Inside city limits, City of Manassas Water & Sewer runs the public sewer; the drain line leaving your house is private plumbing. A sewer camera inspection sends a camera through that line to show roots, cracks, sags or buildup and where they are. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Manassas.
What happens when you call
You are connected with an independent plumber who works in Manassas. Tell them roughly when the house was built, which drains are affected and whether the line has been cleaned recently. On a typical visit, the plumber opens the cleanout, clears enough of the blockage for the camera to pass, and feeds the camera toward the street while watching a monitor. A counter on the cable shows how far out each problem sits, and a locator can find the camera head from above so the spot can be marked.
If sewage is coming up in the house and you suspect the city main, the City's after-hours emergency line at 703-257-8353 covers utility emergencies; Water & Sewer customer service is 703-257-8219 on weekdays.
Cost factors
- Access through an outside cleanout or from inside the house
- Clearing roots, grease or standing water before filming
- Length of the lateral and the number of fittings
- Surface locating and a saved copy of the video
- Older Old Town properties with tight access or additions over the line
Local conditions in Manassas
Manassas is an independent city, separate from Prince William County since 1975, with a historic Old Town around the railroad station and neighborhoods spreading out along Route 28 and Route 234. The City runs its own water, sewer and electric utilities. The median home dates to 1985, so many laterals are plastic, while houses near Old Town can be much older and may have clay or cast iron lines that show roots and scale on camera. Plastic lines more often show sags or separated joints.
Manassas postal addresses extend outside the city into Prince William County, where a different utility and permit office apply. Inside the city, repairs that follow an inspection need a permit from City of Manassas Development Services at City Hall on Center Street (703-257-8200). Outside city limits, Prince William County issues permits.
Checklist before the plumber arrives
- Find the cleanout and clear a path to it
- Limit water use so the line isn't full when the camera goes in
- Note which fixtures back up and when
- Gather any past cleaning receipts or earlier inspection videos
- Check your bill to confirm you are a City Water & Sewer customer
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Manassas
My mailing address uses the town's name, but I'm outside its limits. Who runs my sewer?
Does a blocked line have to be opened before the camera goes in?
Do I need a permit just to have the line inspected?
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
More plumbing services in Manassas
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