Roto-Rooter FAQs

To clear the sewer line of roots and debris, a professional drain cleaning is required with a heavy-duty Roto-Rooter machine. These electric drain and sewer cleaning machines have a strong, stiff steel cable with a sharp blade on its tip. The cable spins as it travels through the sewer pipe, so it cuts away obstructions. It will even shave roots right down to the pipe walls to restore full flow in your sewer pipe. If the Roto-Rooter machine can’t get through the pipe, your service technician can request a video camera inspection of the sewer pipeline to ascertain where the blockage is and its cause. A trained eye will then be able to recommend repair options to the homeowner.

There are many different types of drains. A sink drain can be cleaned with gentle household chemicals like baking soda and vinegar. Seriously clogged drains may require lye-based chemical cleaners. Tub and shower drains usually become clogged with hair. These can be cleaned with a zip stick or by straightening a wire coat hanger, bending a half-inch hook on the end, pushing it down into the drain until you hit bottom. Then twist and turn the wire before pulling it back out with a hairball attached. Repeat the process until the drain is clear. If these household remedies don’t work, it’s time for a professional drain cleaning. Call Roto-Rooter to schedule a service call.

Drain flies deposit their larvae inside dirty floor drains and rarely used drains. The larvae can be killed with any number of household chemicals, including a cup of vinegar or bleach. There are also many over-the-counter products that are designed to kill drain fly larvae. If you need to get rid of drain flies, call us to get started with our drain services. 

It depends on how much usage your drains get and what is going down the drains. Hair and grease will cause serious household drain clogs. If more than one or two drains are slow, the problem is in the main sewer. The most common causes of sewer clogs are tree root infiltration, wet wipes, and kitchen grease. Foreign objects are also responsible for lots of clogs. Fortunately, Roto-Rooter can clear any and clean any clogged drain. Call us for a professional drain cleaning. 

There are a few warning signs that your main sewer line is clogging. Pay attention and deal with the problem before the sewer clogs completely and back up into the house. 

1. Slow draining sinks and bathtubs. If you have two or more slow drains in the house, the problem is probably in the main sewer.

2. A gurgling sound when you flush the toilet.

3. Water comes up in the basement floor drain or a first-floor bathtub/shower when the toilet is flushed. 4. There is a constant need to plunge toilets.

5. Sewer smell coming from drains.

If you are having problems with your main sewer line, call Roto-Rooter for septic tank pumping services. 

Video camera line inspections can get to the root of the problem quickly and efficiently. If you experience repeated sewer or drain line backups, slow drains, or frequent toilet clogs, it may be a good idea to have a video inspection performed to determine the underlining problem. The video cameras are built into a stiff cord of snake that is connected to a video monitor. The operator pushes the camera snake through the pipeline, and since the camera head is ringed with bright LED lights, the pipeline is completely illuminated to expose obstructions, cracks, and structural damage in the pipe. Video inspections are also recommended to prospective homeowners before buying a new home. After all, the cost of sewer replacement can be many thousands of dollars. To get started with our drain services, call us today!

If a drain is draining slowly it needs to be cleaned. If two or more drains are draining slowly, the problem is most likely in the main sewer, which can be professionally cleaned with a Roto-Rooter cable machine with a sharp spinning blade on the end of the cable. Call us today for a drain cleaning if you are experiencing slow drains.