Drain Cleaning for Utah Homes
Serving the Wasatch Front and beyond
When a drain slows or stops, we come to your home and find the cause before we choose the right method. A simple clog may only need a cable, while scale or tree roots call for a high-pressure jet. We run a camera, which also has a locator transponder and measures distance, down the line before any digging happens, so we figure out exactly what is going on. And the price is given to you before any work begins.
Book Your Drain Cleaning
Quick answer
Yes, we clear clogged drains across Utah - the Wasatch Front and beyond. Here is how a visit runs. Our method is chosen by diagnosis. We use a cable for a simple clog. We use a jet for scale or roots. You receive a flat-rate price in writing first. Whole-house backups get priority.
How can you tell a drain needs professional cleaning?
Slow sink
You notice water taking longer to drain from a sink. We check the drain to find what is slowing the flow.
Gurgling after a flush
You hear a gurgling sound from a drain after you flush a toilet. We check the venting and the line for blockages.
Water rising in a shower
Water pools around your feet while you shower. We check the drain line for a restriction.
More than one fixture backing up
Water backs up in a sink when you flush a toilet. We check the main line for a clog.
A smell from a drain
An unpleasant odor comes from a drain opening. We check the trap and the line for buildup.
A floor drain that fills
Water stands in a basement floor drain. We check the line for a blockage.
A clog that comes back
A drain clears after you work on it but soon clogs again. We check the line for a recurring issue.
A toilet that needs a plunger often
You reach for a plunger regularly to clear a toilet. We check the drain for a partial obstruction.
A kitchen sink that will not clear
Food scraps and water stay in the sink no matter what you try. We check the drain line for a solid clog.
Why do Wasatch Front drains and sewers clog?
Fats, oils, and grease from cooking solidify inside pipes and narrow the passage. Wipes, even those marked "flushable," do not break down and snag on rough spots. Tree roots enter through defects in pipe joints and grow thicker over time. Snowmelt and groundwater can overload a sewer system during wet months. Cleanouts are required by Utah's plumbing code to access blockages. The sewer lateral from the house to the main line is owned by the homeowner.
Grease and wipes
Fats, oils, and grease poured down drains harden and cling to pipe walls. Baby wipes, facial wipes, and sanitary products do not dissolve. A 2020 EPA study says flush only toilet paper. A Ryerson study tested 101 products; 23 were labeled flushable, and none passed. South Davis reports this is a leading local cause.[1]
Roots
A Forest Service review finds roots cause more than 50% of sewer blockages. The worst problems are in laterals, which are shallower pipes. Old pipes with joints are most vulnerable. Trees within about 20 feet of a line are a risk. Cutting roots encourages regrowth. Salt Lake City notes grease attaches to roots.[2]
The two methods
Jetting uses high-velocity water to remove grease, clear blockages, and cut roots. Rodding uses a rotating cable to break up grease and cut roots, but it loosens debris without removing it. The EPA says rodding is best combined with flushing. Sand and grit require flushing.[3]
The camera
Camera inspection is the most effective way to see a sewer's inside and create a video record. Utah's plumbing code requires a recorded camera survey before pipe bursting. An internal exam is required when a building sewer is replaced. Salt Lake City sets a camera goal of 10% yearly.[4]
[1] EPA - sanitary sewer overflow frequently asked questions. [2] USDA Forest Service / ASCE review of tree roots in sewers. [3] EPA - sewer cleaning and inspection fact sheet. [4] 2021 Utah State Plumbing Code, chapter 7 (sanitary drainage). [5] Full source list: data-sources
We choose the method by diagnosis, using the cheapest tool that works. No dig is approved on a verbal description. You watch the camera footage. The inspection fee is credited toward a repair. We offer a free second opinion on any line-replacement quote.
Which method does your clogged drain need?
Each drain issue calls for a different tool. Here is how they compare.
Cable (snake)
- ✓Best for: A simple clog.
- ✓Rotating blades break up grease and cut roots, but it loosens without removing debris.
Hydro-jetting
- ✓Best for: A scaled or root-filled line.
- ✓High-velocity water scours against the pipe walls; it is the most common hydraulic method.
Camera inspection
- ✓Best for: A recurring backup, or if we need to dig.
- ✓A video record is required before pipe bursting under Utah's plumbing code.
What you get from a drain call
Diagnosis before method
We choose the method by diagnosis, not by ticket size, so you get the right approach for your clog.
If we need to dig
We run a camera, which also has a locator transponder and measures distance, down the line before any digging happens, so we figure out exactly what is going on. You watch the camera footage, and the inspection fee is credited toward a repair.
Flat-rate written price
You get a flat-rate price in writing before work, with no hourly meter running.
Recognition & accreditation
Financing available on qualifying installations, subject to credit approval; ask when you call.
Locally and women-owned and operated meet the owners Google Business Profile.
What every job includes
Flat-rate price in writing
You receive a flat-rate price in writing before work begins.
Licensed contractor with employees
We are a licensed Utah contractor with W-2 employees, no subcontractors except where safety or job specifics require them.
Method chosen by diagnosis
The method is chosen by diagnosis, not ticket size.
No dig on a verbal description
No dig is approved on a verbal description alone.
Work area protected
The work area is protected, shoe covers are worn, and the mess from a backup is hauled away.
Workmanship guarantee
A workmanship guarantee backs every job, plus a free second opinion on any line-replacement quote.
What happens after you call us?
Step 1
We respond.
Whole-house backups get priority.
Step 2
We schedule.
We confirm a two-hour arrival window, and same-day is usually available, subject to scheduling.
Step 3
We diagnose and price.
We locate the clog and pick the method your pipe needs, then give you a flat-rate price in writing before any work begins.
Step 4
We clear the line.
We use a cable for a simple clog or a jet for scale or roots.
Step 5
We verify and advise.
We confirm flow after the clear, and for a recurring backup we show you the camera footage and give you an honest plan.
What if your home is backing up?
If sewage is coming up a floor drain or more than one fixture is backing up, we give whole-house backups priority. Same-day is usually available, subject to scheduling. The price is in writing first. A flooded basement is cleaned and disinfected afterward.
What does a proper drain cleaning deliver for you?
The right method
We choose a cable, jet, or camera based on a diagnosis of your drain issue before any work begins.
Grease and root removal
The EPA describes jetting as a method that removes grease build-up, clears blockages, and cuts roots in small pipes.
A camera look
The EPA states a camera produces a video record of the line. You watch that footage when we find recurring backups.
Cleanout use
Utah's plumbing code requires cleanouts at the junction of drain and sewer and every 100 feet on a sewer. We use them and say if one is missing.
Flow confirmed
We confirm flow before we leave. If a clog returns, we give you an honest plan for the recurring backups.
Enzyme comparison
The EPA notes enzyme additives are effective only under specified conditions. We compare them against mechanical cleaning.
What drain problems do we handle?
Kitchen grease
The EPA warns that fats, oils, and grease build up on pipe walls. We jet a kitchen line with scale. The EPA states jetting removes it. We clear the grease so your drain flows again.
Wipes and products
The EPA says wipes and sanitary products clog drains. A Ryerson study found none of 101 products passed flushability tests. We cable and flush the line. We tell you what to keep out.
Root blockages
The EPA notes roots enter through defects in pipes. A Forest Service review says roots cause more than 50% of blockages. The EPA recommends chemical root control with foam or liquid, followed by mechanical removal. We cut the roots, then camera the line.
Plugged lateral or main
South Davis reports small, intermittent, or slow backups mean the lateral is probably plugged. Continuous flow up a floor drain with no water running means the main is plugged. We tell you which it is.
Missing cleanout
The code requires a cleanout at the drain-sewer junction within 10 feet upstream. The code says the plug must be at or above grade. We add one where it is missing.
Sagging or broken line
The EPA says roots enter through defects and joints. Clay pipe cracks under load, and metal pipe corrodes. A camera shows the problem. We quote a repair only from footage.
What drives the cost of drain cleaning?
We charge a flat rate by the job, never by the hour. The price is put in writing before any work begins, and we publish what moves it. Blue Best quotes an exact price in writing before any work begins.
The price depends on the fixture or line involved, whether we use a cable or a jet, if a camera is needed, and cleanout access. We also offer a free second opinion on any competitor's line-replacement quote.
Quoted upfront
Single-fixture cable - A cable clears a simple clog in one sink, tub, or toilet.
Quoted upfront
Main-line clear - A main-line clear removes a blockage from the pipe that serves the whole house.
Quoted upfront
Hydro-jetting - A jet blasts away scale or tree roots from inside the line.
Quoted upfront
Camera inspection - A camera fee is credited toward a repair if you choose one.
Quoted upfront
Cleanout added - A new cleanout gives access for future service without pulling a toilet.
What does Blue Best guarantee in writing?
On new equipment installs
a 1-year labor warranty - extendable for customers on a Blue Best Maintenance Plan - the parts warranty (typically 10 years on qualifying Lennox and Amana equipment) registered for you, and no-lemon coverage on major components like compressors and heat exchangers.
On any quoted work
the price you sign is the price you pay - change orders require your approval before we do the work. Plus a free second opinion on any competitor's replacement quote (no blanket price-match - sometimes our honest answer is "take their deal").
What we won't promise
real-world comfort depends on duct condition, insulation, and infiltration, so we disclose those dependencies rather than guarantee a number. The 5.0 rating from 2,900+ reviews is the audit trail.
What homeowners ask about drain cleaning
We locate the clog and choose the method by diagnosis before any work begins. You receive a flat-rate price in writing before work starts. A cable is used for a simple clog, and a jet is used for scale or roots. The method depends on what we find.
A kitchen clog usually affects one fixture with slow or intermittent drainage, likely in the lateral or branch. A main-line clog shows continuous flow up a floor drain or no water running at all. We tell you which type you have.
A cleanout is a plug at or above grade at the junction of the drain and sewer or within 10 feet upstream. The plumbing code requires one every 100 feet on smaller sewers. We can add one if your home does not have one.
Whole-house backups get priority, and same-day is usually available, subject to scheduling. Stop running water immediately. If you have a flooded basement, clean and disinfect the area. Keep valuables off the floor.
The main in the street belongs to the city. The line from the house to the main belongs to the resident. A shared lateral is the responsibility of all connected owners. We are a licensed Utah contractor and can perform right-of-way work with a permit.
We will not dig on a verbal description alone. Camera footage is required first to see the problem. There is no hourly meter. We tell you when a cable is enough and when a different approach is needed.
Fats, oils and grease should never go down a drain, according to the EPA. Wipes, even those labeled "flushable," and sanitary products also cause problems. Cooled grease goes into a covered container and into the garbage. Dental floss, paper towels, cat litter, and hair also belong in the trash.
Root cutting encourages regrowth, according to a Forest Service review. Grease attaches to roots, and roots enter through defects in the pipe. A camera shows the defect. We provide an honest plan for recurring backups.
Not always. Chemical root control uses a liquid solution or herbicidal foam, followed by mechanical removal. Mechanical removal plus foam is recommended. Cutting alone leads to regrowth.
Glossary of Drain-Cleaning Terms
Cable
A rotating cable that breaks up grease and cuts roots inside a drain line.
Hydro-jetting
High-velocity water that blasts against pipe walls to remove grease buildup.
Camera inspection
A camera sent into the line creates a video record that shows defects.
Lateral
The sewer pipe from your house to the main line, usually the owner's responsibility.
Cleanout
An access fitting at the drain-sewer junction with a plug at grade level.
Backwater valve
A valve that stops sewage from flowing back, required only below the upstream manhole.
Fats, oils and grease
Kitchen grease that builds up on pipe walls over time.
Root intrusion
Roots entering sewer pipes through joints and defects in the pipe.
What homeowners say
Elizabeth M
1 week ago
Our experience with Blue Best has been fantastic. Shawn, Carson and Khaing have done any amazing job with fixing our shower and pressure valve, patching the drywall, and installing both a water...
Aaron
2 weeks ago
I have been using these people for three years. Costumer service is outstanding and they were able to give me advice on my issue until they came out in a few weeks. Would recommend, but make sure to...
Marian Young
3 weeks ago
We used Blue Best for many projects in our home (faucet replacement, HVAC, installing manifold, replace steam system, etc). Shawn was knowladgable, courteous, explained everything and cleaned up the...
Jeffery Hansen
1 month ago
Just had Roger Pay, our technician complete sumner service on our new (Heat Pump System). He was courteous and thorough but most important, professional. We had BLUE BEST put in a new heat pump in...
