One slow drain or the whole house?
The single most useful thing you can tell the plumber is how many fixtures are affected.
One fixture
A single slow sink, tub or toilet usually means a local clog in that fixture's trap or branch line: grease in a kitchen line, hair in a tub drain, wipes in a toilet. These are typically cleared with a hand auger or small drain machine.
Several fixtures
Toilets gurgling when the washer drains, or water rising in a basement floor drain, points to the main building drain or the sewer lateral to the street. That needs a larger machine, and often a camera inspection.
Roots, clay pipe and the Roanoke lateral
Many older homes in the valley still have clay or cast-iron sewer laterals. Clay pipe joints let tree roots in, and cast iron scales and cracks with age. Roots return after cleaning, so a recurring backup every year or two is a strong sign the lateral itself needs repair or replacement.
The private lateral from your house to the public main is the property owner's responsibility, according to the Western Virginia Water Authority. If you're unsure whether the problem is yours or the utility's, call the Authority's 24-hour line at 540-853-5700 to have the main checked.
What the plumber may do
- Cable (snake) the line to break through a clog and restore flow.
- Hydro-jet to scour grease and root fibers from the pipe wall where the pipe is sound enough.
- Camera inspection to see breaks, offsets, bellies and root intrusion, and to locate the problem spot for repair.
- Spot repair or replacement of a damaged section, or replacement of the whole lateral.
- Add a cleanout if the house has none, which makes future service faster and cheaper.
For comparison, one sewer line replacement in a City of Roanoke permit report declared a job value of $5,477 (city permit report). Simple drain clears cost far less. Your job is quoted before work starts.
How to keep drains clear
The Water Authority's back-up prevention tips come down to a short list: keep grease, wipes and paper towels out of the drains, and know where your cleanout is. Wipes labeled "flushable" are a common cause of main line clogs.
Common questions
Do I need a camera inspection?
Not for a one-time sink clog. It's worth it for repeat backups, roots, an older clay or cast-iron lateral, or before buying an older house.
Will my homeowners insurance cover a sewer backup?
Often not without a sewer back-up rider. The Western Virginia Water Authority recommends asking your insurer about one (prevention tips).
Can roots be removed for good?
Cleaning removes them for a while, but roots come back through cracked or open joints. A lined or replaced section is the long-term fix.