Drain Cleaning & Maintenance

Hampton Roads' leader in drain cleaning.

Kitchen, toilet, shower, and main line drains cleared by licensed master plumbers with 155+ years of combined experience. Emergency service available around the clock.

4.92,400+ Google reviews

Licensed · Bonded · Insured

Family-owned since 1968

Free Estimates On Large Jobs

Upfront quotes before any work begins. Compare with confidence.

Satisfaction Guaranteed Since 1968

Your first call for Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk plumbing needs.

Financing Available

our first call for Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk plumbing needs.

Every drain in your home

Repair your drains

Whether it's a slow kitchen sink, a stubborn toilet, or a shower you're standing ankle-deep in, we clear it and tell you honestly what caused it. Residential and commercial, across all of Hampton Roads.

Scroll to explore our services

Why it matters

What's the Rush to Clean Your Drains?

Drain cleaning and maintenance belongs on your regular task list because it saves you from both unpleasant living conditions and major damage. On the mild end, bad odors ruin your day. Dirty water buildup and food waste are only two of the possible sources.

A slow drain doubles the time it takes to wash dishes, and standing in a foot of water while you shower is no better. Water buildup anywhere leads to mildew and mold growth, and it attracts mosquitos and rodents.

Over time, buildup in your drains becomes devastating. Water can leak into the structure of your house or business, floods can damage floors and furniture, and pipes could even burst. Whether you own, rent, or run a business, drain maintenance is a must.

Ask a Plumber

Not sure if it's a clog or something bigger?
Ask a real plumber.

Describe what you're seeing: slow drain, gurgling, odor, or water backing up into another fixture. A master plumber will tell you what's likely going on. No bots, no upsell.

Tell us what's happening: which drains are slow, whether it's one fixture or several, and how long it's been going on.

My kitchen sink drains slow and the dishwasher backs up into it. Clog or something worse?

155+
years combined experience

14
Fully stocked service trucks

24/7
Emergency Dispatch

Know the cause

What Can Cause a Drain to Clog?

Most clogs are simple household debris slowly accumulating in the pipes, especially in the P-trap. Knowing the cause is the easiest way to build healthy drain habits.

Stop using water and call us

Grease, fats, oils, coffee grounds, and food waste cool and harden inside the line. Even with a disposal, fibrous scraps collect and narrow the pipe.

Bathroom debris

Hair and soap scum bind together in shower and tub drains. A strainer or hair catcher prevents most of it before it ever reaches the pipe.

Non-flushable items

Wipes labeled flushable, paper towels, and too much toilet paper are the top causes of toilet clogs. Flush only toilet paper.

Tree root intrusion

Roots seek out moisture and work into small cracks in older sewer lines. This is a main-line problem, not something a plunger will solve.

Old or damaged pipes

Corroded, collapsed, or bellied pipes trap debris no matter how careful you are. A camera inspection tells us for certain.

Harsh chemical cleaners

Corroded, collapsed, or bellied pipes trap debris no matter how careful you are. A camera inspection tells us for certain.

What to do when your drain is clogged: skip the toxic over-the-counter cleaner. Start with hot water, baking soda and vinegar, or a plunger. If the drain is still slow, call us before the clog moves deeper into the line. Chemical cleaners can also erode and damage your pipes. If your home has aging or corroded lines, our pipe cleaning and repair team can inspect and fix the root cause.

From the Blog

Gas Leak Safety: What To Do Before We Arrive

The four minutes after you smell gas matter more than anything else.

Watch: 30 seconds with Atomic

Meet the crew who'll show up at your door.

A quick look at how we work, why families across Hampton Roads keep calling us back, and what to expect when the blue truck pulls up.

Healthy drain habits

Keep Your Water Flowing All Year Round

With regular cleaning and maintenance, you can avoid most drainage issues entirely. A few habits go a long way.

Check the tank

When you clean your toilet, remove the tank lid and flush to confirm everything inside is working the way it should.

Flush only toilet paper

Other paper products, even those labeled flushable, are a leading cause of major clogs.

Watch the paper volume

Most household toilet clogs come from an overuse of toilet paper. Be conscious of what you're flushing.

Use a hair catcher

A drain strainer in the shower stops the single most common bathroom clog before it starts.

Never pour grease

Grease and fat solidify as they cool and coat the inside of the line. Scrape it into the trash instead.

Schedule routine service

Stop drain problems before they start. Call Atomic to schedule preventative or routine maintenance.

Teacher & military discounts available · Financing for jobs over $1,000

 

Materials & equipment we run

RIDGID

Perma-Liner

TRIC Tools

US Jetting

Your neighbors trust us

Always a friendly face at your door.

Family owned and family operated, we're proud to be recognized as the best plumbing company in Virginia Beach.

"Called about a kitchen drain that had been slow for weeks. Cleared in under an hour and he showed me what caused it so it wouldn't happen again."

Denise R. · Norfolk

“"Toilet backed up on a Sunday morning. Atomic answered, showed up, and treated our home better than we expected. Zero mess left behind."

Marcus T. · Chesapeake

"We have them out twice a year now for maintenance on our restaurant. Haven't had a single shutdown since we started."

Ellie P. · Virginia Beach

Recognized across Hampton Roads

Join 2,400+ neighbors who trust Atomic

Same-day service across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake.

Your neighbors trust us

When you see the blue truck,
help has arrived.

Every Atomic truck is a fully stocked workshop on wheels - radio-dispatched, GPS-tracked, and driven by a licensed master plumber. Most repairs finish in a single visit.

 

Commonly Asked Questions

Drain questions, answered.

What's the rush to clean your drains?

Unhealthy drains start with bad odors and slow drainage, then escalate. Water buildup leads to mildew and mold growth and attracts mosquitos and rodents. Over time, buildup can cause water to leak into the structure of your home or business, damage floors and furniture, and even burst pipes. Regular maintenance is far cheaper than the repairs that follow neglect.

What can cause a drain to clog?

A buildup of hair, soap scum, grease, and food waste, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Toilets often clog from flushing non-flushable items like wipes or too much paper. Deeper issues can include tree root intrusion or old, damaged pipes, but most common clogs stem from simple household debris slowly accumulating in the pipes, particularly in the P-trap.

What should I do when my drain is clogged?

Skip the over-the-counter chemical drain cleaners. They can erode or alter your drains and pipes and destroy septic systems. Start with common household items: hot water, baking soda and vinegar, or a plunger. If the drain is still slow or backing up, call a plumber before the clog moves deeper into the line.

How often should drains be professionally cleaned?

For most Hampton Roads homes, once a year is plenty. Households with heavy kitchen use, long hair, older pipes, or a history of backups do better on a six-month schedule. Restaurants and commercial kitchens usually need quarterly service.

Can I prevent shower drain clogs?

Yes. A drain strainer or hair catcher stops most of it. Combined with a drain snake when drainage slows, you can avoid the ankle-deep pool entirely.

Do you handle commercial drain cleaning?

Yes. A drain strainer or hair catcher stops most of it. Combined with a drain snake when drainage slows, you can avoid the ankle-deep pool entirely.

Still have a question?

Talk to a real plumber, not a bot. We usually reply within an hour.

All Services

More plumbing

Request an Appointment

Let's get your drains flowing.

Tell us what's going on and when you'd prefer us to arrive. We'll confirm your appointment by phone or email within one business hour.

  • Clear communication
    We text 30 minutes out - with a photo of your technician.
  • Transparent pricing
    Upfront quotes before any work begins. Never a hidden fee.
  • Clean & respectful
    Shoe covers on, tools tidy, wrapped up before we leave.
Prefer to call?
757.448.3620
Mon–Fri 7am–6pm · Sat 8am–4pm · 24/7 Emergency

Book a friendly visit

Contact Form

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*