What the camera usually finds
Grease and food buildup
The most common cause of kitchen line clogs. It narrows the pipe a little at a time until a holiday meal finishes the job.
Roots
Trees and shrubs planted near a sewer line will find a joint and grow into it. They come back after snaking unless the entry point is dealt with.
Belly or sag
A low section where waste settles instead of flowing. Clearing it helps, but the dip stays.
Broken or offset pipe
Older clay and cast iron lines crack, and joints shift. The camera shows where and how bad.
Wipes and foreign objects
Wipes don't break down the way paper does, even when the package says flushable.
Snaking or hydro jetting?
| Snaking | Hydro jetting | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A cable with a cutting head punches through the blockage | High-pressure water scours the full inside of the pipe |
| Good for | A single clog, or getting water moving fast | Grease, scale and roots that keep coming back |
| What it leaves | A path through the blockage | A cleaned pipe wall |
| Before it's used | Any time | The line should be checked first so a weak pipe isn't damaged |
Older Las Vegas homes
Neighborhoods built in the middle of the last century, around downtown and the older parts of the central valley, often still have cast iron or clay sewer lines. Cast iron scales and cracks from the inside, while clay joints let roots in. Neither problem shows up until drains start backing up.
If you're buying an older home, a sewer camera inspection before closing is a small cost next to a line replacement you didn't plan for.
How a drain visit goes
- Find the cleanout. It's usually outside near the foundation or in the front yard.
- Clear the line so water moves again.
- Run the camera to see what caused the clog, and record it if you want a copy.
- Recommend what fits: maintenance cleaning, jetting, a spot repair, or a lining or replacement option.
Keep drains clear between visits
Kitchen
Wipe greasy pans before washing, and keep coffee grounds out of the sink.
Bathroom
Use a hair catcher in showers and tubs. Only toilet paper goes down the toilet.
Laundry
A lint trap on the washer discharge saves the line downstream.
Outside
Keep the cleanout cap on and visible so it's easy to find in an emergency.
Request a quote
Tell us what's going on and a plumber will call you back.
Common questions
Why does my drain keep clogging?
Something in the line is catching waste, such as grease, roots, a sag or a broken section. A camera inspection shows which, so the fix matches the cause.
Is hydro jetting safe for my pipes?
For sound pipe, yes. That's why the line is checked first. Badly deteriorated pipe may need repair instead of jetting.
What's a sewer camera inspection?
A waterproof camera on a cable is run through the drain from a cleanout, showing the inside of the pipe and where any problem is located.
All my drains gurgle. What does that mean?
Usually a blockage in the main line or a venting problem. If drains are also slow or backing up, call us.