What does Raleigh Water say about a blocked sewer service?
That the owner corrects it when the blockage is between the house and the main. Raleigh Water's sewer service FAQ says that when a service line there is blocked, the property owner is responsible, and when the city's main is blocked, Raleigh Water corrects it.
The FAQ adds a useful instruction: ask the plumber to clear the line all the way to the city main. Sewer line jetting is one method a pro can use to work along the whole run, and a camera inspection afterward can show visible conditions in the line. Call now to get information about the service and book a visit.
Why does clearing a line only to the cleanout fall short?
Because the blockage can sit further down. A tool that stops at the cleanout may leave debris, grease or roots between the cleanout and the main, and the line can back up again.
Raleigh's guidance to clear all the way to the main reflects that. A pro can work along the full length with jetting, and a camera can show conditions in the line. Older neighborhoods such as Oakwood, Mordecai and Five Points include clay pipe with joints that roots can enter, while newer areas like Brier Creek and North Hills have plastic lines.
Who maintains which part of the line in Raleigh?
Raleigh Water's FAQ splits a blockage by location, as laid out here.
| Piece of the system | Responsible party | Practical meaning for a backup |
|---|---|---|
| City sewer main | Raleigh Water | The utility corrects blockages in its main |
| Sewer service between the house and the main | Property owner | Ask the plumber to clear it all the way to the city main |
| Privately owned sewer main serving single-family homes | Property owner | Repair and maintenance are the owner's |
What clogs sewer lines in Raleigh?
Grease, wipes and roots. EPA's inspection manual names grease and tree roots among the primary causes of sewer blockages. Raleigh's mature oaks and pines grow near older lines, and busy kitchens add grease.
Tree root removal clears roots from a line, drain jetting addresses build-up in kitchen and laundry lines, and commercial grease line jetting serves restaurants.
Which hydro jetting services are available in Raleigh?
All seven services are available across Raleigh, for houses, apartments and restaurants.
- Sewer line jetting all the way from the cleanout to the city main
- Sewer camera inspection to confirm the line is open after cleaning
- Tree root removal for roots near older Oakwood and Mordecai lines
- Drain jetting for kitchen and laundry lines that keep slowing
- Commercial grease line jetting for Glenwood South and Fayetteville Street kitchens
- Sewer backup help for toilets and tubs that are overflowing
- Storm drain jetting for retail lots and apartment drains
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Raleigh, including Oakwood, Five Points, Boylan Heights, Mordecai, Cameron Village, North Hills, Glenwood South, Brier Creek and Falls of Neuse.
Nearby local pages cover hydro jetting in Durham, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Help is also available in Cary, Garner, Wake Forest, Apex, Knightdale, Wendell, Fuquay-Varina, Morrisville and Holly Springs. See the North Carolina page for every city we cover.