Power Rodding or Drain rodding has been around for over 72 yrs
At Family Rooter Drain and Sewer we understand that having a main line drain or sewer line backup can be frustrating. Blockages in a sewer can be caused by many things such as root intrusion, feminine wipes, grease, and an old sewer line. Main line drains typically back up from hair, scum, toddlers who love to flush toys down the toilet. We are here to help you get your sewer or drain unclogged. Let us explain the process.

Drain Rodding or power rodding is the alternative to digging out your sewer pipe or replacing your main line drain to your home and replacing it with a new sewer or drain pipe. At Family Rooter we use our camera to locate where the blockage is in the sewer or drain. We don’t charge our customers a camera service fee as long as they have us do the job.

Once located we will use a Power Rodder or Drain Rodder. This tool is a metal flexible cable with a sharp cutting tool at the end. When we turn on the motor the cable crawls down your pipe or sewer with the sharp blade on the end of it cutting anything in its way clearing tree debris, hair, grease, maybe a few of the less undesirable toys the toddler didn’t like allowing water to flow.

Drain Snake vs. Power Rodding: Which Is Better?

When it comes to unclogging drains, many homeowners wonder if a drain snake will do the job or if they should call for power rodding. While both tools can clear clogs, they work very differently—and knowing the difference can save you from repeat plumbing headaches.

Drain Snake

A drain snake is a small, flexible auger designed to break up or remove minor blockages. Handheld drain snakes can be useful for simple clogs, such as hair in a bathroom sink or soap scum in a shower drain. However, they create a much smaller opening through the blockage and often cannot fully clear tough obstructions.

If you’re using a basic hand-held drain snake, you might get temporary relief, but it usually doesn’t solve the bigger issue inside your sewer or drain line. This often means the clog will come back, sometimes worse than before.

Power Rodding

For larger or more stubborn clogs, power rodding is the professional solution. Power rodding uses a machine with flexible steel cables and rotating blades that cut through grease, tree roots, scale buildup, and other heavy blockages. Unlike a hand snake, power rodding restores the full flow of your sewer line by removing the obstruction completely.

This method is more effective for:

• Tree root intrusion in older pipes

• Heavy grease and soap buildup

• Mineral deposits from hard water

• Deep blockages that a regular snake can’t reach

Why Professional Service Matters

While DIY tools like drain snakes may offer a quick fix, they are not a long-term solution. In Round Lake Beach and surrounding communities, many homeowners deal with older plumbing systems that need more than a simple snake to stay clear.

At Family Rooter Sewer & Drain, our technicians use advanced power rodding equipment to ensure your drains and sewer lines are fully cleared. With over 30 years of combined experience, we know how to identify the root cause of your clog and provide solutions that last.

Tip: If your drain keeps clogging, don’t waste time with repeated snaking. Call Family Rooter Sewer & Drain for expert power rodding services—fast, reliable, and available 24/7 with no extra charge for nights, weekends, or holidays.

Why Family Rooter Drain and Sewer for your Drain Rodding

We have over 25 years of experience serving the Chicagoland area. We are equipped with all of the latest technologies for power rodding a sewer line. We offer free camera inspection to all of our clients (must do the job). We are a top-rated 5-star Rooter company that strives for excellence to do the best for our customers. Check out our reviews and our drain rodding coupons.

Give Family Rooter Sewer and Drain a call today (847) 393-6660.

Other Services we offer that you may want us to look at while we are rodding out your drains are:  Hydro Jetting, Sewer Cleaning and Repair, Faucet Repair or Installation, Sump Pump Installation, Water Heater Repair or Installation.