4 services · West Virginia
Drains & sewer in West Virginia
Flash flooding in narrow valleys tests West Virginia drains, and heavy rain raises the Kanawha, Elk and Ohio rivers, backing up drains in low areas.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Drains & sewer in West Virginia: what to know
Hillside homes have long laterals that shift and crack. Rural homes use septic systems.
A camera inspection and a backwater valve help.
In Charleston, the Charleston Sanitary Board provides sewer service, and in Huntington, the Huntington Sanitary Board; the floodwall protects much of Huntington, but heavy rain can still back up basement drains. Older basement floor drains are where backups appear first.
- Climate
- Hard freezes are a regular part of winter in West Virginia, so pipes in exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces and attics need protection every year, and outdoor faucets and sprinkler lines must be drained before the first freeze.
- Typical foundations
- Many homes are older, and rural properties often rely on wells and septic systems. Most common: basements.
Drains & sewer services
Drain cleaning
If one fixture is slow, the clog is usually in that fixture's branch line. If several drains back up at once, or the basement floor drain fills when you run the washer, the main sewer line is blocked and needs a larger cable or a jetter.
Hydro jetting
Hydro jetting cleans the full width of a drain pipe with high-pressure water, washing out grease, scale and fine roots that a cable only punches a hole through. It works best on sound pipe and is usually done after a camera inspection confirms the pipe can take it.
Sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the line from your house to the city main and records what it finds: roots, cracks, sags, offset joints or collapsed pipe. It's the best way to decide between cleaning, spot repair and replacement.
Sewer line repair
A damaged sewer line can be fixed with a spot repair, a trenchless liner, pipe bursting or an open-trench replacement. Which one fits depends on what the camera shows, how deep the pipe is, and what's on top of it, such as a driveway, trees or landscaping.
Drains & sewer by city in West Virginia
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Drains & sewer questions in West Virginia
Why do West Virginia drains back up in heavy rain?
Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the drains & sewer guide.
More plumbing in West Virginia
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