Main line clog or a single drain?
Likely a single drain
- Only one sink, tub or toilet is slow
- Other fixtures drain normally
- Usually hair, soap or food in that fixture's branch
Likely the main sewer line
- Several fixtures are slow or backing up
- The lowest drains (shower, tub) fill when you flush or run the washer
- Water appears at the outdoor cleanout
Everything stopped at once? If most or all fixtures quit draining together, call your sewer utility first. The blockage may be in the public line, which the utility clears. The City of Sarasota, for example, says it clears blockages in its own pipes at no charge.
How we clear a sewer line
Mechanical cable machine
A rotating cable with a cutting head is fed through the cleanout to break up the blockage and cut roots. It opens most clogs quickly and is the usual first step when sewage is backing up.
Hydro jetting
A high-pressure water hose with a specialized nozzle scours grease, scale, sludge and fine roots off the pipe walls and flushes them downstream. Jetting cleans the full diameter of the pipe rather than punching a hole through the clog, so it lasts longer where buildup is the problem.
Jetting is not right for every pipe. Fragile or badly deteriorated pipe can be damaged by high pressure, which is one reason we prefer to look with a camera before jetting a line we do not know.
Camera check afterward
Clearing the line treats the symptom. A camera inspection afterward shows whether the cause was grease, wipes, roots through a cracked joint, a sag or a broken pipe. That tells you whether you need nothing more, routine maintenance or a repair.
Tree roots in sewer lines
Roots enter through joints and cracks, then grow into a mat that catches paper and solids. Cutting them restores flow, but roots usually return to the same opening. Options for a lasting fix are:
- Sealing the entry point with a point liner
- Replacing the affected joint or section
- Lining or replacing the line if roots enter at many joints
If you prefer to manage roots with periodic cleaning instead, we can recommend an interval based on how fast they come back. Our article on sewer warning signs covers early root symptoms.
Common causes of main line blockages
- Wipes and paper products that do not break down, including products labeled flushable
- Fats, oils and grease that cool and harden on pipe walls
- Roots at joints and cracks
- Sags where solids settle out of the flow
- Broken or offset pipe that catches debris
- Scale in old cast iron that narrows the pipe
What to expect on a cleaning visit
- We ask what is happening and which fixtures are affected.
- We open the outdoor cleanout. If there is no accessible cleanout, we discuss other access points.
- We clear the line with a cable machine or jetter, depending on the cause and pipe condition.
- We run water from fixtures to confirm flow.
- We recommend a camera inspection if the cause is unclear or the line has clogged before, and explain why.
What affects the cost
- Accessibility of the cleanout, or whether access has to be made another way
- Type and severity of the blockage
- Cable clearing versus hydro jetting
- Whether a camera inspection is added
- After-hours emergency service, if applicable
Maintenance between cleanings
- Use the toilet for toilet paper and human waste only.
- Wipe greasy pans with paper towels before washing them.
- Use strainers in kitchen and shower drains.
- Skip chemical drain openers on main line clogs; they rarely reach the problem and can be harsh on older pipe.
- If roots are a known issue, schedule cleaning before backups start rather than after.
Where we do this work
We work across Sarasota and nearby Sarasota County communities, including downtown and the in-city neighborhoods, North Sarasota and The Meadows, Siesta Key, Gulf Gate and South Gate Ridge, Palmer Ranch and Fruitville and the Sarasota County side of Lakewood Ranch. The service area page lists every ZIP code we cover. If you are near the edge of that area, ask; we will tell you plainly whether we can reach you.
Questions we hear often
How often should a main sewer line be cleaned?
A healthy line may never need routine cleaning. Lines with roots or grease buildup may need it on a schedule; the camera tells us which situation you have.
Is hydro jetting safe for my pipes?
For sound pipe, yes. For fragile or badly deteriorated pipe, high pressure can cause damage, so we inspect first when we are unsure of the pipe condition.
Why did my line clog again a few weeks after cleaning?
Usually because the cause is still there: roots through a crack, a sag or a broken section. A camera inspection finds it.
Where is my sewer cleanout?
Usually outside near the foundation where the line leaves the house, sometimes near the property line, with a round cap a few inches across. We can help locate it.