★★★★★
4.9 Google 1.5k+ Reviews · 4.7 Yelp 1.1k+ Reviews
Drain Cleaning. Phoenix Valley, AZ.
From a clogged kitchen drain to a backed-up sewer line, our licensed plumbers diagnose the actual problem and fix it right. We use drain snaking, hydro jetting, and video camera inspection to clear every type of blockage and tell you exactly what caused it so it doesn't come back next month. Phoenix families have trusted Lawson with their plumbing since 2011, and that consistency shows in every review we earn.
Warning Signs
Most drain problems give you warning before they become emergencies. Catching these signals early is the difference between a $150 drain cleaning and a $3,000 sewer backup cleanup. If you recognize any of these, don't wait.
The most common early sign. Water pooling in the tub or a sink that takes minutes to drain means a partial blockage is forming. In Arizona, hard water mineral buildup combines with soap scum and grease to create stubborn accumulation that worsens over time. Slow drainage caught early is almost always a quick, inexpensive fix.
If you've had a drain cleared and the clog returns within a few months, the root cause was never fully addressed. Recurring clogs typically mean grease or mineral scale coating the pipe walls, which builds back quickly after a simple snake. Hydro jetting removes the buildup from the walls completely, not just punches through the center of the blockage.
Gurgling after water drains indicates trapped air in the line caused by a partial obstruction. You may also hear gurgling in one drain when another is used, which points to a deeper blockage further down the line, sometimes in the main sewer. Drain venting issues can also cause this. Either way, it's a signal worth investigating before the blockage worsens.
When two or more drains in different parts of your home are slow or backing up simultaneously, the problem is almost certainly in the main sewer line. This requires immediate attention. Continuing to use water can worsen the backup and risk sewage coming up through floor drains or toilets. Stop using water-heavy fixtures and call right away.
Persistent bad smells from drains are caused by decomposing organic matter caught in the pipe, or sewer gas escaping through a dry or damaged P-trap. Kitchen drain odors typically mean grease and food debris rotting inside the line. A distinct sewer gas smell throughout the home (different from food odors) needs prompt inspection to rule out a cracked sewer line or failed vent.
If flushing a toilet causes water to bubble in a nearby shower, or running the washing machine causes a floor drain to back up, your main sewer line is obstructed. Water is finding the path of least resistance through connected drain lines. This is an emergency. Stop using appliances that discharge water and call immediately to prevent sewage from entering living spaces.
How We Do It
Most drain companies own a snake and that's it. Lawson brings the full toolkit: snaking for minor clogs, hydro jetting for grease and scale, and camera inspection to diagnose what a snake can't see. You get the right solution for your specific situation, not the only option the tech has available.
A flexible cable with a cutting head that breaks up and retrieves clogs near the drain opening. Effective for hair, soap clumps, and small solid obstructions in bathroom drains and kitchen sinks. Fast, low-cost, and the right tool when the blockage is close to the fixture and the pipe walls aren't coated with buildup.
High-pressure water delivered through a specialized nozzle that scours the full interior of the pipe. It doesn't just punch through a clog, it scrubs the walls clean. Removes grease coating, mineral scale, bio-film, and tree root debris. The gold standard for kitchen drains, main sewer lines, and any clog that keeps coming back after snaking.
A waterproof camera inserted into the line shows us exactly what's inside your pipes in real time. We use camera inspection before quoting work on main sewer lines and any recurring or unclear clog. No guesswork. No unnecessary service. You see exactly what we see, and we quote based on what's actually there.
The main sewer line carries all wastewater from your home to the municipal system. Blockages here affect every drain in the house simultaneously. We clear main line obstructions with hydro jetting, confirm the result with camera inspection, and identify any structural issues like root intrusion or pipe damage that require longer-term attention.
Our Services
Every service call starts with a proper assessment. We identify what's causing the clog, not just where it is, so we can give you a long-term fix instead of a temporary patch that brings you back in three months.
Why Hydro Jetting
A standard drain snake breaks up or retrieves a clog and gets water moving again. That's useful for isolated, simple blockages. But for kitchen drains coated in years of grease, sewer lines with mineral scale, or pipes with recurring buildup, snaking only clears the center of the pipe and leaves the walls untouched. The clog returns within months because the conditions that created it are still there.
Hydro jetting uses water pressurized to 3,000 PSI or more, delivered through a nozzle with rear-facing jets that pull the hose forward while scrubing the pipe walls clean. It doesn't just break the clog, it removes what caused it. In Arizona's hard water environment, where mineral scale and grease build up faster than average, hydro jetting is frequently the right call the first time, not the last resort after snaking repeatedly fails.
By the Numbers
A slow drain is easy to put off. A sewer backup isn't. Understanding what's at stake makes the $150 drain cleaning an obvious decision.
Why Lawson
Anyone can own a snake. Lawson brings licensed plumbers who understand your full plumbing system, not just the drain in front of them. When a drain problem is actually a sewer line issue, or a symptom of something bigger, we catch it and tell you before it becomes a disaster.
On main line calls and recurring clogs, we inspect first. No quoting work based on guesses. No unnecessary service. You see what we see before any work begins.
We're equipped for hydro jetting on every call. When a snake isn't the right answer, we have the right answer available same day when schedule permits. No second visit needed.
Full quote before we start. No hourly rates that balloon on the invoice.
Background-checked technicians. An A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Crimshield certification. We earn your trust before the job starts.
What Our Customers Say
"Called on a Sunday and they came out early Monday morning and took care of the issue. I would highly recommend Lionel Morris, our technician. He's knowledgeable, friendly, and got the job done promptly and professionally."
"Tyler showed up early and there was no question that he was very knowledgeable and caring. Although he had a very hard time getting the clog out due to its density, he did not give up until he got the job done. I couldn't be happier with the service I received from Lawson Family Plumbing."
"I've been using Lawson Family Plumbing for years, and I always request Robert because he's simply the best. He's upfront about costs, never tries to upsell you on stuff you don't need, and always gives you straight answers. That kind of trustworthiness is hard to find."
Common Questions
A standard drain snake for a bathroom or kitchen sink typically runs $100 to $200. Hydro jetting costs more, usually $300 to $600 depending on line length and accessibility, but is often the better value for recurring clogs or kitchen drains with grease buildup. Main sewer line service ranges from $300 to $800 depending on scope. We provide a full quote before starting any work so there are no surprises on the invoice.
For most Arizona homes, kitchen drains benefit from professional cleaning every 1 to 2 years. Grease accumulates faster here due to the hard water minerals that bond to it. Main sewer lines should be inspected every 2 to 3 years in homes with large trees nearby, given the root intrusion risk. If you've had a backup before, more frequent cleaning is a smart investment in preventing a repeat.
A drain snake is a rotating cable that breaks up or retrieves a clog and gets water flowing again. It's effective for clearing an isolated blockage but doesn't clean the pipe walls. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the entire pipe interior, removing grease coating, mineral scale, and bio-film from the walls. Think of snaking as punching a hole through a clog and hydro jetting as pressure washing the inside of the pipe completely clean.
A single slow drain is almost always a localized blockage. When two or more drains in different areas of your home are slow or backing up at the same time, that points to a main sewer line obstruction. Other indicators include gurgling sounds in one drain when another fixture is used, sewage odors throughout the house, water appearing in floor drains unexpectedly, or a toilet that bubbles when you run a sink nearby.
We don't recommend them. Chemical drain cleaners generate heat to dissolve clogs, which can warp or crack older PVC pipes and corrode joints and fittings over time. Most importantly, they only dissolve part of a clog and leave residue that rebuilds quickly. For recurring clogs especially, they provide a temporary fix while making the underlying problem harder to address. Baking soda and vinegar is a safer option for minor maintenance, but for a real blockage, call a plumber.
Recurring clogs almost always mean the root cause wasn't addressed. A standard snake clears a path through the clog but leaves the pipe walls coated with the same grease, scale, or bio-film that caused the problem. It builds back up fast. Camera inspection lets us see what's actually happening inside the line. In most recurring cases, hydro jetting and camera confirmation resolves the problem long-term where repeated snaking has repeatedly failed.
Most Phoenix homeowners benefit from professional drain cleaning every 1 to 2 years. Hard water accelerates buildup, so homes with older pipes or a history of slow drains may need it annually. If you notice slow draining, recurring clogs, or odors coming from drains, don't wait for your next scheduled cleaning. Call Lawson for a same-day diagnostic.
Ready When You Are
Same-Day When Available. Upfront pricing. Camera inspection before we quote on major jobs.
BBB A+ rated. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. The most reviewed plumber in Arizona is a phone call away.
Available Mon-Sat 7am-7pm. 24/7 for emergencies.
