Q: How do I know if my sewer line and drains need to be cleaned?
Q: What should I expect to pay for sewer line and drain cleaning?
Q: What is a video pipe inspection, and why is it performed prior to sewer line and drain cleaning?
Q: What’s the difference between a clog in a sewer line versus a storm line?
Q: What kind of drain cleaning equipment do you use?
Q: What is hydro jetting?
Q: What is a sewer line cleanout and where are they usually located?
Q: Multiple drains in my house are flowing slow. How do I unclog them?
Q: What is a MAIN sewer line?
Q: Can sewer line and drain cleaning remove tree roots from pipes?
Q:Will the tree roots grow back into the pipes after they’re cleaned out?
Q: Why do I need a plumber for sewer line and drain cleaning?
Q: How do I know if my sewer line and drains need to be cleaned?
The most obvious sign is a backup, either from a fixture or from a floor drain. Other signs include:
- Toilets not flushing properly
- Toilets gurgling
- Slow drains in multiple areas, such as bathroom tub and sink
- Foul odors from drains or yard
Q: What should I expect to pay for sewer line and drain cleaning?
Sometimes an exact price cannot be determined until the nature, or extent of the problem has been diagnosed. For example, you may think you have a small problem with just a few slow draining sinks, but in reality you have a much larger problem – your sewer line has been invaded by roots and is clogged in several places as food waste and other debris have become tangled in the roots.
This is why we like to start just about every sewer line and drain cleaning job with a video pipe inspection.
Q: What is a video pipe inspection, and why is it performed prior to sewer line and drain cleaning?
Video pipe inspections provide you with a recorded inspection of your sewer lines.
Prior to a sewer line and drain cleaning, the technician threads a flexible cable with a high-resolution camera on its tip into your sewer line from an access point. The video camera travels deep into the pipes, and around corners if necessary, transmitting real-time images to a monitor outside the pipe.
In other words, you and the technician can see the condition of the pipe – even its below ground or concrete – and discuss necessary repairs on the spot.
The main advantage of a video pipe inspection is that you won’t be paying for repairs you don’t need. The real-time video records exactly what the problem is and exactly where the problem is located.
Q: What’s the difference between a clog in a sewer line versus a storm line?
This post will give you a detailed overview of the difference between storm and sewer lines.
To put it simply, Storm lines carry rainwater and groundwater to open bodies of water such as streams, lakes and oceans.
Sewer, or sanitary, lines carry wastewater from homes and commercial buildings to treatment plants.
Storm drains and sewer drains are typically installed separately to prevent cross contamination.
Clogs in sewer lines can be much more hazardous as they can cause backups in wastewater filled with bacteria.
Q: What kind of drain cleaning equipment do you use?
Our technicians have been trained and equipped with a variety of machines designed to work on specific types of drains. Many companies use electric snake machines to clear drain blockages. Drain snakes are metal cables with heads designed to cut through the clog.
Our preferred method of drain cleaning – especially for larger drains – is hydro jetting.
Q: What is hydro jetting?
A high-pressure water jet breaks up and removes clogs by shooting water through the line at 4,000 psi.
Not only are clogs broken up, but all build up and debris throughout your pipe are washed out due to the high pressure. Hydro jet drain and pipe cleaning is one of the most effective ways to thoroughly remove all food waste, grease buildup, tree roots and more.
Q: What is a sewer line cleanout and where are they usually located?
While the city is responsible for the municipal sewer pipes, you are responsible for the health of the pipes on your property that lead to them. When cleaning out the sewer lines you are responsible for, we enter through the sewer line cleanout. Sewer line cleanouts are usually 4-inch pipes with a screw cap that has a square knob or indentation.
They are commonly found coming out of the ground outside your home, or on the side of your home, close to a bathroom. If you’re unsure of where yours is, a professional can help you quickly find it using proper skills and tools.
Q: Multiple drains in my house are flowing slow. How do I unclog them?
When multiple drains in your home are flowing very slowly, not at all, or worst of all, backing up, you most likely have a problem with your MAIN sewer line.
Q: What is a MAIN sewer line?
The main line is the only pipe that carries wastewater out of your home. All the other pipes leading away from sinks, showers, toilets, etc. tie into the main line.
Q: Can sewer line and drain cleaning remove tree roots from pipes?
If tree roots are present, they increase your pipes’ risk of damage or collapse. They also increase the risk of clogs, as other food waste and debris can get tangled up in them.
Not all sewer line and drain cleaning methods can completely remove tree roots. The most effective method for removing tree roots from pipes is hydro jetting.
Q: Will the tree roots grow back into the pipes after they’re cleaned out?
Yes. Once the tree roots have entered your sewer line, they can only be removed from the inside. And, unfortunately, they will continue to grow back and infiltrate your sewer system. The only way to permanently resolve this problem is to have your sewer lined or replaced with pipes made of stronger materials.
Q: Why do I need a plumber for sewer line and drain cleaning?
Often times, clearing a clogged drain is more complex that it seems. Homeowners unfamiliar with how to properly use a drain snake, or auger, may end up causing more damage. The most common form of damage is cracked or broken pipes as a result of too much pressure or force.
Similarly, attempting to unclog a drain with a drain cleaner, or harsh chemical, can end up causing more harm than good. Over time, these chemicals can cause erosion and leaks. There are even some types of pipes that should NEVER come in contact with drain cleaners.