Hydro jetting clears a Falls Church main drain or sewer lateral by scouring it with pressurized water, removing scale, grease and roots that come back after snaking. About half of the city's homes predate 1971, so older pipe is common here. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Falls Church.
The City of Falls Church operates and maintains its own sewer system. Part of the wastewater is treated at Arlington County's plant and the rest flows through Fairfax County to the Alexandria treatment plant. Defects in the private lateral belong to the property owner. The median home in the city was built around 1971, and about half were built before then, so cast iron, aging laterals and root intrusion are familiar problems. Keep in mind that the Falls Church mailing area reaches well beyond the city into Fairfax and Arlington counties, where the sewer provider is different.
What to do now
- Stop using water so the backup doesn't spread.
- Check your bill to see whether the City or a county handles your sewer.
- If sewage comes up with no fixtures running, contact your sewer provider first.
- Move belongings away from the lowest drain and keep children and pets clear.
- Find the cleanout if you can.
Symptom and likely cause
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Basement floor drain overflows when toilets flush | Main drain or lateral blockage |
| Clog returns soon after cabling | Scale or grease left on the pipe wall |
| Roots on the cable | Roots entering an old joint |
| Backup during heavy rain | Lateral partly blocked, or the public sewer overloaded |
| Only one fixture slow | Local trap or branch clog |
Cost factors
- Cleanout access and lateral length
- Scale and roots versus soft grease
- Camera inspection before or after
- Adding a sewer backflow device afterward
- After-hours timing
The City offers a sewer Backflow Prevention Program that reimburses homeowners for a sewer backflow prevention device installed by a plumber under a plumbing permit. If your basement has backed up before, ask about it when the line is cleaned. Permits for city properties come from the City's Department of Code Administration, 703-248-5080; Falls Church-addressed homes outside the city are permitted by Fairfax or Arlington County.
For homes from the 1960s and earlier, a camera run before jetting confirms the pipe can take it and shows whether a repair would do more good than repeat cleanings. Keep the video; it's useful if you later apply to the City's backflow program or plan any digging in the yard.
Hydro Jetting questions in Falls Church
Should I add a sewer backflow device after a backup?
Where does my private sewer line end and the utility's begin?
Can a jetter damage an old cast iron or clay sewer pipe?
How do I find out who runs the sewer at my address?
More plumbing services in Falls Church
Hydro Jetting nearby
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