Drain Cleaning in Hummelstown, PA: Sewer Clogs, Roots & Borough Rules
Hummelstown’s sewer code splits the work: the Borough repairs root damage to the lateral, but clearing clogs is on you. Call for a local drain pro who confirms the price before any work starts.
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Sewer line clogged?
- Stop running water and flushing toilets.
- Keep any camera footage or receipts.
- Call (888) 703-1520 and describe what you see.
Who do I call for a clogged sewer line in Hummelstown, PA?
For one slow drain, try a plunger. If the basement floor drain is backing up or several fixtures are slow together, the clog is in your building sewer or lateral, and the Hummelstown code makes the owner responsible for removing it. If a camera then shows the lateral itself is damaged by roots or settling, the Borough repairs it. Call (888) 703-1520 for a local drain pro who confirms the price before starting.
Who fixes what under Hummelstown’s sewer code?
| Problem | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Clog in your building sewer or lateral | You, unless a damaged lateral caused it |
| Lateral damaged by tree roots, settling backfill or other natural causes | The Borough repairs it |
| The joint where your building sewer meets the lateral | You maintain and repair it |
| Your building sewer (house to lateral) | You keep it sanitary and working |
| Problem found in the main or lateral after your investigation | The Borough, which can reimburse up to $500 of documented investigation costs |
These rules were added to the Borough code in 2020. The lateral is the part of the system from the sewer to the curb line.
Why does a camera inspection matter in Hummelstown?
Because the code splits responsibility by cause, proof matters:
- A cleared clog with no damage is the owner’s cost.
- Root intrusion or settling damage in the lateral is the Borough’s to repair.
- The $500 reimbursement depends on credible evidence that the problem is in the main or lateral.
Ask for a sewer camera inspection after the line is cleared, keep the video and the invoice, and share them with the Borough if the damage is on its side.
What makes Hummelstown drain problems different?
Older core, newer edges
About 17% of Hummelstown homes were built before 1940 and another 15% in the 1940s, while the median home dates to 1965. Older homes are more likely to have clay laterals, where roots get in at the joints.
No floor drain tie-ins
The code bars basement floor drains from connecting to the building sewer without special Borough permission, and bans stormwater, groundwater and cellar drainage from the sewer.
A shared treatment plant
Hummelstown’s sewage goes to the Swatara Township Authority plant on Paxton Street, alongside Lower Paxton and Swatara Townships. The collection system has no combined sewers.
Is my Hummelstown home’s problem one drain or the main line?
| Sign | Likely cause | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Sewage coming up the basement floor drain | Building sewer or lateral blocked | 🔴 Call now |
| Toilet, tub and sink slow together | Main line partly blocked | 🔴 Today |
| Same clog every few months | Roots in the lateral | 🟠 This week |
| Sunken spot over the line near the curb | Settled backfill or a broken lateral | 🟠 This week |
| One slow bathroom sink | Hair and soap in the branch | 🟢 Can wait |
Not sure? Call (888) 703-1520 and describe what you see.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Hummelstown?
It depends on which line is clogged, how the pro reaches it, what caused it and when you call. A sink is quick; a root-packed lateral takes a cutting head and often a camera to document the damage. The local pro confirms the price before any work starts.
Drain services Hummelstown homeowners call about
Hummelstown Drain Cleaning FAQ
Does Hummelstown Borough fix sewer laterals damaged by tree roots?
Yes. Since 2020, the Hummelstown sewer code says damage to a lateral from tree roots, subsiding backfill or other natural causes is the Borough’s responsibility to repair. The lateral is the part from the sewer to the curb line.
Who clears a clog in a Hummelstown sewer line?
The property owner. The code makes any blockage in a building sewer or lateral the owner’s to remove, unless the blockage is caused by a damaged lateral, in which case the Borough removes it.
Will Hummelstown pay for my camera inspection?
It can. If you investigate a sewer malfunction and a Borough representative finds, based on credible evidence you provide, that the problem is in the sewer main or lateral, the Borough reimburses up to $500 of your documented investigation costs.
Can my basement floor drain connect to the sewer in Hummelstown?
Only with special permission from the Borough. The code also bans stormwater, surface water, groundwater and foundation or cellar drainage from the sewer, so sump pumps should discharge outside.
Where does Hummelstown’s sewage go?
To the Swatara Township Authority treatment plant on Paxton Street, which also treats flow from Lower Paxton and Swatara Townships and discharges to Swatara Creek. Hummelstown sends just under 10% of the plant’s flow.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Hummelstown?
It depends on the line, the access point, the cause and the time of day. A sink clog costs less than a root-filled main line. The local pro confirms the price before any work starts.
Also serving near Hummelstown
Hummelstown sits between Hershey and Harrisburg along Swatara Creek. See drain cleaning in Hershey, Harrisburg and all of Dauphin County.
Sewage coming up in a Hummelstown 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.
- Take photos and keep every invoice and camera video.
- Skip chemical drain cleaners in a backed-up line.
- Call (888) 703-1520 to get your line cleared.
✓ Free call · ✓ Price before work · ✓ Fast local help
Last updated November 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.