Do I Need a Plumber or a Septic Contractor?
Toilets backing up? Drains gurgling? Before you spend money on the wrong service, let us help you figure out where the problem really is. Modern Plumbing Services helps Citrus County homeowners troubleshoot drain and sewer problems the right way. And if it is just a clogged toilet, our toilet augering service starts at only $150, so you are not paying for a full sewer cleaning you do not need.
(352) 726-5601When toilets are backing up, drains are gurgling, or wastewater is not leaving the house properly, one of the first questions homeowners ask is simple: "Do I need a plumber or a septic contractor?"
The answer depends on where the problem is. A plumbing problem is usually inside the home, under the home, or in the sewer line leaving the home. A septic problem is usually related to the septic tank, drainfield, or the need for septic pumping.
Modern Plumbing Services helps homeowners in Inverness, Hernando, Lecanto, Beverly Hills, Crystal River, Homosassa, Floral City, and surrounding Citrus County areas troubleshoot drain and sewer problems so they know the right next step before wasting time and money.
Straightforward drain service pricing
We believe you should know what a service costs before anyone shows up at your door. Here are our four tiers of drain and sewer service:
Plumbing Diagnostic
Can't find your cleanout? Get a professional plumber to help diagnose the problem and give suggested solutions. Citrus County customers only.
Toilet Auger
Fast toilet clog removal without paying for a full sewer cleaning. Includes $55 service call plus $95 first hour of labor.
Professional Drain Cleaning
Ridgid sewer machine and cables. Includes 1 hour of service. After the first hour, billed in quarter hour increments at $23.75.
Drain Cleaning with Sewer Camera
When necessary, a sewer camera inspection identifies the real cause: roots, broken pipe, bellies, grease, and more.
Book online and save $15 on your service. Schedule through our website anytime, 24 hours a day. You will receive straightforward recommendations with no commission-based sales pressure and an itemized invoice, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Toilet augering service starting at only $150
If only one toilet is clogged and the rest of your plumbing is draining normally, you may not need a full sewer machine service. In many cases, a professional toilet auger can safely remove the blockage without removing the toilet.
Modern Plumbing Toilet Augering Service starts at only $150, which includes:
- $55 service call
- $95 for the first hour of professional labor
This service is ideal for common toilet stoppages caused by excessive toilet paper, wipes, small objects, or other obstructions that can often be cleared directly through the toilet.
If the blockage turns out to be a larger drain or sewer line problem, our experienced plumbers can explain your options before performing any additional work. No surprises, no pressure, just honest recommendations from a family-owned business that has served Citrus County since 1978.
Not sure what is wrong? Start with a $95 plumbing diagnostic
Can't find your cleanout? Not sure if the problem is a clog, a septic issue, or something else entirely? For only $95, a professional plumber from Modern Plumbing will come to your home, help diagnose the problem, and give you suggested solutions so you know exactly what your next step should be.
This is a smart starting point if you want an experienced set of eyes on the situation before committing to a full drain cleaning or other service. We will look at your symptoms, check how many fixtures are affected, locate your cleanout when possible, and tell you honestly whether you need a plumber, a septic contractor, or no service at all.
Citrus County customers only
The $95 plumbing diagnostic is available to customers within Citrus County, including Inverness, Lecanto, Crystal River, Hernando, Beverly Hills, Homosassa, Floral City, and Citrus Springs.
Landlords: online invoicing with pictures
Own a rental property in Citrus County? We make it easy to handle plumbing service from anywhere. Modern Plumbing offers online invoicing for landlords, complete with pictures of the completed work, so you can see exactly what was done at your property without driving across town.
You get an itemized invoice delivered electronically, photos documenting the problem and the repair, and honest recommendations from technicians who do not work on commission. It is a simple way to take care of your tenants and protect your investment, whether you live down the street or out of state.
Call (352) 726-5601 to set up landlord service, or schedule online anytime.
Common causes of sewer stoppages
After 48 years of clearing drains across Citrus County, we have pulled just about everything imaginable out of sewer lines. Most stoppages come down to items that should never have gone down the drain in the first place. Here are the biggest offenders:
From the kitchen
- Food grease from pans. Grease goes down as a liquid, then cools and hardens inside the pipe. Wipe pans with a paper towel and throw it in the trash instead.
- Pasta and rice. Both keep absorbing water and swelling long after they go down the drain, forming a paste that catches everything behind it.
- Vegetable and fruit peelings. Potato peels, carrot shavings, banana peels, and citrus rinds are frequent culprits, even with a garbage disposal.
- Coffee grounds. They clump together in the trap and pipe walls instead of washing through.
- Eggshells. The membrane wraps around disposal blades and the ground shell settles into sludge.
- Fibrous foods. Celery, corn husks, onion skins, and artichokes tangle in the disposal and the line.
From the bathroom
- Flushable wipes. Do not flush them! Despite the label, these wipes do not break down like toilet paper. They are one of the most common causes of sewer stoppages we see in Citrus County.
- Women's health products. Tampons and pads are designed to absorb and expand, which makes them a guaranteed clog in a sewer line or septic system.
- Paper towels. Much thicker and stronger than toilet paper, they hold together in the line and snag on any rough spot.
- Cotton balls, swabs, and dental floss. Floss especially loves to tie other debris together into a rope-like mass.
- Cat litter. Even brands labeled flushable can form a cement-like clump in the pipe.
The surprising ones
- Kids toys. Small cars, action figures, rubber ducks, and building blocks find their way into toilets more often than you would believe. If a toy goes down and the toilet stops flushing right, call us before it works its way deeper into the line.
- Toothbrushes and combs. Knocked off the counter into an open toilet, then flushed without anyone noticing.
- Excessive toilet paper. Even the right product causes problems in large amounts, especially in older low-flow toilets or homes on septic.
If any of these have already found their way into your drain and things are backing up, do not worry. Our toilet augering service starts at $150 and our professional drain cleaning starts at $249. We will get things flowing again and let you know if there is a bigger problem hiding in the line.
First question: do I have septic or city sewer?
Before deciding who to call, you need to know whether your home is connected to a septic system or city sewer.
Many Citrus County homes are on septic, while some homes are connected to city sewer or a private sewer system. If you are not sure, check your utility bill, property records, septic permit history, or ask your local utility provider.
You can also look outside for a septic tank lid, drainfield area, sewer cleanout, or sewer connection point. If you are still unsure, an experienced plumbing professional can often help you identify the most likely setup during a drain inspection.
1. Find your cleanout
A sewer cleanout is one of the most important access points for your plumbing system. It allows a plumber to inspect, clean, and service the main sewer line without removing toilets or cutting into piping. Every home should have an accessible cleanout.
Once you find the cleanout, carefully remove the cap if it is safe to do so. If the cleanout has standing water inside, that usually means wastewater is not flowing away from the home properly. That can point to a mainline stoppage, a full septic tank, a septic issue, or a sewer line problem.
One simple checkpoint is to flush the furthest toilet from the cleanout and watch the cleanout opening. If you can see wastewater move by and drain away normally, the line may still be flowing. If water rises, sits, or backs up at the cleanout, there is likely a restriction downstream.
Do not leave the cleanout open
Sewer gas, wastewater, insects, and debris can become a problem if the cleanout is left uncapped after checking it.
Advantages of having an accessible cleanout
An accessible cleanout can save time, money, and aggravation. It gives the plumber a proper entry point for drain cleaning equipment, sewer camera inspection, and troubleshooting. A good cleanout can help avoid pulling a toilet just to access the drain line. It can also make it easier to determine whether the issue is inside the home, in the main sewer line, or past the house toward the septic tank or city sewer connection.
If your home does not have an accessible cleanout, adding one may be worth considering, especially if you have had repeated stoppages.
2. Signs of a full septic tank
If your home is on septic, a full septic tank can look like a plumbing stoppage. Common signs may include:
- Slow drains throughout the home
- Toilets bubbling or gurgling
- Sewage odor outside near the tank or drainfield
- Wastewater backing up into tubs, showers, or floor drains
- Wet, soft, or unusually green areas near the drainfield
- Multiple fixtures backing up at the same time
A key question is: when was your septic tank last pumped? Most household septic tanks should be inspected regularly and typically pumped every 3 to 5 years, depending on tank size, household size, water usage, and what goes down the drains.
If it has been many years since the last pump-out, or if you recently bought the home and do not know the service history, a licensed septic contractor may need to inspect and pump the tank.
3. Signs of a plumbing stoppage
Not every backup is a septic problem. Many backups are caused by plumbing stoppages inside the home or in the main sewer line. Here is how to think through the difference.
Toilet stoppage
If only one toilet is clogged and all other drains are working, it may be a toilet stoppage. This can happen from toilet paper, wipes, toys, feminine products, or other items that should not have been flushed. If plunging does not fix it, the toilet may need professional augering or removal to check the toilet outlet and flange area. Our toilet augering service starts at $150 and can often clear the blockage without removing the toilet.
Single bathroom stoppage
If one bathroom is affected, but the rest of the home drains normally, the stoppage may be in the branch line serving that bathroom. For example, the toilet, tub, and sink in one bathroom may drain slowly or back up, while the kitchen and other bathroom still work. That usually points to a localized plumbing stoppage, not a full septic tank.
Mainline stoppage
If multiple fixtures are affected at the same time, especially lower fixtures like tubs, showers, or floor drains, the problem may be in the main sewer line. A mainline stoppage can affect the whole house. Toilets may bubble, tubs may fill with wastewater, and the cleanout may have standing water.
Modern Plumbing professional drain cleaning with a Ridgid sewer machine starts at $249 and includes 1 hour of service. After the first hour, service is billed in quarter hour increments at $23.75.
4. Different sewer line problems
A drain cleaning machine can clear many stoppages, but the real question is why the stoppage happened. Common sewer line problems include:
- Broken fittings
- Tree roots in the line
- Excessive grease buildup
- Bellies or sagged pipe
- Backpitch
- Improper plumbing fittings
- Offset pipe joints
- Old cast iron deterioration
- Poor pipe support under mobile homes or raised homes
A one-time stoppage may just be a clog. Repeated stoppages usually mean there is an underlying problem that needs to be found. For example, if a line has a belly, wastewater and solids can sit in the low area and keep creating blockages. If the pipe has backpitch, waste is trying to flow uphill. If roots are entering the pipe, the stoppage may come back even after the line is cleaned.
5. When should I use a sewer camera?
A sewer camera is not always needed for a simple, one-time clog. But if you have had multiple stoppages, repeated slow drains, sewage smells, or backups that keep returning, a sewer camera inspection can help identify the cause.
A sewer camera can help locate problems such as broken pipe, root intrusion, bellied or sagged sewer line, grease buildup, improper fittings, backpitch, pipe separation, foreign objects, and damaged or deteriorated piping.
Modern Plumbing professional drain cleaning with sewer camera starts at $439 when a camera inspection is necessary.
This is especially helpful before making a larger repair decision. Guessing can get expensive. Seeing the inside of the sewer line helps determine whether the problem is cleaning, repair, replacement, or septic related.
6. Why drain cleaning is not always the solution for grease stoppages
Grease stoppages are different from regular toilet paper or waste stoppages. A sewer machine can punch a hole through grease and get water moving again, but that does not always clean the inside walls of the pipe. Grease can remain stuck to the pipe lining, then slowly catch more waste and cause another stoppage.
Professional grade drain chemicals, such as Hercules Clobber, can sometimes help break down grease buildup when used properly by a trained professional. These products are not the same as ordinary store-bought drain cleaners and should not be handled casually.
For excessive grease buildup, high pressure hydro cleaning is often the better solution because it can clean the inside lining of the pipe and remove more grease residue. Modern Plumbing does not currently offer hydro cleaning service. If hydro cleaning is the right solution, we can help you understand what the issue appears to be so you know what type of service to request.
7. Other possible problems
Some drain problems are not caused by a clog or a full septic tank. Other possible causes include a blocked plumbing vent, bad Studor vent or air admittance valve, improper venting, poorly installed plumbing fittings, improper slope, old or deteriorated piping, septic tank outlet filter restriction, drainfield issues, or foreign objects in the line.
A blocked vent or bad Studor vent can cause gurgling, slow drainage, odor, or poor fixture performance. Improper venting can make a drain problem look like a stoppage when the real issue is air movement in the plumbing system.
This is why experience matters. The same symptom can have several different causes.
Plumber or septic contractor: who should you call?
Call a plumber when:
- One toilet is clogged
- One bathroom is backing up
- Multiple fixtures are draining slowly
- You have standing water in the cleanout
- You need professional drain cleaning
- You need a sewer camera inspection
- You suspect broken piping, roots, grease, backpitch, or a belly
- You are unsure where the problem is starting
Call a septic contractor when:
- Your septic tank needs pumping
- You have not pumped the tank in several years
- The tank is full
- The drainfield is wet, soggy, or failing
- There is sewage odor near the tank or drainfield
- The septic alarm is going off
- The septic outlet filter or tank components need service
In many real-world situations, the plumber and septic contractor may both play a role. The plumber can help determine whether the plumbing system is moving wastewater properly from the home. The septic contractor can pump, inspect, or service the septic tank and drainfield.
How Modern Plumbing can help save time, money, and aggravation
Drain and sewer problems are frustrating because they interrupt your home fast. Toilets, showers, tubs, laundry, and kitchen drains all depend on the same system working properly.
An experienced plumbing professional from Modern Plumbing can help you avoid guessing. We look at the symptoms, check how many fixtures are affected, locate the cleanout when possible, determine whether the problem looks isolated or mainline related, and recommend the next practical step.
Sometimes the answer is a $150 toilet auger. Sometimes the answer is professional drain cleaning. Sometimes the answer is a sewer camera. Sometimes the answer is to call a septic contractor. The important part is knowing which direction makes sense before spending money on the wrong service.
Modern Plumbing Services has helped Citrus County homeowners with plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, sewer line troubleshooting, mobile home plumbing, water heaters, toilets, faucets, and general plumbing service since 1978.
Common drain and septic questions from Citrus County homeowners
Check your utility bill, property records, or septic permit history. You can also look for septic tank lids, a drainfield area, or a sewer cleanout. If you are unsure, a plumbing professional may be able to help identify the likely setup.
Modern Plumbing Toilet Augering Service starts at only $150, which includes a $55 service call and $95 for the first hour of professional labor. Save $15 when you book online. This service is ideal for common toilet stoppages caused by excessive toilet paper, wipes, or small objects.
Not always. Standing water in a cleanout usually means wastewater is not flowing away properly. The cause could be a mainline stoppage, a full septic tank, a septic restriction, or a sewer line problem.
Most household septic tanks are typically pumped every 3 to 5 years. The schedule depends on tank size, household size, water usage, and how much solid waste enters the system.
You may need professional drain cleaning if a toilet, bathroom group, or main sewer line is clogged and normal plunging does not solve the problem. Multiple fixtures backing up at the same time often points to a mainline issue. Our drain cleaning with a Ridgid sewer machine starts at $249 and includes 1 hour of service.
Consider a sewer camera if you have repeated stoppages, recurring backups, suspected roots, possible broken pipe, grease buildup, a belly in the line, backpitch, or an unknown sewer problem. Our drain cleaning with sewer camera starts at $439 when a camera is necessary.
Drain cleaning may temporarily open a grease stoppage, but it may not fully clean grease from the pipe walls. Heavy grease buildup often needs hydro cleaning, which uses high pressure water to clean the inside of the pipe. Modern Plumbing does not currently offer hydro cleaning, but we can help explain why it may be the better solution so you know what type of service to request.
If you are unsure, call a plumber first when fixtures inside the home are backing up, when you have a mainline stoppage, or when you need the sewer line checked. Call a septic contractor when the tank needs pumping, the drainfield appears saturated, or the septic system itself needs service.
We highly recommend and work with A-Able Septic-Sewer Services. They are a local, honest, and trusted contractor in Citrus County located in Crystal River, FL. They offer 24 hour emergency services for both residential and commercial. Address: 2190 N Crede Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428. Phone: (352) 795-1554. Website: www.a-ableseptic.com
Unfortunately we do not offer emergency, after hour, or weekend services. We are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and would love to take care of your drain problems. You can schedule service online anytime.
Can't find your cleanout or not sure what is causing your drain problem? For only $95, a professional plumber will come to your home, help diagnose the problem, and give you suggested solutions. This service is available to Citrus County customers only. Call (352) 726-5601 or schedule online.
Yes! We offer online invoicing for landlords with pictures of the completed work. You get an itemized invoice delivered electronically plus photos documenting the problem and the repair, so you can manage plumbing service at your rental property from anywhere. Call (352) 726-5601 to set up landlord service.
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