vs Hydro jetting
Choose sewer rodding when
Emergency clearing, root cutting, soft blockages
Choose hydro jetting when
Grease lines, mineral scale, recurring clogs, restaurants
Service
Sewer Rodding in Boston, Greater Boston & the South Shore
Sewer rodding (also called sewer snaking or cabling) uses a heavy-duty motorized rod with a cutting head to clear blockages in main sewer and branch drain lines. Mr. Drain Inc. has been rodding sewers across Boston, Greater Boston, and the South Shore since 1993 — for homes, restaurants, condos, and commercial properties.
24/7 Emergency
Service
Residential
& Commercial
Family Owned
Owner-operated
Fully Insured
Owner-Operated
Since 1993
Owner: 20+ yrs exp
Quick Answer
Sewer Rodding: Mechanical sewer rodding for blocked main lines, branch lines, and recurring clogs. Mr. Drain Inc. provides sewer rodding across Boston, Greater Boston & the South Shore — family-owned since 1993, 24/7 emergency dispatch, free evaluations. Call (617) 262-0303.
Common Problems We Solve
Blocked main
Blocked main sewer line
Recurring branch
Recurring branch line clogs
Tree-root intrusion
Tree-root intrusion in the lateral
Multiple drains
Multiple drains backing up
Slow main
Slow main drain
About this service
What sewer rodding involves
Sewer rodding (cabling) feeds a rotating steel cable with a cutting head through the sewer line to break up clogs and cut roots and restore flow.
Active backups and overflows are taken 24/7 and dispatched as crews are available. Preventive or follow-up work is scheduled.
Signs you may need it
- More than one fixture slow or backing up at the same time
- Water coming up in a tub, shower, or basement floor drain when a toilet flushes or the washer drains
- Gurgling from toilets or drains on the lowest level
- Sewage odor or wet spots near the cleanout
What the visit typically covers
- Locate and open an accessible cleanout
- Clear the building sewer toward the street with a cable machine or jetter matched to the pipe
- Recommend a camera inspection when clogs recur or roots/damage are suspected
| Usually a good fit | Not the right tool |
|---|---|
| Quickly opening a stopped main line | Removing heavy grease coating along the full pipe wall (jetting does this better) |
| Cutting roots at a joint | Structural problems like collapse or severe offsets |
| Lines where jetting isn't appropriate |
Before you call or book
- •Stop running water and flushing until the line is cleared
- •Know where your cleanout is, or be ready to show us the basement
- •Note when it started and which fixtures are affected
Our Process
How sewer rodding works at Mr. Drain
The exact same 6-step process on every call — residential or commercial, Boston or the South Shore.
- 1
Diagnose the blockage
We confirm it's a main-line issue by checking lowest-level drains and any cleanouts.
- 2
Locate the best access point
Interior cleanout, exterior cleanout, or roof vent — whichever gives the cable the cleanest run.
- 3
Match cable and head to the job
Sectional or continuous rod, with a cutter, auger, or root-cutting head sized to the line.
- 4
Rod the line
We push the rod through the full length of the blockage and back, breaking up the obstruction.
- 5
Verify with camera (when warranted)
On recurring or severe backups we run a camera to confirm the line is clear and check for damage.
- 6
Document & guarantee
Flat written price, written guarantee on the work, full clean-up.
Equipment we use for sewer rodding
- •Truck-mounted sectional rodding machines (3/4" cable, 150 ft reach)
- •Continuous-rod main line machines
- •Root-cutting and grease-cutting heads
- •HD self-leveling sewer cameras for verification
Every truck rolls fully stocked — no return trips, no rentals, no delays.
Honest Comparison
Sewer Rodding vs the alternatives
vs Pipe replacement
Choose sewer rodding when
Pipe is intact but blocked or root-invaded
Choose pipe replacement when
Collapsed, separated, or severely corroded pipe
How Mr. Drain Helps
1
Inspect
We assess the issue using advanced tools to find the root cause.
2
Clear
We remove clogs with professional-grade cabling and equipment.
3
Restore Flow
Your drains are cleared and flow is fully restored.
4
Prevent
We provide expert advice to help prevent future clogs.
Commercial
Sewer Rodding
- Restaurants
- Apartment buildings
- Multi-tenant properties
- Property managers
Get a Quote in Minutes
Need sewer rodding? Let's talk.
Tell us what's going on and we'll respond fast — no obligation, no pressure.
- Free evaluations
- Honest, upfront pricing
- Family-owned since 1993
- Fully insured
Why Choose Mr. Drain?
- Family owned & operated since 1993
- Owner with 20+ years of experience
- 24/7 emergency service – day or night
- Upfront pricing with no surprises
- Fully insured, experienced drain technicians
- Committed to customer satisfaction
24/7 Emergency Drain Service
We're here when you need us most. Day or night, rain or shine.
Sewer Rodding Near You
We provide sewer rodding across Boston, Greater Boston, and the South Shore. Pick your city for local details, or call (617) 262-0303.
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All cities we serve:
BostonDorchesterQuincyWeymouthBraintreeMiltonRandolphCantonDedhamBrooklineCambridgeSomervilleNewtonHinghamCohassetScituateHanoverNorwellRocklandAbingtonHolbrookWhitmanHansonPembrokeMarshfieldDuxburyKingstonPlymouthHalifaxBridgewaterEast BridgewaterWest BridgewaterStoughtonEastonSharonFoxboroughMansfieldNorwoodWestwoodWalpoleWrenthamWatertownBelmontArlingtonMedfordMaldenEverettChelseaRevereWinthropNeedhamWellesleyLynnSalemPeabodyBeverlyDanversMarbleheadSwampscottSaugusMelroseStonehamWakefieldReadingLynnfieldGloucesterRockportIpswichWinchesterWoburnNahant
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between sewer rodding and snaking?
They're the same thing — different regions use different words. Both refer to running a powered cable (the 'rod') with a cutting or auger head through the pipe to clear a blockage. Rodding is the older term used by drain companies; snaking is more common in residential conversation.
Rodding vs hydro jetting — which is right for me?
Rodding punches through a clog and cuts roots; it's fast, cheap, and great for emergency clearing. Hydro jetting scours the entire pipe wall and removes grease, scale, and soft root mats; it's the right tool for grease lines, restaurants, recurring clogs, and any pipe that needs to be restored to true diameter. We diagnose first and recommend the method that solves the cause — not just the symptom.
How much does sewer rodding cost in Massachusetts?
Main sewer line rodding typically runs $325–$650 in Greater Boston through an accessible cleanout. We give you a flat written price before any work begins.
Will rodding fix tree roots permanently?
Rodding cuts roots and restores flow, but the roots regrow — typically in 12–24 months. For long-term control we recommend an annual maintenance plan or pairing rodding with hydro jetting and root-foaming.
Ready for Sewer Rodding?
Call now or request a free evaluation.