What does Citizens Energy Group say about laterals?
That the owner handles the lateral on the property side. Its Correct Connect materials describe the lateral as linking your home's plumbing to Citizens' sewers, and its STEP program materials put the owner's side at the right-of-way line.
Citizens also names the causes of trouble: age, roots, missing caps and mechanical damage. For the owner's stretch, sewer line jetting clears the pipe, and a camera inspection shows visible roots, offsets and scale on screen. Reach us by phone for information and to book your visit.
Why do Indianapolis basements back up in older neighborhoods?
Old pipe and shared systems. Parts of the near-Eastside, Fountain Square and Irvington were sewered in the early 1900s, and in some places stormwater and sewage share pipes.
A clear lateral keeps your own flow moving, while a backflow preventer addresses flow returning from the main. Both are separate conversations with a pro. Roots add trouble, handled by tree root removal.
Who maintains which part of the line in Indianapolis?
Citizens Energy Group's materials split the line at the right-of-way.
| Piece of the system | Responsible party | Practical meaning for a backup |
|---|---|---|
| Public sewers and the connection to the right-of-way | Citizens Energy Group | Report a suspected main problem to Citizens |
| Lateral on the property side | Property owner | The owner handles troubleshooting and maintenance there |
| Plumbing inside the home | Homeowner | A blockage inside the home's plumbing is the owner's to resolve |
How do missing caps and damaged cleanouts cause backups?
They let water in. Citizens lists missing caps and lawnmower-damaged pipes as causes of basement backups because rain and debris can enter the lateral.
Check that your cleanout cap is on, and look for cracks after mowing season. A damaged cleanout riser is a simple repair, but a camera can check the line beyond it.
Which Indianapolis kitchens and buildings book jetting?
Mass Ave, Broad Ripple and Downtown restaurants, plus apartment buildings along College Avenue.
Commercial grease line jetting clears kitchen lines, and drain jetting handles branch lines in apartments.
Hydro jetting services in Indianapolis
All seven services are available across Indianapolis, for homes, apartments, restaurants and warehouses.
- Sewer line jetting for the lateral from cleanout to the right-of-way
- Sewer camera inspection to check a lateral and a damaged cleanout
- Tree root removal for roots near older Irvington and Fountain Square lines
- Drain jetting for kitchen, laundry and bath branches
- Commercial grease line jetting for Mass Ave, Broad Ripple and Downtown kitchens
- Sewer backup help for basement drains and toilets that overflow
- Storm drain jetting for lots and private drains at warehouses and shopping centers
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Indianapolis, including Broad Ripple, Fountain Square, Irvington, Speedway, Mass Ave, Meridian-Kessler, Castleton and the Southside.
Nearby, hydro jetting in Fort Wayne has its own page. Help is also available in Carmel, Fishers, Greenwood, Lawrence, Plainfield, Avon and Zionsville. See the Indiana page for every city we cover.