A clogged drain ignored becomes a burst drain. Grease, hair, soap scum, and tree roots worsen over time. Professional hydro-jetting removes the entire blockage — not just punches a hole through it.
We use two methods depending on the blockage. Snaking uses a flexible cable to break through or hook a clog and pull it out — fast, effective for most single-fixture clogs. Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the full width of the pipe, removing grease buildup and buildup that snaking can push past but not remove. For recurring clogs, hydro-jetting is usually the more lasting fix.
We clear drains at every point in a building's plumbing: kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs and showers, floor drains, and main lines. A clog is a clog regardless of where it sits — the difference is just how much access and pressure the job needs.
Most drain problems are exactly that — a blockage that clearing resolves. But if a main line clogs repeatedly right after cleaning, or a camera inspection shows a cracked, collapsed, or root-damaged section of pipe, that's a structural problem cleaning can't permanently fix. That's sewer line repair territory, not drain cleaning. We'll tell you plainly which situation you're in rather than repeatedly billing for cleanings that won't hold.
A lot of NYC housing stock runs on older cast-iron drain lines, which corrode and narrow over decades — a pipe that used to be 4 inches across can effectively shrink as scale builds up inside it, making it clog faster than it would in newer PVC piping. Restaurant and multi-unit kitchen lines see heavier grease volume than a typical single-family home, which is part of why kitchen drains are one of the most common calls we get.
For general plumbing needs beyond drain cleaning, see our full services list.
Grease is the single biggest cause of recurring kitchen drain clogs — it goes down liquid and hardens as it cools, coating the inside of the pipe. Letting it cool and scraping it into the trash instead of the sink makes a real difference over time. For bathroom drains, a simple mesh screen over the drain catches hair before it builds into a clog, which is usually the difference between an occasional slow drain and a recurring one.
If a drain that's been reliable suddenly starts clogging often, that's worth a call even before it fully blocks — catching it early is a smaller job than dealing with a complete backup, and it's also how we catch early signs that a line might need more than cleaning.
A single-fixture clog — one sink or one tub — is generally the fastest and least involved call, usually resolved with snaking alone. Main line and multi-fixture backups take longer because there's more line to clear and often a camera inspection first to confirm what's actually causing it. Access matters too: a drain with an accessible cleanout takes less time than one that requires working through a fixture.
Hydro-jetting generally costs more than snaking because of the equipment and time involved, but it's the more thorough fix for grease buildup or recurring clogs — snaking alone on a recurring problem often means paying for the same visit again in a few months. We'll recommend the method that actually solves the problem, not just the cheaper one for today.
Building type matters too. A single-family house typically has more accessible cleanouts than a multi-unit building sharing a stack, where finding and accessing the right point in the line can add time before cleaning even starts. Older buildings with cast-iron or clay drain lines also sometimes need lower jetting pressure than newer PVC, which can mean an extra visit if snaking alone doesn't fully resolve a stubborn clog.
We inspect the drain — with a camera if needed — to identify the exact blockage type and location.
We choose the right tool — snake, hydro-jet, or root cutter — based on the specific clog.
We don't poke a hole — we fully clear the line so water flows at complete capacity.
We explain what caused the clog and how to prevent recurrence. Backed by warranty.
No matter where you are in New York City, a licensed NP Co.™ plumber is ready to help.
Available 24/7 across all NYC boroughs — no overtime charges, ever.
Available 24 hours · 7 days · No Overtime · 1-Year Warranty