Then there is the Puget Sound winter. The bluff above the Narrows takes the wind, and homes along Grandview and Soundview froze lines in December 2022 and January 2024 that homes a mile inland did not. Heavy winter rain runs off the plateau into the canyons and overloads old storm and sewer connections. We reach University Place in about 40 minutes from Port Orchard, over the Narrows Bridge and south on Bridgeport Way or Jackson Avenue, and the trucks go out stocked for the jobs this community generates most.
Why drain cleaning is a little different in University Place
Rainy-season groundwater is the quiet cause of a lot of University Place drain problems. A line that works all summer and backs up in November usually has roots following moisture into a cracked joint. We clear the roots and then show you the pipe so you can decide between a maintenance schedule and a repair.
The housing itself shapes the job. Post-war ramblers and split-levels from the 1950s through the 70s make up the heart of UP, with 1920s to 40s cottages near Day Island and Sunset Beach, and 1990s to 2000s homes near Chambers Bay and on infill lots. That era mix means copper reaching the end of its life, original cast iron under slab-on-grade houses, and plenty of 1970s galvanized still in service.
Local conditions that affect drain cleaning in University Place
Local conditions shape the work. In University Place: Water heaters past their life in garages of 1970s split-levels
Hillside and waterfront lots around University Place sometimes rely on long, low-slope drain runs or small ejector pumps to reach the street. Those lines collect sludge and need cleaning on a schedule. We can set that up so a backup does not pick the worst possible weekend.
In University Place specifically, one issue comes up more than most: Pinhole leaks in 1960s and 70s copper, often in slab-on-grade ramblers
For University Place businesses, restaurants and property managers we clear floor sinks, grease lines, utility sinks and storm drains on a schedule, with invoices and camera footage you can keep on file.
Signs University Place homeowners call us for drain cleaning
Worth a call
- Drain cleaner worked for a week and the clog came back
- More than one fixture is slow at the same time
- Drains slow down every fall when the rain starts
- Water pools in the shower and drains after you get out
- The kitchen sink gurgles or burps when the dishwasher drains
How we handle drain cleaning in University Place
Expect a University Place drain cleaning call to go like this: tell us what is slow, flat price, approved by you, clear the full pipe, prove it with water, then camera and advice. If the plan changes mid-job, we stop and re-quote rather than surprise you on the invoice.
Read the full step-by-step for drain cleaning →
University Place neighborhoods and areas we serve
We have worked in Soundview, in Sunset Beach and most of the University Place neighborhoods in between, including the homes out by Curran Apple Orchard Park and Chambers Creek Canyon Trail.
Drain Cleaning questions from University Place
My University Place house is on septic. Can you still clear the drain?
Yes. We clear the drain line between the house and the tank. We do not pump septic tanks, and if the problem turns out to be a full tank we will tell you that and point you to a pumper rather than charge you for cabling that will not help.
Can you clear a main line in University Place if there is no cleanout?
Yes, through a roof vent or by pulling a toilet. We will also quote adding a proper cleanout so future service is faster.
Do you camera the line after clearing a drain in University Place?
We offer it on every main line and recommend it on any drain that has clogged more than once. The footage shows exactly what caused the problem.
Do you handle drains for University Place rental properties and businesses?
Yes. We work with landlords, property managers and local businesses across Pierce County, with scheduled maintenance available for grease lines and storm drains.
Is it safe to use Drano or liquid drain cleaner first?
We would rather you did not. Chemical cleaners rarely remove a real clog, and they sit in the trap as caustic standing water that burns whoever opens the pipe next. They also damage older galvanized and some PVC joints. A plunger is fine; chemicals are not.
Pierce County is a regular part of our week. We cross the Narrows for University Place jobs often enough that the bridge toll is simply part of doing business, and it never shows up as a line on your invoice.