Drain and Sewer FAQ

What is the difference between drain and sewer?

A drain is a pipe that works to serve one structure, carrying water and wastewater to the sewer. The sewer is an underground network of pipes that carry wastewater, surface water, and excrement to disposal points or treatment facilities.

Can I prevent clogged drain lines?

There are a few ways to prevent clogged drain lines. The easiest way to prevent clogging in your drain lines is never to put food or grease down the drain. It’s best to place a strainer at the end of a washing machine drain hose to help catch debris and lint. You can also set a strainer in your shower drains to catch hair and debris.

How do I know if my sewer line and drains need to be cleaned?

The most obvious sign you need a drain cleaning is that you have a backup from a floor drain or a fixture. Other common signs include:

• Gurgling toilets
• Improperly flushing toilets
• Foul odors from your yard or drain system
• Slow-moving drains

When is it time to replace a sewer line?

The most common signs it’s time to replace your sewer line include:

• Old Age – If your home was built over 50 years ago, you might need a sewer line replacement.
• Constant Clogs – If you have persistent clogs when you aren’t flushing strange items down the toilet, you could have problems with your sewer line.
• Water Fixture Malfunction – If water is pooling in your drains, you may have a clog in your main line.
• Weird Sounds – If you hear gurgling sounds, you could have a large clog in your sewer line.

Sewage is backing up into my house overflowing from my drains. What should I do?

If you are not using any water in your home and still have sewage backups, the city’s main sewer line could be the problem. If you are using water in your home, turn the water source off first. Contact us to schedule an appointment to find the root of the issue.

I have slow drainage through my toilets and drains. What can I do about it?

The first step is to check with your surrounding neighbors to see if they have the same issue. If so, the city could have a backup or clog in their main sewer line. City crews can tell you the main issue. Contact us if there is not a city issue for a drain cleaning.

What is hydro jetting?

We use hydro jetting as a way to push high-pressure water through lines to break up and remove clogs at 4,000 psi. Hydro jetting can clean out tree roots, grease, and debris in your pipes.

How do I deal with tree roots in a drain line?

If we find tree roots in your drain, we need to get them out as soon as possible. Tree roots can cause your pipes to collapse. The most effective way to get rid of tree roots is with hydro jetting. The roots will grow back, so we may need to replace your sewer line with stronger materials to resolve the problem permanently.

What is a video pipe inspection, and why is it performed prior to sewer line and drain cleaning?

Video pipe inspections are a perfect way to get a recorded look into your sewer line. We’ll thread a cable with a camera through your sewer line to transmit images to our monitor. We can find issues and know how to resolve them on the spot. You won’t end up paying for costly repairs that aren’t needed.