One slow fixture usually means a local clog in that drain, while several fixtures backing up together points to the main sewer line. A plumber can clear either with a cable machine or water jetting, and a camera can show what caused it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Phoenix.
One drain or the whole house?
Start by noticing which fixtures are affected. A bathroom sink full of hair or a kitchen drain coated with grease is a branch line problem. If the tub fills when the toilet is flushed, or the lowest drain overflows when the washer empties, the blockage is likely in the main line leaving the house.
Common causes in Phoenix homes
- Grease, coffee grounds and food scraps in kitchen lines
- Hair and soap scum in tubs and showers
- Mineral scale narrowing older drain pipes, which hard water can make worse
- Roots from landscape trees working into older sewer laterals
- Wipes and paper products, even ones sold as flushable
- Cast iron drains in older central neighborhoods that can corrode and catch debris
How a plumber clears it
- Cable machine. A rotating cable cuts through hair, grease and soft clogs in sinks, tubs and the main line.
- Water jetting. High-pressure water scours grease and scale off pipe walls, useful for recurring clogs.
- Camera inspection. A video run shows roots, sagging pipe or broken sections, so you know whether cleaning is enough.
Who owns the sewer line
The City of Phoenix runs the public sewer system, but property owners are responsible for the sewer line on their own lot up to the City main. A clog or break between the house and the main is the owner's to fix. If sewage is coming up in the street or several homes are affected, report it to the City at 602-261-8000.
What you can try first
A plunger works on many sink and toilet clogs. Skip harsh chemical drain openers; they can damage older pipes and make the job harder for whoever follows. If water is coming back up through a floor drain or tub, stop using water in the house until the line is cleared.
What affects the cost
- Whether the clog is in one fixture or the main line
- Access, such as whether there is a usable cleanout outside
- The method needed: cable, jetting or both
- Whether a camera inspection is added
- Time of the visit, since evenings and weekends are often billed higher
Drain Cleaning questions from Phoenix homeowners
Why do my drains back up when the washing machine runs?
Who is responsible for the sewer line in Phoenix?
Are chemical drain cleaners safe for my pipes?
When is a camera inspection worth it?
Related plumbing services in Phoenix
Helpful guides
Drain Cleaning in nearby cities and towns
Maricopa County
Pinal County
Sources
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