Keep Your Main Line Clear Before It Backs Up
Sewer cleaning clears blockages and buildup from your home’s main sewer line, the pipe that carries wastewater from your house to the municipal sewer or septic system. Unlike a clogged sink or tub, a blocked sewer line affects every drain in your home at once, and it’s usually a sign of buildup, root intrusion, or debris further down the line than a household plunger can reach. Papalia Home Services has cleaned sewer lines throughout Boxborough, Acton, Westford, Concord, Sudbury, and Lexington since our founding in July 1990.
Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Cleaning
- Multiple drains backing up at the same time
- Gurgling sounds from toilets or drains
- Slow drainage throughout the house, not just one fixture
- Sewage odor near floor drains or the yard
- A history of recurring clogs despite cleaning individual drains
If more than one drain is affected at once, the problem is very likely in the main line rather than a single fixture.
How We Clean a Sewer Line
We start with a camera inspection whenever the cause of a blockage isn’t obvious, so we know exactly what we’re clearing before we start. From there, we use mechanical snaking to break through and remove clogs, and for tougher buildup like grease, scale, or root intrusion, we bring in hydro jetting, which uses high-pressure water to scour the full interior of the pipe rather than just punch a hole through the blockage.
Routine Cleaning Prevents Bigger Problems
A sewer line that’s cleaned on a regular schedule is far less likely to back up unexpectedly. Homes with mature trees nearby, older clay or cast iron pipe, or a history of grease buildup benefit most from routine cleaning, typically every 18 to 24 months, rather than waiting for a backup to force the issue.