Drain Cleaning in Springfield, VA

What to expect when you call

You are connected with an independent plumber who serves Springfield. The plumber will want to know which fixtures are slow, whether water came up through a floor drain and whether the house has had backups before. On site, expect a quick test of the fixtures, a search for the cleanout and a choice of tool. Many Springfield houses have basement cleanouts on the main drain where it leaves the house, which makes reaching a main line clog straightforward.

Cost factors

• A single fixture clog versus a main line serving the whole house
• Whether the cleanout is exposed, painted over or buried
• Root cutting or jetting on top of basic cabling
• Camera inspection to check older pipe
• Repairs found once the line is open, and the time of the visit

Local conditions in Springfield

Springfield grew from about 1,000 residents in 1950 to more than 25,000 by 1970, and the median home dates to 1974. Neighborhoods such as North Springfield and the older parts of West Springfield are full of houses from that boom, which often means cast iron stacks inside and clay or cast iron building sewers in the yard. With age, cast iron develops scale that grabs grease and paper, and clay joints shift enough to let roots in.

Fairfax County runs the public sewer, and its 24-hour line, 703-323-1211, takes backup and overflow reports. The County says maintaining the private lateral, from the building to the county sewer and including the connection, is the owner's responsibility. Water in Springfield generally comes from Fairfax Water, so check your bill if you are unsure.

Short checklist before the plumber arrives

• Stop using water if several drains are backing up
• Find the basement cleanout and clear boxes away from it
• Keep people away from any sewage on the floor
• Write down when the trouble started and any earlier backups
• Leave chemical openers on the shelf

Clearing a clog is service work. If a damaged section has to be replaced, Fairfax County Land Development Services issues permits for repaired or relocated plumbing. If your house has been through several backups, ask the plumber whether jetting the full length of the lateral once would cut down on repeat visits.