Sewer service for homeowners and tenants
When should you have your sewer checked? How do you spot the warning signs? And what does it really cost?
You will find the answers on this page: the warning signs you can spot yourself, the rules of thumb for inspection intervals - and on price we always follow the same principle: a written quote before dispatch. Directly from the family business, in the trade since 1995, no middleman.
Signs you should take seriously
The toilet gurgles when the washing machine drains. The basement smells oddly of rain. The lawn above the sewer line is unusually green. All typical early warning signs - we look into them during the free sewer inspection for homeowners before they turn into water damage.
Gurgling sounds
The toilet gurgles when the washing machine drains? Air is being pulled through a partially restricted line - an early sign that deposits are building up.
Odour from the drain
A foul smell from the basin or the shower indicates deposits in the line or a dried-out trap. If the basement smells oddly of rain, wastewater may be leaking somewhere.
Slow-draining water
Grease, lime and hair narrow the pipe layer by layer. If water drains noticeably slower than before, a blockage is usually not far away.
Damp spots in the basement
Dark stains on the wall or floor near the main line can indicate a leaking or broken pipe. It is worth checking quickly, before water damage develops.
Backflow after heavy rain
If water pushes back out of the floor drain or the basement toilet during a storm, the line cannot handle the volume - often because of a reduced cross-section or missing backflow protection.
Wet or unusually green patches in the garden
If the lawn above the sewer line is strikingly green or permanently wet, wastewater may be seeping into the soil from a leak.
Spotted a warning sign? A free sewer inspection gives you certainty.
We drive a CCTV camera through your lines and find out what is behind the warning sign - or confirm that everything is fine. You receive the video and a written report for your records.
Always free of charge - no conditions, no fine print.
Book a free inspectionHow often should you inspect and clean?
Rule of thumb for single-family homes: jetting every 5 to 10 years, CCTV inspection every 5 years, more often for buildings before 1960. After every job you receive a report you can submit directly to your insurer in the event of a claim.
Single-family home
Rule of thumb: jetting every 5 to 10 years, CCTV inspection every 5 years. Deposits are removed before they turn into blockages.
Apartment building
More households, more load: here we recommend jetting every 2 to 5 years, adjusted to the age and use of the property.
Older buildings before 1960
Stoneware lines with socket joints are more prone to offsets and root ingress. For older properties, shorter intervals make sense: jetting every 2 to 3 years, CCTV inspection every 5 years.
Before buying a house
A one-off CCTV inspection before you sign shows the exact condition of the lines. Any rehabilitation needed then flows into the price negotiation rather than into an unpleasant surprise afterwards.
These intervals are empirical values - the right interval for your property depends on age, material and use. During the free inspection we tell you what makes sense in your case.
Why documentation matters for you
After a backflow or water damage, the insurer quickly asks two questions: When was the line last inspected or cleaned? And: What condition was it in? If you cannot show any records, you are in a weak position.
That is why we document every job: you receive a written report with findings and recommendation, and for inspections the video footage from inside the line. You can submit these records directly to your insurer - and regular, documented inspections show that you have looked after your property responsibly.
Planning to sell? A leak test to SN EN 1610 and a clean condition report on the private lines address the GSchV (Swiss Water Protection Ordinance) questions that come up during the transaction. Whether and to what extent an insurer covers a claim depends on the individual case and your policy - your insurer\'s statement is the reference. With clean documentation you are well prepared for that conversation.
Services for homeowners and tenants
Pipe cleaning
Clear a blocked drain - fast, clean, lasting. Quote before dispatch.
Learn more →Sewer cleaning
High-pressure jetting, blockage removal and root cutting. Quote before dispatch.
Learn more →Sewer inspection
CCTV camera surveys, condition reports and damage analysis to SN EN 13508-2.
Learn more →Leak testing
SN EN 1610 compliant tests and protocols - relevant before a property sale.
Learn more →Your advantages with Greentech Solutions
Clear advice
We explain what is happening in your sewer in plain language - no jargon, clear recommendations, honest assessment.
Quote before dispatch
No surprise offer: you receive the written quote before we come out, transparent and traceable. Clean billing without hidden extras. No middleman.
Free initial advice
Unsure whether your sewer really has a problem? We give free, no-obligation advice - by phone or on-site diagnosis.
24/7 emergency service
Blocked drain or backflow at midnight? We are reachable around the clock - on weekends and holidays too. 60 min on-site in the Zurich area.
Common questions from homeowners and tenants
What does sewer cleaning cost in a single-family home?
It depends on line length and access as well as the amount of deposits - a serious figure only comes after an assessment. That is why our rule is: you receive the quote before dispatch, in writing and without hidden extras. No middleman, no mark-up, no surprise price on arrival.
Who pays for a blockage - the tenant or the owner?
That depends on the cause and on the tenancy contract. Maintenance of the property is generally the owner's responsibility. If the blockage was demonstrably caused by improper use (wipes, food waste), the tenant can be charged. Our job report documents the cause and helps clarify the matter - the tenancy contract and the property management set the final terms.
How quickly are you on-site?
In an emergency we are reachable around the clock, including weekends. In the Zurich area we are with you within 60 minutes as a rule, travelling from our base in Schlieren. Planned jobs like an inspection or scheduled cleaning are booked jointly, usually within a few days.
What should I do during an active backflow?
Do not run any more water. Stop the washing machine and the dishwasher, do not flush the toilet. Keep your distance from any wastewater and call our 24/7 emergency line on +41 44 500 92 05 - we will tell you on the phone what to do until we arrive.
Is a preventive inspection worthwhile if nothing is blocked?
Yes, precisely then. Most sewer defects announce themselves long before anything overflows. Our free sewer inspection with a CCTV camera is free of charge, with no obligation to buy follow-up work - you receive the video and report and know afterwards whether action is needed or you can wait with peace of mind.
As the owner, am I responsible for the private connection line?
As a rule, yes: the private connection line from the house to the public sewer is the owner's responsibility, while the municipality maintains the public network. The exact boundary is set by your municipality - we show you during the inspection where your line runs and in what condition it is.
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