Drain Cleaning in Poolesville, MD

Poolesville is a small historic town in western Montgomery County, about 26 miles from downtown Washington, surrounded by the County's Agricultural Reserve. The Town collects wastewater and treats it at its own enhanced nutrient removal plant on Beall Street, which also takes sewage from the WSSC Water service areas of Jonesville and Jerusalem. Montgomery County's plan lists sewer service here as Town and onsite systems, so some properties are not on public sewer. The median home was built in 1985.

What to do now

1. Stop running water. Every flush and load of laundry adds to a backup.
2. Check the lowest drain. Water rising in a basement floor drain points to the main line or the building sewer.
3. Call the Town for public-side trouble. For a sewer backup from the Town line, the Town lists emergency numbers 240-286-3389 and 240-286-3359.
4. On a private system, think about the tank. If every drain is slow and the ground over the field is wet, the tank may need pumping as well as the line clearing.
5. Keep chemicals out. They rarely clear a main and can upset a private system.

Symptoms and likely causes

Cost factors

A trap clog is a short job. A building sewer blocked near the street, or a long run to a tank on a larger lot, takes more machine and more time, and the drive out to western Montgomery County can add to the trip. Roots and repeat clogs make a camera look worthwhile, since it shows whether the line needs repair rather than another cleaning. Night and weekend visits usually cost more. Clearing a drain needs no permit. If pipe must be replaced, Town Hall handles building and zoning permits, while plumbing permits come from WSSC Water.