Skip links
818-873-0613
BOOK SERVICE

Drain Services in Sherman Oaks, CA

Enjoy Efficient Heating and Cooling in One System

ServiStar Plumbing and HVAC provides drain services in Sherman Oaks, CA. We offer drain cleaning, repair, and installation. You can also get hydro jetting, video camera inspection, and epoxy drain coating for homes and businesses in Sherman Oaks, Encino, and the San Fernando Valley. Our licensed technicians locate the cause with video camera inspection, then match the fix to the problem.

Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn kitchen sink clog, a backed-up shower drain, or a completely blocked main line, our certified technicians use advanced equipment and proven techniques to restore proper flow.

Contact us here or call (818) 855 1269 for upfront pricing & same-day scheduling.

Why Trust Our Drain Experts

Here’s what sets our drain service apart:

  • HomeGuide Top Pro Award recipient (2025).
  • Free in-person estimates. A licensed technician visits, diagnoses the issue, and provides a flat-rate quote in writing before any work begins.
  • Licensed and insured. California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license #885156.
  • 10% Military Discount and Senior Citizen Discount available on drain services.
  • Available 24 hours. Live dispatch, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Google Guaranteed service provider. Background-checked and verified by Google. .
  • 5-Star Rating on Google

Our Drain Services In Sherman Oaks

We handle every drain issue from a single slow sink to a fully backed-up main line.

Our drain services include:

  • Drain Cleaning
  • Hydro Jetting
  • Drain Repairs
  • Drain Installation
  • Commercial Drain Cleaning
  • Epoxy Coating for Drains
  • Video Camera Drain Inspection

Drain Cleaning

Drain cleaning clears clogs and buildup from sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, laundry drains, and branch lines. Our technicians use motorized drain snakes (augers) sized to the pipe, from ¼-inch handheld cables for lavatory and tub drains up to ¾-inch sectional machines for 3-inch and 4-inch main lines. Cutter heads are matched to the blockage type: standard C-cutters for soft clogs like hair, soap scum, grease, and food waste; and root-cutting heads for mineral deposits and small root intrusion in older cast iron and clay lines.

When the clog is downstream of the P-trap, in a shared vent stack, or repeats within 30 days of a previous clearing, we run a video camera inspection first to confirm the cause and exact location before running the cable. That way the correct access point (cleanout, roof vent, or removed trap) is chosen from the start, and we avoid pushing a soft clog into a harder-to-reach section of the line.

We do not use over-the-counter chemical drain cleaners. Sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid products generate heat that can warp PVC, corrode aging galvanized and cast iron pipe, and damage rubber trap gaskets.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water at 1,500 to 4,000 PSI, delivered through a specialized jetter nozzle, to scour the interior walls of drain and sewer pipes. Snaking cuts a channel through a clog and restores flow. Hydro jetting removes the buildup itself, whether that is hardened grease, mineral scale, soap film, sludge, or fine root hair intrusion, and returns the pipe to close to its original inside diameter. That difference is why recurring kitchen and main line clogs usually need jetting to actually resolve, not just clear.

We use different nozzles for different jobs: penetrating nozzles to punch through a full blockage first, flushing nozzles to pull debris back toward the cleanout, and root-cutting nozzles with rotating jets for lines with active root intrusion. Warm water hydro jetting is used on grease-heavy commercial lines because it emulsifies fat more effectively than cold water.

Before jetting older lines, especially clay laterals or cast iron pipe over 50 years old, we run a video camera inspection to confirm the pipe is structurally sound enough to handle the pressure. If the camera shows severe corrosion, bellied sections, or collapsed pipe, jetting is not appropriate and we recommend repair or trenchless rehabilitation instead.

Call (818) 855 1269 for hydro jetting services.

Drain Repairs

We fix cracked, corroded, misaligned, offset, or collapsed drain lines that cleaning alone cannot restore. At ServiStar, common repairs include cracked pipe sections in ABS and PVC, separated hub joints in cast iron, root intrusion damage at pipe seams, corroded cast iron lines with pitted or missing pipe wall, bellied drains where the pipe has sagged and traps solids, and offset joints from ground shifting or settling.

Our technicians locate the damage with video camera inspection paired with a pipe locator that reads the camera transmitter through the ground. This gives us the depth and exact position of the failure, so any excavation is limited to a small access pit rather than the full run of the line. Where the pipe layout allows, we use trenchless methods, spot-repair sleeves for isolated cracks, pipe bursting for full-line replacement, or CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) lining for longer sections, so landscaping, driveways, and hardscape remain intact.

All drain repair work is completed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code, and larger repairs in the public right-of-way require a permit from LADBS and a licensed, bonded sewer contractor.

Drain Installation

Drain installation covers new drain lines for kitchen and bathroom remodels, room additions, ADU builds, new construction, and replacement of end-of-life pipe. We install DWV (drain, waste, and vent) systems for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, wet bars, floor drains, garage drains, and outdoor area drains and channel drains.

Line size is calculated by drainage fixture unit (DFU) load per Chapter 7 of the California Plumbing Code: 1½-inch minimum for lavatories, 2-inch for showers and laundry standpipes, 3-inch for toilets and horizontal branches, and 4-inch for building drains carrying multiple toilets. Slope is set to a minimum of ¼ inch per foot for 2-inch and smaller pipe and ⅛ inch per foot for 3-inch and larger, so solids move with the waste stream rather than settling out. Pipe material is typically Schedule 40 PVC for below-slab and outdoor runs and ABS for above-ground DWV, both listed to ASTM standards.

Every installation is pressure- or water-tested before being covered, so leaks are found before drywall goes back up. Rough-in work is scheduled around inspection appointments when a permit is pulled, so the framing and plumbing inspectors see the work before it is closed in.

Commercial Drain Cleaning

Commercial drain cleaning serves restaurants, cafés, offices, retail properties, medical and dental buildings, laundromats, salons, and multi-unit residential buildings. Commercial drainage systems handle higher volumes and carry more challenging waste streams than residential drains, so grease traps, floor drains, mop sink drains, and building main lines require more frequent service to prevent backups.

For food-service accounts, we schedule preventive hydro-jetting of the kitchen line and grease interceptor on a set interval, monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually depending on volume, and pair each visit with a video camera check of the outbound line. That schedule keeps grease from hardening into the pipe wall between visits and reduces the risk of a health-department-triggering backup during service.

We dispatch same-day when a business drain backs up during operating hours. Where a shutdown would cost more than after-hours service, we run overnight jobs so doors open on time the next morning.

Epoxy Coating for Drains

Epoxy drain coating, also called CIPP lining or pipe lining, rehabilitates aging pipes from the inside without excavation. A resin-saturated felt or fiberglass liner is pulled into the existing pipe, inflated against the pipe wall, and cured in place with heat or ambient air. The result is a new, seamless, jointless pipe within the old one that seals cracks, blocks root intrusion at seams, bridges pinhole leaks, and restores a smooth interior surface for flow.

It is a strong fit for older Sherman Oaks and San Fernando Valley homes with corroded cast-iron drains from the 1940s through the 1970s and for galvanized branch lines that have scaled shut over decades. It is generally not appropriate for fully collapsed pipe, severe bellies, or pipe with more than about 30% cross-section loss, since the liner needs a host pipe to cure against.

Compared to full excavation and replacement of a cast iron main line, epoxy lining typically costs 30 to 50 percent less, avoids demolition of finished floors, and takes one to two days on a residential job rather than the week or more a full replacement can require. Cured-in-place liners are rated for a 50-year service life by most manufacturers.

Video Camera Drain Inspection

Video camera drain inspection uses a self-leveling waterproof push camera on a fiberglass reel, fed into the drain line through a cleanout, roof vent, or removed toilet flange. The image is displayed on a monitor in real time, and the camera head carries a sonde transmitter, allowing a surface pipe locator to mark the exact position and depth of any finding, usually within a few inches.

Camera inspection identifies the location and cause of clogs, root intrusion, cracks, offset joints, bellies, corrosion, foreign objects, and full or partial collapses without any digging. We use it before major drain work to confirm the diagnosis, when clogs keep returning to the same line, before hydro jetting older pipe, before an epoxy coating job to verify the host pipe is a candidate, and during real estate transactions where a sewer scope is part of the home purchase inspection or an insurance claim needs documented pipe condition.

Recorded footage is provided to the homeowner or buyer’s agent upon request, timestamped and labeled with the property address, so the same file can support permit applications, insurance claims, and estimates from any other contractor.

Call (818) 855 1269 for drain services to keep your entire drainage system functioning properly.

What Causes Drain Clogs in Sherman Oaks?

The top three causes of drain clogs in Sherman Oaks are tree root intrusion in older sewer laterals, grease buildup in kitchen lines, and hard-water mineral scale. Older homes with cast-iron or clay drain lines and mature street trees make these especially common throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Full list of common causes:

  • Hair and soap scum in bathroom sink, tub, and shower drains
  • Cooking grease, oil, and food waste in kitchen drains and disposals
  • Mineral scale from hard water, which coats pipe walls over time
  • Tree root intrusion in older clay and cast iron sewer laterals, which is the leading cause of main line clogs in Southern California
  • Non-flushable items like wipes, feminine products, or paper towels in toilet drains
  • Pipe damage like cracks, collapsed sections, or misaligned joints in older lines
  • Bellied or sagging pipe sections that trap solids
  • Ground shifting from soil movement

The California Plumbing Code and Los Angeles Municipal Code govern how sewer laterals must be repaired or replaced when damaged. Property owners are typically responsible for the lateral from the house to the city sewer main.

Call (818) 855-1269 for professional drain services.

Signs You Need Professional Drain Service

You need professional drain service when store-bought fixes fail. When clogs return, drains gurgle, sewer odors linger, or multiple fixtures back up at once. These symptoms mean the problem is past the trap.

Signs to watch for:

  • Slow drainage in a sink, tub, or shower that doesn’t improve with plunging
  • Standing water in a sink or tub after use
  • Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets when other fixtures run
  • Sewer or rotten-egg odors coming from drains
  • Multiple drains backing up at the same time, which often means there’s a main line issue
  • Water backing up in a lower fixture like a shower or floor drain when a higher one is used
  • Recurring clogs in the same drain within weeks of clearing it
  • Fruit flies or drain flies near sinks and floor drains
  • Wet spots, mold, or peeling paint near walls where drain lines run

Multiple drains slow at once is a strong indicator the issue is in the main line, not a branch drain. This is a case for camera inspection before cleaning.

How to Prevent Drain Clogs

You can prevent most drain clogs with three habits: run hot water after each sink use, keep grease out of the drain, and clean fixture strainers weekly.

Here’s our recommended prevention checklist:

  • Kitchen sinks: Scrape food waste into the trash before rinsing, never pour grease or cooking oil down the drain, and run hot water for 15 seconds after each use.
  • Bathroom drains: Use hair catchers on tub and shower drains, and clean them weekly.
  • Toilets: Only flush toilet paper. No wipes, even ones labeled “flushable.”
  • All drains: Skip chemical drain cleaners. They can corrode PVC and older metal pipes, and they rarely remove the full clog.
  • Main sewer line: Schedule a video camera inspection every 3–5 years if you have mature trees near the property line. The leading cause of main line clogs in Sherman Oaks is tree root intrusion.
  • Whole house: Book a professional drain cleaning annually if your home is 30+ years old or if you’ve had recurring clogs.

Contact ServiStar Plumbing and HVAC for Drain Services

ServiStar Plumbing and HVAC is a family-owned plumbing company that provides drain services throughout Sherman Oaks, Encino, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley. Our team is CSLB #885156 licensed and insured, 5-star rated on Google, and a 2025 HomeGuide Top Pro Award recipient.

From the video camera inspection to the final clearing or repair, we bring careful, honest work to every job. All pricing is given in writing before any work begins. Same-day appointments are also available for urgent drain issues.

Trust the drain specialists at ServiStar Plumbing and HVAC. Call (818) 855 1269 for fast, effective drain service solutions that restore proper flow.

Our Other Related Services

Drain problems often connect to larger plumbing issues. If the diagnosis reveals the trouble is in the main sewer line rather than a branch drain, these services address it:

  • Sewer Line Repair
  • Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement
  • Trenchless Pipe Lining
  • Trenchless Sewer Repair
  • Leak Detection

Areas We Serve

ServiStar Plumbing and HVAC provides drain service across Sherman Oaks, Encino, and the greater San Fernando Valley, including:

  • Sherman Oaks (91401, 91403, 91411, 91423)
  • Encino (91316, 91436)
  • Studio City
  • Burbank
  • Glendale
  • Beverly Hills
  • West Hollywood
  • Santa Clarita
  • Simi Valley
  • Malibu
  • Pasadena
  • San Gabriel
  • Culver City
  • West Los Angeles
  • Mid-City Los Angeles
  • Century City
  • San Fernando Valley
  • South Bay
  • Los Angeles County

Contact Information

ServiStar Plumbing and HVAC

13351 Riverside Dr Ste 414 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 United States

(818) 855-1269

Open 24 Hours

Connect with us on social media:

Instagram Facebook Linkedin Yelp

Frequently Asked Questions About Drain Services

Have drains professionally cleaned annually if your home is older or has mature trees near the sewer lateral, and every 3–5 years for well-maintained modern systems. Restaurants and grease-heavy commercial kitchens need more frequent service.

Snaking cuts a channel through a clog to restore flow. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water (1,500–4,000 PSI) to scour the entire pipe wall clean, removing buildup instead of cutting through it. Snaking is faster and cheaper for single, localized clogs, whereas hydro jetting is more effective for recurring clogs, heavy grease, and root intrusion.

No. Chemical drain cleaners generate heat that can warp or corrode PVC and older metal pipes, and they usually just open a small channel through the clog rather than removing it. Professional drain cleaning removes the buildup itself.

No. ServiStar provides free in-person estimates for drain services. A licensed technician diagnoses the issue on-site and gives you a flat-rate quote in writing before any work begins.

Yes. ServiStar offers a 10% Military Discount and a Senior Citizen Discount on drain services. Mention it when you call.

When multiple drains back up at once, the problem is almost always in the main sewer line, not an individual fixture. Common causes in Sherman Oaks include tree root intrusion into older clay or cast-iron laterals, collapsed pipe sections, and heavy buildup.

Yes. ServiStar provides drain cleaning, hydro jetting, and drain repair for restaurants, offices, retail properties, and multi-unit buildings. Preventative service can be scheduled to keep grease traps and main lines clear.

In Los Angeles, the property owner is responsible for the sewer lateral, which is the pipe connecting the home to the city sewer main. Repairs, replacement, and cleaning are the owner's cost. Work in the public right-of-way requires a permit and a bonded sewer contractor, per the LADBS permit manual.

We use cookies to provide the best web experience possible. Read privacy policy here.

Service Areas

About Us

Contact Us

(818) 873-0613
Book Service
Call Now Button