Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Pro Drain Techs Drain and Sewer Frequently Asked Questions
Pro Drain Techs Drain and Sewer Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to drain and sewer questions in Edmonton and surrounding communities
Slow drains, recurring backups and hidden sewer damage can leave homeowners wondering what to do next. Understanding the cause is the first step toward choosing the right solution.
This Frequently Asked Questions page explains sewer camera inspections, blocked drains, tree roots, sewer repairs and practical maintenance. It is written for homeowners, buyers and sellers in Edmonton and surrounding communities, including Sherwood Park, Leduc and St. Albert.
Pro Drain Techs provides drain scoping, pipe locating, CIPP lining and drain bursting throughout the Greater Edmonton area. Whether you are investigating a drainage problem or checking a property before buying, these answers will help you understand the findings and ask useful questions about your options.
Sewer Camera Inspections & Drain Scoping
Sewer Camera Inspections & Drain Scoping
Understand what a sewer inspection can reveal, when to book one and what its limitations mean.
A sewer camera inspection uses a small camera to examine the inside of a drain or sewer pipe. Also called drain scoping or a sewer scope, it lets a technician assess accessible sections of the line without digging them up first.
The inspection can reveal visible defects and obstructions, helping explain drainage problems or establish the condition of a line before a home purchase or renovation. It provides evidence for deciding whether cleaning, monitoring or repair is appropriate. The findings apply to the sections the camera can reach and clearly see; a scope is not a guarantee against future problems.
A sewer camera inspection can identify visible roots, buildup, displaced joints, cracks and other damage inside a pipe. It can also show changes in pipe material and areas where standing water limits the view or suggests a drainage issue.
Interpreting those images matters as much as recording them. For example, water in the line may indicate a low spot, but a downstream restriction can also cause water to collect. A camera cannot see through the pipe wall or reliably assess surfaces hidden beneath dirty water or debris. Further cleaning or investigation may be needed before recommending a repair.
Consider an inspection when drainage problems return after cleaning, several fixtures are affected, or you have experienced a sewer backup. It can also be useful before buying a property, finishing a basement or completing renovations that would make future pipe access more difficult.
Previous root intrusion, an unknown repair history or an older sewer line are additional reasons to investigate. An inspection is most useful when it answers a specific question: What caused the backup? Is the line suitable for lining? Is there a problem worth addressing before construction? If sewage is actively backing up, restoring safe conditions takes priority over a routine inspection.
The technician identifies a suitable access point, usually a cleanout, and feeds a camera into the line while watching the video. The visible pipe condition, changes in direction and any obstructions are assessed as the camera moves through the accessible route.
Where compatible locating equipment is used, the camera head can be located from the surface to help identify a problem area. A locator’s readings are subject to site conditions and are not a substitute for required utility locates before excavation. After the inspection, the technician should explain the findings, any areas not inspected and what additional work, if any, is recommended.
The time depends on access, line length, pipe layout and whether the camera can travel freely. A straightforward inspection is quicker than one involving several access points, heavy buildup or a blockage that must be cleared first.
The appointment should also allow time to explain the footage and findings. When booking, ask how much time to allow, whether locating or cleaning is included, and what happens if the inspection cannot be completed. Providing information about previous backups and the location of any known cleanouts helps the team plan the visit. Pro Drain Techs can confirm an expected appointment length for your property.
On average a camera inspection can take 40 mins to 1 hour. The video and report can be sent that day or the next.
Yes. Roots inside the inspected section of a sewer line can usually be seen on camera when visibility is clear. They may appear as small strands at an entry point or a larger mass obstructing the pipe.
The inspection helps show where roots have entered and how much of the pipe they occupy. However, dense growth can hide the joint or defect behind it and prevent the camera from travelling farther. Removing the obstruction and reinspecting may be necessary to assess the underlying pipe. The camera shows roots inside the line; it does not establish which nearby tree owns them.
Yes, if the damage is within the camera’s view. Visible cracking, broken sections and major changes in the pipe opening can indicate structural problems. A collapse may stop the camera from advancing altogether.
There are limits to what the footage can establish. Debris can hide a crack, and the camera cannot inspect beyond a complete obstruction from the same access point. A technician should distinguish confirmed damage from a suspected problem and explain whether another access point, cleaning or excavation is needed. An incomplete inspection should never be presented as confirmation that the rest of the sewer line is sound.
During a home inspection, we discovered a severe break in the main line. After using a line locator to track the camera, we determined the break was on the city side. This spared both the buyer and the current owner from costly repairs, as the city assumed responsibility and fixed the pipe.
Often, yes. The pipe’s appearance, joint pattern and visible surface can help identify materials such as clay, cast iron, concrete or plastic. An inspection may also reveal that only part of the original line has been replaced.
Identification is less certain when the pipe is heavily coated, submerged or already lined. Some materials look similar on video, so records or direct access may be needed to confirm them. Knowing the material helps put the findings in context, but material alone does not determine whether a pipe needs repair. Its condition, alignment and performance are more useful than its age or appearance alone.
An inspection can be worthwhile without symptoms when it supports an important decision, such as buying a home or renovating a basement. A line may still carry ordinary household wastewater even when a defect is developing.
That does not mean every symptom-free property needs an annual camera inspection. Consider what is already known about the pipe, previous inspection results and whether anything has changed. A recent, complete inspection of a sound line may provide a useful baseline. For a property with no records, the value is learning what exists underground before committing to work or a purchase that makes unexpected repairs harder to manage.
For example, one client just wanted a scope done, even though they never had an issue, because their neighbors had a drain replacement done due to a collapse and their house was the same age. The camera inspection showed that they had the same material and it was near the end of its life. This saved the basement from a backup which could have cost the client much more money.
The technician should document where the camera stopped and what prevented further travel, if that can be determined. Possible reasons include an obstruction, a tight bend, unsuitable access or damage to the pipe.
The next step depends on the evidence. Appropriate cleaning may allow a second attempt, or a different access point may provide a view from the other direction. Where serious damage is suspected, further investigation may be needed before proceeding. The camera should not simply be forced through resistance. Ask how much of the line remains uninspected and whether the proposed next step will resolve that uncertainty.
Clogged Drains & Sewer Backups
Clogged Drains & Sewer Backups
Recognize the difference between an isolated fixture problem and an issue affecting the shared drainage system.
Most drains back up due to a clog. Knowing where the clog has occurred can help you determine the best approach for cleaning the line. It can also help you avoid further water usage on the affected fixture. For example, if it’s a kitchen or laundry drain backing up into the floor drain, but flushing the toilets doesn’t cause it to back up, then it’s a clogged branch line backup and not the main service line.
A main sewer line restriction may affect several fixtures rather than just one sink or toilet. Warning signs include water appearing at a low drain when another fixture is used, repeated backups and drainage that worsens during heavier water use.
The pattern is more informative than any single symptom. Note which fixtures are affected and what was running when the problem occurred. A toilet that gurgles once does not prove a main-line clog, but gurgling combined with water rising in a basement drain deserves prompt investigation. Stop using water if wastewater begins backing up; repeatedly testing fixtures can add to the overflow.
Recurring backups often mean the underlying cause has not been resolved. Clearing an opening through a blockage may restore drainage temporarily without removing all the material or addressing a defect that keeps catching waste.
The useful question is what changed after the previous service. How long did normal drainage last? Was the line inspected after cleaning? Did the technician identify a specific problem or only restore flow? Keep those records and share them at the next visit. A clear diagnosis can help distinguish a maintenance issue from a pipe problem and reduce the cycle of paying for repeated emergency clearing without understanding why it is needed.
Several slow drains can indicate a restriction in a pipe they share. That might be a branch serving one area of the house or the main building drain and sewer service line. The location cannot be determined from the number of slow fixtures alone.
Tell the technician whether the affected drains are on the same floor and whether using one fixture causes a reaction elsewhere. Venting problems can also influence drainage, so the whole symptom pattern matters. Avoid adding chemical drain cleaner to several fixtures in an attempt to reach an unknown blockage. Diagnosis should establish where the restriction is before choosing the clearing method.
A basement floor drain is often one of the lowest openings in the home’s drainage system. When wastewater cannot move away normally, it may emerge there even though the underlying problem is elsewhere.
The cause could be a restriction in the property’s piping or a backup from the public sewer. Water around the drain also needs to be distinguished from foundation seepage or another source of basement water. Timing provides useful clues: does it happen during laundry, ordinary water use or a storm? Stop using connected fixtures during an active sewage backup and have the source investigated. Covering the floor drain does not solve the cause.
Gurgling means air is moving through the toilet’s water seal as pressure changes in the drainage system. A restriction in shared piping can cause this, but a venting issue can also produce similar sounds.
Gurgling alone does not establish that a sewer line is damaged. Its significance increases when it accompanies slow drainage, changing toilet water levels or a backup at another fixture. Make a note of which appliance or drain triggers the noise. If the problem keeps happening, have the drainage and venting assessed rather than assuming the toilet itself needs replacement. If water starts rising elsewhere, stop using water and arrange prompt help.
A clogged drain often affects one fixture or a small group of fixtures connected to the same branch. A clogged main sewer line affects the shared route carrying wastewater away from the building, so its effects can appear in several locations.
For example, a slow bathroom sink while everything else drains normally suggests a more local issue. Water rising in a basement drain when a toilet flushes suggests a restriction farther downstream. These are clues, not a definitive diagnosis. Locating the problem correctly matters because cleaning the wrong section can leave the actual obstruction in place and allow another backup.
EPCOR identifies grease, non-flushable items, tree roots, sagging lines and broken or collapsed pipes as common causes of sewer backups in Edmonton. The same symptom can result from very different problems, so the cause should be investigated before selecting a repair. [1]
Property history helps narrow the investigation. A line with repeated root cutting needs a different assessment from a first-time blockage after something inappropriate was flushed. Storm-related events also warrant checking whether the public system contributed. In Sherwood Park, Leduc, St. Albert and other surrounding communities, contact the applicable local utility when a public sewer issue is suspected.
Yes. Fats, oils and grease can build up inside drainage pipes and contribute to blockages. Pouring hot water or detergent after grease does not reliably prevent it from accumulating farther along the system. [1]
Keep cooking grease out of the sink. Let it cool, collect it for disposal according to local guidance, and wipe greasy cookware before washing. If a line already has recurring drainage problems, changing disposal habits may reduce further buildup but will not necessarily remove an existing obstruction. Tell the technician about kitchen-related symptoms and previous clearing work so the affected section can be assessed appropriately.
The safer choice is to put wipes in the garbage, including products labelled “flushable.” EPCOR advises that these wipes do not break down like toilet paper and can contribute to sewer blockages. [2]
A wipe disappearing from the toilet bowl does not mean it has travelled safely through the entire drainage system. Keeping a wastebasket beside the toilet makes proper disposal easier for family members and guests. This applies even if your home has a newer sewer line: good disposal habits help protect both your plumbing and the wider sewer system. Flush only human waste and toilet paper.
Stop flushing toilets and using sinks, showers, washing machines and dishwashers. Keep people and pets away from the affected area. Do not enter standing water where electrical equipment, outlets or wiring could be involved, and do not open a sewer cleanout yourself during an active backup.
For a sewer backup in Edmonton, EPCOR lists its 24-hour emergency number as 780-412-4500. Outside Edmonton, contact the appropriate local utility or an emergency plumbing service. [1]
Contact your insurer promptly and arrange professional assessment and appropriate cleanup. Record the timing, affected fixtures and visible damage from a safe location. Do not keep running water to see whether the blockage has cleared. Once the immediate problem is controlled, ask what caused it and whether further inspection is needed.
Tree Roots & Sewer Line Damage
Tree Roots & Sewer Line Damage
Root removal can restore flow, but the condition of the pipe determines the longer-term solution.
If roots are thick and typically need cleaning every year or more, then a more permanent solution may be required. This means that the tree roots are aggressive and will break, shift or separate the drainpipe.
Roots can enter sewer pipes through openings such as leaking joints or cracks. Once inside, they can grow within the available space and interfere with wastewater flow. Healthy, properly sealed piping is more resistant to intrusion than a line with entry points. [3]
The important repair question is where the opening is and what condition surrounds it. Removing the roots can reveal that area more clearly. A nearby mature tree is a reason to consider root intrusion during diagnosis, but its presence alone does not prove a sewer problem. Inspecting the line gives more useful evidence than judging the trees above it.
Root intrusion can cause recurring slow drainage or backups, but those symptoms are not unique to roots. You cannot reliably identify the cause by the sound of a toilet or the appearance of a lawn.
A camera inspection is the practical way to look for roots inside the line. If there is a history of root removal, tell the technician when it was done and how quickly symptoms returned. That history helps assess whether the current maintenance approach remains reasonable. It also helps separate a new obstruction from a recurring issue at the same location, which may warrant a repair discussion.
Yes. Root growth can contribute to worsening pipe damage, particularly where the line already has vulnerable joints or deterioration. Roots can also obstruct flow well before a collapse occurs. [3]
Finding roots does not reveal the full extent of structural damage by itself. A small visible intrusion and a badly deformed pipe require different responses. Ask for the footage to be explained after adequate cleaning, including whether the pipe retains its shape and whether there are defects that make cleaning alone unsuitable. The recommendation should reflect the actual condition of the line, rather than assuming every root problem requires complete replacement.
PVC sewer pipes are more resistant to root intrusion than many older jointed materials, but damaged piping or faulty connections can still provide an entry point. Having a plastic sewer line does not rule out a root problem. [3]
Repairs also matter: a property may have a newer PVC section connected to an older section that remains underground. A camera inspection can help establish where material changes occur and where the problem is located. The relevant question is whether the whole route and its connections are sound, not simply whether some part of the sewer line was replaced in the past.
We have found many newer homes with roots due to failed joints. Fortunately, we typically repair these by installing a fiberglass patch, so we don’t have to dig.
Professionals may use mechanical cutting equipment AKA Augers (snakes) or suitable water-jetting equipment to remove roots from inside a sewer line. The method needs to suit the pipe’s condition, diameter and access. [3]
Aggressive cleaning is not appropriate for every damaged pipe. The technician should assess whether the line can tolerate the proposed work and explain any limitations. After clearing, inspection helps determine whether the obstruction was adequately removed and what remains at the entry point. Ask whether the service is intended to restore flow temporarily, support a planned maintenance programme or prepare the line for repair. Those are different objectives with different follow-up needs.
They can. Cutting roots inside the pipe does not necessarily close the opening that allowed them in. If that entry point remains, the line may need further maintenance or a suitable repair to address it. [3]
There is no dependable regrowth timetable for every property. Decisions should reflect previous inspections and the property’s own history, rather than a blanket promise that one cleaning will last a particular number of years. If recurring service is becoming frequent, compare the cost and disruption of continued maintenance with the available repair options. Ask what each option actually fixes and what it leaves unchanged.
No. Roots are a finding that needs interpretation, not an automatic replacement decision. The amount of intrusion, location, remaining pipe condition and ability to prepare the line all affect the options.
Some properties may be managed with planned maintenance. Others may be candidates for a localized repair or CIPP lining. More extensive failure may favour replacement. Pro Drain Techs offers both lining and drain bursting, allowing those approaches to be considered where suitable. Ask why the recommended method fits your line and whether a less extensive option would leave a meaningful risk unresolved. A good explanation should connect the proposed work to what the inspection actually shows.
Sewer Line Problems & Repair
Sewer Line Problems & Repair
Understand common defects and how the right repair depends on the problem being solved.
Sewer pipes can fail when deterioration, inadequate support, ground movement or external loading exceeds what the pipe can withstand. Installation defects and damage from later work can also play a role. Age alone does not tell you which mechanism caused a particular failure.
For an Edmonton-area property, diagnosis should focus on the actual pipe and site conditions rather than attributing every problem to winter weather. A visible crack may call for further assessment; a collapse that blocks flow needs a different response. Repair planning should consider both the damaged pipe and any underlying support or alignment issue that could affect the new work.
A belly is a low section of pipe where water collects instead of continuing along the intended downhill route. Depending on its depth and length, it may encourage solids to settle and contribute to recurring restrictions. It’s like hitting the bottom of a waterslide; the material loses all momentum and stops in the water.
Water visible during a scope does not, by itself, prove the size or severity of a belly. A downstream blockage or active flow can also affect what the camera sees. The technician may need to clear the line and investigate further. Where a confirmed sag requires correction, the repair must address the pipe’s elevation and support. Lining follows the existing route and does not lift a low section back into grade.
Sags can only be repaired by digging them up or directional drilling in a new line.
An offset joint occurs when adjoining pipe sections no longer line up properly. Instead of a relatively smooth transition, the camera may show a step or displaced connection between them.
The effect depends on the direction and amount of displacement. A small offset may have little immediate effect, while a larger one can restrict passage or complicate cleaning and repair. Ask how much of the opening remains and whether the joint is associated with other defects. A liner cannot be assumed to straighten a significantly displaced connection. The proposed method needs to be assessed against the actual shape and condition of the joint.
There are some shifts that can be lined through and smoothed out. However, if the shift is too great, then we recommend replacement via the Bursting pipe replacement method. As long as the cable can be fed through the shift, the pipe can be replaced with the Burst replacement method. In severe cases where the shift is too great for either replacement method you would need to dig down and do a spot repair. After the drain can be lined.
The decision depends on the extent of the damage, the condition of the remaining line and whether the proposed repair addresses the underlying problem. One isolated defect in an otherwise serviceable pipe may justify a different approach from widespread deterioration.
Ask the contractor to show you the findings and compare suitable options. Useful questions include: Which section needs work? Will the repair address the cause of the backups? What access is required? What remains outside the work area? What restoration and inspection are included?
The lowest initial price is not always the lowest total cost, especially if unresolved defects are likely to require another excavation or service call. Equally, a full replacement should have a clear justification when a smaller repair could provide a reliable result.
For example, there was a newer home that had a break in the sewer, but it was still flowing. The break needed immediate repair, but after further inspection, the rest of the sewer was in good shape. The drainpipe only needed a small 2’ fiberglass patch to seal the break, which resulted in a significant cost savings.
In many cases, trenchless methods can reduce the amount of excavation. CIPP lining rehabilitates a suitable existing pipe from inside, while drain bursting replaces a pipe along its existing route using specialized equipment.
Suitability depends on access, pipe condition, alignment and surrounding infrastructure. Some projects still require access pits or a localized excavation before trenchless work can proceed. Ask for a description of where digging is expected and which surfaces will need restoration. The goal is to choose a method that solves the pipe problem with appropriate disruption, rather than treating “trenchless” as a promise that no surface will ever be disturbed.
Trenchless sewer work uses methods that limit continuous excavation along the pipe route. It includes rehabilitation, such as CIPP lining, and replacement, such as pipe bursting. These methods do different jobs and are not interchangeable.
With lining, a new pipe wall is formed inside the existing line. With bursting, equipment breaks or displaces the old pipe while drawing a replacement pipe into place. Either approach requires a site assessment, and access excavations may still be necessary. Pro Drain Techs provides CIPP lining and drain bursting in the Greater Edmonton area. The inspection findings help determine which, if either, is appropriate for a particular sewer line.
CIPP stands for cured-in-place pipe. A flexible liner containing resin is installed inside a prepared sewer pipe and cured to form a new pipe wall within the existing route. It can rehabilitate suitable damaged lines while reducing the need for continuous excavation. [4]
The process includes assessing the pipe, cleaning and preparing it, installing the liner, curing it according to the selected system and checking the completed work. Active connections must remain functional. The liner’s design and installation need to match the project; it is not simply a coating poured down a drain.
CIPP does not correct every defect. Major alignment problems or a low section that needs regrading may require other work. A suitability assessment should explain both what the liner will resolve and what it cannot change.
Essentially, CIPP takes the shape of the pipe, so as long as it is open and the joints aren’t too shifted, the liner can be a great repair/replacement. If a drain is sagged, ovaled or collapsed, then a CIPP liner should or cannot be installed.
CIPP is intended as a long-term rehabilitation method. A 50-year design basis is common in industry specifications, but design life is not the same as a guaranteed service life or the length of a contractor’s warranty. [4, 5]
Performance depends on the liner system, project design, preparation, installation and conditions affecting the completed pipe. Ask which system is proposed, what quality checks are included and what the written warranty covers. Contact Pro Drain Techs for the applicable product and warranty details for your project. A specific lifespan should not be promised solely because the work is described as CIPP.
A line may be suitable for lining when it can be adequately prepared and its route, dimensions and condition allow the specified liner to be installed successfully. The assessment also needs to consider bends, connections, access and whether the proposed design addresses the observed damage.
The existing pipe does not always need to retain all of its original structural strength; some liner designs are intended to act as a structural pipe within a deteriorated host. However, a collapsed passage or a grade problem cannot simply be ignored. The distinction is between restoring a suitable route from within and needing to reconstruct that route. Inspection and project design establish which applies.
Essentially, the liner takes the shape of the pipe. As long as the pipe is mostly round and any shifts or defects are not too restrictive, it can be lined. The liner smooths out most structural issues and seals leaky joints. Once cured, the CIPP liner creates a durable new pipe inside the old one.
Excavation may be needed when the repair must change the pipe’s elevation, correct a major displacement, access an obstruction or replace a section that cannot be rehabilitated in place. It may also be required to create access for otherwise trenchless work.
That does not always mean excavating the entire line. A localized repair may resolve a specific problem or prepare the remaining route for lining. Before work begins, ask where the excavation will be, how underground utilities will be addressed and what restoration is included. The explanation should distinguish the pipe repair from landscaping, concrete or other surface work so the full project scope is clear.
We take 1 to 2 days to complete the burst. The first day is usually to expose, complete the burst and reconnect the new sewer line. The second day is backfilling and final cleanup.
The house pit is located where the drain exits the home and we do our best to have the drain center of our excavation.
The pits are about 5 feet by 5 feet square and between 7 and 10 feet deep. Sewers are always at different depths. Pro Drain Techs scopes and locates the drain before digging to be sure of its depth and location.
Pro Drain Techs uses approved Fernco fittings for the connection to your home’s drain line, then it’s covered with concrete to prevent movement and root penetration if the connection is outside the home.
Pro Drain Techs stubs the new HDPE into the city connection and seals it up with concrete.
Pro Drain Techs will pull a permit for the backwater valve and that is the only permit required for us to replace the drain. If any other licences or permits are required it will be the home owner’s responsibility.
Yes, Pro Drain Techs will call First Call and meet them on site, in order to get the correct lines located and the appropriate paperwork prior to excavating.
Buying Or Selling A Home
Buying Or Selling A Home
Use sewer inspection findings to make informed property decisions before a transaction is complete.
A sewer scope can provide useful information about a part of the property that is otherwise difficult to assess. It is particularly worth considering when the line’s condition is unknown, records are limited or there is a history of backups or repairs.
Arrange it early enough to review the findings and obtain further assessment if needed. A completed inspection should explain the accessible route, visible defects and any areas that could not be evaluated. A clear inspection reduces some uncertainty, but it does not guarantee future performance. Newer homes can also have drainage defects, so age should not be the only factor in deciding whether to inspect.
Many home buyers choose to include a sewer scope during their home inspection, allowing both assessments to be completed in a single visit. A drain camera inspection identifies the pipe material, direction, and structural condition, and, depending on the inspector, the line can also be located above ground. Following the inspection, you will receive a detailed report and video recording, providing a complete picture of the drainage system to guide your next steps and potentially saving you from costly sewer repairs or unexpected backups after purchasing the home.
Do not assume it is included. A general home inspection and a camera inspection of underground sewer piping are different services. Some inspectors offer sewer scoping as an additional service, while others recommend a specialist.
Check the written inspection scope before booking. Ask whether a camera will be used, which piping will be assessed and what documentation you will receive. Running taps and flushing toilets can reveal obvious drainage symptoms, but those checks do not provide a view of the buried pipe. If a separate sewer inspection is needed, coordinate property access and timing before any relevant purchase deadlines.
Older homes may have original piping, past repairs or a combination of materials installed at different times. An updated bathroom or finished basement does not establish that the underground sewer line has been renewed.
For buyers in mature Edmonton neighbourhoods, checking the actual line can help separate assumptions from evidence. The same applies to older properties in St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc and surrounding communities. Ask for previous videos, invoices and repair details where available. An old pipe is not automatically defective, and a newer section does not establish the condition of everything beyond it. Inspection helps assess the system that is actually present.
Pay attention to defects that interfere with reliable drainage or make future repair more complicated. These can include significant deformation, obstructed sections, recurring intrusion and changes in alignment. Also pay attention to an incomplete inspection: an unseen section is an unresolved question.
Request a plain-language explanation of severity rather than relying on a list of defect names. Ask whether the problem needs immediate work, planned repair or monitoring, and what evidence supports that assessment. Repair access matters too. A defect beneath finished surfaces may have a different practical cost from an accessible section outdoors, even when the pipe problem itself is similar.
First, establish what the inspection actually confirmed and what remains uncertain. Request the footage and a clear description of the affected section. If the recommended work is substantial, obtain a written scope and estimate from a suitable contractor.
Review those findings with your real estate professional before making transaction decisions. How a problem is handled depends on the purchase agreement, timing and the parties involved; a defect does not automatically require you to abandon the purchase or make the seller responsible for repairs.
If work is completed before closing, request documentation of what was repaired and the completion checks. A statement that a drain was “cleared” should not be treated as equivalent to evidence that a structural defect was repaired.
In many cases, Pro Drain Techs is called out following a drain inspection to provide a quote for repairs. Clients often use this estimate during negotiations with the seller, which can lead to a purchase price reduction or an agreement to replace the sewer line before closing.
A pre-listing inspection can be useful when there is a history of drainage trouble or uncertainty about earlier repairs. Finding a problem before listing gives you time to understand it and obtain a considered estimate instead of responding under transaction pressure.
It is not automatically necessary for every seller. Discuss the property’s circumstances with your real estate professional and keep any inspection documentation available. If an issue is found, seek advice about how to handle it in the sale process. A recent report can help explain the line’s observed condition, but it should not be presented as a guarantee that the buyer will never experience a backup.
Sewer Backup Prevention & Maintenance
Sewer Backup Prevention & Maintenance
Good habits and property-specific maintenance can reduce risk, although no single measure prevents every backup.
Use the sewer for its intended purpose, respond to recurring symptoms and follow maintenance advice based on your property’s condition. Keep inspection and repair records so future decisions are informed by what has already happened.
If a known defect keeps causing trouble, discuss whether maintenance remains a reasonable approach or whether a repair would address the cause more effectively. Where a backwater valve is installed, understand what it protects and how it should be maintained. Avoid assuming that one measure protects against every type of backup: a device intended to stop reverse flow from the public sewer cannot remove an obstruction in your own plumbing.
There is no single schedule that fits every property. Frequency should reflect the line’s condition, previous findings, recurring symptoms and how quickly known problems have returned. A sound line without symptoms has different needs from one being managed for recurring obstruction.
Inspection and cleaning also serve different purposes. An inspection assesses condition; cleaning removes material. Ask why either service is being recommended and what result would change the maintenance plan. After significant work, keep the completion records as a new baseline. If a contractor recommends a recurring interval, it should have a property-specific reason rather than simply being the same schedule offered to everyone.
Scoping a drain is your best defence to catch an issue before it leads to a backup. Watch for changes in the sewer. If the drain has roots it’s recommended performing a drain cleaning to clear roots, followed by a camera scope to confirm the line is 100% open. Re-scope the drain after one year to see how quickly the roots have grown. This will help determine the optimal cleaning frequency. Most drains with root growth need to be cleaned every couple of years. If a sewer requires cleaning every year or more, replacement is recommended, as aggressive root growth can cause severe pipe failure.
Keep wipes, paper towels, facial tissues, menstrual products, diapers, cotton swabs, dental floss and cat litter out of the toilet. Toilet paper and human waste are the intended materials. Products that fit through the bowl can still cause trouble farther along the system. [2]
Do not use the toilet to dispose of leftover medication or household chemicals; use the appropriate local collection options. Make expectations clear to everyone using the property, including guests and tenants. A small bin in each bathroom is a simple way to make the right choice convenient, especially for wipes marketed in a way that suggests flushing is acceptable.
Keep cooking fats and oils, paint, solvents, fuel, pesticides and construction waste out of household drains. Avoid treating a sink as a disposal route for food scraps, coffee grounds or other solids that can be collected separately.
Disposal options vary by material and municipality. Use the local waste guidance for Edmonton, Strathcona County, Leduc or St. Albert as appropriate, particularly for hazardous products. If a blockage is already suspected, do not keep adding drain chemicals or mix products together. Tell the technician what has been used before they begin work so they can choose an appropriate approach and handle the line safely.
A backwater valve is designed to close against reverse flow from the city sewer main, helping protect the fixtures connected on its protected side. It does not prevent every kind of basement flooding or clear blockages inside the home’s piping.
When the valve is closed, do not use toilets, sinks or appliances draining through it. Your wastewater cannot pass the closed valve and may back up inside the home. Correct installation, coverage and maintenance matter, so have a qualified professional assess the arrangement rather than assuming an existing valve protects the entire property. [6]
Look for installation records and an accessible inspection cover associated with the building drain, often in the basement. Appearance and location vary, and a cleanout cap or sump cover should not be assumed to be a backwater valve.
If you cannot identify it confidently, ask a qualified plumber to scope the drain to locate and assess it. They can explain which fixtures it protects, whether it remains accessible and how to maintain the specific model. Do not assume the house has one solely because of its age or because the basement was renovated. Keep the valve’s location and model information with your household maintenance records.
We have helped many clients find backwater valves that are covered by flooring. We run a camera to inspect the line. Typically, we will scope through the backwater valve. We then use our line locator to pinpoint the valve’s exact location.
Yes. Debris can interfere with the valve’s movement or seal. Inspect and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and arrange service if a component is damaged or the valve does not move correctly. EPCOR emphasizes that inspection and cleaning are essential to reliable operation. [6]
Keep access unobstructed and ask your plumber to demonstrate the procedure for the installed model. Do not apply a generic maintenance method or lubricant without checking compatibility. After a backup or an event that may have closed the valve, follow the manufacturer’s guidance for checking it before returning to normal use. Maintenance reduces risk; it does not create a guarantee against flooding.
We typically locate interior backwater valves next to the interior foundation wall where the drain pipe exits the home.
We can install the exterior backwater valve in the alley or next to the home’s exterior foundation. Access to the backwater valve must be maintained for annual inspections and servicing of the flap.
Get a clearer picture of your sewer line
Get a clearer picture of your sewer line
Dealing with recurring drainage problems, planning a renovation or buying a home? Start by understanding the condition of the pipe and what the findings mean.
1,000s
1,000s
Drain & sewer inspections completed
100s
100s
Sewer systems scoped, patched, and relined
Trenchless
Trenchless
Hands-on trenchless sewer repair expertise
60+ yrs
60+ yrs
Combined field experience across Danny, Ryan & Paul
Contact Pro Drain Techs for drain scoping and sewer repair options in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Leduc, St. Albert and surrounding communities. We can help assess whether your line is suitable for CIPP lining, drain bursting or another repair approach.
Call or text 780-903-8142, or request an appointment through Pro Draintechs.ca.