In this four-part series, we are taking a look at what you need to know about drain cleaning. We have already touched on selecting the right tools for the job and what your employees should know when you train them. In this third part, we will talk about what local regulations you need to be aware of.

What Local Regulations, If Any, Do You Need to Be Aware of?

There are two local regulations that come to mind as impacting the drain cleaning community.

The first are local codes requiring that cleanouts are to be inserted in lateral drains every certain number of feet in order to facilitate drain cleaning and pipe inspection. Where there is an adequate number of cleanouts, drain cleaners find it much easier to clean drains without exceeding the functional and operational limits of their equipment. For example, if a clogged drain has cleanouts inserted every 50 feet, the contractor will have a much easier time isolating and clearing the obstruction than if they had to insert a snake 150 feet from the house to the street in order to reach the clog.

Second, many municipalities have instituted statutes requiring that a lateral drain running from a house or building must be inspected whenever the property changes hands. The purpose of this inspection is to find and eliminate leaky pipes. Because there is so much rainwater entering lateral drains through infiltration caused by leaking pipes, our sewage treatment system is being overwhelmed. Every time it rains, our treatment plants see their flows of sewage increase by over 100%, which causes sewage overflows into our rivers, lakes, and oceans. To combat this problem, many municipalities have enacted laws requiring pipe inspections. These laws can be a steady source of revenue for contractors equipped with the drain cleaning, pipe inspection, and pipe repair equipment necessary to find and repair leaky sewer pipes.

Questions? Call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200