Hear from Our Customers
When your drains flow freely, you stop worrying about backups during dinner prep or morning showers. You’re not dealing with foul odors creeping up from slow-moving water or wondering if that gurgling sound means trouble ahead.
Our drain cleaning gets your Cambridge home back to normal—fast. No more standing water in your kitchen sink or bathroom that smells like something’s wrong underneath.
You get reliable drainage that handles everything your household throws at it, from daily use to heavy cooking cleanup, without the constant concern about what’s building up in your pipes.
Emma Plumbing started with new construction plumbing, but we’ve spent the last several years focusing on what Cambridge homeowners actually need: reliable service and repair work. We know the older pipe systems in this area and the unique challenges they present.
Cambridge’s aging infrastructure means tree roots, settled pipes, and systems that weren’t designed for today’s water usage. We’ve seen it all, from Victorian-era cast iron to mid-century installations that need careful handling.
Our team understands that when your drain backs up, you need someone who shows up on time, explains what’s wrong in plain English, and fixes it right the first time. That’s what we do, with transparent pricing and no unnecessary upselling.
First, we assess your drain situation using video camera inspection when needed. This shows us exactly what we’re dealing with—whether it’s grease buildup, tree roots, or something else entirely. No guessing, no unnecessary work.
For most clogs, we start with professional drain snaking to break through the blockage. If that’s not enough, we move to hydro jetting—high-pressure water that scrubs your pipes clean from the inside out. It’s thorough without being harsh on your plumbing.
After we clear the drain, we test everything to make sure water flows properly. You’ll see the difference immediately. We also let you know if we spot any potential issues during the cleaning, so you can address them before they become emergencies.
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Every drain cleaning includes our upfront assessment, professional cleaning using the right method for your specific situation, and a 7-day warranty on the work. We also provide a free main sewer line camera inspection for new customers—something that can save you thousands down the road.
Cambridge homes built before 1950 often have cast iron or clay pipes that need special attention. Our hydro jetting equipment is calibrated for these older systems, providing thorough cleaning without damage. We’re also equipped for the newer PVC installations found in renovated Cambridge properties.
Our service includes emergency availability, because drain backups don’t wait for business hours. Whether you’re dealing with a slow kitchen drain that’s getting worse or a complete backup that’s threatening your basement, we respond quickly with the right tools and experience to handle it properly.
Most drain cleaning in Cambridge runs between $150-$400, depending on the location and severity of the clog. Simple kitchen or bathroom drain clearing typically costs less than main sewer line work.
We provide upfront pricing before we start any work, so you know exactly what you’re paying. There are no hidden fees for evenings, weekends, or emergency calls. If we recommend hydro jetting for stubborn clogs, we’ll explain why it’s necessary and what it costs before proceeding.
The price depends on factors like accessibility, the type of blockage, and whether we need specialized equipment. Our free camera inspection for new customers often helps us recommend the most cost-effective approach for your specific situation.
Drain snaking pushes through clogs to create an opening for water flow, while hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to completely clean the pipe walls. Snaking works well for simple blockages and costs less, but hydro jetting provides more thorough, longer-lasting results.
For Cambridge homes with recurring drain issues, hydro jetting often makes more sense because it removes the buildup that causes repeated clogs. It’s especially effective against grease, soap scum, and minor tree root intrusion that snaking might only temporarily clear.
We typically start with snaking for cost-effectiveness, then recommend hydro jetting if the problem is more extensive or if you’ve had recurring issues with the same drain. Our technicians will explain which approach makes sense for your specific situation and budget.
Yes, we regularly work on main sewer lines in Cambridge homes dating back to the early 1900s. Many of these properties have cast iron or clay pipes that require experienced handling and specialized equipment.
Our video camera inspection lets us see the condition of your pipes before cleaning, so we choose the right approach. For older systems, we often use lower-pressure hydro jetting settings or traditional snaking methods that effectively clear blockages without risking damage to aging pipes.
Cambridge’s mature trees and settled foundations create unique challenges for sewer lines. We’re familiar with these issues and have the tools to handle tree root intrusion, shifted pipes, and other problems common in this area’s older infrastructure.
We provide 24/7 emergency drain cleaning throughout Cambridge. Drain backups, sewage overflows, and complete blockages can’t wait for regular business hours, especially in a city where many homes share walls or have finished basements.
Our emergency response includes the same upfront pricing and quality work you’d get during regular hours. We arrive with fully equipped trucks and can handle most emergency drain situations on the spot, from kitchen sink backups to main sewer line blockages.
Emergency calls get priority scheduling, and we understand that these situations are stressful. Our technicians explain what’s happening, what needs to be done, and how to prevent similar problems while they’re working to get your drains flowing again.
Most Cambridge homes benefit from professional drain cleaning every 18-24 months, though this varies based on usage, pipe age, and local conditions. Homes with older plumbing, large families, or mature trees nearby might need more frequent service.
Kitchen drains handling heavy cooking and grease disposal typically need attention more often than bathroom drains. Main sewer lines should be inspected and cleaned every few years, especially in homes built before 1960 when pipe materials and installation methods were different.
We recommend scheduling maintenance cleaning before you have problems, rather than waiting for slow drainage or backups. Preventive cleaning costs less than emergency service and helps you avoid the inconvenience and potential damage of drain failures.
Recurring clogs in Cambridge often stem from a combination of older pipe systems, mature tree roots, and heavy usage patterns. Cast iron pipes common in pre-1950 homes develop rough interior surfaces that catch debris more easily than newer materials.
Tree roots are a major factor here, with Cambridge’s abundant mature trees sending roots toward sewer lines seeking moisture. Even small root intrusions can catch grease, hair, and other debris, creating blockages that return quickly after basic clearing.
Hard water deposits, common in this area, build up over time and narrow pipe openings. Homes with garbage disposals or heavy cooking also tend to have grease-related recurring clogs. Our video inspection can identify the root cause, letting us recommend targeted solutions rather than just treating symptoms.