Rooter Service

A rooter service denotes the activity of cleaning and clearing sewer lines or drain pipes that have become clogged. Over time, other debris and grease can accumulate in drains, causing the kind of blockages that lead to slow drains or even backups. This service is necessary to maintain any plumbing system, be it in your home or in a business. Without the periodic cleaning of drains, and the lines they connect to, the accumulation of debris can lead to blockages that require a more serious sort of plumbing intervention.

How often you need rooter service is mainly a function of three variables: the age of your plumbing system, the volume of use it gets, and the nature of the problems you have, which in some cases may be not just clogs but also tree roots in your sewer line. Rooter service is somewhere between snaking a drain and doing a complete drain line cleaning. This means that after the service, you may have to wait until the next scheduled service to be sure the problem is fixed for the time being.

If you need to call the rooter service, chances are you have several drains in your house that are not doing their job properly. When a drain is only partially blocked, it may work well enough for a while, but slow-moving drains are almost always on their way to becoming completely clogged. Drains that seem to be partly blocked may also be more likely to fail when you put them to the test by using a large amount of water all at once. Sudden failures of hoses, pipes, or fittings can cause a lot of damage if you don't catch the problem right away. If water backs up when you use any of the plumbing fixtures in your bathroom, that is a sign that not only the toilet but also the sink and shower are likely to fail.

Professionals who tackle the work of unclogging pipes usually rely on specialized gear, like the motor-driven rooter machine that's so common among local plumbing offices. Unlike the simpler snakes and augers that can be operated by hand, the rooter has power and reach, capable of cleaning out the average household sewer line to the city main. On some occasions, the blocked sewer line is so bad that a local office must send in a crew with a truck-mounted hydro-jetting system. These work much like a pressure washer, shooting a focused stream of high-pressure water that cuts through anything in its path.

Indeed, tree root intrusions, which are a widespread problem with older plumbing, can be effectively handled by rooter services. Roots penetrate and invade pipes in a plumbing system because they are seeking moisture, which is found in abundance within a pipe that is not working properly. Once rooted, these aggressive plants tend to balloon and cause the kind of blockage that a rooter service is expressly designed to handle. Indeed, a rooter service will do just that: serve as a mechanical "root cocktail" of sorts that will leave your plumbing system root-free, albeit for a limited time.

Although rooter service is typically a safe and effective method, there are some potential hazards associated with it, especially if done improperly. What kind of hazards? Well, first of all, if equipment is used incorrectly, pipes can be damaged. This is more likely to happen with older plumbing systems or those made with materials that aren't very sturdy. Secondly, if the blockage isn't entirely cleared, the plumbing system could develop other problems that haven't been diagnosed or fixed yet. Risking all that just to save a few bucks isn't very wise, considering rooter service done wrong can lead to repairs that cost a whole lot more than just hiring someone competent in the first place.

Getting your home ready for rooter service requires only a few uncomplicated steps. First, clear the paths to your drains, cleanouts, and sewer access points so the plumber can easily get to these areas. Then, make sure any kids and pets stay away from the workspace so that everyone can be safe. Next, talk to the plumber about any problems or symptoms you've noticed so that they can more effectively address the root cause of your issue.

Although you can rent a rooter machine and try to do the job yourself, it's better to leave rooter work to the pros—unless you have experience doing it, of course. Incorrect usage of a rooter machine can damage pipes or leave behind materials that will cause future stoppages. Also, experienced plumbers know how to recognize other, not-so-obvious problems that might be causing or contributing to the stoppage. When you use a pro to do the job, you can be relatively sure that the job is done not only effectively but also that it's done in a way that reduces the chances of your having to call for service in the near future.

How much you might pay for rooter service can depend on several factors, including where you live, how serious your blockage is, and how tricky your specific job is. On average, basic rooter service seems to run around $100 to $300. For more difficult situations, like tree roots in your sewer lines or really severe clogs, the price can go up significantly. If you need this kind of service, it's a good idea to get a quote from a plumbing company.

Key to avoiding the frequent need for rooter service is preventative maintenance. This means cleaning, with some regularity, the plumbing lines that drain your sinks, tubs, and toilets. The best way to do this is to use natural cleaning agents, which will do the job without "poisoning" your plumbing with harsh chemicals. A good recipe for a natural cleaning agent is to mix 3/4 cup of baking soda with 3/4 cup of vinegar. This can be poured into the drain (after which, you should wait about ten minutes before running clean, hot water through your drain). Avoid putting down the drain any of the usual suspects—grease, hair, or very large food particles. And if you have any drains that really don't get much use (like the one in your basement), try to run some water through those lines every few weeks, as well.