Sewer & Main Line Cleaning in Orange County

What is sewer and main line cleaning?

Sewer and main line cleaning clears a blockage in the pipe that carries all of a home's wastewater to the city sewer. Done-Rite Plumbing & Rooter clears main sewer lines for homeowners across Orange County.

Is every toilet in the house struggling to flush? Are several drains backing up at once? Do you smell sewage near the cleanout in your yard? Those are clear signs of a problem in your home's main sewer line, and it usually isn't a do-it-yourself fix. Done-Rite offers a 1-hour response and no trip charge.

How do I know my main sewer line is clogged?

The four warning signs of a clogged main sewer line are several drains backing up at once, sewage odors, gurgling toilets or drains, and wastewater in the yard cleanout.

Main line problems often start small and then build quickly. Knowing the signs helps you act before a backup damages your home.

Why are several drains backing up at once?

Several drains back up at once when wastewater can't get past a blockage in the main line, so it comes back up through the lowest drains in the house.

You flush a toilet, and water comes up in the shower or tub. You run the washing machine, and the toilet gurgles. If the clog isn't cleared, sewage can back up into your home.

Why do I smell sewage in the house or yard?

A sewage smell from several drains, or around the outdoor cleanout, usually means a blockage is holding wastewater in the pipe. The waste breaks down and releases gas that escapes into the home or yard.

Sewer lines are built to keep waste and odors contained, so a lasting sewer smell is a warning sign. Our guide to a sewer smell in the house covers the other common sources.

Why does the toilet gurgle when another fixture runs?

A toilet or drain that gurgles when you use a different fixture is air being pushed around as water tries to get past a partial blockage in the main line.

Gurgling is often an early sign that the main line is getting close to a full clog.

What does sewage in the cleanout mean?

Wastewater standing in or spilling out of the yard cleanout is the clearest sign of a main line blockage. The blockage is farther down the line, between your home and the city sewer.

The cleanout is a capped pipe that gives direct access to your main sewer line. A backup at the cleanout needs professional help.

What causes a main sewer line blockage?

The four most common causes of main sewer line blockages are tree roots, sagging or bellied pipes, grease and debris buildup, and deteriorated or collapsed pipes.

Every sewer line is different. Knowing which cause you're dealing with helps Done-Rite pick the right fix.

How do tree roots get into a sewer line?

Tree roots go looking for water and nutrients, and aging sewer lines with small cracks or loose joints give them a way in. Inside, roots grow into thick masses that trap debris.

Left alone, the roots can fully block the line. We use rooter machines with cutting heads to clear roots and often recommend a camera inspection to check the pipe's condition for a longer-term plan.

What is a bellied sewer pipe?

A belly is a low spot where a section of sewer line has sunk because of soil settling or ground movement. The belly collects wastewater and solids instead of letting them flow, which leads to repeat clogs.

We can clear the clog, but the belly will keep catching waste. The long-term fix is usually to dig up that section and correct its slope or replace it.

How does grease build up in a main line?

Grease poured down the kitchen sink hardens and coats the pipe walls. Hair, soap scum and items that shouldn't be flushed stick to that film until the pipe narrows and blocks.

The buildup happens over many years. For heavy buildup, a rooter machine or hydro jetting is needed to scour the pipe walls clean.

Can a collapsed sewer pipe be cleared?

No. A collapsed sewer pipe can't be cleared with a snake or jetter because waste has nowhere to go and cleaning tools can't get through. The pipe needs to be repaired or replaced.

Age, ground movement and outside pressure can wear a sewer pipe down until it cracks, breaks apart or collapses. Older clay and cast iron pipes are especially prone to cracking and corrosion. A camera inspection shows exactly where the damage is.

How does Done-Rite clear a main sewer line?

Done-Rite clears a main sewer line by opening the cleanout, finding the blockage with a video camera, cutting through it with a rooter machine, then testing the flow and explaining what was found.

1. Open the cleanout: We find your main sewer cleanout, which gives us direct access to the line.
2. See the blockage: We run a video camera into the pipe to see what's causing the blockage and where it is, whether that's roots, grease, a broken pipe or something else. Seeing the problem helps us recommend a fix that lasts, not just a quick patch.
3. Clear the line: We clear the line with a rooter machine and cutting blades that break through the blockage. For stubborn clogs or heavy buildup, we may recommend hydro jetting, which uses high-pressure water to scour the pipe walls.
4. Test and explain: Once the line is open, we run water to confirm it's flowing, clean up, and explain what we found, what we did and how to help prevent future problems.

Our $99 drain cleaning service includes a camera inspection for one qualifying drain with an exterior ground-level cleanout (yard drains are not included). Done-Rite backs its labor with a minimum 1-year warranty.

Which services help after a main line clog?

After clearing a severe blockage, Done-Rite may recommend Hydro Jet Drain Cleaning to fully clean the pipe walls, especially if there's heavy grease or scale.

A main line problem can come with other drain issues. If the camera shows repeat root intrusion or a failing pipe, a video camera inspection can help you plan a long-term solution.

How can I keep my main sewer line clear?

The simplest way to keep a main sewer line clear is to keep grease, wipes and hair out of it, and to have early warning signs checked.

• Put cooking grease in the trash, not down the sink.
• Flush only toilet paper. Wipes, even ones labeled "flushable," can catch in the line.
• Use strainers in sinks and hair catchers in showers.
• If you have trees near your sewer line, ask about a camera inspection to check for roots.
• Pay attention to gurgling and slow drains, and have them checked early.

When is Done-Rite available for main line cleaning?

Done-Rite Plumbing & Rooter is open 6:00am to 7:00pm every day and offers 24/7 emergency service. The company is independent and family-owned.

A backed-up main sewer line can bring your household to a stop. If you're dealing with overflowing toilets, gurgling drains or sewage odors, we can help. Contact us to schedule your service.