One slow drain is usually a local clog in that fixture's line. Several drains backing up at once, especially the lowest ones in the house, points to the main line. A plumber can clear either with a cable machine or, for grease and roots, hydro jetting. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Greensboro.
One clog or the main line?
Start by noticing which drains are slow.
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| One sink or tub drains slowly | Hair, soap or food buildup in that fixture's branch line |
| Toilet gurgles when the washer drains | A partial blockage further down, shared by both |
| Water comes up in the tub when you flush | Main line blockage between the house and the street |
| Several neighbors have backups too | A problem in the City's sewer main, not your line |
When to call the City first
Most Greensboro homes are on City of Greensboro sewer, which carries wastewater to the T.Z. Osborne Water Reclamation Facility. If sewage is overflowing from a manhole or cleanout in the street, or your neighbors are backing up too, call City of Greensboro Water Resources at 336-373-2033 before you call anyone else. That line takes sewer backup calls 24 hours a day, and a city crew can check whether the public main is blocked. If it isn't, the clog is in your private line.
How plumbers clear drains
Cable machines (snakes) push a rotating cable through the line to break up or pull out the clog. They're the standard fix for hair, wipes and soft blockages.
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the inside of the pipe. It's often used for grease buildup and roots, and for lines that keep clogging after being snaked.
Camera inspection runs a small camera down the line to see what's actually there. If a drain keeps coming back, a camera shows whether you're dealing with roots, a sag in the line or broken pipe.
Older homes and repeat clogs
About 43% of Greensboro homes were built before 1980. Drain lines in houses from those decades are often older pipe materials that roughen inside or shift over the years, and mature trees in established neighborhoods can send roots into joints. If the same drain clogs every few months, ask the plumber whether a camera inspection makes sense before paying for another cleaning.
What to avoid before help arrives
Don't keep flushing a toilet that's rising. Skip mixing chemical drain cleaners, especially if you've already used one, since the plumber may have to work in that water. A plunger is fine for a single fixture.
Drain Cleaning questions from Greensboro homeowners
How do I know if the clog is in the City's sewer or my line?
Is hydro jetting better than snaking a drain?
Why does my drain keep clogging?
Are chemical drain cleaners safe for my pipes?
Related plumbing services in Greensboro
Helpful guides
Drain Cleaning in nearby cities and towns
Guilford County
Alamance County
Randolph County
Rockingham County
Davidson County
Orange County
Chatham County
Sources
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