Drain Cleaning in Longview, TX Stopped-Up Sinks, Tubs, Toilets and Main Sewer Lines
One slow drain is a clog. Several slow drains, gurgling or sewage in a tub means the main line. Here is how to tell, and what to ask before anyone starts.
One drain or the main sewer line?
The answer decides the job and the price. A single stopped-up sink or tub is usually a local clog near that fixture. When several drains are slow at once, toilets gurgle when the washer drains, or water comes up in the lowest tub or shower, the blockage is in the main sewer line that carries everything out of the house.
| What you see | Likely problem | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| One sink slow | Hair, soap or grease near the trap | Clear the trap or snake the branch line |
| Kitchen sink keeps stopping up | Grease build-up in the line | Snake or hydro-jet the kitchen line |
| Toilet clogs again and again | Wipes, a blockage past the toilet, or the main line | Auger the toilet; camera the line if it repeats |
| Several drains slow, gurgling | Main line partly blocked | Clear the main from the cleanout; camera inspection |
| Sewage in the lowest tub or floor drain | Main line blocked | Clear the main now; find the cause |
| Backups after heavy rain | Roots or cracks letting water and soil in | Camera inspection, then repair or replace the section |
Why Longview sewer lines block
Tree roots. Roots find the joints and cracks in older clay and cast iron lines, then grow inside and catch everything that passes.
Old cast iron. The median Longview home was built in 1978. Cast iron drain lines from that era rust from the inside and get rough, so grease and paper stick.
Heavy rain. Longview averages about 45 inches of rain a year. Storm water that gets into cracked lines adds to the load, and backups often follow big storms.
What goes down the drain. Grease, “flushable” wipes, paper towels and food scraps are the most common causes of household clogs.
What should never go down the drain?
- Cooking grease and oil (pour into a can, let it set, bin it)
- Wipes of any kind, even ones labelled “flushable”
- Paper towels, cotton swabs, dental floss
- Coffee grounds and eggshells
- Paint, chemicals and medicines
Is a sewer backup the city’s problem or mine?
The City of Longview maintains the wastewater mains, manholes and service connections in the public right-of-way and easements. Many homes have a sewer cleanout near the property line. The City’s pages do not say who pays for a blockage in the private line between your house and that cleanout, so ask the City before you pay for work near the street. If the cleanout near the street is full and overflowing, or several neighbours have backups at once, call the City of Longview: the block may be in the city’s main.
Check your insurance: many homeowner policies cover sewer backup damage only with an added “water backup” or “sewer backup” cover. Check your policy before you need it.
Drain cleaning methods, explained
- Snake (auger): a cable that breaks up or pulls out a clog. Good for most sink, tub and toilet clogs.
- Hydro jetting: high-pressure water that scrubs grease and roots off the pipe wall. Better for grease and repeat clogs, but not for weak or broken pipe.
- Camera inspection: a small camera through the cleanout shows roots, cracks, sags or collapsed sections. Ask for it when clogs keep coming back, before you agree to replace a line.
Septic or city sewer?
Country homes and acreage around Longview are often on septic, not city sewer. If you are on septic and drains slow down across the house, the tank may need pumping, or the drain field may be saturated after heavy rain. Ask the plumber whether the problem is the line to the tank or the system itself. Septic permits are handled by the county: the Gregg County Health Department and Harrison County Environmental Health.
What to ask before drain cleaning
- Is the price for one drain or for the main line?
- Will you clear it from the cleanout or through the toilet?
- Is a camera inspection included, or extra?
- If you recommend replacing a section, can I see the camera video?
- Is there a trip charge to my address?
Drain and sewer questions
Can I use chemical drain cleaner?
For a slow sink, a plunger or a simple drain snake is safer. Strong chemicals can damage older pipes and are dangerous if the plumber has to open the line later.
Why does my drain gurgle?
Air is being pulled through a partly blocked line or a blocked vent. If several drains gurgle, the main line is the usual cause.
How often should a sewer line be cleaned?
Only when there is a problem, unless roots keep coming back. Then a regular cleaning or a repair of the root entry point may be cheaper over time.
Where is my sewer cleanout?
Often a capped pipe in the yard between the house and the street, or near the foundation. Knowing where it is speeds up the job.
Does homeowner’s insurance pay for a sewer backup?
Only if your policy includes sewer or water backup cover. Check the policy wording.
