Kitchen sink backed up with food and standing water

Serving Dover, 17315

Clog Removal in Dover, PA

Dover Borough has been working to cut the rain and groundwater getting into its sewer, and says no storm water should enter it. Toilet won't flush, kitchen sink backed up or water coming back out of a drain? Call and talk to a local plumber.

(555) 123-4567

Free to call. A licensed local plumber picks up and tells you the price before any work starts.

Dover's rainwater fix

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Dover at a glance

What Shapes Clogs in Dover

Local numbers that matter for drains here, each with its source.

47%

of Dover homes built from 1960 to 1979

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

64%

of homes are detached houses

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

42.1 in

normal yearly precipitation at York Airport

Source: NOAA NCEI

9.3 days

heavy-rain days (1 inch or more) in a normal year

Source: NOAA NCEI

Bathtub with dirty water sitting over the drain

Sewer system

Keeping rain out of the sewer

Dover Borough's home page says the borough has been working to reduce inflow and infiltration, the rain and groundwater that gets into the sewer, and that no storm water should be entering the system. Downspouts or sump pumps tied into a sewer lateral, and cracked laterals, are the usual sources. Extra water in the sewer during storms is what pushes sewage back up the lowest drain in a house.

Source: Dover Borough

Bathroom sink draining clear after a clog is removed

Homes

Mostly 1960s and 1970s houses

Census estimates put the median Dover home at 1974, with about 47% built from 1960 to 1979, and about 64% are detached houses. Fifty-year-old drain lines are prime territory for grease buildup in the kitchen line and roots in the lateral. A backup in the basement toilet or floor drain is usually the first sign.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Dirty water pooling around a basement floor drain

Sump pumps

Where your sump pump should go

Dover Township's sewer guidance explains that in wet weather it only takes a few improperly connected sump pumps to cause sanitary sewer backups into basements and streets. A sump pump should discharge outside, not into a laundry tub or floor drain. If you are not sure where yours goes, a plumber can check while clearing a clog.

Source: Dover Township

Before the Plumber Arrives in Dover

Skip the chemical drain cleaner. It can splash back and it can't clear a main line.

Stop running water if more than one drain is backing up.
Don't pour chemical cleaner into standing water. It can splash back when the plumber opens the line.
If you know where the cleanout is, clear the area around it.
Keep children and pets away from dirty water.

Service area