Reston homes drain to Fairfax County's public sewer, but the private lateral from the house to the County main is the owner's to maintain. A sewer camera inspection records the inside of that lateral so roots, cracks and low spots can be found and located. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
Reston at a glance
Reston is a planned community in unincorporated Fairfax County, founded in 1964 and organized around village centers such as Lake Anne, Hunters Woods and South Lakes, with Reston Town Center and Silver Line stations along the Dulles Toll Road. The median home was built in 1983, and the heavy tree canopy that defines the place also means roots are a common reason laterals clog.
What to do now
- Cut water use. If a floor drain or low shower is backing up, stop running the washer and dishwasher and flush as little as possible.
- Check whether it is the main. If sewage is coming up with nothing in use, call Fairfax County's 24-hour sewer line at 703-323-1211 so the County can check its main.
- Find the cleanout. Look for a capped pipe near the foundation or in the basement. Do not open it if the line is full; sewage can spill out.
- Note the pattern. Which fixtures act up, how often, and whether storms or heavy laundry days make it worse.
- Book the camera. Have the line cleared enough for the camera to pass, then filmed from the cleanout to the County connection.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Clog returns every few months | Roots entering a joint, regrowing after each cleaning |
| Gurgling at toilets when a tub drains | Partial blockage or venting trouble downstream |
| Water sitting in the line after flushing | A sag where the pipe settled |
| Backup only at the lowest drain | Restriction in the building drain or lateral |
| Sewage odor outside near the cleanout | A cracked pipe or a loose cap |
Cost factors
- Cleanout access versus entry through a toilet or vent
- Root cutting or jetting needed before filming
- Run length, depth and bends between the house and the main
- Marking the defect on the surface and saving the video
- Extra passes when roots are heavy enough that the line has to be cut and filmed more than once
Townhouse owners in Reston's cluster communities should check with their association, since some sewer lines are shared. Any repair that replaces pipe needs a permit from Fairfax County Land Development Services, and the plumber doing the work normally applies.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Reston
Will tree roots show up on the camera?
Why does my main drain keep plugging up after it's cleared?
Who owns the sewer lateral between my house and the public main?
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
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