Frequently Asked Questions
Our Company
The Sewer Cleaning Company provides services for residential, commercial and industrial properties in Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties. For a more detailed list of areas served, click here.
We do our best to respond as quickly as the emergency situation allows.
Understanding that every emergency situation has unique circumstances, we can typically respond to a sewer or drain backup within two hours.
No, Sewer Cleaning Company does not offer financing.
Sewer & Drain Camera Inspection
A sewer camera inspection is where a high-tech, flexible cable with a fiber optic video camera on its tip is placed in a main sewer line to scope up, down and around pipe corners. With the footage from the camera relaying real-time feedback, plumbers can see the condition of the pipes and locate a clog, diagnose the issue, and show plumbers if there are any lurking issues that can become bigger issues down the road.
As with most of the other systems in your home, such as heating and cooling, regular maintenance can help to prevent unwanted, costly problems. Periodic inspections and cleanings can not only help to prevent clogs and backups, but also to locate areas of pipe affected by environmental factors such as shifting ground or tree root invasions. We recommend having sewer lines inspected in these three main scenarios:
- When purchasing or renting a new home or commercial property
- When renovating an existing or adding a new kitchen or bath
- When experiencing slow drains, repeated backups, strange gurgling sounds or foul odors
At the Sewer Cleaning Company, we believe in saving you money on this vital service. To camera one main sewer line, our cost is $150.
Most plumbing companies charge, on average, $350 or more to conduct a video pipe inspection. Actual costs can depend on the length of your pipes, ability to locate the clog/issue and additional factors.
We cannot use a video pipe inspection completed by another company. We need to perform our own inspection to accurately assess the location and depth of the problem within your plumbing system.
One of the most critical parts of the plumbing system, the main sewer line is one of the most neglected. The average home or business owner typically doesn’t address the main sewer line until there’s a problem. To avoid these messy, smelly, sometimes dangerous, problems, sewer lines should be regularly cleaned and inspected for breaks, bellies and root invasions. Residential: It is highly recommended to have your sewer lines inspected before you buy a new home. Homeowners with sewer lines less than 10 years old should have their sewer lines inspected and cleaned every 1 – 2 years. Larger families placing more demand on their sewage system should consider having their sewer lines cleaned every year. Commercial: Business owners should have their sewer lines cleaned every 18 – 22 months – especially those that are high risk due to consistent use, such as restaurants and hotels. Learn more about sewer line and drain cleaning.
It depends. It’s never guaranteed that a sewer line inspection will be a part of a home inspection, but you should never buy a home without a completed sewer inspection. Finding sewer pipe issues before you buy can help you avoid very expensive repairs down the road.
Sewer Line & Drain Cleaning
Minor issues can snowball into larger complications if not addressed.
Some signs that you should call right away include:
- Minor flooding. A small water overflow can quickly become a full-on sewage backup.
- Consistent clogs. Are you unclogging the same toilet, sink or shower drain every month? There’s a chance that the buildup is occurring somewhere much further down the plumbing system than you think. That buildup could lead to a problem you won’t be able to use your plunger for, such as a sewage backup or a burst pipe.
- Slow drains. If one or more drains in your home, office building or warehouse are slow to flow, you could have a clog in the main sewer line/and or a branch of the main line.
- Foul smells. Odors coming from your drains can indicate a major clog.
Cleaning a main, or central, sewer line up to 100 feet is $450. Additional feet will equate to an additional cost.
There are several DIY methods for clearing a clogged drain, but clearing a clog on your own can be very dangerous to your plumbing system – especially if you use a chemical drain cleaner. We do not advise the use of drain cleaning chemical solutions because they don’t always solve the problem and they are bad for the environment (and you!) and can cause damage to piping and sink finishes because they are so acidic. Main sewer line backups and clogs are complex and can be caused by numerous factors. Because of this, it’s vital to leave it to a licensed plumber to assess your main sewer line and identify the issue via a video pipe inspection. This is the safest, most effective way at unclogging your main sewer line – and it can prevent a bigger issue from forming should something go wrong when attempting to unclog it yourself. The Sewer Cleaning company unclogs sewer lines and drains using the hydro jetting method. For more on hydro jetting, see the next few FAQs.
Hydro jetting is “power washing for your pipes.” It is highly effective at
- removing built up dirt, grease, hair and other debris around the inside of the pipes,
- Clearing clogs; and
- Removing tree roots.
One of the greatest advantages of hydro jetting is that it is chemical-free and will not corrode your pipes like several popular drain cleaning products will. Hydrojetting is safe for most most pipe types including, but not limited to: PVC, cement, steel, cast iron, clay and orangeburg.
Clogs that seem far away may signal that the clog is larger than anticipated or too deep in your plumbing system for traditional DIY methods. If several attempts at unclogging your sink or drain have failed – like home remedies and using a plunger, drain snake, or auger – you may have a severe clog on your hands. In this case, it is recommended that you contact a professional plumber to accurately assess your situation. It may be recommended that your drainpipe be cleared.
Gutter & Downspout Cleaning
Because gutters and downspouts are designed to move water away from the foundation of a home or building, clogged gutters that are not cleaned regularly can cause water to overflow from the gutters and fall along a building’s foundation. This can soften the soil under and around it and can lead to foundation cracks and structural damage or a wet, moldy basement. Learn more about gutter and downspout cleaning services.
There are several factors that affect the price of gutter and downspout cleaning, including the size of your home and the condition of the gutters. For example, a two story home with four downspouts might cost $300.
The Sewer Cleaning Company’s gutter and downspout cleaning includes: Cleaning out all leaves and debris, bagging the waste, and flushing the entire system.
To clean horizontal gutters, or gutters than run underground, we remove a small section of the downspout. Then we insert a hydro jet to clear the gutter of debris.
We always recommend cleaning your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year – once in late spring and once in early/mid fall. However, if you live around/under trees, you may need to clean them more often, as more leaves and debris will fall into your gutters.
Storm Drain Cleaning
Most storm drains are the responsibility of and maintained by local water companies or the city/municipality you reside in. If you have any problems with your storm drain – like if it’s blocked or back flowing and flooding your property, contact your local water company or city/municipality. Additionally, if you’re unsure whose responsibility it is, contact your city/municipality and they should be able to tell you or advise on who further to ask.
Storm drains are typically cleaned using high-pressure hydro jetting. This method is highly effective at clearing debris and buildup to thoroughly clean a storm drain.
It is recommended that storm drains be cleaned once a year, especially before winter because freezing and ice can cause issues if the drain is close to clogging.
If you are a city or municipality looking to outsource the cleaning and clearing of your city’s storm drains, contact the experts at the Sewer Cleaning Company to discuss our budget-friendly storm drain cleaning pricing.
Excavation & Sewer Line Repairs
With proper care and maintenance, a sewer line can last 30 to 50 years. However, there are many factors affecting this estimate that must be taken into consideration such as how and when the sewer line was originally installed, and the location and environment of the system.
- Sewage Backups & Blockages, like clogs or water backflow – especially regular backups or attempts to clear the line fail.
- Sewer Odor, like foul odors around your property or building.
- Slow Drains, like in the bathtub, sink(s) or toilet – especially if you experience slow drainage with all your drains.
- Soggy Spots on Your Lawn, like raised, damp or soggy patches of ground in your yard or property.
- Lush Patches of Grass, like extra green grass that could be receiving extra nutrients from sewage that is acting as fertilizer.
- Septic Waste Pooling in Yard
Sewer line replacement, on average, could take 3 to 5 days. It typically depends on the length and size of your pipes and the extent of damage. The Sewer Cleaning Company can complete most sewer line replacement jobs in one day (two max).
On average, the cost of replacing a sewer line is $50 to $450 per foot, or $3,000 to $6,000. The cost could climb significantly if the whole sewage system needs to be replaced. For a more accurate cost estimate, contact the Sewer Cleaning Company today for a quick and professional assessment and estimate.
It depends, as every insurance company and policy differ. Some policies do cover certain damages to your sewer line. Typically, what’s covered depends on the location of the damage and how the sewage line was broken. Contact your insurance company to discuss exactly what is covered with your policy.
It can be, as the cost of labor tends to decrease as less hours are needed to complete the trenchless operation. However, trenchless is not the best option for every plumbing system, and traditional sewer repair costs tend to rival that of trenchless. To discover which sewer repair method is best for you, contact the Sewer Cleaning Company for an honest assessment and recommendations.
Septic System Installation
No, the state of Ohio does not allow homeowners to install their own septic systems. You must hire a state-licensed septic installer.
The ground where the septic system will be installed has to be dry and undisturbed. Weather permitting, a septic system can typically be installed in 3-4 days.
Each septic system is a snowflake, they’re all different based on the demand of the home and the land that it rests on. Therefore, the price of a new septic system varies significantly.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides great instructions for How to Care for Your Septic System and extend its life. According to the EPA, the average septic system should be inspected and pumped every 3-5 years. If properly inspected and maintained, a septic tank can last 20-40 years.
Here is a list of several things that should never go into the septic tank (not a complete list):
- Disposable diapers
- Sanitary napkins and tampons
- Baby wipes
- Pop-off toilet wand scrubbers
- Trash
- Hair
- Cigarette butts
- Others
Have Additional Questions? Let's Connect Today
We’re here to help you with all your plumbing needs, even if it’s just to answer a question for you. Get in touch with our plumbing experts today. Fill out our contact form or call us today: 440-290-6055.
