Blocked sewer line repair on Long Island

A clogged sink or tub is a branch-line problem, and drain service usually takes care of it. A blocked sewer line is different: it sits downstream of every fixture, so the whole building loses drainage and sewage can come back up through the lowest opening.

Until the line is cleared, use as little water as possible. Each flush or shower adds to what is already backing up.

• Tree roots enter through cracked or loose joints and catch everything that passes.
• Grease and sludge build up on pipe walls until the opening is too narrow to flow.
• Sagging or shifted pipe holds water and debris in a low spot.
• Collapsed sections in older pipe, including clay and cast iron, close off the line.
• Wipes and other items that should not be flushed lodge in the line.

Each cause calls for a different fix, which is why the cause matters before the repair.

When a line keeps blocking or the cause is unclear, a sewer camera inspection shows what is inside the pipe and roughly where it is. That separates a clog that can be cleared from a pipe that is broken, and it keeps any digging limited to the section that needs it.

Most blockages are cleared first, with a cable machine or with high-pressure sewer jetting for roots, grease and heavy buildup. Clearing restores flow and lets the condition of the pipe be checked.

If the inspection shows a crack, separation or collapse, JET explains the repair options for that section before any work starts. After repairs, the line is flow tested to confirm it drains properly.

Older homes with clay or cast-iron pipe and properties with large trees near the line tend to see blockages more often. On commercial properties such as restaurants, apartment buildings and offices, one blocked line can shut down every unit or restroom it serves.

For businesses with grease-heavy waste, see commercial services and grease trap cleaning.