Hydro Jetting in Sterling, VA

Signs it's time for jetting

• Several fixtures slow down at the same time
• Water rises in the tub when the toilet is flushed
• A cable run brought up roots
• A gurgling sound from floor drains
• The kitchen drain needs clearing over and over

Sterling's homes and sewer service

Sterling began with the early-1960s Sterling Park development, built on former farmland next to what became Dulles International Airport. About 43% of homes in ZIP 20164 predate 1980, many from the 1960s through the 1980s, which makes Sterling's housing older than most of Loudoun County. That age brings typical drain problems: scaled iron indoors, laterals with tired joints and decades of tree growth in the yard.

Loudoun Water provides public water and sewer in Sterling, which is unincorporated. If you suspect a backup in Loudoun Water's main, its after-hours emergency line is 571-291-7878; customer relations is 571-291-7880 during business hours. A clog confined to your house is almost always in your own drain or lateral.

Cost factors

• Access to the line and the condition of the cleanout
• Lateral length and depth
• Roots versus grease or debris
• Camera inspection before or after
• Night or weekend timing

If the camera shows a cracked or broken section, repairs need a residential plumbing permit from Loudoun County Building and Development, applied for through LandMARC.

When you call

The number on this page reaches an independent plumber who works in Sterling. Tell them the age of the house if you know it, which drains are affected and whether the line has been cleaned before. Stop running water until they arrive, and keep people and pets away from any sewage. If sewage did reach the floor, avoid touching it without gloves, and open a window for ventilation while you wait. Photos of the affected area can help if you later file an insurance claim.

For a house from the Sterling Park years, it's worth asking for a camera pass once the line is clean. Older laterals sometimes have a joint that roots keep returning through, and seeing it on video is the clearest way to decide between periodic jetting and a targeted repair.