At Columbia Drain Co. we are dedicated to helping keep our environment safe. We offer a wide range of services to help dispose of waste that cannot simply be put in a garbage dumpster, but is still not considered hazards waste. All of the waste that we remove is tested and taken to the appropriate disposal sites. You will find that our rates are very reasonalble when it comes to handling your special waste needs.

Q My toilet is backing up. I must have roots in my sewer right?
A No. If just the toilet is backing up the problem is most likely at the toilet. An auger or plunger can clear the problem simply.

Q I was told that I have roots in my sewer and that I needed to replace my entire sewer because it was broken, how did it break?
A Just because you have roots in your sewer does not mean that your sewer is broken. Older sewers were made out of clay or concrete sewer pipe. The joints are not sealed and the roots can grow through the joints and then expand in the sewer line. With the proper equipment we can clean and control the roots with Root X.

Q ****** Rooter told me that I have roots in my sewer, how do I know the extent?
A Like the old saying goes, a photo is worth a 1000 words. We can inspect the sewer with our sewer camera to decide the best fix for the problem.

Q I called out ****** Rooter and they wanted to use some kind of high pressure water to clean my drain, they said it is better than a snake. Why?
A There are many terms that we use to describe the machine they wanted to use, Jetter, hydo jetter, jet rodding. The point is, yes this is the best way to clean a drain. The high-pressure water, 3000-4000 psi will scour the inside of the drain and then flush the debris down the drain at the same time. This is the same way cities clean the sewer, but on a somewhat smaller scale. Cable, or Snakes are still the best way to clean sewers with roots in them, once the roots are cut then a jetter can be used to flush out roots that may be sitting on the bottom of the sewer.

Q I flushed my toilet and water started coming up my bathtub, what is happening?
A Most likely your main sewer line is plugged, if you know were your main line clean out is at screw out the plug and that will relieve the pressure on the plumbing system. If this plug is on the inside of the house do not open it. Stop running all water and call Columbia Drain.

Q I was running my disposal and the darn thing quit. Do I need a new one?
A No. Check on the bottom for a small red button. Push the button in, this is a breaker on the disposal itself. If you reset it and it hums when you turn it on, turn off the switch and look at the bottom again. Most models have a hole in the bottom for a wrench to help unjam the disposal. Give the wrench a couple turns and then tried the switch again. This should un- free the disposal.

Q We came to work to day to find a lake in our parking lot, what’s up?
A When was the last time you had the catch basin cleaned?

Q What is a catch basin
A The large round or square grate cover that you see in parking lots is called a catch basin. They are normally 3 feet deep and have the drain line towards the top. The heavy material settles to the bottom and the water flows out. They should be cleaned on an annual basis; yes we provide this service.

Q I found water in my basement/ crawlspace, do I have a broken pipe?
A Probably not, have you checked your rain drains? This is the pipe at the ground that the downspout goes into. Are there signs that it was overflowing? If not, place a garden hoe in the drain and turn it on full. If it backs up, that is the place to start.

Q what is a clean out?
A Clean out is what a plumber will use to access the drain line to clean the drain or sewer. Not all drains will have one.

Q Why did the serviceman go on the roof to unplug my kitchen sink drain?
A All drain lines should have a vent that will go through the roof. When you were a child and you would pull up your soda straw with your thumb over the top of it and the soda would straw in the straw until your thumb was removed, same principal. The plumbing needs to be vented to drain and carry off sewer gases. It also allows the service man to clean the line without entering the house.