Drain Cleaning in Hanover, PA: Main Line Clogs, Backups & Who Pays
Hanover Borough looks after more than 99 miles of sanitary sewer, but the line from the curb to your house is yours. Call for a local drain pro who confirms the price before any work starts.
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Sewage coming up?
- Stop running water and flushing toilets.
- Keep everyone away from the sewage.
- Call (888) 703-1520, then report it to the borough.
Who do I call for a clogged sewer line in Hanover, PA?
If one sink or tub is slow, a plunger or hand snake is often enough. If water comes up the basement floor drain, several fixtures back up together, or the same clog keeps returning, the blockage is usually in your sewer lateral between the house and the curb, the part Hanover property owners pay to maintain. Call (888) 703-1520 for a local drain pro who confirms the price before starting.
Who pays for what on a Hanover sewer line?
Hanover’s borough code splits the sewer lateral at the curb. Knowing where your part starts saves arguments and money.
| Section of pipe | Who handles it | What that means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Inside your house | Property owner | Drains, stacks and basement fittings are yours |
| House to the curbline | Property owner | Clogs, roots and breaks here are usually yours to fix |
| Curbline to the street main | Hanover Borough | The borough repairs or replaces this section |
| Street main | Hanover Borough | Report problems to the borough, 717-637-3877 |
If your lateral is connected, reconnected or renewed, the code also requires a cleanout behind the curb, which gives a drain pro easy access to the main line.
What makes Hanover drain problems different?
A lot of 1940s and 1950s homes
About 24% of Hanover homes were built between 1940 and 1959, and the median home dates to 1956. That era used cast-iron drains inside and clay or tar-paper Orangeburg pipe outside, and Orangeburg can flatten or collapse with age.
Plenty of older houses too
Another 32% of homes were built in 1939 or earlier, often with clay laterals that have a joint every few feet. Tree roots find those joints and catch paper and grease until the line chokes.
Many rentals and shared lines
Nearly 47% of Hanover homes are rented. In converted houses and duplexes, one tenant’s grease or wipes can back up every unit on the same line, so landlords often book main line cleaning between tenants.
What should I do after a sewer backup in Hanover?
Hanover Borough has a written process for sewage backup claims. In short:
- Report the backup to the borough right away.
- Limit further damage and keep receipts for cleanup and temporary repairs.
- Photograph damaged items before you throw them out.
- File with your own insurance company first, then submit the borough’s claim form with their decision attached.
- Let borough staff inspect, including a TV inspection of your building sewer through a cleanout or floor drain.
The borough is generally responsible only when a known problem in the public sewer caused the backup. A camera inspection of your own line shows where the blockage really was.
Which method fits a Hanover sewer line?
- Cable machine: the usual first step to reopen a clogged lateral or branch drain.
- Hydro jetting: scours grease, scale and roots off the pipe wall, useful for lines that clog again after snaking.
- Sewer camera: shows whether an old clay or Orangeburg line is cracked, sagging or collapsed before anyone quotes a repair.
Orangeburg pipe that has already flattened can’t be fixed by cleaning alone, so a camera check matters in mid-century homes.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Hanover?
The price depends on where the clog is, how the pro reaches it, what caused it and when you call. A curbside cleanout makes main line work quicker than going through a basement fitting or pulling a toilet. Roots or collapsed pipe take more time and equipment than a paper clog. Either way, the local pro confirms the price before any work starts.
Drain services Hanover homeowners call about
Hanover Drain Cleaning FAQ
Who pays to fix the sewer lateral at a Hanover Borough home?
It depends on which side of the curb the problem is. Hanover’s code says the borough repairs or replaces the lateral from the main to the curbline. The pipe from the curbline to your building wall is laid at the property owner’s expense, so clogs, roots and breaks on that stretch are usually yours to fix.
Do I need a cleanout behind the curb in Hanover?
When a lateral is connected, reconnected or renewed, Hanover’s code requires the owner to install a cleanout behind the curb. If your home already has one, it gives a drain pro an easy way into the main line without going through the basement.
My basement flooded with sewage in Hanover. Can I file a claim?
Hanover Borough has a sewer backup claim procedure. You report the incident to the borough first, document all damage and cleanup costs, submit the claim to your own insurance company, and allow borough staff to inspect, including a TV inspection of your building sewer. The borough is generally liable only when a known problem in its public sewer caused the damage.
Does Hanover’s sewer serve McSherrystown and Conewago Township too?
The borough’s Hanover Area Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, at 300 O’Brien Lane in McSherrystown, treats sewage from Hanover Borough, Conewago Township, McSherrystown Borough and part of Penn Township. Each property owner still looks after their own lateral.
How deep are sewer lines buried in Pennsylvania?
It varies by lot, street and the age of the house, so there is no single depth. A drain pro finds the line through a cleanout or with a camera and locator before any digging, which is why a camera inspection comes before a repair quote.
Can I clean out my own sewer line?
You can clear a single slow sink or tub with a plunger or hand snake. A main line clog, sewage in the basement or roots usually need a powered cable machine or jetter, and a rental machine can kink or get stuck in older pipe if you’re not trained. For the main line, call (888) 703-1520.
Also serving near Hanover
Drain pros cover Hanover and the rest of York County. See drain cleaning across York County, drain cleaning in York, PA, or drain cleaning in Red Lion.
Sewage in a Hanover basement? Do this now
- Stop every source of water: toilets, sinks, laundry and dishwasher.
- Keep kids and pets out, and wear gloves if you must touch anything.
- Skip chemical drain cleaners in a backed-up line.
- Report the backup to Hanover Borough and photograph the damage.
- Call (888) 703-1520 to get your line cleared.
✓ Free call · ✓ Price before work · ✓ Fast local help
Last updated October 2026. Facts on this page are sourced below.
Sources
Drain Cleaning Prime is a free referral service that connects homeowners with independent local drain and sewer contractors. We don’t perform the work ourselves. Contractors are independent businesses, so confirm licensing, insurance and the price with your technician before any work begins.