Sewer Line Repair in Great Falls, VA

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Great Falls. Start by telling them whether your home is on public sewer or a private onsite wastewater system, because it changes where the problem can be and who else may need to be involved. The plumber will ask which drains are affected and whether this has happened before, then typically clear the line and run a camera to find the cause. On a house connected to the County sewer, the camera follows the lateral out to the public main. On a home with an onsite system, it follows the building drain out toward the system's tank.

What affects the cost

• Length of the line, which can be considerable on large Great Falls lots
• Depth, slope and the material of the pipe
• Mature trees, stone walls, paddocks or long driveways along the route
• Whether the damage can be lined or needs excavation
• Permit and inspection through Fairfax County Land Development Services

Great Falls conditions

Great Falls is an unincorporated community on the Virginia side of the Potomac, about 16 miles from Washington. It's largely a bedroom community with big lots, and roughly a fifth of it is rural; the median home was built in 1985. Many homes rely on private wells and are not on public sewer, while some neighborhoods are served by Fairfax Water and Fairfax County sewer. Service varies by address, so check your bill if you aren't sure.

For homes not on municipal sewer, the onsite system itself needs routine pumping and inspection by a provider who handles that work. A plumber's role is the plumbing that feeds it: the drains inside the house and the building drain out to the tank. If the camera shows the pipe is sound but waste still won't move, the issue may be in the onsite system, and you'll need its service provider. For homes on County sewer, Fairfax County's 24-hour line, 703-323-1211, checks the public main, and the private lateral is the owner's.

Before the plumber arrives

• Stop using water to avoid overloading the line or the onsite system
• Find the cleanout and, if you have one, the onsite system's access lid
• Locate any records showing where the line and the tank sit on the property
• Note when the problem began and which fixtures were affected