What does PWSA say about the sewer lateral?
That the whole lateral is the owner's. PWSA's pipe ownership page defines it as running from the sewer main to the building's internal plumbing and makes residential and commercial owners responsible for it.
A blockage in that pipe is therefore the owner's to clear, and sewer line jetting is one method a pro can walk you through. A camera inspection gives you footage of the pipe's visible condition and help establish where a problem sits. A call gets you information about the service and a booking.
Why can Pittsburgh laterals be hard to sort out?
Because some lines are not on public records. PWSA has said it recorded only publicly maintained lines turned over to it, and news coverage describes disputes over lines under alleys.
Hills, shared alley lines and century-old clay pipe make ownership and condition unclear in places. A camera recording of the line, kept with your records, helps in any conversation with PWSA or neighbors, and tree root removal clears roots from the line.
Who maintains which part of the line in Pittsburgh?
PWSA's pipe ownership page splits the system as shown here.
| Piece of the system | Responsible party | Practical meaning for a backup |
|---|---|---|
| Public sewer mains on record | PWSA | Report a suspected main problem to PWSA |
| Entire sewer lateral to the building plumbing | Property owner | Broken or clogged laterals are the owner's |
| Backup damage claims | Owner may file with PWSA | PWSA is generally not liable for unforeseen backups |
How do Pittsburgh's rivers and hills affect backups?
Steep slopes send water quickly downhill, and low spots near the rivers collect it. Older neighborhoods use combined or aging systems in places.
A heavy storm can stress the public system, and PWSA says most backups are unforeseen events. Keeping your own lateral clear removes one possible cause, and a backwater valve is a separate topic to ask a pro about.
What kitchens and buildings book jetting here?
Lawrenceville, Strip District and South Side restaurants, plus apartment buildings in Oakland and Shadyside.
Commercial grease line jetting clears kitchen lines, and drain jetting handles branch lines in apartment and rowhouse basements.
Hydro jetting services in Pittsburgh
All seven services are available across Pittsburgh, from a Brookline hillside home to a Strip District restaurant.
- Sewer line jetting for the whole lateral from building to main
- Sewer camera inspection for lines of unclear age or route
- Tree root removal for roots in older clay joints
- Drain jetting for kitchen, laundry and bath branches
- Commercial grease line jetting for Lawrenceville and South Side restaurants
- Sewer backup help for basement drains and toilets that overflow
- Storm drain jetting for lots and private drains on sloped sites
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Pittsburgh, including Lawrenceville, Squirrel Hill, Bloomfield, the South Side, Brookline, Shadyside, Mount Washington and Regent Square.
Nearby, hydro jetting in Philadelphia has its own page, and Buffalo is the closest in New York. Help is also available in Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Penn Hills, Wilkinsburg, McKees Rocks and Monroeville. See the Pennsylvania page for every city we cover.