Drain cleaning in Greenville and the Upstate
Drain cleaning for slow sinks, backed-up tubs and main line clogs, cleared and tested. When a drain keeps clogging, we find out why.
Who clears clogged drains in Greenville, SC?
Ethical Plumbing clears kitchen, bathroom, laundry and main sewer line clogs across Greenville and the Upstate. For drains that keep clogging, a camera inspection shows the cause, and hydro-jetting scours grease, scale and roots from the pipe walls. Call 864-438-0525.
- Kitchen, bath and laundry drains
- Main sewer line clogs
- Camera inspection
- Hydro-jetting
Clearing the clog, and the reason for it
Almost every drain clogs eventually. Hair and soap in bathroom drains, grease and food in kitchen lines, and wipes or paper in toilets cause most of the calls we get. A plunger or a store-bought snake can handle the simple ones. When a drain is still slow afterward, or clogs again a few weeks later, the problem is usually deeper in the line.
That is where a professional cleaning is different. We clear the full length of the line, not just the first few feet, and when a drain keeps clogging we put a camera in it and, if needed, clear it with hydro-jetting to see exactly what is happening. Sometimes it is a buildup of grease. Sometimes it is a root, a sag in the pipe, or a broken section that keeps catching debris. Knowing the cause is what stops you from paying for the same clog twice.
Signs you need a professional drain cleaning
One slow sink is usually a local clog. Several slow drains at once usually means the problem is deeper in the line.
- Water draining slowly or standing in the tub
- Gurgling from sinks or toilets
- Several fixtures backing up at once
- Sewer smell inside the house
- Water coming up in the tub when you flush
- The same drain clogging again and again
How we clear drains
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Photo: Cabling
Cabling
A motorized cable breaks up hair, soap and food clogs in sink, tub and toilet lines.
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Photo: Camera inspection
Camera inspection
A small camera shows exactly what is in the line and where, so we fix the cause, not just the symptom.
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Photo: Hydro-jetting
Hydro-jetting
High-pressure water scours grease, scale and roots off the pipe walls instead of punching a hole through the clog.
Drain and sewer problems in Upstate homes
The Upstate is full of mature trees, and their roots are the most common cause of repeat sewer clogs we see. Roots find the joints in older clay and cast iron sewer lines and grow inside, catching paper and grease until the line backs up. Read more about tree roots in sewer lines.
Many older homes in Greenville, Taylors and Spartanburg still have cast iron drain pipes under the house. Cast iron lasts a long time but slowly scales and corrodes from the inside, narrowing the pipe. Red clay soil that shifts with wet and dry seasons can also cause sags and breaks in yard lines.
A camera inspection tells us which of these is happening in your line, so the fix matches the problem.
What affects the cost of drain cleaning
You get a written price before we start. It depends on:
- Which drain is clogged, from a single sink to the main sewer line
- Whether there is an accessible cleanout
- Cabling or hydro-jetting
- Whether a camera inspection is needed
- Roots, grease or a broken pipe found in the line
What happens during a drain cleaning
Inspection
We check the affected drains and ask what you have noticed.
Diagnosis
We find where the clog is and choose the right way to clear it.
Cleaning
We clear the buildup, not just a hole through it.
Testing
We run water through every affected fixture to confirm it drains properly.
Recent drain cleaning jobs
Camera stills and before-and-after shots from real jobs.
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Before
Before AfterAfter Caption: the problem, the fix, and the town
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Before
Before AfterAfter Caption: the problem, the fix, and the town
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Before
Before AfterAfter Caption: the problem, the fix, and the town
Why homeowners call Ethical Plumbing for drain cleaning
Every job starts with a diagnosis from a licensed plumber, not a sales pitch. We explain what we found in plain terms, show you the options side by side, and put the prices in writing before anything starts. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we say so.
We treat your home like a job site that people live in: shoe covers on, work area protected, cleaned up before we leave, and a walkthrough of what we did. Ethical Plumbing has served the Upstate since 2010, and our team brings 100+ years of combined plumbing experience. You can meet our plumbers or read what customers say.
What customers say
Every review here is from a real customer. Names are shortened for privacy.
Scott and Dorian were very knowledgeable, professional and thorough. We were given a detailed explanation of the work needed.
Nick was very thorough explaining our options, and didn't track in dirt on our floors.
Tristan was very knowledgeable and professional from our initial conversation to the follow up when the work was complete.
Drain cleaning across the Upstate
We clear kitchen, bathroom and main sewer line clogs in 7 counties. Towns with a local page are linked.
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Greenville County, SC
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Spartanburg County, SC
- Spartanburg
- Boiling Springs
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Pickens County, SC
- Easley
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Anderson County, SC
- Anderson
- Powdersville
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Henderson County, NC
- Hendersonville
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Polk County, NC
- Tryon
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Transylvania County, NC
- Brevard
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Also serving
- Seneca, SC
- Gray Court, SC
Drain cleaning FAQs
Are chemical drain cleaners safe for my pipes?
We do not recommend them. They can damage older pipes and rarely clear the real cause. A plunger or a professional cleaning is the safer route.
Why do my drains keep clogging?
Repeat clogs usually point to buildup deeper in the line, such as grease, scale or tree roots. A camera inspection shows exactly what is causing it.
Is hydro-jetting safe for older pipes?
Usually, yes. We run a camera through the line first to check its condition, and we recommend jetting only when the pipe can handle it.
How often should drains be cleaned?
Most homes only need a cleaning when there is a problem. Homes with recurring clogs, large trees near the sewer line, or restaurants and other businesses benefit from a yearly maintenance cleaning.
What causes a sewer smell in the house?
The usual causes are a dried-out drain trap in a rarely used sink or floor drain, a failed toilet wax ring, a blocked vent, or a problem in the sewer line. Run water in unused drains first; if the smell stays, call us.
Can tree roots get into my sewer line?
Yes. Roots find small cracks and joints and grow inside the pipe. A camera inspection confirms it, hydro-jetting clears them, and we show you repair options if the pipe is damaged.
What should never go down a drain?
Grease and cooking oil, wipes (including “flushable” ones), coffee grounds, eggshells, and paper towels. They are the most common causes of the clogs we clear.
Do you clear main sewer lines?
Yes. We clear main lines through the cleanout. If your home does not have an accessible cleanout, we explain the options before starting.
Ready when you are
Tell us what's going on.
A Master Plumber will find the cause, explain it in plain terms, and put your options in writing before any work starts.
- Serving the Upstate since 2010
- Licensed Master Plumbers
- Written prices, every job