We clean main sewer lines clogged by grease, roots, and buildup. Residential and commercial properties across Rhode Island.
Your sewer line is the main pipe that carries everything out of your house and into the city sewer or your septic tank. Every toilet, sink, shower, and appliance in your home connects to it. When that line gets clogged or partially blocked, nothing drains the way it should, and if it backs up completely, sewage comes back into the house.
We clean sewer lines in Rhode Island every week. We know what causes the blockages in this area, older clay pipes that crack and let roots in, grease buildup from kitchen drains, and settled pipes that collect debris over time. We bring the right equipment to clear the line and we use cameras to make sure the job's actually done, not just good enough for today.
RooterMan Services | Rhode Island's Trusted Drain Cleaning and Sewer Specialist
Sewer line problems are different from a clogged sink or a slow shower. The main line sits underground, usually running from your house to the street, and when something goes wrong with it, the whole plumbing system feels it. You'll notice multiple drains acting up at the same time, toilets bubbling when you run the kitchen sink, or sewage smells coming from places that should never smell like sewage.
We service sewer lines across Rhode Island, including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, Johnston, East Providence, and surrounding communities. We handle both routine cleaning to prevent problems and emergency calls when a line is already blocked.
What blocks sewer lines:
| Cause | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Tree roots | Roots grow into pipe joints and cracks, creating blockages that get worse each season |
| Grease buildup | Cooking grease coats the inside of the pipe and hardens over time, narrowing the flow |
| Debris and sediment | Dirt, sand, and foreign objects settle in low spots and restrict water movement |
| Pipe damage | Cracked, collapsed, or bellied pipes trap waste and create recurring clogs |
| Offset joints | Older pipes shift underground, creating gaps where debris catches and accumulates |
These point to a problem in the main line, not just a single drain.
When more than one fixture backs up or drains slow, the issue is downstream from all of them. That's your main sewer line telling you something is blocking the flow.
A working sewer line is sealed and shouldn't produce any smell you can notice. If you're getting sewer odors from drains, your yard, or near the cleanout, there's a blockage trapping waste in the pipe.
If flushing a toilet makes your shower gurgle, or running the washing machine backs up a floor drain, air is getting trapped because the main line can't move water out fast enough.
A leaking or backed-up sewer line can push water to the surface. If you've got a patch of grass that's always wet or a section of your yard that's sinking, the sewer line running underneath could be the cause.
If you've had someone snake the same line two or three times and the clog keeps coming back, the snake is punching through the blockage but not removing it. You need a proper cleaning, usually hydro jetting, and a camera inspection to find out why it keeps happening.
Main line backing up or draining slow? We'll clear it and show you exactly what was causing the problem.
Sam H. came out to replace a gas shut-off valve. Super friendly and knowledgeable. Said it would take an hour, but he was in and out in 45 minutes — had everything he needed with him. Definitely 5-star service. Would use them in the future and highly recommend.
Amazing workmanship! This company is an absolute pleasure. Kevin and his team did an incredible job fixing my boiler, oil tank and old plumbing issues. They worked non-stop, will definitely have them back for anything else I need. Thank you!
I used Rooter Man for help emptying out my parents' house. They were able to provide quick service, were fairly priced, and a pleasure to work with. I'd definitely give them my highest recommendation.
Such a pleasure to have Mark work in my home. He came right out to assess the problem and thankfully the procedure was repairable within the day. Mark was very pleasant, professional, respectful and an amazing worker. A great clean job. Absolutely will use this company again.
I've been using Rooterman for 20 years and am still very impressed by their promptness, customer service, and expertise.
I received extremely prompt service from Rooterman Plumbing of Johnston, R.I., in addition to the low price they gave me. I highly recommend them to anyone! They were courteous and highly professional. Nice to see there are still pros nowadays!
Excellent service, came when expected, took about an hour. Spoke with Mark. Fixed an old toilet with lime build-up and debris blocking water jets. Also provided quotes for a new toilet. Would recommend them.
Bert and Kevin came quickly and did a wonderful job putting in a new heating unit that works like a gem. They were professional and personable, and it was a pleasure to meet them. They did a great job!
Clear answers so you know what to expect before scheduling our service.
Drain cleaning deals with individual fixtures like a clogged sink, tub, or shower. Sewer line cleaning is about the main pipe that all those drains connect to. It's bigger, it's underground, and it requires different equipment. If only one fixture is slow, it's probably a drain clog. If everything is acting up, it's the sewer line.
We access the line through the cleanout, which is usually a capped pipe outside your house or in the basement. From there we use a power snake to break through the blockage or a hydro jetter to blast buildup off the pipe walls. For most jobs, we also run a camera to see exactly what's going on inside the pipe.
Every 1 to 2 years is a good baseline for most homes. If you have mature trees near the sewer line, older pipes, or a history of backups, once a year is smarter. Commercial properties with heavy use, like restaurants, should consider every 6 months.
No. We match the method to the pipe material and condition. Hydro jetting is safe for most pipe types, and we adjust the pressure based on what we see on camera. If we spot a section of pipe that's too fragile for jetting, we'll let you know and use a different approach.
Cleaning fixes blockages caused by buildup, grease, and roots. If the pipe itself is cracked, collapsed, or has a belly (a low spot where waste collects), cleaning will clear the symptoms but the problem will come back. That's why we run a camera after cleaning, so you know whether the line just needed a cleanout or if there's structural damage that needs repair.
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