Hydro Jetting in Clifton, VA

Signs your drain line needs attention

• Several fixtures drain slowly at the same time
• Gurgling from toilets or the tub
• Water backing up at the lowest drain in the house
• Sewage odor indoors or near the cleanout
• Repeated clogs after cabling

Clifton conditions

Clifton is a tiny historic village in southwestern Fairfax County, chartered in 1902 and a National Historic District since 1984, with wooded single-family lots. The Town has no town water system, so homes rely on private wells. Public sewer is limited: it's available only to existing buildings that meet Fairfax County administrative guidelines, and hookup needs County approval. Most homes are not on municipal sewer and use private onsite wastewater systems; new houses on vacant lots need room for both a well and an onsite field. The wider 20124 ZIP covers much more ground around the town, and service there varies by address.

For jetting, that means the plumber is usually cleaning the building drain and the line toward the tank. Jetting puts water into that system, so the plumber may limit volume or time the work around a pumping, and on a well, it's worth letting them know so the supply isn't drawn down. If the onsite system itself is failing, clearing the house drain won't solve it, and a good plumber will tell you. For the few homes on County sewer, Fairfax County's 24-hour line, 703-323-1211, handles main-line backups.

Cost factors

• Line length and access on a wooded lot
• Whether the line runs to County sewer or an onsite system
• Roots, grease or debris
• Camera inspection and line locating
• Off-hours scheduling

Cleaning doesn't usually need a permit. Repairs do: in Clifton, Fairfax County issues building permits, but the Town's Mayor or a designee must sign the application before it goes to the County, and for interior-only work the Town clerk provides a letter to Fairfax County Land Development Services.

When you call

The number on this page connects you with an independent plumber who serves Clifton. Tell them whether you're on County sewer or an onsite system, when the tank was last pumped and which drains are affected. Older homes in the historic district may have older pipe, so ask about a camera look before cleaning.