Drains & sewer
Drain and sewer services
Drain and sewer service clears clogs in sinks, tubs and floor drains, cleans the main sewer line with a cable machine or hydro-jetting, inspects it with a camera, and repairs or replaces damaged sections. Recurring backups in several fixtures almost always point to the main line, not the fixture.
- Typical time
- Clogs are usually cleared in an hour or two; sewer repairs take one to three days.
- Repair or replace
- Clean and camera first; repair only what the camera shows.
Many Northern Colorado homes have older clay tile or cast-iron sewer lines, and mature trees send roots into their joints. Expansive clay soils along the Front Range also shift pipes over time, creating low spots (bellies) and offset joints that catch waste.
In most Northern Colorado cities the homeowner owns the sewer service line from the house to the city main, so a camera inspection before repair, or before buying a home, is worth doing.
Drain & Sewer Services at a glance
- What it is
- Drain and sewer service clears clogs in sinks, tubs and floor drains, cleans the main sewer line with a cable machine or hydro-jetting, inspects it with a camera, and repairs or replaces damaged sections.
- Service category
- Drains & sewer
Signs you need drain or sewer problem help
- Several drains slow at once
- Floor drain in the basement gurgling or backing up
- Sewage smell in the yard or basement
- Toilet bubbles when the washer drains
- Soggy patch in the yard over the sewer line
Quick answers
Drain & Sewer Services: the short version
How long drain & sewer services takes
Clogs are usually cleared in an hour or two; sewer repairs take one to three days.
When drain or sewer problem can wait, and when it can't
Same day for backups; scheduled for slow drains.
Fix or replace drain or sewer problem?
Clean and camera first; repair only what the camera shows.
Why drain or sewer problem happens
Grease, hair, roots, and shifting clay soils.
Drain & Sewer Services
Drain & Sewer Services services
Each page covers one problem in depth: signs, what the plumber does, timing and cost drivers.
- Clogged Drain CleaningDrain cleaning clears a blocked sink, tub, shower, toilet or floor drain with a hand auger or drain machine, removing grease, hair, soap scum or objects.
- Hydro-JettingHydro-jetting sends high-pressure water through a drain or sewer line to scour grease, scale, sludge and fine roots off the pipe walls.
- Sewer Camera InspectionA sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the main sewer line from a cleanout to the city main, recording roots, cracks, offsets, bellies and material changes, and locating problems by depth and position.
- Sewer Line Repair & ReplacementSewer line repair fixes a damaged section of the main sewer line, while replacement renews the whole line.
- Sump Pump Repair & InstallationSump pumps remove groundwater that collects in a basement sump pit.
The work
How drain & sewer services is done
- 1
Clear the line
Cable machine for most clogs; hydro-jetting for grease, scale and roots.
- 2
Camera inspection
A camera shows roots, cracks, bellies or offsets and their depth.
- 3
Recommend a fix
Maintenance cleaning, a spot repair, lining or replacement, priced in writing.
- 4
Repair and verify
Repair made, then a camera run to confirm the line is clear.
What moves the price of drain & sewer services
Driven by access, method (cable, jetting) and any repair needed.
- Access (cleanout vs. pulling a toilet)
- Cable vs. hydro-jetting
- Camera inspection and locating
- Depth and length of any repair
- Trenchless vs. excavation
- Permits and street work
Drain & Sewer Services: common questions
Why does my basement floor drain back up?
The floor drain is usually the lowest opening on the sewer line, so a blockage in the main shows up there first. Clear the main, then camera it to find the cause.
Who owns the sewer line to the street?
In most Northern Colorado cities, including Fort Collins, the homeowner is responsible for the service line from the house to the city main. Check with your city or utility for your address.
Service area
Drain & Sewer Services across Northern Colorado
Related
Services often paired with drain & sewer services
Clogged Drain Cleaning
Drain cleaning clears a blocked sink, tub, shower, toilet or floor drain with a hand auger or drain machine, removing grease, hair, soap scum or objects.
Learn more
Sewer Camera Inspection
A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the main sewer line from a cleanout to the city main, recording roots, cracks, offsets, bellies and material changes, and locating problems by depth and position.
Learn more
Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
Sewer line repair fixes a damaged section of the main sewer line, while replacement renews the whole line.
Learn moreGuides
Reading on drain or sewer problem
Call about a drain or sewer problem
Grease, hair, roots, and shifting clay soils.