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Most drain clearing jobs in Lafayette, Louisiana run $295 to $500. Sewer line replacement starts at around $2,000 and climbs with the length of the line, how deep it sits, and whether it runs under your slab. Trenchless pipe lining can repair a damaged line without digging up your yard or floors, which often makes it the less expensive option overall. |
Cost is the #1 question we get on the phone at Acadiana Rooter Plumbing, so here are honest ranges for the jobs we see most across Lafayette, Broussard, Youngsville, Carencro, and Scott. These are ranges, not quotes. Every job is quoted individually, usually after we've seen the problem on camera.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Drain line clearing (cable or jetter) | $295 - $500 |
| Sewer camera inspection | $175 - $450* |
| Sewer line replacement (traditional dig) | Starts around $2,000 |
| Trenchless sewer repair/pipe lining | $195 and up per foot; spot repairs about $2,000 - $6,000* |
| Water heater replacement | Tank or tankless: $1,800 and up |
*Typical Acadiana-area range based on regional industry pricing. Every job is quoted individually - your price depends on what we find on site.
Clearing a stopped drain line typically costs $295 to $500 in the Lafayette area. Where your job lands in that range depends on whether there's an accessible cleanout, whether we need a camera to find the problem, and whether the stoppage calls for our cable or a hydro jetter.
A cable works best on hard stoppages - toys, wipes, and yes, the occasional handful of rocks. A jetter is the better tool for grease and soft sludge, and for older cast iron pipe where a cable could do more damage. Every stoppage is different, which is why we pick the tool after we see the line.
Learn how to watch for the warning signs in our guide: Signs Your Drain Is Clogged.
A camera inspection comes first whenever a stoppage keeps coming back, more than one drain backs up at once, or you're getting a price on sewer repair or lining. A typical Acadiana-area sewer camera inspection runs about $175 to $450, and it's often done during the same visit as clearing the line.
The camera shows what's actually happening inside the pipe: tree roots, grease buildup, a sagging section, or cast iron that has started to crack or erode - something we see a lot in older Lafayette homes. It's the difference between paying to clear the same clog twice and fixing the cause once. We recommend a camera first when:
Replacing a sewer line in Lafayette typically starts at around $2,000 and goes up depending on how long the line is and where it's located. A short, shallow run in an open yard sits at the low end. A line under a slab, driveway, or mature landscaping costs more because of everything that has to be torn out and put back.
That restoration cost is where many homeowners get surprised - and it's exactly why we look at lining before we recommend digging.
Trenchless pipe lining typically runs $195 and up per foot in the Acadiana area, and a spot repair on one damaged section often lands between $2,000 and $6,000. Lining installs a new pipe inside your existing one, so we can often repair instead of replace - without digging up your home.
Acadiana Rooter Plumbing is NuFlow-certified for pipe lining on sewer lines, drain lines, vertical stacks, and storm drains. Not every line is a candidate. A pipe that has fully collapsed or has a severe belly may still need to be dug and replaced, and the camera inspection tells us which one you have.
Often, yes - once you count the full job. Per foot, lining can look similar to or higher than traditional pipe. But digging means breaking slab, pulling flooring, cutting driveway, or trenching your yard, and then paying to restore all of it. Lining skips most of that, which usually means a lower total cost and fewer days of disruption.
Digging can still win on a short, shallow, easy-to-reach section in an open yard. We'll show you the camera footage and price both options when both are on the table.
Five things move the price more than anything else:
A standard tank water heater replacement typically costs $1,800 and up, installed in the Lafayette area, depending on size and whether it's gas or electric. Tankless water heaters typically run $1,600 to $3,700 or more, since they often need new venting, gas line sizing, or electrical work.
Weighing your options? Read Tankless vs. Tank Water Heaters for Louisiana Homes or see our tankless water heater services.
Because two jobs that sound the same on the phone rarely are. A "clogged drain" could be grease that clears in 30 minutes or a root-filled cast iron line that needs a camera and a lining plan. A good plumber gives you a range on the phone and a firm price on site, before any work starts.
That's how we do it: every job is quoted individually, in writing, and you know what it covers before we begin.
For more on what a fair quote should include, see How to Choose a Plumber in Lafayette, LA.
Call Acadiana Rooter Plumbing at (337) 858-5221 or request a free estimate. We're a licensed, veteran-owned plumber based in Broussard, serving Lafayette, Louisiana and the surrounding Acadiana area.
Usually not. Harsh acids and drain cleaners tend to give temporary relief while damaging pipes over time - especially older cast iron - and they expose your family and pets to toxic chemicals. If a plunger doesn't clear it, a cable or jetter will do it without the damage.
Standard homeowners policies usually don't cover sewer line damage caused by age, wear, or tree roots. Some insurers offer a service line or sewer backup endorsement for an added premium. Check your policy, and keep the camera footage from your inspection - it documents the cause.
Water heater replacement generally requires a plumbing permit in Louisiana, and it should be pulled by a licensed plumber. If someone offers to skip the permit to save money, that's a red flag.
Find the cause, not just the clog. The most common culprits we pull out of Acadiana drain lines are grease, toys, wipes, and tree roots. A camera inspection shows whether it was something that went down the drain or a pipe problem that will keep catching debris. Start with what never to flush or pour down your drain.