Sewer Cleaning Company is saving the day with advanced videoscoping and cutting-edge equipment to find out what's in your sewer

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For a limited time, Sewer Cleaning Company’s Anthony Peto is offering a free sewer line videoscoping to homeowners who suspect a problem.

By Mimi Vanderhaven

The heavy spring rains and Ohio’s current stay-at-home order have combined to create a serious problem for home drain and sewer lines, causing an increased number of sewer backups and basement flooding.

The heavy rains mean even a mild clog can prevent rain water from sufficiently draining away from our homes, and the stay-at-home order means we are all flushing our toilets more.

A lot more.

“People don’t realize how often we flush the toilet during an eight-hour day at work,” explains Anthony Peto, the founder of Northeast Ohio’s Sewer Cleaning Company. “Now, all that flushing is happening at home. The problem is compounded if you have kids or young adults home from school or college. It’s like having a houseful of holiday guests 24/7.”

And it’s not just the toilet. “We are all cooking at home a lot right now, sending a much higher volume of grease and food waste down the garbage disposal,” he warns. “It’s a big problem waiting to happen.”

Actually, the clogs aren’t waiting. Sewer Cleaning Company’s phone has been ringing off the hook with homeowners, apartment managers, and HOAs experiencing backups and those wanting to do the proper maintenance required to avoid them altogether.

“It’s all about prevention,” Anthony says. “Don’t wait until you hear the basement toilet gurgling. If you suspect you have a problem—or you’ve had a problem in the past—go ahead and get your sewer lines checked out now.”

In the unlikely event your sewer line is too far gone to be unclogged, Sewer Cleaning Company also handles the excavation required to replace your system professionally

Advanced Equipment
Sewer Cleaning Company has a high-tech videoscoping system to discover in advance exactly what kind of clog you have—if you have one. Their technicians run a camera down your sewer and record a video of what’s going on.

“It’s like a colonoscopy for your pipes,” Anthony says, “And once we have a ‘diagnosis,’ we know exactly the best method to clear the line.”

Although the company utilizes traditional snakes and cutter heads, they specialize in clearing lines with today’s leading-edge, high-pressure water jets designed to tackle different types of clogs.

Sewer Cleaning Company specializes in clearing lines with today’s leading-edge, high-pressure water jets designed to tackle different types of clogs

“We have a powerful 4,000 psi, 9-gallons-per-minute water jet system with the capacity to clean up to an 8-inch commercial sanitary line, or a small, 1.25-inch vanity drain line,” Anthony says. “In addition to sewer lines, we also clear your storm lines. Rain storms never come at a good time, so you need to be confident that your drains are clear. That includes the drain tile that takes the water away from your foundation, as well as your gutters and downspouts. It’s all part of the same system.”

Sometimes a simple clog in this system can cause a damp basement. “So before you spend thousands on basement waterproofing, get peace of mind by spending a few hundred with us. It might be a simple fix,” Anthony advises.

Working in the Covid-19 Era
While the novel coronavirus pandemic has caused many businesses to completely overhaul their protocols, that’s not the case with Sewer Cleaning Company.

“Our techs have always been exposed to foul substances, so we’ve been doing many of the CDC’s recommendations all along,” Anthony says.

“That includes wearing gloves, booties, and minimizing the surfaces we touch. However, unless you have an outside cleanout, we do have to come into your home, so we’ve introduced a 100% no-contact protocol. And because the coronavirus is detectable in stool samples, our techs have to be extra careful when dealing with back-ups, but then we’ve always had to be extra careful. It’s the nature of the job.”

Tree roots can work their way into your sewer line through even the tiniest crack, causing backups and basement flooding—and destroying your pipes.
If tree roots have destroyed or collapsed your sewer line and it’s just too far gone, Sewer Cleaning Company can also handle the excavation to replace the line.

Tree Roots and Excavation
A sidebar accompanying this story outlines what should never go down your toilet, but even if you follow that advice, it won’t help with one of the biggest culprits: tree roots.

“Roots are relentless,” Anthony says. “They’ll work their way into your sewer line through even the tiniest crack. They’re attracted to the water in your lines.”

If tree roots have destroyed or collapsed your sewer line and it’s just too far gone, Sewer Cleaning Company can also handle the excavation to replace the line. They have all of the equipment needed—Bobcats, excavators, even drones—to replace your old sewer line professionally. “Excavation is a last resort,” he assures. ‘But if it has to be done, people are relieved that we have the experience, skill, and equipment to do it ourselves and do it right.”

Can’t Flush This.
To protect your home’s sewer system and avoid backups, only three things should ever go down your toilet. City municipalities and sewer cleaning experts call these “The Three Ps.” They are pee, poop and (toilet) paper. Among the things that should never be flushed are:

  • Wet wipes, facial tissue (Kleenex), and paper towels. Unlike toilet tissue, these items are not designed to dissolve easily in water. These products can create clogs on their own or catch on tiny roots to initiate a stubborn blockage.
  • Feminine hygiene products. Items such as pads and tampons are bulky and, like paper towels, do not dissolve in water. Wrap them in a tissue and place them in the garbage.
  • Condoms, Contact Lenses, Dental Floss. Not only can these products clog your own pipes, in mass quantities they wreak havoc on sewage treatment plants.
  • Grease. Any fat that is a solid at room temperature—like peanut butter, Crisco, butter, and bacon grease—should never enter your sewer pipes, including down the toilet, the sink drain, or into the garbage disposal. Warm liquid fats—like melted butter—immediately solidify when cooled in your pipes. These have caused legendary “fatbergs” in municipal sewage treatment plants around the world. And, yes, they are as gross as they sound. It’s also not a good idea to pour vegetable oils down the drain. Place cooled oil in the garbage, recycle it, or use it as a weed killer (Google it).
  • Medicine. A few pills are unlikely to cause a clog, but sewage treatment systems are not designed to filter out medications. Various pharmaceuticals and hormones are already being detected in our rivers and in the Great Lakes.
Right now, for a limited time, Sewer Cleaning Company is offering Mimi readers a free sewer line videoscoping, a $149 value. No purchase necessary

Sewer Cleaning Company is headquartered in Chesterland, but serves all of Northeast Ohio. For more information, to schedule a service or get a free over-the-phone quote, call 440-290-6055 or visit SewerCleaningCompany.com and fill out the convenient contact form. The company typically offers same-day or next-day service.