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FAQ | Evergreen Plumbing & Drains

This FAQ page covers our most common plumbing questions, including general plumbing services as well as drain, waste, and sewer topics.

Answers are provided by Evergreen Plumbing & Drains co-owners Julius Cantrell and Shawn Bush, bringing decades of hands-on experience to help homeowners better understand plumbing issues, service options, and what to expect when working with our team.

General Company Questions

Yes. Shawn Bush (co-owner and still in the field) holds an Ohio Plumbing Contractor License: OH.PL.50860.

All Evergreen technicians are licensed and registered as required. We are also bonded and insured to work in every city and county we service.

 

Evergreen Plumbing & Drains was established in June 2024.

We serve the Dayton Metro Area and surrounding communities, including (but not limited to):

Dayton, Kettering, Beavercreek, Huber Heights, Fairborn, Troy, Xenia, Riverside, Centerville, Trotwood, Piqua, Miamisburg, Springboro, Vandalia, Englewood, Clayton, West Carrollton, Tipp City, Oakwood, Bellbrook, Union, Moraine, Germantown, Carlisle, Franklin, Lebanon, Mason, Middletown, Monroe, and nearby areas.

(If you don’t see your city listed, call us and we may still be able to help.)

Yes. We offer same-day service whenever scheduling allows and we handle emergency plumbing during business hours.

At this time, we do not offer after-hours emergency service.

No. We don’t charge a trip fee/service call fee, and we provide free estimates.

Our technicians are full-time Evergreen Plumbing employees (not subcontractors) and receive full benefits.

Yes. Everything we do includes parts and labor warranties, and Evergreen Care Plan Members receive 3x the warranty for added peace of mind.

We focus on customer experience and long-term solutions. We hire great people, train and coach our team, and treat every call as if it were our only job. We also stand behind our work with strong warranties and transparent options, because we’re a customer-first plumbing company.

 

Pricing & Process

We provide up-front, flat-rate pricing. After evaluating the situation, we will present you with options and a clear price before work begins. That’s what you pay, no hidden fees and no surprises if a job takes longer than expected.

Yes.

We may charge a diagnostic fee when a deeper investigation is required to identify the problem. Examples include:

  • Testing a water heater element
  • Cutting into drywall to locate a leak
  • Additional troubleshooting beyond a basic visual evaluation

In most cases, the diagnostic fee can be applied toward the repair.

Yes, in most cases. We prefer applying it to the repair so pricing stays clear, and the customer understands what’s included.

Yes. We offer financing through GoodLeap to help homeowners manage unexpected plumbing expenses. We also accept credit cards, debit cards, cash, and checks, and we can send payment links by email or text. Financing information is available on our website.

Yes. We offer seasonal coupons and an ongoing membership plan with benefits such as:

Evergreen Care Plan Membership Includes:

  • 10% off today’s services and future services
  • Free annual plumbing inspections
  • Front-of-the-line service
  • Triple peace-of-mind warranties
  • Special pricing on select services
  • After 6 months of active membership, choose one free service per year, such as:

o Salt delivery with water softener sanitation/service

o Water heater flush with tune-up

o RootX sewer treatment

o Camera inspection

o Water filtration filter swap-outs

o Backflow preventer inspection/testing/winterization

o Diagnosis and inspections

o Well system shock and sanitation

Additional Member Benefits (for Evergreen-supplied equipment):

  • Free annual water heater flush (tank or tankless)
  • Free salt deliveries for Evergreen-supplied water softeners

You can expect a professional, trained, and licensed technician who will:

  • Diagnose the issue and ask a few questions about symptoms/history
  • Offer to check any other concerns while on-site
  • Provide a free plumbing inspection if desired (including pressure and hardness testing)
  • Present clear options with up-front pricing
  • Complete the work (often the same day if approved)
  • Collect payment after the job is completed

Drains & Sewers

Common signs include:

  • Sewage odors
  • Water backing up from drains
  • Gurgling sounds when running water

Slow or abnormal draining across multiple fixtures

Yes. We perform camera inspections, and we provide video of the inspected sewer line.

Drain cleaning costs can vary widely depending on access, the type of clog, and whether advanced methods (like hydro-jetting) are needed. Be cautious with extremely low “$XX or free” offers, these are often loss leaders and may involve upsells after arrival. The best way to get accurate pricing is an on-site evaluation.

In most cases, no. Many drain chemicals can damage piping materials and we’ve seen them cause serious pipe failures, especially in older systems. If you have a slow or clogged drain, a professional evaluation is safer and more effective.

If it’s only a simple soft clog (like heavy paper/waste buildup), cleaning may solve it.

If a plumber pulls back roots, finds cracks, discovers collapsed sections, or identifies failing materials (galvanized, cast iron, clay, Orangeburg, etc.), repair or replacement may be necessary. A camera inspection is the best way to determine the proper solution.

Plumbing Repairs & Installations

If safe to do so, locate your main shutoff and turn it off only if it’s a ¼-turn ball valve.

If your main shutoff is an older gate valve (round handle) or looks corroded, don’t force it, you may cause a failure. If we’re closed and water must be shut off, you can sometimes contact your water provider for assistance. Either way, calling a plumber is always a good next step.

Yes. No job is too small; we handle repairs and replacements for all of these.

Common signs include:

  • A higher-than-normal water bill
  • Sounds of water running when nothing is on
  • Air in the lines
  • Unusually hot water or rapid hot water cycling (in some cases)

We also offer smart leak detection and automatic shutoff options (such as Moen smart shutoff systems) that can detect unusual water use and help prevent major water damage.

Yes, absolutely.

Yes. We specialize in solutions for older homes and the unique piping systems common throughout the Dayton area.

Preventative Maintenance & Memberships

Yes.

Evergreen Care Plan Membership Includes:

  • 10% off today’s services and future services
  • Free annual plumbing inspections
  • Front-of-the-line service
  • Triple peace-of-mind warranties
  • Special pricing on select services
  • After 6 months of active membership, choose one free service per year, such as:

o Salt delivery with water softener, sanitation/service

o Water heater flush with tune-up

o RootX sewer treatment

o Camera inspection

o Water filtration filter swap-outs

o Backflow preventer inspection/testing/winterization

o Diagnosis and inspections

o Well system shock and sanitation

Additional Member Benefits (for Evergreen-supplied equipment):

  • Free annual water heater flush (tank or tankless)
  • Free salt deliveries for Evergreen-supplied water softeners 

Annually for both is a great rule of thumb. For drains, we often recommend an annual camera inspection if there’s a known issue (roots, scaling, recurring backups). Water heater manufacturers commonly recommend annual flushing.

Yes. Preventive maintenance helps your plumbing system last longer and can reduce the chance of expensive emergency repairs and water damage.

Local Questions

Because we’re local to the Dayton area, we can typically get to you within 24 hours, and sometimes the same day you call. Once dispatched, we rarely have more than a ~30-minute drive to most homes in our service area.

Ohio winters can lead to frozen/burst pipes. The Dayton area also has many older homes, which means more issues with aging drain systems, galvanized water lines, and older sewer materials. Water quality and hardness are also common concerns in many local areas.

Yes. Prevention can include:

  • Insulating exposed piping and cold walls
  • Keeping a faucet dripping during extreme cold
  • Winterizing the home when traveling
  • Installing shutoffs for exterior lines and frost-free hose bibs
  • In some cases, upgrading vulnerable piping materials

It depends on the issue, but you can always call us first. We don’t charge a service fee, and we can help you troubleshoot safely over the phone and determine the best next step.

Yes. We provide same-day and emergency service during business hours, but we do not currently offer after-hours emergency plumbing service.

Drains, Wastes, and Sewer FAQs

Evergreen Plumbing & Drains – Answered by Shawn Bush, Co-Owner and Drain Expert

General Drain Problems & Warning Signs

For vanities, laundry drains, bathtubs, showers, and floor drains, the most common causes are hair and lint. For kitchen sinks, clogs are usually caused by animal fats, grease, and food debris. For building drains and main sewer lines, common causes include tree roots, waste buildup, excessive paper, and items that should never be flushed, such as wipes, feminine products, or paper towels. Another major cause of clogs in both small and large drains is scale buildup. Homes with galvanized or cast iron drain pipes develop internal rust and mineral buildup over time. This shrinks the inside diameter of the pipe and creates a bottleneck that restricts proper flow.
Common warning signs include: Standing water in a fixture Water draining much slower than normal In kitchen sinks, water bouncing between the two basins Toilets flushing poorly or not flushing at all For main sewer lines, warning signs include: Water backing up into a bathtub, shower, or floor drain at the lowest point of the home Toilets bubbling or gurgling when water is used elsewhere in the house In homes with basements, backups usually appear there first. In slab homes, they may show up in a utility room or floor drain.
Recurring clogs usually point to one of two issues: misuse or a structural problem. Misuse includes pouring grease down the drain or flushing wipes and other non-flushable items. Structural problems can include: Tree roots in a clay sewer line Collapsed or broken pipes Severe scale buildup in older metal pipes Improper pipe slope (called “improper fall”) If a drain line has a flat or uphill section, waste can slow down and settle, creating what plumbers call a bellied pipe or soft blockage, which leads to repeated backups.
Yes. Slow drains often indicate an underlying structural issue within the drain or sewer system, not just a simple clog.
Stop using water immediately and call a plumber. Multiple drains backing up usually indicates a main sewer line issue, which can cause sewage to back up into the home and result in serious water damage.
Yes. Gurgling typically means air is trapped due to a blockage or venting issue. A plumber should evaluate the system.
Yes. Sewage odors can indicate a broken vent, a dried-out trap, or a sewage backup that hasn’t been discovered yet, commonly in basements or utility closets.

Professional Drain Cleaning

Professional drain cleaning is typically done in two ways: Mechanical cleaning using a cable machine with blades or chains Hydro-jetting, which uses high-pressure water to clean the inside of the pipe The method used depends on the type of blockage, pipe condition, and location.
Store-bought cleaners rely on chemical reactions to dissolve clogs, which can damage older metal pipes. Professional drain cleaning physically removes the obstruction using cables, blades, chains, or high-pressure water, making it safer and more effective long-term.
If drains are used properly and the plumbing system is in good condition, professional cleaning is usually only needed every 3–5 years. Main sewer lines should rarely need cleaning unless there are defects such as roots or heavy scale buildup.
There is always some risk with older systems. Pipes weakened by age or chemical damage can crack or fail during cleaning. A professional plumber will evaluate risks before proceeding.
Drain cleaning can temporarily relieve symptoms, especially with root intrusion, but it is not a permanent solution. Structural issues require repair, lining, or replacement.
Pricing depends on many factors, including: Access point location Whether a toilet must be removed Line length Type of blockage Cleaning method required Because of these variables, an on-site evaluation by a licensed plumber is the best way to determine accurate pricing.

Drain Maintenance & Prevention

Kitchen sinks should never be used to dispose of large amounts of food. Garbage disposals are for food scraps only, not full plates or leftovers. Avoid starch-heavy foods like rice, pasta, potatoes, and grains. Eggshells are also problematic due to the membrane causing shells to stick inside pipes. Only toilet paper and waste should be flushed. Never flush wipes, feminine products, or paper towels. In bathrooms, use hair catchers to limit hair going down drains.
No. Chemical cleaners can severely damage metal drain lines and weaken their structural integrity over time.
Grease slowly coats pipes and can solidify, creating hard blockages that machines cannot clear. In extreme cases, pipe replacement may be required. Grease also accelerates corrosion in older metal drains.
Not directly. However, repeated clogs often lead homeowners to use harsh chemicals, which do damage pipes. Cable machines can also cause failures in very old galvanized lines nearing the end of their lifespan.
Drain maintenance is ongoing, not yearly. Prevent misuse daily by keeping grease, wipes, food, and hair out of drains. For homes with known issues such as roots or scaling, annual camera inspections and professional cleaning when necessary are recommended.

Root Intrusion & Root Treatments

Root intrusion primarily occurs in older clay sewer lines where pipe joints separate over time, allowing roots to enter. This is a flaw of outdated plumbing materials.
A professional drain cleaning followed by a camera inspection is the best way to confirm root intrusion.
Root treatment is a foaming herbicide applied to sewer lines to slow and control root growth as a preventative measure.
The foam expands to fill the pipe and targets root growth at clay pipe joints, where intrusion typically occurs.
Root treatments are typically effective for about one year.
Yes. The brands Evergreen Plumbing uses are safe for pipes and septic systems and are EPA-accepted when used properly.
Root treatment is typically recommended one to two times per year.

Hydro-Jetting Services

Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water (typically 3,000–4,000 PSI) to remove grease, sludge, roots, and buildup from drain and sewer pipes, thoroughly cleaning pipe walls.
Hydro-jetting cleans the entire pipe diameter using water, while snaking only opens a path through the blockage.
Hydro-jetting is recommended for heavy sludge, paper buildup, long sewer lines, descaling preparation, or homeowners wanting longer-lasting results between cleanings.
Yes, as long as the pipes are structurally sound. The same risks apply as with large cable machines in weak pipes.
Yes. Hydro-jetting is more effective at removing these materials than traditional snaking.
Results vary based on pipe condition, homeowner habits, and environmental factors, but hydro-jetting generally lasts longer than standard cleaning.

Descaling & Cast Iron Pipes

Descaling removes mineral deposits, rust, and buildup inside pipes that restrict flow and cause backups.
Descaling restores pipe diameter, improves flow, and helps extend the life of older cast iron drains.
Repeated soft blockages and slow drains are common signs. A camera inspection provides definitive confirmation.
Yes. Descaling can add years of service life to metal drain lines.
It can be a temporary alternative. Replacement is permanent, but descaling can delay major repairs.

Sewer Line Repairs & Trenchless Solutions

Age, outdated materials, corrosion, root intrusion, and ground shifting are the most common causes.
Trenchless sewer repair uses a liner to restore the pipe without excavating the yard or foundation.
A resin-saturated liner is inserted, expanded, and cured inside the existing pipe to form a seamless, jointless new pipe.
Sewer lining is recommended when excavation would require removing concrete, digging through foundations, or navigating unmovable obstacles.
Typically 50+ years.
It often is when factoring in restoration costs like concrete, flooring, or landscaping.
A camera inspection performed by a licensed plumber is the best way to determine the condition and proper solution.

Memberships, Inspections & Long-Term Protection Evergreen Care Plan

The Evergreen Care Plan Membership provides extended warranties, discounted inspections, and one free drain cleaning per year after six months (if selected as the included service).
Yes. Evergreen Care Plan Members receive heavily discounted inspections and one annual cleaning after six months of active membership.
Yes. Routine inspections and proper drain usage significantly reduce unexpected backups.
For known issues like roots or heavy scaling, once per year is recommended.
Yes. Preventative maintenance helps avoid unexpected backups, water damage, and costly emergency repairs.

See Why Dayton Calls Us First

I had a a gas line ran to my existing wood fireplace. They came in checked it over and gave a quote at a very reasonable price. I had previously received two quotes from other companies that were extremely high for the amount of line I needed ran. They then reached out to me the next…

Mitchell B.

Mitchell B.

Pulled a difficult toilet from rusted bolts onto the flange. Was expecting a bigger job with digging up concrete, but that did not have to happen. Technician David Sutter was very professional, informed me of several payment options up front, not pushy at all aiming towards the higher prices, and completed the job while helping me…

Amy B.

Amy B.

Dave Sutter did a great job fixing my water heater!

Sasha L.

Sasha L.

I had Dave Sutter over to check out my water heater after a long vacation and he got everything up and running incredibly quickly. Would recommend to anyone for quick service.

Isaac W.

Isaac W.

Kyle cares and detail oriented, polite, on time, and did the job perfectly. Would highly recommend them for repairs.

Baoyi L.

Baoyi L.

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