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Thawline Plumbing

4 services · Florida

Drains & sewer in Florida

Cast-iron drains under older Florida slabs corrode from the inside, a well-known problem across South Florida, causing slow drains, odors and backups in homes from the 1920s to the 1970s.

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Plumber working on the drain pipes under a sink

Statewide conditions

Drains & sewer in Florida: what to know

Hurricane season from June through November brings storm surge and heavy rain that overwhelm drains, and a high water table means water backs up quickly. Some older neighborhoods in Jacksonville and elsewhere are still converting from septic to sewer.

A camera inspection shows whether a slow drain is a clog or broken pipe, and lining can renew cast iron without breaking up the floor. Clearing the main line before storm season helps.

Climate
Frozen pipes are rare in most of Florida. Heat, humidity, water quality and storms cause far more plumbing problems than cold.
Typical foundations
Nearly all homes are built on concrete slabs, so slab leaks and under-slab drain problems are common, and water in much of the state is hard. Most common: concrete slabs.

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 Florida

Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.

Drains & sewer questions in Florida

Is lining common for cast-iron drains in Florida?

Yes. Lining renews corroded cast iron under the slab without breaking up the floor, if the pipe still holds its shape.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?

They can damage older pipes and fixtures, and they make the job hazardous for the plumber if they don't work. A plunger or a drain snake is safer for a single slow drain.

How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the drains & sewer guide.

More plumbing in Florida

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Call +1 (877) 650-0298
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