Drain line breakage repair costs $400 to $1,500, with a national average of about $600 to detect and repair a broken drain pipe under the floor, according to Fixr.[3] When the problem is a clog rather than a broken pipe, drain cleaning averages $246, with most jobs between $147 and $352, according to Angi; corporate sibling HomeAdvisor publishes the identical average and range, and both versions are reported as published.[1][2]
Drain repair cost by source
| Source | Average (per project) | Typical range (per project) | Scope as published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixr | $600 | $400 – $1,500 | Drain line breakage repair |
| Angi | $246 | $147 – $352 | Drain cleaning (clog clearing) |
| HomeAdvisor | $246 | $147 – $352 | Drain cleaning (clog clearing) |
Drain repair vs drain cleaning are different jobs: Fixr’s figures cover repairing a broken drain line, while Angi and HomeAdvisor publish clog-clearing figures. Angi and HomeAdvisor are corporate siblings and publish the identical $246 average and $147 to $352 cleaning range; matching figures alone do not establish independent corroboration. Fixr is a separate owner with repair-specific figures: a $600 average, a $400 to $1,500 range, a $150 low end and a $5,000 high end; these are separately published figures, and the pages state no shared sourcing.
Drain cleaning cost by clog location
Where the clog sits sets the cleaning bill: toilets run $110 to $275, kitchen sinks $110 to $215, and a bathtub or shower about $225.[1]
| Clog location | Cleaning cost (Angi & HomeAdvisor, per job) |
|---|---|
| Toilet | $110 – $275 |
| Kitchen sink | $110 – $215 |
| Bathtub or shower | $225 |
| Sewage main line | $100 – $800 |
Drain cleaning cost by clog location. Source: Angi, with identical figures published by corporate sibling HomeAdvisor. Angi’s own prose narrows one row: a simple sewer main clog costs $200 to $300 to clean, inside its $100 to $800 table range; both versions are reported as published. HomeAdvisor adds that Roto-Rooter typically charges a flat $160 to $450 for standard snaking.
Repair cost by location
An accessible sink drain pipe costs $150 to $500 to repair, while a break under the slab or the house runs $500 to $5,000 because the crew has to reach the pipe first.[3]
| Repair location | Repair cost (Fixr, per repair, materials and labor) |
|---|---|
| Sink drain pipe | $150 – $500 |
| Sink drain pipe at the wall | $150 – $500 |
| Drain pipe under basement floor | $200 – $600 |
| Bathtub drain pipe | $450 – $800 |
| Pipe under slab | $500 – $4,500 |
| Drain pipe under the house | $600 – $5,000 |
Drain line breakage repair cost by location. Source: Fixr.
Repair cost by pipe material
| Pipe material | Repair cost (Fixr, per linear foot, materials only) |
|---|---|
| PVC | $0.50 – $8 |
| Polypropylene | $1 – $15 |
| Copper | $2 – $15 |
| Galvanized | $3 – $8 |
| Cast iron | $10 – $30 |
Drain pipe repair cost by pipe material. Source: Fixr. Fixr’s prose notes PVC is one of the easiest materials to work with, so the cost to repair it is one of the lowest.
When cleaning uncovers bigger damage
Root intrusions, sagging pipes and collapsed lines are common reasons a simple cleaning becomes a repair.[2]
| Problem found while cleaning | Repair cost (HomeAdvisor, per project) |
|---|---|
| Broken or cracked sewer line pipes | $1,300 – $5,000 |
| Tree roots in the sewer line | $100 – $1,000, plus a video line inspection |
| Collapsed line | $50 – $250 per linear foot |
| Trenching | $400 – $1,200 (up to $24 per linear foot for deep lines) |
| Drain pipe replacement | $200 – $1,200 |
| Sewer trap replacement | $200 – $325 |
| Bellied pipe repair | $1,500 – $3,000 |
Repair costs when drain cleaning uncovers bigger damage. Source: HomeAdvisor. HomeAdvisor states that for extensive damage, replacing the whole line may be more cost-effective than a collapsed-line repair.
Add-on and related costs
Fixr puts a camera inspection at $200 to $400, excavation at around $1,000, and tree-root removal at $100 to $600 ($100 to $300 with a power auger, $300 to $600 with hydro jetting); for severe or widespread damage it puts drain pipe replacement at $100 to $650 per foot.[3] HomeAdvisor separately puts video inspection services at around $900; these are separately published figures, and the pages state no shared sourcing.[2] For prevention, Fixr puts regular drain cleaning at an average charge of $150 to $600, with hydro-jetting a serious blockage costing up to $1,000.[3]
DIY vs hiring a pro
A minor clog near the fixture is the one realistic DIY job here: Angi says clearing it yourself saves an average of over $100, but recommends a professional when the underlying cause is unknown, since a pro can use cameras and equipment that clear the blockage without damaging pipes.[1] HomeAdvisor advises against liquid chemical cleaners, which erode metal and even some plastics over time, and recommends mechanical removal with a snake or jet instead.[2] For an occasional minor clog, a hand auger is the tool the sources describe; see Drain Snakes at The Home Depot (plain link, no affiliate commission). Repairing a broken drain line itself is not a DIY project: Fixr notes it can require excavation and plumbing work and advises hiring a professional plumber.[3]
Related cost guides
See our guides to drain cleaning cost, sewer line repair cost, plumber cost, septic tank repair cost and water line replacement cost.
Sources
- Angi – How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost? (updated Aug 3, 2026; cleaning-labeled figures, cited where noted)
- HomeAdvisor – How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost? (updated Jun 17, 2026; cleaning figures published at its clogged-drain repair page, cited where noted)
- Fixr – Drain Line Breakage Repair Cost (updated Jan 31, 2025)