What sewer line cleaning typically costs
| Cable and flush, one house line | $649–$989Through a cleanout with reasonable access. |
|---|---|
| With jetting and a camera | $1,289–$1,889For roots, grease or a line that keeps blocking. |
Typical prices in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in 2026, before tax. They are a guide, not our quote. Too much depends on your home to price these jobs unseen, so your price is set on site, in writing, before any work starts.
What changes the price
| Roots | Heavy root growth takes several passes with a cutting head. |
|---|---|
| Length and depth | A long run to the street takes more time and cable. |
| Pipe material | Old clay or concrete pipe has to be cleaned more gently than plastic. |
| Time of day | Regular hours are 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, every price is double. |
Time to call if
- The line has been cleared of roots before
- There are large trees over or near the line
- Drains slow down again every few months
Call 1-800-604-0631, any hour.
What the job involves
- Open the cleanout and check how the line is flowing.
- Run a drum machine with a cutting head sized to the pipe through the full length to the city connection.
- Make more than one pass where roots or build-up are heavy.
- Flush the line with water from several fixtures and confirm it carries a full load.
- Time on site
- Usually 1 to 2 hours
How pricing works for this job
There is no one price for sewer line cleaning, because the factors above change it from one home to the next. It starts with an on-site estimate for $269. A Pure Mechanical Group plumber looks at the job and gives you a price in writing, good for 30 days. Approve it and the $269 comes off the price. If you do not go ahead, the fee covers the visit. Anything found once work has started is priced and approved before it is done.
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Questions people ask
How much does sewer line cleaning cost in Metro Vancouver?
Cable and flush, one house line: $649–$989. With jetting and a camera: $1,289–$1,889. Typical prices in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in 2026, before tax. They are a guide, not our quote. Too much depends on your home to price these jobs unseen, so your price is set on site, in writing, before any work starts.
How is this different from unclogging a sewer line?
Unclogging is the emergency: something is blocked and it has to flow again. Cleaning is maintenance on a line that still works, done on your schedule and in regular hours, so the emergency does not happen.
How often should it be done?
With roots in the line, every one to two years. Without roots, most homes never need it on a schedule. A camera inspection tells you which kind of line you have.
Will cleaning damage an old pipe?
A cutter sized to the pipe does not harm sound pipe. If the pipe is already cracked or collapsing, cleaning will not fix it, and the plumber stops and shows you why.
Is the estimate free?
No. A Pure Mechanical Group plumber comes out, looks at the job and gives you a written estimate. Approve it and the $269 comes off the price. If you do not go ahead, the fee covers the visit.
What if you find something unexpected once work starts?
The estimate is based on what can be seen. Anything found once a wall, floor or the ground is open is shown to you, priced and approved before it is done.
