FAQ
Questions and Answers
These FAQs provide answers to most questions you may have. Any questions not answered here, please feel free to call (908) 789-1490 or send a message via the contact form. One of our experts will be happy to assist you and answer your question. JB Construction, Inc. has been servicing the state of New Jersey for over 40 years. We look forward to working with you too.
The timeliness of the sewer cleaning service provided depends on a number of factors. The size of the sewer cleaning company, the area they service, and their in-house infrastructure, are just some factors that determine the response time.
A reputable drain cleaning company, such as JB Construction, Inc. should be able to provide an accurate response time to within a half an hour. If delays occur, advanced notice will be provided to the client. Expect service to be completed from start to finish in one to two hours. Yes, this includes travel time.
If tree roots are present in a drain line, it is imperative to take action prior to having a complete blockage. Once the water stops flowing in a pipe, many products can no longer be used. Copper sulfate and the product Root-X are commonly used to kill roots inside a drain pipe. However, they only work if there is a flow of water.
Once completely blocked by roots a drain cleaning machine can frequently open the pipe up on a temporary basis. Future cleanings will be needed, and a possible sewer repair or replacement may be inevitable. Once roots are present, it is almost impossible for a sewer cleaning machine to cut them all out, or for the roots to not grow in again.
Yes! There are various ways to help prevent clogged drain lines. They range from common-sense steps like not putting grease, excessive soap, or food down the drain, to placing a strainer on the end of a washing machine drain hose to catch lint and other objects.
Placing a strainer on the bathtub and shower drains is also a good idea. Catching hair and other objects before they go down your drain will prevent the need for frequent drain cleaning.
The water service line is the piping that carries water from the city water main to the inside of the house, where the pipe connects to the meter. The city water main is usually located underneath the street. In rare cases, you can find the city’s water-main under the sidewalk, but the same rules still apply under this definition.
Often an exact price is only determined once the nature, and the extent of the problem is diagnosed. However, be forewarned that many firms are reluctant to give a price, and have various contingencies in place in order to change the price after it is quoted.
You should expect to pay what you were quoted with any changes mutually approved. Unless some obvious and unforeseen condition exists, the price should remain intact. If additional equipment is needed, or the reported condition changes, it may be reasonable to expect a change in the quoted price. If you hear the technician saying things such as “I need the big machine”, or “It is further out than what I thought”, it may be one of those times.
A water jet sends highly pressurized water through a nozzle at the end of a hose, which is inserted into the drain line. Water jetting is a relatively recent addition to the array of tools available for drain cleaning service.
Water jetting is ideal for removing grease stoppages from inside a drain pipe. Using a traditional drain cleaning machine typically serves no purpose in dealing with a grease stoppage. A sewer cleaning machine blade will spin around inside the grease stoppage but have no effect in removing it. This is also the case when sediment or debris is inside a drain pipe. In these two particular cases, a water jet can be advisable. In many other cases, it is an added drain cleaning expense that provides no additional benefit.
There are obvious times when a drain or sewer line should be repaired or replaced. One instance is when the line cannot be cleaned at all. If heavy and extensive root infiltration exists, it should be replaced. Extensive root growth is indicative of the failure of the entire line. If a backpitch of the line exists, an extensive section of the run of pipe typically has to be replaced to have the correct pitch.
Other conditions make the decision to repair or replace a sewer pipe much more difficult. One of the factors is strictly personal. Some people only have to live through one or two clogs to decide to replace the sewer line. Other people will suffer through years of stoppages, and thousands of dollars in drain cleaning bills, before they agree to do repair work.
It is fair to say that if a skilled drain technician needs to spend many hours to clear out a stoppage, that means something is structurally wrong with the drain line. In those cases, a video camera inspection can go a long way in determining your next appropriate step.