Sewer cleaning in Belgium
When several points in the house stop draining at once, or water appears in an inspection chamber, the problem lies beyond the internal pipework. At that level the causes change: settled sludge, roots entering through a joint, or a partial collapse of the pipe. We work from the chambers back towards the start of the run, so that debris leaves the system instead of being driven further into it.
- Final price given before we start
- Up to 2 years warranty on labour
- Emergency line available 24/7
- Direct phone contact: +32 2 000 00 00
Our approach
How we clear a sewer
On every sewer we follow the same sequence: we narrow the problem down, we put it on screen, then we jet it and check the result on camera.
- 01
Diagnosis at the chamber
We start from the inspection chamber to place the blockage: between the house and the chamber, or further along towards the public sewer. That narrows the working area straight away.
- 02
Camera inspection
A sewer camera shows the inside of the pipe: roots, subsidence, a crack or silt build-up are located on camera, with their distance, which marks out exactly the stretch that needs jetting.
- 03
High-pressure jetting
A powerful jet lifts roots, silt, grease and deposits right off the pipe wall. Pressure and nozzle are matched to the diameter and the condition of the pipe.
- 04
Check and advice
We verify the flow on camera. If there is a structural defect, you receive a video report and repair advice, with no obligation whatsoever to give us the work.
Common causes
Why a sewer blocks up
A blocked sewer is rarely the result of an accidental blockage. When the pipe already has cracks or open joints, tree roots are a common cause: they enter the pipe through a joint or a crack, then form a net that traps waste and gradually silts the pipe up.
Next comes pipe subsidence: through ground movement or simply age, a pipe can sag, and water then stands at the low point where silt settles. Add the layers of grease, silt and limescale that narrow the diameter year after year, plus the sand, leaves and grit washed in through gullies and rainwater downpipes.
Because the cause is literally underground, guessing it is impossible. That is why we always begin with a camera inspection: see before acting, then treat the real cause rather than the symptom alone.
Camera and jetting
See first, clean second
On a sewer, two techniques go together: look first, then clean. We locate and remove the real cause, not just the symptom.
Warning signs
Spotting a blocked sewer in time
A blockage in the main sewer announces itself differently from a local one. These signs call for fast action, before it backs up.
- Several outlets back up or slow down at the same time.
- Water rises at the lowest point: cellar, garage or ground-floor shower.
- The inspection chamber in the garden is full or overflowing.
- A persistent drain smell in the house, the garden or around the covers.
- Gurgling in the toilet or the waste pipe during heavy rain.
- The blockage returns quickly after a standard clearance.
Until we arrive
What to do before we get there
A few precautions limit the damage and save time on site. With a sewer, the main thing is to stop loading the network.
- 01
Cut down what you send out
Avoid flushing, showers, the washing machine and the dishwasher: every litre sent into a blocked network comes back out at the lowest point.
- 02
Clear the inspection chamber
Find the cover in the garden or driveway and free the access. That is our entry point for the camera and the jetting.
- 03
Protect the low rooms
Lift anything loose in the cellar or garage and keep the door shut if water has already backed up.
- 04
Pour nothing down the drain
Chemical cleaners do nothing against roots or subsidence, and they make the jetting dangerous for the technician.
Transparent pricing
What determines the price
Our call-outs start from €63.60 incl. VAT (6 % for homes over 10 years old, otherwise 21 %).
The price of clearing a sewer depends on the length to be treated, how reachable the chamber is and what is actually causing it. Removing a silt deposit is nothing like cutting roots over several metres. That is precisely why we inspect before quoting: you pay for the work needed, not for a precautionary flat rate.
You get the estimate before we begin, and the job is only closed once the flow is restored and verified on camera. If the inspection reveals a structural defect, you receive the video report and repair advice before any decision.
Benefits
- Camera inspection before and after jetting
- Professional high-pressure jetting equipment
- Cause located on camera, distance measured
- Video report if there is a structural defect
- Access through an existing chamber, no excavation
Equipment & techniques
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Question not on the list? We answer it by phone, no obligation.
+32 2 000 00 00How much does sewer cleaning cost?
Our call-outs start from €63.60 incl. VAT (6 % for homes over 10 years old, otherwise 21 %). The price of clearing a sewer depends on the length to be treated, how reachable the chamber is and what is actually causing it.
What is the difference between clearing a drain and clearing a sewer?
Drain unblocking covers the internal waste pipes, from trap to collector: the blockage sits close to the outlet and mechanical clearing is usually enough. A blocked sewer sits in the buried network, the main run or the connection to the public sewer. The causes there are different (roots, subsidence, silt build-up) and call for professional equipment: high-pressure jetting and camera inspection. We do both.
How do I know it is the sewer and not a single outlet?
If one point drains badly, the blockage is local. If several outlets slow down or back up at once, and above all if water rises at the lowest point of the house, the buried network is the cause. A full inspection chamber confirms it.
What do you do about roots in a sewer?
We remove them by mechanical cutting, then jet the pipe and check it on camera. Roots grow back as long as the joint or crack they enter through stays open: the inspection tells us whether a spot repair or a lining is needed.
Who is responsible for a blocked sewer: me or the council?
As a rule, the private connection (from the house to the property boundary) is the owner's responsibility, while the public collector falls to the municipality or the intermunicipal utility. The camera inspection places the blockage precisely, so it is clear which side of the boundary it is on.
How often should sewers be jetted preventively?
For a house with no trees nearby, jetting every three to five years is generally enough. With trees close to the run, an older network or a history of blockages, a check every two years prevents most emergencies.
When should you call a drain technician straight away?
Some signs mean the blockage is no longer local: waste water backing up into a shower, sink or toilet, several fixtures draining slowly at the same time, water rising from a yard gully, or a sewer smell that lingers despite ventilation. In those cases, avoid reaching for chemical drain cleaners again and again: they attack seals and pipework without reaching a blockage further down the run.
Present in Brussels, in Wallonia and in Flanders
42
cities served · drainage
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Cities we serve
Why Van Dijk Home
At sewer level the work shifts a blockage rather than removing it. We work from the chambers outwards and show on screen what comes out of the line. Where a structural fault appears, the report says so. Up to 2 years warranty on labour; parts carry the manufacturer’s warranty.
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