Main Sewer Line Cleaning & Hydro Jetting
Main sewer lines cleared of roots, grease, scale, and sludge using cable machines and hydro jetting, usually through an existing cleanout with no digging.
Your main sewer line carries everything from the house to the city sewer or septic system. When roots, grease, or scale narrow it down, every drain in the building starts to suffer. We clean main lines from the inside, usually through the cleanout in your yard, so a routine blockage doesn't mean a torn-up lawn.
Signs you need sewer line cleaning & hydro jetting
- Several drains are slow or backing up at the same time
- Water comes up in the tub or shower when you flush a toilet
- Gurgling from toilets or floor drains
- Sewage odor inside or around the house
- Water or sewage around the cleanout or a basement floor drain
- The main line has been snaked before and clogs keep returning
How we handle it
Locate the cleanout
We find the capped access pipe, usually in the yard or near the foundation, and open it.
Feed the cable or jetter
Our cable machine or jetting hose travels down the line to the blockage.
Cut and flush the clog
The cutting head shreds roots and grease, or the water jet scours buildup from the pipe walls, and the debris is flushed away.
Water test and recap
We run water through the line to confirm it drains freely, then recap the cleanout.
Cable machine or hydro jetting?
For most root and grease blockages we start with a sectional cable machine. Our Spartan Sewer Raider feeds a steel cable through the cleanout, and a spinning cutting head shreds roots and breaks up packed debris.
Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure stream of water to scour the inside of the pipe. It is especially useful for heavy grease, scale, and sludge that coat the pipe walls, and for lines that keep clogging even after cabling. The right method depends on the pipe material, its condition, and what's causing the problem, and we'll explain our recommendation before we start.
Why sewer lines clog
- Tree roots find their way into small cracks and joints, then grow into a net that catches everything.
- Grease and fats from kitchens cool and harden inside the line.
- "Flushable" wipes, paper towels, and hygiene products don't break down like toilet paper.
- Scale and sludge build up in older lines over time.
If cleaning isn't enough
A line that's cracked, collapsed, or badly offset will keep catching debris no matter how well it's cleaned. If we find signs of damage, we'll talk with you about sewer line repair options.
See how a sewer line is cleared without digging
Slow drains and gurgling toilets? Out of sight, tree roots and grease have choked the sewer line, and wastewater is backing up.
Tips to prevent problems
- Flush only toilet paper. Wipes labeled "flushable" still cause sewer clogs
- Pour cooking grease into a can and throw it in the trash once it cools
- Know where your cleanout is and keep it accessible
- If you've had root problems before, consider scheduled maintenance cleaning
- Don't ignore gurgling or slow drains throughout the house. They often come before a backup
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to dig up my yard to clear the sewer line?
Not for a typical clog. When there's an accessible cleanout, we clear the line from inside the pipe. Digging only comes up if the pipe itself is broken or collapsed and needs repair.
What if I don't have a cleanout?
We can often reach the line through a toilet flange or another access point. If there's no practical access, we'll talk with you about options, including adding a cleanout.
How often should a sewer line be cleaned?
There's no single schedule. Homes with mature trees near the line or a history of root clogs often benefit from periodic cleaning. We can tell you what we found and whether maintenance makes sense for your line.
Where we offer sewer line cleaning & hydro jetting
We provide this service across the Triad, including:
- Greensboro
- Winston-Salem
- High Point
- Burlington
- Kernersville
- Archdale
- Clemmons
- Elon
- Gibsonville
- Graham
- Jamestown
- Lewisville
- Oak Ridge
- Rural Hall
- Summerfield
- Walkertown
- Whitsett
Other services you may need
Ready to get it fixed?
Call or text us now, or send a service request and we'll get back to you.