Mill Valley Drain Cleaning — From Downtown to the Hillsides

The drain picked a great time to stop working.

The shower that won’t drain before you’re standing in six inches of water. The kitchen sink that gurgles and backs up every time you run the dishwasher. Or the toilet that’s threatening something much worse.

Mill Valley’s redwoods are beautiful. They’re also sending roots into your sewer line right now. Add in homes built a century ago with pipes that have been working ever since, and drain problems are inevitable.

Call (707) 200-8350 and let us make your drain problem ours. We’ll clear the line and tell you why it clogged—whether you’re downtown or up in the canyons.

Our Process

1. Assess the situation — Which drains, how severe, any history of problems?
2. Locate the blockage — Fixture drain, branch line, or main sewer?
3. Choose the right method — Cable, hydro-jet, or specialized tools based on what we find
4. Clear completely — Not just enough to restore flow, but actually clean
5. Camera verify when needed — See inside the pipe to confirm it’s clear and check condition
6. Explain what we found — You’ll know why it clogged and what to watch for

We don’t just punch through and call it done. That’s how you end up calling us again in six weeks.

Tip: If a drain clogs more than twice in a year, there’s an underlying issue. A camera inspection is worth the investment.

What We Clear

Kitchen drains — Grease buildup, food debris, disposal problems. Mill Valley’s home cooks put their kitchen drains through serious use.

Bathroom drains — Hair, soap scum, and decades of accumulated buildup. Older Mill Valley homes often have undersized drain lines that clog more easily.

Main sewer lines — When multiple fixtures are affected, the main line is the culprit. Root intrusion from Mill Valley’s redwoods is the most common cause.

Floor drains — Basement, garage, laundry room. Often forgotten until they back up.

Hillside-specific challenges — Pump systems, uphill laterals, long runs from house to main.

Redwood Roots

Mill Valley’s defining feature—those magnificent coast redwoods—is also the biggest threat to your sewer line. Redwood roots are aggressive moisture seekers, and your sewer lateral is an underground stream of exactly what they want.

Roots enter through joints, hairline cracks, or deteriorated sections. Once inside, they expand, catch debris, and eventually block flow completely.

Signs of root intrusion:

• The same drain clogs repeatedly
• Gurgling sounds when other fixtures run
• Slow drainage throughout the house
• Sewage odors in the yard
• Unexplained wet spots or lush patches

We can cut roots and restore flow, but if the pipe is compromised, roots will return. A camera inspection shows us the pipe’s condition so we can recommend the right long-term solution.

Tip: If you have redwoods within 50 feet of your sewer line, annual preventive clearing is cheaper than emergency calls.

Century-Old Pipes

Many Mill Valley homes—especially downtown and in the older hillside neighborhoods—have original drain lines:

• Cast iron — Durable but eventually corrodes internally, creating rough surfaces that catch debris
• Clay tile — Common for sewer laterals, prone to cracking and root intrusion at joints
• Orangeburg — Tar paper pipes from the 1950s-70s that collapse with age

These materials served well for decades, but they’re reaching end-of-life in many homes. A camera inspection can reveal the condition of your pipes and help you plan.

Tip: If you’re buying an older Mill Valley home, a sewer camera inspection before closing can reveal expensive surprises.

Downtown Mill Valley: Historic Drains

The homes around Lytton Square and along Throckmorton date from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Their drain systems have been working for over a century—and many are showing their age.

Common issues in downtown homes:

• Undersized drain lines that met 1900s standards but struggle with modern fixtures
• Multiple modifications over decades creating awkward configurations
• Limited cleanout access making clearing more difficult
• Shared laterals where your drain connects to a neighbor’s before reaching the main

We work in historic Mill Valley regularly and know how to approach these systems carefully.

Hillside Homes: Gravity Challenges

Homes in Cascade Canyon, Homestead Valley, and the slopes above downtown face unique drain challenges:

Uphill laterals: Some hillside homes have sewer laterals that run uphill to reach the main. These require pump systems (grinder pumps or ejector pumps) that need maintenance and eventual replacement.

Long runs: The distance from house to sewer main may be significant, with more pipe and more potential problems.

Difficult access: Getting equipment to hillside homes—up stairs, through narrow passages—affects how we work. We’re equipped for it, but it’s a factor in planning and pricing.

Terrain movement: Hillsides shift over time. This can stress pipes, create bellies (low spots), and open joints for root entry.

Prevention: Keeping Mill Valley Drains Clear

Good habits:

• Run hot water after using the kitchen sink to flush grease through
• Use drain screens to catch hair and debris
• Avoid putting fibrous foods down the disposal
• Never pour grease down the drain—it solidifies in pipes

What to avoid:

• “Flushable” wipes—they don’t break down and catch on everything
• Chemical drain cleaners—they corrode pipes and rarely solve the real problem
• Ignoring slow drains—they only get worse

For homes with redwoods nearby: Annual or bi-annual preventive clearing keeps roots from becoming emergencies.

When Clearing Isn’t Enough

Sometimes a clog is a symptom of a bigger problem. We’ll tell you honestly when:

• The pipe is damaged — Cracks, collapses, or severe corrosion mean repair or replacement
• Roots keep returning — Ongoing maintenance or pipe replacement may be more cost-effective
• The line is bellied — A low spot where debris accumulates requires repair
• The pipe material is failing — Orangeburg or severely corroded cast iron needs replacement
• Pump system is failing — Hillside homes with pump systems may need pump replacement

We’d rather give you the honest assessment than keep clearing the same clog every few months.

Mill Valley Neighborhoods We Serve

• Downtown Mill Valley / Throckmorton
• Cascade Canyon
• Homestead Valley
• Tam Valley
• Alto
• Sycamore Park
• Scott Valley
• Almonte
• Strawberry (nearby)