What exactly is a sewer scope inspection, and why do I need one?

A sewer scope is a diagnostic process where we guide a high-definition, fiber-optic camera down your property's main sewer line. This allows us to see the exact internal condition of your pipes all the way from the building to the municipal main or septic tank. It is the only definitive way to locate cracks, root intrusions, sags, or collapses. If you are experiencing recurring backups, or if you are buying an older home in New Jersey, a Sewer Scope Inspection is your best insurance policy against unexpected, expensive repairs.

Can your diagnostic cameras locate where an underground pipe is broken without digging up the lawn?

Yes, with absolute pinpoint precision. Our high-resolution pipeline cameras feature built-in radio-transmitter sondes located right in the camera head. As the flexible fiber-optic line maneuvers through your subsurface lateral, the technician sweeps a handheld utility locator receiver above ground along your lawn, concrete walkway, or paved driveway. This receiver perfectly tracks the signal from the sonde underneath, mapping the exact trajectory, layout, and subterranean depth of a broken pipe down to the precise inch. This allows us to execute surgical spot-repairs rather than blind, destructive, full-scale trench excavations.

What is the difference between trenchless pipe replacement and traditional digging?

Traditional repair requires a backhoe to dig a continuous, deep trench straight through your landscaping, sidewalks, or paved driveways to physically reach the pipe. Trenchless Pipe Replacement utilizes advanced engineering to replace or restore your underground lines entirely from sub-surface entry points. We use specialized processes like pipe bursting (shattering the old pipe while pulling in a brand-new HDPE line) or CIPP structural lining to fix your infrastructure with absolutely zero property destruction.

What are Orangeburg pipes, and can they be fixed with trenchless methods?

Orangeburg piping is a lightweight material manufactured from wood pulp and layers of liquefied coal tar pitch that was heavily used throughout Northern New Jersey properties from the 1940s through the 1970s. Over time, moisture forces these pipes to absorb water, flatten under heavy soil pressure, delaminate, and suffer total structural collapse. If an Orangeburg line is caught early during an HD video scope and still retains its round structural shape, it can often be rehabilitated using CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) trenchless lining. However, if the conduit has completely pancaked or collapsed, trenchless pipe bursting or surgical micro-excavation becomes necessary.

How long do trenchless structural repairs last?

Advanced trenchless structural liners, particularly CIPP and Bluelight LED systems, are engineered to match or exceed the durability of standard municipal PVC piping. The specialized epoxy resins chemically bond to create a seamless, solid, joint-free structural tube directly inside the host pipe. Because this new barrier features zero physical joints or seams, it eliminates the entry points that aggressive tree roots seek out for moisture. These structural repairs are officially performance-rated to last for a minimum of 50 years, providing a permanent solution to persistent main line infrastructure failures.

Why does my main line keep clogging even after it has been snaked?

Traditional plumbing snakes use a metal cable to punch a small hole through solid blockages to get your water draining again. However, they cannot clean the interior walls of your pipe. If your line is full of heavy tree roots or thick grease, a snake simply leaves the residue behind, which immediately catches toilet paper and waste again. To permanently fix recurring clogs, we recommend hydro jet cleaning, which uses ultra-high-pressure water streams to scrub your pipe walls completely clean.

Is high-pressure hydro-jetting safe for old cast iron pipes?

Yes, when performed by a specialized technician who utilizes camera verification first. Before setting hydraulic pressures, we execute an HD sewer scope to evaluate the structural integrity of your cast iron. If the pipe structure is stable but heavily narrowed by jagged rust-crust (tuberculation) or solid grease deposits, hydro jetting is completely safe and highly recommended. We adjust our cleaning heads and moderate our pressure thresholds up to 4,000 PSI to safely scour away scale, smoothing out the inner bore without damaging the historic cast iron walls.

How do I know if my basement sump pump needs to be replaced?

Sump pumps are your home's main line of defense against severe New Jersey weather. You should schedule a professional review if your current unit is making loud grinding or rattling sounds, cycles on and off constantly, triggers your electrical breaker, or is older than 7 years. Most residential pumps have an operational life expectancy of 7 to 10 years. Waiting for a major nor'easter to find out your pump has failed can result in a devastatingly flooded basement.

What happens to my sump pump if the electricity goes out during a severe storm?

If a storm knocks out utility power to your property, a standard electric sump pump will instantly stop operating, leaving your basement completely vulnerable to flooding. To safeguard against this common scenario, we highly recommend installing a dual-pump framework equipped with a commercial-grade battery backup system. When primary power drops, an intelligent mechanical switch instantly switches operations to a secondary, heavy-duty 12-volt backup pump. This secondary system can continuously pump thousands of gallons of incoming water for days on a single charge until standard electrical service is fully restored.

Do you offer true 24/7 emergency drainage response across New Jersey?

Absolutely. Severe subsurface mainline structural failures and blackwater floor drain backups do not wait for standard corporate business hours. Our dedicated field dispatch units are fully active, staffed, and physically on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When you contact our emergency line, a live regional operator coordinates dispatch immediately, getting an industrial-tier service vehicle out to your Northern or Central New Jersey property within 30 to 45 minutes to halt toxic property contamination.

Do you provide drainage maintenance plans for commercial businesses and restaurants?

Absolutely. We partner with restaurant groups, independent cafes, corporate facilities, and property managers throughout Northern and Central New Jersey. Our custom Preventative Flow Agreements are scheduled during off-peak hours (early mornings or late nights) to execute deep hydraulic line purging. This entirely eliminates grease and organic waste buildup before it causes a mid-shift crisis, ensuring your business stays fully compliant with local NJ health codes. Learn more on our dedicated Commercial Restaurant Page.

Can you perform repairs without closing my business?

Yes. Our trenchless pipe repair in Bergen County, NJ and Picote descaling allow us to work through existing access points. We often complete repairs during off-hours so your staff and customers never even know we were there.

Do you offer maintenance contracts?

Absolutely. We provide customized commercial drain preventive maintenance plans tailored to your specific usage and local NJ code requirements.

What happens if grease from my business clogs the city main?

You could face significant fines and liability. Our high-pressure cleaning ensures that the effluent leaving your property is clear of heavy grease, protecting you from municipal penalties.

Home » Mechanical Snake Service

Mechanical Snake Service

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The mechanical snake service works by using an electro-mechanical machine with a flexible steel cable or snake that rotates through your pipes with an attached blade. The blade helps to restore the flow of pipes. Our mechanical snake service is used for almost all initial responses to clogged drains. It’s a fast and economical way of restoring the flow. Meaning youâ€™ll be washing, rinsing, and flushing again in no time.

There are different sizes of mechanical snakes. Depending on which drain we are unclogging they could be categorized as small, medium, and large. Generally, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers can be unclogged with a small or medium mechanical snake. The large mechanical snake, most often, is used to unclog the main sewer line.

Even though the mechanical snake is one of the oldest technologies that there is to clean a drain, it does a great job at what it is designed to do to just restore the flow. Unfortunately, it does not solve the problem nor diagnose the issue. The video inspection of your sewer line is the best way to diagnose and it will dictate what to do to solve the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Mechanical Snake Service Process?

A mechanical snake is inserted into the drain to restore the flow of your drains.
The snake’s metal coils and channels move through the drain quickly, pushing all the debris and mud out of the way.

When Would A Mechanical Snake Need To Be Used?

A snake is used when the bend radius of the pipe is more than 2″ (When the bend radius of the pipe is less than 2″, a plunger or a channel cleaner can be used)
When the obstruction is too big or deep to be cleared with a plunger.
When the drain is obstructed by foreign objects like stones, tree roots, and plastic pieces.
When you do not have proper access to replace the pipe.

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What Our Clients Say About Our Services

“Ignacio was a pleasure to work with. He was able to respond on the same day to help with a sewer back up into my basement. He talked me through the whole process and worked tirelessly to resolve the issue, which was more difficult than he initially thought. IG is a great local business that can help resolve all your plumbing needs!”

“I found this company to be extremely professional. Ignacio was clear on everything he needed to do to unclog my sewer lines. He explained why it needed to be done and pricing, all before he did anything. I would recommend him to anyone.”

Mechanical Snake Service

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SELECT YOUR TOWN IN BERGEN COUNTY TO
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(973)600-8203

info@igseweranddrain.com

80 Greenwood Ave #12,
Midland Park, NJ 07432, United States

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SELECT YOUR TOWN IN BERGEN COUNTY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A 5 STAR AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL SEWER AND DRAIN CLEANING COMPANY FOR YOUR PROJECT.

Mechanical Snake Service

Request Service

Appointment Form

Frequently Asked Questions

VIDEOS GALLERY

What Our Clients Say About Our Services

SELECT YOUR TOWN IN BERGEN COUNTY TO LEARN MORE About Our Company

(973)600-8203

info@igseweranddrain.com

80 Greenwood Ave #12, Midland Park, NJ 07432, United States

Quick Links

Service Areas

Towns we serve

Sign Up for Latest Updates

Newsletter Contact Form

Call Now (973) 600-8203

SELECT YOUR TOWN IN BERGEN COUNTY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A 5 STAR AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL SEWER AND DRAIN CLEANING COMPANY FOR YOUR PROJECT.

(973)600-8203

SELECT YOUR TOWN IN BERGEN COUNTY TO
LEARN MORE About Our Company

80 Greenwood Ave #12,
Midland Park, NJ 07432, United States

Sign Up for
Latest Updates