Sewer Line Repair in Fairfax Station, VA

Warning signs

• Water rising in a basement floor drain or lower-level tub
• Toilets that gurgle when the washer drains
• Several drains slowing down together
• Sewage odor near the foundation or over the line
• Clogs that keep coming back after clearing

A single slow fixture usually has its own clog. When the lowest drains in the house back up, or several act up at once, the line carrying everything out of the house is the place to look.

Fairfax Station specifics

Fairfax Station began in 1851 as a stop on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and is now a mostly residential, car-dependent community in southern Fairfax County, about 18 miles from Washington. Lots tend to be larger than in the inner suburbs, and the median home was built in 1982. Laterals from that era are often plastic, while older homes can have clay or cast iron. Longer runs across bigger lots, and trees along them, add to the chance of roots or settling somewhere along the way.

Fairfax County maintains the public sewer where it exists and makes the property owner responsible for the private lateral. If you aren't certain your home connects to public sewer, check your bill or ask the County before the plumber arrives, since that changes what the plumber is looking for. For a backup that might involve the public main, the County's 24-hour line is 703-323-1211. Permits for repaired or relocated plumbing come from Fairfax County Land Development Services through PLUS.

What affects the cost

• The length of the line and how deep it runs
• Where the damage is along a long run across the lot
• Trees, landscaping, fences and driveways along the route
• Whether lining is practical or a section must be replaced
• Adding a cleanout if the existing access is poor
• County permit and inspection

After you call

An independent plumber who serves Fairfax Station will ask what's happening and whether the line has been cleared before. Most visits start by restoring flow, then a camera inspection locates the defect and its depth. You'll see the footage and hear the options before any digging is scheduled. Share any plat or survey you have, since it can help estimate where a long line runs across the property.