Why does Winston-Salem want a camera recording of the service line?
To tell a main problem from a service-line problem. The city's guidance asks the owner's plumber to clear the line all the way to the main and then run CCTV on the service line to document any damage in the public right-of-way.
A camera inspection gives you the same recording for your own records, whether you are working through the city's policy, buying a house in Ardmore or troubleshooting a slow drain. It shows roots, cracks and buildup in the line. Call now to get information about the service and book a visit.
What does the Good Neighbor Policy ask of owners and plumbers?
That the plumber clears the whole line. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities says that if the line is not blocked at the cleanout or none exists, the homeowner hires a plumber, who must clear any blockage and push it all the way to the main using root machines or jet hoses, not just to the cleanout stack.
Sewer line jetting is one of the methods the city names, using a jet hose along the run through the right-of-way or easement toward the main. The plumber then confirms and records the line with CCTV, and submits evidence of damage to the utility. The policy is for a qualifying first-time backup from a main-line blockage, so check current terms.
Who handles what in a Winston-Salem backup?
The city handles the main and the accessible part of the service line in the right-of-way for a qualifying backup, while the owner handles the rest. The city is responsible for breaks in mains in the street, and the owner for breaks on private property.
A courtesy cleanout at the edge of the right-of-way, where one exists, may be cleaned and repaired by city staff. Beyond it the line is the owner's, and tree root removal and drain jetting clear the usual causes.
Who maintains which part of the line in Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem's Good Neighbor Policy splits responsibility by location. The table shows the pieces.
| Piece of the system | Responsible party | Practical meaning for a backup |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer main and breaks in the street | Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities | The utility handles main-line problems |
| Accessible service line in the public right-of-way, for a qualifying backup | City utilities staff | The city investigates and cleans it for a first-time main-line backup |
| Service line from the right-of-way to your house | Property owner | Your plumber clears it to the main and records it on CCTV |
Hydro jetting services in Winston-Salem
All seven services are available across Winston-Salem, with camera inspections available for every service line.
- Sewer camera inspection to record the line, as the city asks plumbers to do
- Sewer line jetting all the way from the cleanout to the main
- Tree root removal for roots in older West End and Ardmore lines
- Drain jetting for kitchen and laundry branches
- Commercial grease line jetting for downtown and Arts District restaurants
- Sewer backup help for toilets and floor drains that are overflowing
- Storm drain jetting for apartment lots and private drains
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Winston-Salem, including West End, Ardmore, Buena Vista, Sherwood Forest, Reynolda, Konnoak Hills, Old Salem and the Downtown Arts District.
Nearby local pages cover hydro jetting in Greensboro, Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh. Help is also available in Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, Bethania, Rural Hall, Walkertown and Pfafftown. See the North Carolina page for every city we cover.