Drain Cleaning in Palmyra, PA: Main Lines, Rain Backups & Sinkholes
Many Palmyra homes date to the 1950s, when Orangeburg and clay sewer pipe were common, and the ground underneath is limestone. Call for a local drain pro who confirms the price before any work starts.
- Fast local help: call now
- Price confirmed before work starts
- Free call, no obligation
- Local Lebanon County drain pros
Drain backing up?
- Stop running water and flushing toilets.
- Keep kids and pets away from any sewage.
- Call (888) 703-1520 and describe what you see.
Who do I call for a clogged sewer line in Palmyra, PA?
A plunger or hand snake handles one slow sink. If sewage comes up the basement floor drain, several fixtures are slow together, or the line clogs again every few months, the problem is usually the private line from your house to the curb. Call (888) 703-1520 for a local drain pro who confirms the price before starting.
What makes Palmyra drain problems different?
A 1950s housing boom
About 23% of Palmyra homes were built in the 1950s and another 27% in 1939 or earlier; the median home dates to 1957. That era used clay and tar-paper Orangeburg sewer pipe, which can crack, let roots in or flatten over time.
Limestone ground
Palmyra sits on limestone that dissolves over time. Two cars fell into a sinkhole on a Palmyra car lot in 1970, and a 2017 sinkhole closed eastbound Route 422 nearby. Shifting ground can crack or separate an old sewer lateral.
Storms push the system
Rain gets into sewers through cracked pipes and illegal connections. Palmyra’s pump station keeps wet-weather storage for exactly that reason, and a partly blocked lateral is the first place a storm backup shows up in your basement.
What should Palmyra homeowners know about the sewer system?
- The borough runs the collection system. Palmyra Borough holds the state permit for its sewer collection system and Main Pump Station, designed for 1,355 gallons per minute.
- Wet-weather storage. A permit amendment issued March 11, 2026 keeps two existing aeration tanks as wet-weather storage at the pump station.
- Lateral vs. your line. The borough code defines the lateral as running from the public main to the curbline, and owners install and connect their own sanitary facilities at their own expense.
- Keep storm water out. Downspouts and sump pumps belong outside, not in a floor drain, so the sewer has room during storms.
Is my Palmyra home’s problem one drain or the main line?
| Sign | Likely cause | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Sewage coming up the basement floor drain | Main line blocked | 🔴 Call now |
| Backups that start during heavy rain | Partly blocked line plus storm flow | 🔴 Today |
| Sunken spot in the yard over the sewer line | Broken lateral or ground movement | 🟠 This week |
| Same clog every few months | Roots in clay or collapsing Orangeburg | 🟠 This week |
| One slow tub | Hair and soap in the branch | 🟢 Can wait |
Not sure? Call (888) 703-1520 and describe what you see.
Which method fits a Palmyra sewer line?
- Cable machine: reopens most clogged laterals and branch drains.
- Hydro jetting: clears grease and fine roots from clay pipe walls.
- Sewer camera: the most important step in a 1950s home, because flattened Orangeburg or a separated joint can’t be fixed by cleaning alone.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Palmyra?
It depends on the clog’s location, how the pro reaches the line, what caused it and when you call. A tub clog is quick; a root-packed or collapsing lateral takes more time, a camera and sometimes a repair plan. The local pro confirms the price before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
Drain services Palmyra homeowners call about
Palmyra Drain Cleaning FAQ
Who runs the sewer system in Palmyra?
Palmyra Borough owns the sewer collection system, including its Main Pump Station. The borough code defines the lateral as the part running from the public main to the curbline, and owners install and connect their own sanitary facilities at their own expense.
Why does Palmyra’s pump station have wet-weather storage?
Heavy rain adds water to sewer systems through cracked pipes and illegal connections. Palmyra’s Main Pump Station, designed to move 1,355 gallons per minute, keeps two former aeration tanks as wet-weather storage under a state permit amended in March 2026, so the system can hold back extra flow during storms.
Are there sinkholes in Palmyra?
Yes, the area sits on limestone. Two cars fell into a sinkhole on a Palmyra car lot in 1970, and in 2017 a sinkhole closed eastbound Route 422 nearby, where the neighboring business owner suspected a water and sewer line was involved. A sunken spot over your sewer line is worth a camera check.
Why do 1950s Palmyra homes have sewer problems?
About 23% of Palmyra homes were built in the 1950s, when Orangeburg tar-paper pipe and clay laterals were common. Orangeburg can flatten or collapse with age, and clay joints let roots in. A camera inspection tells you which you have.
Can I clean out my own sewer line?
You can clear a slow sink or tub with a plunger or hand snake. A main line clog, roots or sewage in the basement need a powered drain machine or jetter. For the main line, call (888) 703-1520.
Is Palmyra close to Hershey?
Yes. Palmyra sits on Route 422 just east of Hershey and Derry Township in Dauphin County, and drain pros cover both sides of the county line. Call to confirm your address.
Also serving near Palmyra
Drain pros cover Palmyra and the rest of the county. See drain cleaning across Lebanon County or drain cleaning in Lebanon, PA. To the south, see Lancaster County, including Elizabethtown.
Sewage coming up in a Palmyra 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.
- Stay away from water near outlets, appliances or the furnace.
- Photograph the damage, then call (888) 703-1520.
✓ 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.