs due to our work, we come back at no charge. That's the Pete The Plumber guarantee.
PETE'S CARE PLAN
Annual Maintenance Plan - Coming Soon
Annual Drain & Sewer Inspection
Keep your drain and sewer lines in top condition year-round. Our annual inspection covers all accessible drain lines, sewer camera check, flow verification, and a written report - so you know the status of your pipes before a problem develops.
Priority Scheduling
Care Plan members receive priority scheduling for all service calls - including emergencies. No waiting behind the general queue. When something backs up, you move to the front.
Member Discounts on All Services
Care Plan members receive a discount on all drain cleaning, hydro jetting, camera inspection, and plumbing repair services throughout the year. One annual investment that pays for itself the first time you need us.
Pete The Plumber is launching a Care Plan for homeowners who want to stay ahead of drain and plumbing problems - not just react to them. Interested in being notified when it launches? Contact us and ask about the Care Plan.
Stop Fighting That Drain. Let a Master Plumber Handle It.
Serving Livonia, Dearborn Heights, Wayne County & all of Southeast Michigan. 24/7 availability. Upfront pricing. 1-year workmanship warranty.