Straight answers to your sewer & drain questions
55 answers covering drain cleaning, sewer lines, camera inspection, hydro-jetting, pricing, response time, and everything in between — for homeowners and property managers across the Twin Cities metro.
About Maki Sewer and Drain
Who is Maki Sewer and Drain?
Maki Sewer and Drain LLC is a family-run sewer and drain cleaning company based in North Branch, Minnesota, serving the Twin Cities metro and surrounding communities since 2013. We handle sewer line cleaning, drain clearing, camera inspection, and hydro-jetting for homeowners, property managers, and commercial customers across 43+ cities in eight counties.
Where is Maki Sewer and Drain located?
Maki Sewer and Drain is headquartered in North Branch, Minnesota. Our service territory covers Chisago, Isanti, Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, and Scott counties — a 43-city footprint stretching from the northern exurbs into downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Call 612-382-7397 to confirm we service your ZIP code.
What areas does Maki Sewer and Drain serve?
We serve 43 cities across the Twin Cities metro and northern exurbs, including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina, Woodbury, Burnsville, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Forest Lake, North Branch, Chisago City, Wyoming, Stacy, Lindström, Shafer, Harris, and Center City. Full city list is available on our Service Areas page.
Is Maki Sewer and Drain insured?
Yes. Maki Sewer and Drain LLC carries general liability insurance. Under Minnesota Statute 325F.75, sewer and drain cleaning services do not require a state contractor's license, but we maintain insurance to protect our customers and technicians on every job. Certificate of insurance available on request.
How long has Maki Sewer and Drain been in business?
Maki Sewer and Drain has operated since 2013 — over a decade of continuous service in the Twin Cities metro. We started as a family operation and grew through referrals, repeat customers, and steady work across residential, property management, and small commercial accounts.
What are your hours?
We take service calls during standard business hours Monday through Saturday and offer after-hours availability for urgent situations. Call 612-382-7397 to reach our dispatch line. If you leave a voicemail after hours, we typically return the call the same evening or first thing the next morning.
Services & Pricing
What services does Maki Sewer and Drain offer?
Maki Sewer and Drain offers sewer line cleaning, drain clearing for all household fixtures (kitchen, bathroom, floor drains, laundry), camera inspection of sewer lines and drains, hydro-jetting for stubborn blockages and grease, and cleanout locating. We do not pump septic tanks, install water heaters, or handle plumbing repairs — we refer those to trusted local partners.
How much does drain cleaning cost in the Twin Cities?
Basic drain cleaning in the Twin Cities typically runs $150–$300 depending on the fixture and difficulty. Kitchen sinks and bathroom drains usually fall in the lower range. Main sewer line cleaning runs $250–$450, and jobs requiring extensive work, additional access points, or after-hours dispatch may cost more. Call for a specific quote.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
Sewer camera inspections in the Twin Cities typically cost $250–$450. Pricing depends on line length, whether we need to locate the cleanout, and whether the inspection is standalone or bundled with a cleaning. Home-buyer inspections (before a real-estate closing) often bundle inspection with a video report for the buyer's file.
How much does hydro-jetting cost?
Hydro-jetting typically runs $400–$800+ in the Twin Cities, depending on line length, blockage type, and access. Grease-heavy commercial lines and long residential mains sit at the higher end. Hydro-jetting is priced higher than cabling because the equipment cleans the pipe wall thoroughly, not just clears a channel through the blockage.
Do you offer free estimates?
For most jobs, we provide a firm quote over the phone once we understand the fixture, symptoms, and location. Onsite estimates are typically only needed for complex commercial work, hydro-jetting inspections, or when the cleanout location is unknown. Call 612-382-7397 to describe your situation and get pricing.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express). Payment is due at time of service. We invoice property management companies and commercial accounts on standard terms after the first job. Financing is not currently offered.
Do you offer any warranties on your work?
Our drain cleaning work carries a limited service warranty on the specific line and blockage cleared — timeframe depends on the job type and pipe condition. We do not guarantee that a line won't clog again from separate root intrusion, foreign objects, or grease buildup. Details are provided on your invoice at time of service.
Sewer Line Issues
How do I know if my sewer line is clogged?
Common signs of a clogged sewer line include multiple drains backing up at once, gurgling toilets when you run the washing machine, sewage smells around floor drains or in the yard, slow drainage across the entire house, and water backing up into a tub or floor drain when a toilet is flushed. A camera inspection confirms the cause.
What causes sewer line clogs?
Sewer line clogs in Minnesota are most commonly caused by tree root intrusion through pipe joints, grease buildup from kitchen drains, flushed wipes and hygiene products, collapsed or offset clay tile pipes in older Twin Cities neighborhoods, and frozen or bellied sections in poorly graded lines. Camera inspection identifies the exact cause so the right method is used.
Can tree roots really damage my sewer line?
Yes. Tree roots are the number-one cause of residential sewer line problems in Minnesota. Roots grow into pipe joints seeking moisture and nutrients, eventually forming dense root balls that block flow and crack pipe walls. Older Twin Cities homes with clay tile sewer lines are especially vulnerable. Cabling or hydro-jetting clears roots; severe cases may need pipe repair or lining.
What's the difference between a drain clog and a sewer line clog?
A drain clog affects one fixture — one slow sink, one backed-up tub. A sewer line clog affects your whole house because everything drains through the main line to the city sewer or your septic tank. If multiple fixtures back up simultaneously or the lowest drain in the house (usually a basement floor drain) floods first, the main sewer line is the likely cause.
Where is the sewer cleanout on my house?
The main sewer cleanout is typically a 3–4 inch capped pipe located in the basement floor, near the foundation wall, in a utility room, or outside near the foundation. Some older Twin Cities homes have cleanouts in the crawl space or exterior yard. If you can't find yours, we can locate it during service — we do this regularly.
Should I use chemical drain cleaners on my sewer line?
No. Chemical drain cleaners (Drano, Liquid Plumr, and similar) are not effective on sewer line clogs and can damage older cast iron or clay pipes, corrode fittings, and harm septic system bacteria. They also make it more dangerous for technicians to work on the line. If you have a real sewer or drain problem, mechanical cleaning is the correct solution.
Drain Cleaning
What causes a kitchen sink to drain slowly?
Slow kitchen drains are almost always caused by grease, food particles, and soap scum building up on the pipe wall over time. The gunk narrows the pipe until water can barely pass. Cabling or hydro-jetting removes the buildup. Preventing recurrence means never pouring grease down the drain and running hot water after each use.
Why does my bathroom sink or tub drain slowly?
Bathroom drains slow down primarily from hair, soap scum, and toothpaste buildup. Long hair tangles around the drain stopper mechanism and traps everything else. A quick cable job clears it in most cases. If the problem returns quickly, the vent stack or a section further down the line may be involved.
Can you clean a floor drain?
Yes. Basement floor drains often clog from sediment, laundry lint, and debris that washes in over years of use. If your floor drain backs up when running the washing machine or when it rains hard, we can cable or jet it clear. Persistent floor drain backups sometimes indicate a main sewer issue rather than the floor drain itself.
What's the difference between snaking and hydro-jetting?
Snaking (cabling) pushes a rotating steel cable through the pipe to break through a blockage or cut roots — it clears a channel but leaves the pipe wall dirty. Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water (up to 4,000 PSI) to scour the entire pipe wall clean, removing grease and buildup completely. Cabling is faster and cheaper; jetting is more thorough.
Do you clean laundry drains?
Yes. Laundry drains and standpipes clog from lint, detergent buildup, and sediment. If your washing machine overflows the standpipe or drains slowly, it's usually a straightforward cabling job. Persistent problems can also indicate a shared drain with a floor drain or a vent stack issue.
Camera Inspection
What is a sewer camera inspection?
A sewer camera inspection uses a waterproof camera on a flexible cable to visually inspect the inside of your sewer line or drain pipe. The camera sends live video back to a monitor, showing pipe condition, blockage type, cracks, root intrusion, offsets, and belly points. Recordings can be saved for insurance claims, real-estate transactions, or repair planning.
When should I get a sewer camera inspection?
Get a sewer camera inspection before buying a home (older properties especially), after repeated backups in the same line, when planning major landscaping near the sewer line, before selling a home to disclose pipe condition, or when a plumber suspects a collapse, offset, or root problem. Home-buyer inspections are one of our most common jobs.
What does a home-buyer sewer inspection show?
A home-buyer sewer camera inspection shows the actual condition of the sewer line from the house to the city main or septic tank — pipe material (cast iron, clay tile, ABS, PVC), root intrusion, cracks, offsets, belly sections, and any existing repairs. This is a critical inspection for older Twin Cities homes; a bad sewer line can cost $8,000–$25,000+ to replace.
Do you provide video recordings of camera inspections?
Yes. On request, we provide a video recording or still images of the camera inspection for your records. This is especially useful for real-estate transactions, insurance claims, or if you need to show contractors what needs to be repaired. Ask about video documentation when you book.
Can you locate a sewer line with the camera?
Yes. Our camera equipment includes a locator that pinpoints the camera's position underground — depth and horizontal location. This is essential when planning a repair, digging near the line, or identifying exactly where a break or root ball sits. Locating is often bundled with camera inspection at no extra charge.
Hydro-Jetting
What is hydro-jetting?
Hydro-jetting is a drain cleaning method that uses high-pressure water (typically 1,500–4,000 PSI) shot through a specialized nozzle to scour the inside of a sewer or drain pipe. Unlike cabling, which only cuts a channel through a blockage, jetting cleans the entire pipe wall — removing grease, sludge, roots, and buildup.
When do I need hydro-jetting instead of cabling?
Hydro-jetting is the right choice for grease-heavy lines (restaurants, kitchens with buildup), repeated clogs where cabling only provides a short-term fix, root-choked lines needing thorough cleaning after root removal, and preventive maintenance on commercial or multi-family properties. For a single occasional clog, cabling is usually faster and more cost-effective.
Is hydro-jetting safe for old pipes?
Hydro-jetting is safe for most sewer and drain pipes in good structural condition, including cast iron, PVC, ABS, and clay tile that isn't already cracked or collapsing. We assess pipe condition with a camera before jetting older or fragile lines. If the pipe is already failing, jetting can worsen the damage — camera inspection first is the safe protocol.
How often should commercial properties get hydro-jetting?
Restaurants, cafeterias, and commercial kitchens should get grease lines jetted every 6–12 months to prevent backups. Multi-family properties and apartment buildings with older lines often benefit from annual preventive jetting. Property managers who bundle scheduled jetting with camera inspections typically avoid emergency callouts and tenant complaints.
Septic Systems
Do you pump septic tanks?
No. Maki Sewer and Drain does not pump septic tanks — that requires a licensed septic hauler. We can clear a clogged line between the house and the septic tank (the sewer lateral) and inspect that line with a camera. If your septic tank is full, we'll refer you to a trusted local pumper. Many Chisago, Isanti, and Anoka County customers use both services.
What's the difference between a septic problem and a sewer line problem?
If drains back up but your septic tank isn't full and the drain field is functioning, it's usually a sewer line problem (the pipe between your house and the tank) — that's our work. If the tank itself is full or the drain field is failing, that's a septic pumper or septic contractor job. Camera inspection of the lateral quickly identifies which situation you have.
Do you work with homes on septic systems?
Yes. We regularly service homes on septic systems across Chisago, Isanti, Anoka, Washington, Scott, and rural Hennepin/Dakota County properties. We clear the lateral line to the tank, inspect for root intrusion and cracks, and refer to septic pumpers when the tank itself needs attention. Chemical drain cleaners are especially harmful to septic systems — call us instead.
Emergencies & Response Time
Do you offer emergency drain service?
We offer same-day service during business hours and after-hours availability for urgent situations. Response time depends on your location and current job load — call 612-382-7397 to reach dispatch. We do not use auto-dial answering services or overseas call centers; you'll reach a real person or leave a voicemail we return promptly.
How fast can you get to my house?
Response time depends on your city, current job schedule, and time of day. Cities close to our North Branch base (Chisago, Wyoming, Stacy, Forest Lake, Harris) typically see same-day or next-day service. Twin Cities metro appointments (Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina, Woodbury) are typically scheduled 1–2 days out. Emergencies are prioritized when possible.
What should I do while I wait for the plumber?
While waiting: stop running water (don't flush toilets, don't run the dishwasher or laundry), place towels or a bucket under any backup points, keep pets and children away from sewage water (it's a biohazard), and document damage with photos for insurance if the backup caused property damage. Don't attempt chemical drain cleaners — they're ineffective on real backups and dangerous for technicians.
Do you charge extra for after-hours calls?
After-hours and weekend calls typically carry an additional dispatch fee on top of standard service pricing. The specific amount depends on the time and job complexity — we quote it upfront when you call. Standard business-hours pricing applies during regular weekday appointment times.
For Homeowners
Can I clear a drain myself before calling you?
For minor slow drains, a hand plunger, a drum-style hand auger from a hardware store, or physically removing hair from the drain stopper often works. Avoid chemical drain cleaners — they don't fix real clogs and make later professional cleaning more dangerous. If plunging doesn't work in 5–10 minutes, or if multiple drains are affected, call a professional before it gets worse.
What should I never flush or pour down the drain?
Never flush: wipes (even "flushable" ones), paper towels, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, cotton swabs, cat litter, or medications. Never pour down the drain: cooking grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, rice, pasta, paint, or chemicals. These are the top causes of the residential sewer clogs we clear every week in the Twin Cities.
How often should I have my sewer line inspected?
For a healthy sewer line, a camera inspection every 3–5 years catches early root intrusion, cracks, or offsets before they cause backups. Homes over 50 years old, homes with mature trees, or homes with a history of backups benefit from annual or bi-annual inspection. Preventive inspection is cheaper than emergency dig-up repairs.
Are there things I should do to prevent drain clogs?
Yes: run hot water after each sink use, install hair catchers in tub and shower drains, scrape food scraps into the trash before rinsing plates, avoid pouring grease down any drain (let it solidify and trash it), and flush only toilet paper — nothing else. For homes with mature trees, plan periodic camera inspection or preventive cabling.
Do you handle water heaters, softeners, or plumbing repairs?
No. Maki Sewer and Drain focuses exclusively on sewer and drain cleaning, camera inspection, and hydro-jetting. We do not install or repair water heaters, water softeners, faucets, toilets, or general plumbing. When we identify plumbing repair work during service, we refer to trusted local plumbers we work with regularly.
Property Managers & Commercial
Do you offer service contracts for property management companies?
Yes. Property managers with multiple properties can set up a service account with net-30 invoicing, standardized pricing across the portfolio, and priority scheduling. We regularly service apartment buildings, duplexes, and small commercial properties across the Twin Cities. Call 612-382-7397 to set up an account.
Can you handle commercial grease trap lines?
Yes. We hydro-jet commercial kitchen grease lines for restaurants, cafés, and multi-family buildings with shared drain systems. We do not pump grease traps themselves — that requires a licensed grease hauler, similar to septic pumpers. We can inspect and clean the drain lines leaving the trap, which is where most operational clogs occur.
Do you invoice on net-30 terms?
Property management companies and commercial accounts can invoice on standard net-30 terms after the first job establishes the account. Residential and one-time customers pay at time of service. Payment methods for invoiced accounts include check, ACH, and credit card — full details are on your invoice.
Can you provide before-and-after camera video for tenants or owners?
Yes. For commercial and property management customers, we can provide video documentation of camera inspections before and after cleaning — useful for capital planning, tenant communication, and insurance records. Ask when scheduling if you'd like video documentation included.
Booking & Payment
How do I book service?
Call 612-382-7397 to reach dispatch. Describe your situation — which fixture, symptoms, and how long it's been happening — and we'll quote pricing and schedule a visit. For property management or commercial accounts, ask about setting up an ongoing service account with standardized pricing.
Do I need to be home during service?
For most residential jobs, someone over 18 needs to be home to give access, describe the problem, and authorize any additional work discovered during service (like a needed camera inspection). For property management jobs at vacant units, we can coordinate access through the property manager or leasing office directly.
What if the problem comes back after you leave?
If a drain we cleared clogs again within a short timeframe, call us immediately — we'll return to reassess. Our service warranty covers the specific line and blockage we cleared under similar conditions. If the recurrence indicates a deeper issue (root intrusion, pipe damage, grease buildup), a camera inspection is the next step to plan a lasting fix.
Service Area Specifics
Do you serve my city?
We serve 43 cities across Chisago, Isanti, Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, and Scott counties — including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina, Bloomington, Woodbury, Burnsville, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Forest Lake, North Branch, Chisago City, Wyoming, Stacy, Lindström, Shafer, Harris, Center City, and Cambridge. Not sure? Call 612-382-7397 and we'll confirm.
Do you charge travel fees for cities far from your base?
Travel fees are already built into our standard pricing for our 43-city service area. Cities close to our North Branch base see the fastest response times and no additional charges. Locations outside our stated service area are handled case-by-case — call to ask.
What's your response time in my city?
Response times depend on your city and current schedule. Northern service area (Chisago, Wyoming, Stacy, Forest Lake, Harris, Center City, Lindström): typically same-day or next-day. Twin Cities metro (Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina, Woodbury, Burnsville): typically 1–2 days out. Emergencies during business hours are prioritized when possible.
Didn't see your question?
Call our dispatch line and we'll answer it directly — no phone tree, no overseas call center, just a real conversation about your situation.